9th & 10th Grade High School Christian Formation
Welcome to the High School Christian Formation (HSCF) program at St. Matthias! We are glad you are here. This page gathers the essential information families need for the year. For the full handbook, see the Documents section at the bottom.
Documents & Forms
Full Parent & Youth Handbook - Coming Soon
Program Overview
The High School Christian Formation Program is designed to show young people what being Catholic looks like in today's world. Across each grade, teens are mentored to develop habits of discipleship, including:
Prayer and conscience formation
Active participation in the liturgy and sacraments
Growth in a personal relationship with Jesus
Reading and interpreting Scripture
Leadership opportunities
Service to the parish and the world
These habits are nurtured through relational ministry — large and small group activities where young people grow together in faith.
Confirmation preparation begins in the junior year (11th grade), building on the foundation laid in 9th and 10th grade. If your child has not yet received Baptism, First Reconciliation, or First Communion, please contact us — we will work with your family to help them get caught up.
Schedule & Location
Detail Information Evening gatherings: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Drop-off window: no earlier than 6:15 pm
Pick-up no later than 8:45 pm
Location: Holy Cross Center (center of campus, near the cemetery)|
Entrance Door: labeled "E1"
Sessions begin in the Holy Cross Center. Doors automatically close at 6:45 pm; if your teen will arrive after that, please contact the Director of Youth & Adult Ministries in advance. Weekend Mass is the heart of our parish life. Families are encouraged to attend regularly. A livestreamed Mass is available Sunday mornings for those unable to join in person.
Attendance & Make-Up Work
Participation is key to the program's success. We understand that school events, sports, family events, and illness are all valid reasons to miss a session. When your teen cannot attend, make-up work will be assigned:
Attend weekend Mass the week of the missed session (or watch the full Mass on the St. Matthias YouTube page).
Complete the reflection sheet on the High School Formation page of the website.
Submit the form — it will be sent to the Director and count as make-up credit.
Sacramental Preparation
Young people begin immediate preparation for Confirmation in their junior year (11th grade). The habits of discipleship begun in 9th and 10th grade are pursued in greater depth during this time. If your child has not received Baptism, First Reconciliation, or First Communion, please contact the Director of Youth & Adult Ministries. We will work with your family to create a preparation plan.
Service Opportunities
Service is an essential part of being Catholic and a discipline we are all called to develop. Throughout the year, teens can participate in:
In-session service activities
Parish service projects outside of evening gatherings
Off-campus service with partner organizations
Off-campus service requires a signed permission slip from a parent/guardian.
