Getting Involved
Serving our Children
Formation & Education
The Formation and Religious Education programs at St. Philip Neri Church are designed to help our youth learn and participate in their faith, grow spiritually and ultimately to support you in raising His disciples in the Catholic Faith. These programs involve our entire faith community with parishioners serving as catechists that enthusiastically give their time and talent to assist our youth as they grow in their faith.
King’s Kids Faith Formation (Kindergarten – Fifth Grade)
This program introduces our children to God in a meaningful way and conveys God’s love by providing an environment that encourages spiritual and developmental growth. Catechists, who model a living faith while providing creative learning experiences, educate children in the teachings and traditions of our Catholic faith while also preparing them for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Children must complete the First Grade Faith Formation program to enter a sacramental preparation class, with these sacraments then typically celebrated while students are in Second Grade.
Faith Formation for the 2023-2024 school year.
Our Faith Formation Program meets 3 times a month with a week of rest. There are 4 sessions to choose from: Sunday, 10:00 am – 11:15 am; Monday or Wednesday, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm; Wednesday, 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm (no kindergarten at this session). Class sizes will be limited and registration will close when class capacity has been reached. Registration is open from June 15th through August 15th.
As we know, parents are the first and best teachers of the faith for their children. Studies have shown that when parents get involved in the catechizing of their children, they learn and retain more, especially when the teacher is their father. Our primary goal is to provide parents with the support to raise your children in the Catholic faith and to build a family life which is built upon and completely intertwined with that faith. With this in mind, we hope to work with families to build upon what they are already teaching their children at home.
Contact Nicole Cumbo, Family Faith Formation Coordinator at familyfaith@saintphilipneri.org or 803-548-7282, Ext 226 for additional information.
Preschool at St. Philip Neri Child Development Center
Every child is unique and a special gift from God, with each possessing special talents and gifts. The Child Development Center, operated by St. Philip Neri Church, seeks to nurture each child’s academic shill and social skills through a hands-on approach to learning. The curriculum is designed to encourage growth and learning across several developmental areas including spiritual growth, social skill, speech and language, self-help skills, gross motor skills and fine motor skills. The Center prepares preschool-aged children with the abilities necessary to enter Kindergarten. It also offers children the experience of a Christian way of life.
This program is open to children that are two, three or four years old. Attendees must be age appropriate by September 1st. For additional information visit www.stphilipneripreschool.com
SPRED
SPRED is a program of religious development specifically designed to meet the spiritual needs of persons of all ages with developmental disabilities and intellectual challenges. This program, which brings individuals into communion with Christ and the Church, enables participants to sense His presence in their lives and experience Christ’s love and mercy. Classes are held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 9:30 am, from October through April. Catechists meet separately before each SPRED session to plan sessions and pray for our SPRED community members. Volunteer opportunities are available for teens and adults. Contact Bettie at stphilipnerispred@gmail.com.
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Vacation Bible School, which provides a fun and faith filled educational opportunity for children of the parish and community, takes place during the mornings of one week every June or July. Children learn faith lessons through hands-on crafts, games, music, skits and creative snacks. Children must be at least four years of age (by September 1st) up through a rising 5th grader. Volunteer opportunities are available for teens and adults, Contact Nicole Cumbo at familyfaith@saintphilipneri.org
Other Programs for Sacraments
Classes are occasionally offered for children in the third grade or above who have not yet received the sacraments of First Reconciliation or First Holy Communion in the traditional manner.
St. Anne High School – St. Philip Neri Church Campus
Since August 2017, St. Anne High School of Rock Hill, South Carolina has been located in the Ministry Building at St. Philip Neri Church. St. Anne High School unites the long-standing, bountiful tradition of Catholic education with a personalized learning experience. Students, who are strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, are empowered to develop their potential as a human being, become virtuous leaders within the community and constructive, active participants in the life of the Catholic Church. The school proclaims the Catholic way of life as manifested in Scripture, the principles of moral values and practices of faith, as it fosters individual growth in the virtues of faith, hope and love.
The Administrators and faculty of St. Anne School inspire excellence by educating the whole child – the intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and cultural dimensions of his/her personality. St. Anne School leaders believe that each of their students is called to serve humanity, with each administrator and teacher able to prepare students for this service by providing a strong academic foundation, a desire for knowledge and a sense of community. For additional information visit stanneschool.com
