Home Study program (Grades 1-8)
We believe that it is important to empower parents to be the primary educators of their children in the way of the faith. We realize that a number of families in the Catholic Community of Billerica would prefer to provide their children’s faith formation in their home rather than in a structured program at a church. Some reasons why families choose Home Study include the scheduling demands of the family, having multiple children who would need to attend Religious Education at different times, and the particular educational needs of their children.
Billerica Catholic Religious Education will provide materials, assessments, and support for families to catechize their children at home. Periodically, families will be expected to return materials to the Religious Education Office or to the St. Mary’s rectory/office (where the office of the Home Study Coordinator is located).
- Home Study materials are distributed in September and then periodically throughout the year, as needed.
- Home Study First Reconciliation and First Eucharist students and parents/guardians are expected to attend all scheduled meetings, rehearsals and workshops that pertain to the sacramental preparation process.
- Home Study is not an option for the Confirmation Program, since Confirmation sacramental preparation is embedded into the catechetical curriculum of the high school formation program.
Students in Grades 1-8 are welcome to participate in our Home Study program. We use the following curriculum resources:
| Student Grade(s) |
Home Study Curriculum |
BCRE Live Class Is Called… |
| Grade 1 |
Christ Our Life Series from Loyola Press – Grade 1 book | Young Disciples |
| Grade 2 |
Discover from St. Mary’s Press (Grade 2 level) | Seekers |
| Grades 3 & 4 | Christ Our Life Series from Loyola Press – Grades 3 & 4 books | Explorers |
| Grade 5 |
Finding God Series from Loyola Press – Grade 5 book | Pathfinders |
| Grade 6 |
Pflaum Gospel Weeklies – Visions – Parent Page | Pathfinders |
| Grades 7-8 | Pflaum Gospel Weeklies – Visions – Parent Page | Navigators |
Click here for Grades 6-8 Online Weekly Submissions and Quarterly Assessments
Registration: Please write the word “HOME” in the First Choice column of the Registration Form.
Online Registration: Look for the BCRE Home Study option in the drop down menu.
For more information or questions, please contact Karen Dubbs, the BCRE Home Study Coordinator. Karen’s office is located in the St. Mary Rectory Office at 796 Boston Road, Billerica (Pinehurst section of town).