Faith Formation

Note: All faith formation programs have been suspended and all sacramental celebrations--including First Holy Communion and Confirmation--have been postponed until further notice. Please contact us by email if you have any questions, and know that your parish clergy and staff members are holding you close in prayer during this difficult time. 
 

Adult Faith Formation - Several different adult faith formation programs in English are offered
throughout the year. Our regular gatherings take place during the hours that children are also receiving religious education: Sundays from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Other special events will take place on occasion—check the bulletin and parish website for details. You do not have to register to attend most of our sessions.  Simply show up and grow in your faith.
Ministry Leader: Drew Denton, 404-636-1418, ext. 223 

Charismatic Renewal Group - A Charismastic Prayer Meeting is a weekly gathering of Christians to give praise, thanks, and honor to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  They pray and praise God, as the Holy Spirit moves them.  The Charismatic Prayer Group gathers every Friday in the Historic Church, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Spiritual growth sessions for the team leaders are Saturdays in the Middle School classroom, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  (This ministry is offered in Spanish only.)
Ministry Leaders: Miguel Morocho, 770-780-9369

Welcome, CRHP 2.0 - CRHP is a parish renewal process that has existed since 1969 and is given to parishioners by parishioners of IHM. It is designed to bring members of our
parish together in Christ. CRHP has a clear focus on the Gospel and emphasizes continued growth in Christian life through scripture study, prayer, the sacraments, service, and fellowship with members of our community.  The retreat is a time to relax, pray, and rethink priorities; a time to get to know other parishioners and grow as a parish family; an opportunity to examine, rediscover, and/or intensify our personal relationship with Jesus.(This ministry is offered in Spanish only.)
Ministry Leader: Ana Lidia Romero, 770-292-8512

Evangelización at the Apartments - A group of parishioners go on catechetical missions in the neighborhoods surrounding IHM, especially during the most important seasons of our Liturgical calendar (e.g. Advent and Holy Week). These parishioners take information about our ministries to those around us who don’t know God. Volunteers must be able to speak Spanish to join this ministry.
Ministry Leader: Estela Flores, 404-808-6036

Girls of Grace - Calling all middle school ladies! Come and join us for an afternoon of girl time! At this small group, we spend time socializing, creating and deepening friendships, as well as taking time to get to know our calling a young Catholic ladies. We start the evening at 4:30 p.m. with snack and social time, followed by a short devotional and discussion. The group will meet in the Lower Level of the church and finishes at 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss out on our relaxed, fun gathering!.
Ministry Leader: Michele McPheely, 404-636-1418

IHM School - Immaculate Heart of Mary School was established in 1958 as a parish school. IHM School is an Archdiocesan Catholic school that serves a diverse population of students from
Kindergarten through Grade 8. As a diverse, Catholic Christian community, IHM School models Gospel values while striving to achieve excellence in order to develop positive, productive Christians serving society. In 2009, the school was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. To learn more about our parish school, please visit www.ihmschool.org.
Principal: Kellie DesOrmeaux, 404-636-4488 (kdesormeaux@ihmschool.org)

Quinceañera Preparation - The "quinceañera" is a traditional celebration of life and gratitude to God on the occasion of the fifteenth birthday of a young Hispanic woman. The family usually requests a Mass or a blessing to be held in the Church. It is frequently requested by Hispanic Catholics in the dioceses of the United States of America. These young women and their families learn not only about this beautiful tradition, but also the importance of the Christian values that we as Catholics must maintain. (This ministry is offered in Spanish only.)
Ministry Leader: Maria Anayeli Garcia, 404-652-9970 

Liturgy of the Word for Children (LOWC) - Children 4-7 years old are invited to participate in the LOWC offered at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays during the school year.
The Liturgy of the Word for Children provides an alternative and a more hands-on approach to understanding the gospel message for children. The children participate in the introductory rites of the Mass with their family, leave before the first reading and return to their parents for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. There is no registration required. Your child just needs to come forward when the priest or deacon calls them.
Ministry Leader: Drew Denton, 404-636-1418, ext. 223

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) - RCIA is the ancient process by which individuals learn more about the Catholic way of life. This process is for those adults who are not baptized or were baptized in other Christian traditions. RCIA provides preparation for full participation in the sacramental life of the Church. Our English RCIA group meets on Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the lower level. If you’re already a practicing Catholic, we invite you to join the group as a sponsor, a catechist, or simply a welcoming presence.
Ministry Leader: Drew Denton, 404-636-1418, ext. 223

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Adapted for Children - This process is for children over the age of seven who wish to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, or for teenagers (Grades 10-12) who have been baptized but have not yet received their First Communion. Two years of regular, grade-level religious education are required, in addition to one year of monthly sacramental preparation sessions. These sessions take place on the second Wednesday night of each month and are designed for parents and students to attend together.
Ministry Leader: Drew Denton, 404-636-1418, ext. 223

School of Religion (Growing in Faith Together-G.I.F.T.) - G.I.F.T. is our parish faith formation program for children in grades K-5. Our program is designed to reinforce and support parents in their role as the primary catechists of their children.
Classes take place on Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11:15 or on Sunday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30. You can find the registration forms in the gathering space of the church, online, or in the parish office. Registration begins in April and classes begin in August.
We always welcome new catechists and assistants. Please contact us!
Ministry Leader: Drew Denton, 404-636-1418, ext. 223 

Scripture Study - Do you long to deepen your prayer at Sunday Mass?  Do you want a stronger understanding of the Bible? Thursday Scripture group will meet those longings.  Through lecture presentation and group discussion the Scripture readings for each upcoming Sunday are explored.  Presented in English, the classes are open to everyone in the parish.  Come by once a month or every Thursday. The classes meet Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. or Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in lower level of the church and are led by Dr. Louanne Bachner.  Classes start in September.
Ministry Leader: Louanne Bachner

Sponsor Couple Ministry for the Engaged – The sponsor couple ministry is a couple-to-couple approach to marriage preparation.  A husband and wife become sponsors for a couple engaged to be married. Together the couples explore the realities of married life through reflection and dialogue with a sponsor couple already living in a Christian Marriage. The couple-to-couple parish-based ministry can more easily cater to the individual needs or interests of the engaged couple. The couples meet together for a series of five - six meetings. They are always looking for new sponsor couples. The members of this ministry must be couples who have been married for at least five years.
Ministry Leaders: Fernando & Melissa Lavarando, 404-634-4981

Vacation Bible School - Each summer, IHM hosts a weeklong Vacation Bible School.  Adult and teen volunteers are needed for this week of fun and learning.
Ministry Leader: Drew Denton, vbs@ihmatlanta.org

Youth Ministry - At IHM, we enjoy working with young people and we want to enable them to live as disciples through their involvement in ministry and leadership. At the heart of our youth ministry is the presence of caring and supportive relationships where youth experience the love of God. Our programs, EDGE (6th-8th graders) and Life Teen (9th-12th graders), are designed to lead teens closer to Christ. 
Both EDGE and Life Teen meet on Sunday evenings at 6:15 p.m., immediately following the 5:00 p.m. Life Teen Mass. Teens are encouraged to serve and attend the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Ministry positions needed for the Life Teen Mass are: Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ministers of Hospitality and musicians and singers for the Life Teen Band. 
We are also seeking adults (18 years and older) to become part of our Core team to join us in this exciting journey. No experience is necessary! Training is provided to learn best practices in youth ministry from leading a small group to chaperoning retreats. Please prayerfully consider becoming an active member of our Youth Ministry!
Ministry Leader: Michele McPheely, 404-636-1418, ext. 222