Religious Education Program (CCD)

Saint Benedict Religious Education program is devoted to help nurture the children’s faith, and to assist parents in the role of primary educators by providing an environment that will allow your children to learn, experience and grow as members of the Catholic Faith.

Saint Benedict Religious Education Program offers:

  • Lifelong Faith Formation for ages (7th to 11th Grade)
  • Sacramental preparation for the Sacraments of:
    • Baptism (children ages 7 years old to 17)
    • First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (ages 7th years old and older)
    • Confirmation (ages 13 years old)

St. Benedict Religious Education program offers Lifelong Ongoing Faith Formation for ages 7yrs-old to 17th year old.

The Archdiocese of Miami Sacramental Guidelines state that: young people, who have been baptized as infants, should be catechized for the reception of any sacrament for a period of at least two consecutive years. 

  • The Religious Education Sacramental Programs start September through May
  • Children can enter and be prepared for the sacraments at any grade level. It is never too late!

All Children are encouraged to participate of the ongoing faith formation starting in 1st grade thru 11th grade.  The children will be prepared for the reception of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation once complying with the two (2) years requirements by the Archdioceses of Miami Sacramental Guidelines. 

Please contact the Religious Education Office at 305-557-2511. 

Registrations for the 2021-2022 Year will open on August 3rd – September 3rd, 2021.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)

St. Benedict offers a period in which you can come together to learn more about our faith through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for adults (RCIA) is a religious education process for individuals 17 years of age and older that have not yet received any of the initiation sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, and/or First Eucharist.  This process is also for adults from other faiths that are looking to become members of the Catholic Church Community (those who have been baptized Catholic but have not received formal Catholic formation are also welcomed to be part of this process.

The RCIA is for:

  • Unbaptized adults and young persons who have reached the age of reason and wish to become Catholics.
  • Adults baptized in another Christian tradition who are seeking full communion with the Roman Catholic Church and seek the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
  • Baptized Adults who were baptized as infants in the Catholic Church and now seek the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.

The RCIA is a journey that takes us through what we believe as Catholics, how we celebrate those beliefs, and how we live our life to bring us closer to God. 

The Catholic faith is shared in a weekly meeting through dialogue among participants, lay people, and clergy:

  • Parish Hall
    • Tuesdays 8:00pm – 9:30pm

If you are interested in becoming a Catholic or were you baptized Catholic as a child but have not yet celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist. Please for more information contact:

  • Deacon Emilio Blanco at 305-558-2150

SACRAMENTS

The Sacrament of Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church, and made sharers in her mission:

In the case of infants, the child is baptized into the faith of his or her immediate faith community (e.g., parents, Godparents), the faith in which he or she will mature and come to understand the significance of the Catholic faith. The infant relies upon the ongoing support of the family and community.

Adults and Children (ages 7+) old enough to understand baptism are given extensive formation and instruction prior to their reception of this first sacrament of initiation.

Infant Baptism Requirements:

  1. To register for baptism and/or a baptismal class, please fill out the baptism registration form which can be completed in our Parish office.  If you have questions regarding the registration, please call us at 305-558-2150.
  2. Upon completion of the baptismal registration form, the parents will be contacted to discuss any additional information, and the baptismal preparation class.
  3. A Baptism date will be scheduled after the parents and godparents have attended a Baptismal Preparation and documentation has been received.
  4. Baptisms are held Sundays at 1:30pm.
  5. Individuals selected to be the Godparents must complete a Baptism Preparation class and have the eligibility form, provided by the parish office, signed by their Parish which indicating the following have been met:
  6. Godparents are at least 16 years old.
  7. Received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, & Confirmation
  8. Attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation
  9. If married, were married in a Catholic Church.
  10. If single, they are not cohabitating.
  11. Are not the Mother or Father of the child.
  12. Ideally, there should be two Godparents (one male, one female). However, only one Godparent is required.
  13. As long as one of the godparents is a practicing Catholic, a baptized practicing non-Catholic Christian may serve as a “Christian witness” to the baptism. A Christian Witness is not required to take the Baptismal Preparation Class, but they are welcome to attend.

If you are looking for information for the baptism of children (1st grade – 11th grade), please contact the Religious Education Office at 305-557-2511.

Adult Baptism:

If you are looking for information for the baptism of an adult (17yrs old and older), please contact Deacon Emilio Blanco at 305-558-2150.

First Eucharist

The Eucharist is the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine, which is offered to us during the Holy Mass and is the food of divine life. The Eucharist sanctifies us and makes us partakers of the divine life.

In accordance with the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Miami, preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is a 2-year formation program; generally done in the 1ast and 2nd grades.  Also, classes are available for children who are beyond these grades and are still in need of formation and preparation for the reception of the sacraments.

If you have any questions, please contact the Religious Education Office at 305-557-2511

Confirmation

By the sacrament of Confirmation, (the baptized) are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. 

In accordance with the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Miami, preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year formation program that generally begins in the 7th grade.  Also, classes are available for students who are beyond these grades and are still in need of the sacraments of Confirmation. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Religious Education Office at 305-557-2511.

Holy Matrimony (Marriage)

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! If you wish to have your wedding at St Benedict Catholic Church, please stop by the parish office to fill out our Wedding Registration form at least six (6) months before the desired marriage date.

Our office hours:  

  • Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
  • Wednesday: 9am – 7pm
  • Saturday: 9am – 12pm

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the parish office at 305-558-2150.

What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?

Holy Matrimony, together with Holy Orders, completes the Sacraments of Vocation or Sacraments at the Service of Communion. It mirrors the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with a vision of ‘the wedding-feast of the Lamb’ (CCC 1602).

What is the main purpose of marriage?

And this love which God blesses in marriage is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over and safeguarding responsibly the creation as God’s administrators: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen.1:28).

Thus, procreation plays an integral part in every marriage, and this is possible only between a man and a woman.

Where does the Holy Matrimony take place?

The celebration of the sacrament of Holy Matrimony between two Catholic faithful’s normally takes place during the Holy Eucharist because of the intimate connection of all the sacraments with the Paschal mystery of Christ.

Nonetheless, this sacrament can be celebrated just the Marriage Rite alone where either an Ordained Transitional Deacon or Permanent Deacon can do the celebration.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick renews and comforts those who are afflicted or dying.

If you or a family member are ill and/or home-bound and wish to have one of our priests visit you and receive the Sacrament of the Sick or Holy Communion, please do not hesitate to contact the parish office to arrange for a visit by one of our parish priests.