Catechesis / Religious education

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Welcome to the 2025 catechesis year in St. Teresia parish!

Catechesis is not primarily a requirement, but as a gift from the Church to families. We want to support children and their parents in living out the faith and keeping the promises you made at baptism. The most important communication of faith takes place in the home, but for faith to take root and grow, it is important to experience belonging in the Church. Through teaching, fellowship and prayer, children can grow in faith together with others.

Being Catholic means continuously going to mass, learning more about the faith and practicing it in everyday life. This is especially true for those making final preparations in the year before receiving the great sacraments, must make this their first priority this year. So keep the dates given and plan other things around this.

We have three levels in our parish: for those preparing for first communion (3rd/4th grade), the intermediate group/altar server team (4th-8th grade) and preparation for confirmation (9th grade). We recommend that you read the information below before registering, but if you are ready, you can go straight to the form:

The parish spends a lot of resources on the activities, which now also include weekends, and sees it as necessary to cover some of the costs with a small personal contribution. The catechesis fee for the 2025-26 school year is 500 NOK for confirmands and 250 NOK for first communion and intermediate group. Membership in the Young Catholics of Norway (NUK) is recommended (read more about it below).

Important dates:

Start of catechism: Saturday, September 13, 2025 – starts with an information meeting
First Communion: Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Ascension Day)
Confirmation: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Calendar for catechism 2025-2026:

We meet one Saturday a month (approximately «in the middle» – varies slightly if it is the second or third) from 10:00 to 13:45. During the catechism there will be lunch (bring a packed lunch) and we will end with a mandatory mass at 13:00, which parents and other family members are also welcome to participate in.

Since our church is closed, the monthly catechism takes place in the Methodist Church in the city center (Storgata 7). The confirmands meet, except for the first time, directly at Ringerike VGS (Stangs gate 9) where they have their lessons until the mass in the Methodist Church.

We use Spond to keep in touch about catechism and other events throughout the year. The invitation letters have collected current dates for each group, but here is also a summary:

• Saturdays before Christmas: September 13 (starts with information meeting), October 11, November 15 and December 13.
• In addition for confirmation candidates:
  • Confirmation weekend October 17-19 at Skogstad leirsted (Eina).
  • Youth club evenings (St.Ung): First meeting with free bowling Sunday August 31, then September 28, November 2, November 31 and December 21.

• Saturdays in 2026: January 17, February 14, March 14 and April 18. Confirmation candidates also May 23 and August 29.
• In addition for first communion:
  • Sleepover at Ringkollen August 8-9. May – with confession and practice
  • First Communion: Ascension Day May 14, 2026
• In addition for confirmation candidates:
  • Sleepover at Ringkollen and skiing day January 30-31
  • Youth club evenings: February 29, May 3 and August 16.
  • Pilgrimage and tent trip: June 13-14
  • Confirmation: Saturday September 5, 2026.

First Communion (3rd or 4th grade)

Each family must decide whether their child is ready to go to First Communion in 3rd or 4th grade. For most, 4th grade is best, but some 3rd graders are already active in the church and eager to become more involved. The year of preparation for First Communion is about practicing gratitude for everything God gives us through the Church, appreciating the sacraments and basic knowledge of Catholic tradition. This requires participation in catechesis throughout the year and regular attendance at Mass. We plan First Communion on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Intermediate group (4th-8th grade) / Altar server team

The journey of faith doesn’t pause between First Communion and Confirmation. This is an important time to grow into the community of faith, build friendships and learn more about Jesus and other Bible stories, the church year and saints. This group also largely makes up the team of altar servers, so here they learn how to serve the liturgy (more fun than just watching!).

If anyone in this age group has not had First Communion, they should sign up for the First Communion group above. Then we need more information about the baptismal parish, etc., and then we will rather make an assessment of which teaching group the child should follow.

Confirmation (9th grade)

Confirmation is one of the highlights of adolescence! It marks a transition from childhood to adulthood and is an opportunity to gather the whole family for celebration, but the most important thing is to confirm the faith: Confirmation equips you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and is a strengthening of the grace received at baptism. To live as a Christian in today’s world, you need courage, knowledge of the content and practice of the faith, experience of a God who is close to us and a sense of belonging in a Christian community. Many young Catholics also feel alone with their faith, so confirmation time is a good opportunity to get to know others. We hope to help you master your faith and feel at home in the church!

Confirmation is planned in Hønefoss on Saturday, September 5, 2026 for those in 9th grade in the fall of 2025. It is mandatory to attend all catechism days and overnight stays. In addition, you are expected to participate in Sunday masses, participate in the Advent campaign and join the social events of the youth club. Please contact us if for various reasons (e.g. health or distance) it is impossible to follow the program, and we will see how we can arrange it.

If any 10th graders have not been confirmed, they can sign up for the confirmation group. There will also be a faith course for adults who are about to be confirmed or want to convert to the Catholic Church. Contact the congregation for more information when it is ready, starting early September.

Payment and membership in the national youth organisation

We want our activities to be as open and affordable as possible. But we must have a small co-payment to cover some of our activity costs. The catechism fee for the 2025-26 school year is 500 kr for confirmation candidates and 250 kr for first communion and intermediate group. The co-payment is paid either via vipps to 582465 (katekesekontingent) or in cash upon arrival (envelope marked with name). Click here for a direct link to Vipps (from your mobile) or scan the QR code:

The bishop recommends that everyone who participates in the catechism is also a member of Norges Unge Katolikker (NUK). It is both a way to support Catholic children’s and youth work, and provides membership benefits such as discounts on camps and other events, and a magazine sent in the mail. For those who attend primary school, it is best to sign up via the catechism (we will forward 50 kroner from the deductible to NUK, no extra cost to you), while those who attend secondary school can do it themselves at medlem.nuk.no and choose the local team ST.ung.

Still having questions?

Write to honefoss@katolsk.no!