There are numerous adult education opportunities at St. Mary, many focused on preparation for the reception of the Sacraments. Seasonal events are also often scheduled.

Adult Education

Great news! We have FORMED™!

FORMED™ is an online, Catholic content platform that provides access to hundreds of educational videos, movies, books, and more. Think of it as NETFLIX for Catholics! Go to the FORMED™ website at formed.org and then register using our parish code to have access to all of these great resources for free! Contact the parish office for the parish code to begin taking advantage of the movies, educational series, kids programs, and more.

FORMED™ also is the source of the Lighthouse media CDS and DVDs that are for sale in the vestibule near the front entrance of the Church. At the Lighthouse Media display, you can purchase favorites to listen to in the car or watch when you can’t get online.

OCIA – Adult Initiation

Each school year, St. Mary’s provides a weekly class for adults wishing to be baptized into or become full members of the Catholic Church, or to just learn more about the Catholic faith. The classes involve a mix of group class time, videos, group discussions, and group prayer. The process of becoming Catholic is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). All are welcome to attend the classes. Click here to go to the OCIA page which also displays this year’s class schedule.

Registration required. For more information, contact Marybeth Schombert in the Parish Office at 541-342-1139.

Adult Confirmation

Every Spring, St. Mary offers a course for those adults who need to receive the final Sacrament of Initiation: Confirmation. This class is for adults who have been baptized, have received their First Holy Communion, and have been practicing their faith but who were never confirmed in their teenage years. The class meets one Saturday morning a month from February to May, with Confirmation taking place at the end of May. Anyone interested should contact Marybeth Schombert in the Parish Office. Pre-registration required.

Parent’s Baptismal Preparation

Parents who would like to have their children baptized at St. Mary must attend a Baptismal Preparation class before scheduling their child for the Sacrament of Baptism. The class is usually offered on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 am to noon, and pre-registration is required. Please call the parish office to confirm the class date and to register.

Parents who have already attended the class at St. Mary for their first child do not have to attend again for subsequent children, but you are welcome to attend again if you want a refresher.

Bible Study Classes

No in-person Bible studies are being offered at this time.  However, people are encouraged to take advantage of the Bible studies available on FORMED.  They offer studies focusing on a wide range of topics and study guides are available for purchase for most programs.  Gather a group of people in your bubble and start a Bible study group today!

Natural Family Planning: NFP/PNF

Natural family planning (NFP) is fertility awareness, which is simply knowledge of a couple’s fertility. It is a means of reading the body’s signs of fertility and infertility; applying this knowledge through the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) is over 99% effective in postponing pregnancy. A married couple’s virtuous application of this knowledge either to try to achieve a pregnancy or to postpone a pregnancy is called responsible parenthood.

Practicing NFP is 100% natural — there are no drugs, chemicals, or devices involved, which is one reason many today find it to be a positive and refreshing alternative to contraceptive methods. NFP honors our dignity as persons by respecting the natural rhythms and functions of the body. It is very common to hear couples who use NFP speak of an increased awe and respect for femininity and their mutual fertility, and a greater sense of empowerment through self-knowledge.

Classes are available in English or Spanish in Natural Family Planning or Planificacion Natural de la Familia. Please contact the parish office for more information.