Children's Catechetical Ministry - CCM

Growing in Faith. Building Community. Following Jesus.

Welcome to St. Martin of Tours Children’s Catechetical Ministry (CCM)!

CCM is our parish faith formation program for children in grades K–6 who are growing in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. Through age-appropriate lessons, prayer, community-building activities, and family involvement, children are invited to deepen their relationship with God and discover what it means to live as disciples of Jesus.

CCM also provides preparation for children who are journeying toward receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.

We warmly welcome families who are active in parish life, as well as those who are beginning or returning to their faith journey. Our hope is to walk with every family as we grow together in faith and closer to Christ.

Our Mission

The mission of Children’s Catechetical Ministry is to partner with parents and guardians in nurturing children’s Catholic faith and helping them develop a lifelong relationship with Jesus and His Church.

Through CCM, children will:

Learn about Scripture, Catholic teachings, prayer, and the life of the Church.
Grow in their understanding and love of the Sacraments.
Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and reflection.
Experience the joy of belonging to the Catholic community.
Discover how to live their faith through love, service, and Christian values.

Who Is CCM For?

CCM is designed for children in Kindergarten through 6th Grade who are seeking to grow in their Catholic faith.

The program welcomes:

Children who are already active members of the Catholic Church.
Children who are continuing their faith formation after receiving Baptism.
Children preparing for their first reception of the Sacraments.
Families who are rediscovering or strengthening their connection with the Church.

If your child has unique circumstances regarding Baptism, Eucharist, or faith formation, please contact the Faith Formation Office so we can help guide your family.

Sacramental Preparation

CCM provides the foundation for children preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of:

First Reconciliation

Children learn about God’s mercy, forgiveness, and the importance of reconciliation in their relationship with Christ.

First Eucharist

Children prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist by learning about the Mass, the Real Presence of Christ, prayer, and the meaning of receiving Holy Communion.

Sacramental preparation requires both participation in CCM sessions and active involvement from families at home and in parish life.

The Role of Parents and Families

Parents and guardians are the primary educators of their children in faith. CCM is designed to support and accompany families, but faith formation begins and continues within the home.

Families are encouraged to:

Pray together regularly at home.
Participate faithfully in Sunday Mass.
Talk about faith and what children are learning.
Encourage children to practice Christian values in daily life.
Participate in parish activities and opportunities for spiritual growth.

The most important way children learn to love Jesus and His Church is by seeing their faith lived out by the adults around them.

Sunday Mass Participation

The Sunday Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith and the foundation of Christian life. Through the celebration of Mass, we encounter Jesus in His Word and in the Eucharist, grow as the Body of Christ, and are strengthened to live as His disciples.

Regular participation in Sunday Mass is an essential part of your child’s faith formation.

While CCM sessions help children learn about God and the teachings of the Catholic Church, it is through weekly participation in the Eucharist that faith is nourished, celebrated, and lived.

By worshipping together each week, families help their children build a lifelong relationship with Jesus and a deeper love for His Church.

Program Schedule

2026–2027 CCM Sessions
Wednesdays | 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Classes begin in September and continue through May.

The program includes:

Weekly faith formation sessions.
Family Faith Nights throughout the year.
Sacramental preparation experiences.
Prayer opportunities and community-building activities.
Year-end celebration.

Important Family Dates

Parent Orientation
Sunday, September 20, 2026
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Church (Required)

Family Faith Nights
December 2, 2026
March 10, 2027
(Required family participation)

First Reconciliation Service
December 10, 2026
6:00 PM
Church (Required for children preparing for First Reconciliation)

Year-End Gathering
May 5, 2027

(Additional details will be provided throughout the year.)

Attendance Expectations

Faith formation is a journey that requires commitment and consistency.

Families are asked to:

Ensure children attend weekly CCM sessions.
Notify the Catechetical Director when a child must miss a session due to illness, emergency, or unavoidable circumstances.
Communicate any anticipated absences in advance.
Participate in required Family Faith Nights and sacramental preparation activities.

Regular participation helps children build relationships with their catechists, classmates, and the parish community while allowing them to grow more deeply in faith.

Safe Environment Formation

As part of St. Martin of Tours Parish’s commitment to protecting children and creating a safe environment, all children participating in faith formation programs are required to complete an age-appropriate Catholic Safe Environment session.

These lessons help children understand:

Safe and unsafe touches.
Safe and unsafe secrets.
How to recognize uncomfortable situations.
How to seek help from trusted adults.

Parents who choose not to have their child participate may complete the required opt-out process.

Registration Information

2026–2027 Registration Packet

Registration Fee: $160 per child

Registration includes participation in CCM sessions and required program materials.

All registration materials and fees must be submitted by:

September 15, 2026

Please contact the Faith Formation Office if you have questions or need assistance completing registration.

Catechetical Director
Ed Ibarra

eibarra@stmartin.org
(408) 294-8953 Ext. 321

We Look Forward to Growing Together in Faith

At St. Martin of Tours, we believe that faith is strengthened when families, children, catechists, and the parish community walk together.

We look forward to welcoming your family and accompanying your children as they grow in faith, encounter Jesus, and discover the joy of being part of His Church.