Elizabeth Trksak is the Director of Religious Education for Middle/High School Faith Formation at St. Rita's. You can contact her at etrksak@saintritas.org, or at 651-459-4596, ext. 1121.

Faith Formation Classes : Youth in grades 6-10 join together in a small groups, where they participate in discussion and learning experiences to help build understanding and desire to grow in their own faith. Sessions are on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30pm. Each month there will be a Large Group session in the worship space, focused on a topic that helps to connect our Catholic Faith with everyday life. Grades 6-7 use a video curriculum to explore our Catholic identity as well as walk thru the Bible in an engaging way. Grades 8-10 build community in their small groups while connecting our Catholic faith to everyday life and choices. They also focus on the Catechism and learning about our faith in a deeper way. Parents are always encouraged to join us for Large Group nights.

Confirmation:  Young people who wish to be confirmed in the Catholic faith are welcome to enroll in the Confirmation program here at Saint Rita’s once they have reached 9th grade. Our Confirmation preparation spans two years so they will be Confirmed in 10th grade but start preparation in 9th grade. The Confirmation program is a separate program from Faith Formation, though attendance in a Faith Formation program is required for Confirmation candidates.

 Other Sacraments:  If your teen has yet to be Baptized, make their First Reconciliation or receive their First Communion there are special sessions for older students available to prepare them for these sacraments. Contact Elizabeth Trksak for more information about these sessions and how to sign up.

Attendance at each Faith Formation session is vital. If your teen is unable to attend classes due to emergency or illness, please contact their leader or Elizabeth Trksak before class is to begin. School activities and/or other practices are not acceptable excuses for missing class or arriving late/leaving early.  If your child misses more than two sessions during the year, home-school lessons will be sent to the parent with homework to be returned the following week.   If there are concerns, please contact Elizabeth at 651-459-4596 ext. 121 or etrksak@saintritas.org.

Arrive on Time : Please arrive several minutes before class. This allows the leader to begin and end on time.  If you're child will regularly need to be dropped off late/picked up early, please choose the homeschool option. This is very distracting for small groups. 

Large Group Sessions: One Wednesday each month, youth will gather at St. Rita's for large group. This is an evening of music, prayer and faith experience led by the CORE Team, Elizabeth, and Fr. Mike.

Mass Attendance: As part of being a Catholic, it is our joy and responsibility to attend Mass regularly on Sundays and all Holy Days of Obligation. Please, as a family, help to instill this value as part of your child's faith.