For Children
Sunday School
Sunday School holds an important place in the life of a Catholic and in the activity of the Church. The aim of the Church is salus animarum, that is, the salvation of souls, and an essential part of this goal is passing on the teaching of the faith and the life of faith from generation to generation.
Topics
Topic I · What is Sunday School?
What is Sunday School?
Cooperation between the parish and parents
Sunday School is an activity organized by the parish priest with the aim of assisting parents in the religious upbringing of their children. Parents are the first who have the duty to raise their children in the faith and in Christian life by word and example; godparents and those who take the place of parents are bound by the same obligation (CIC 774 §2). Religious formation provided in the parish can bear good fruit only through mutual cooperation—if parents take an interest in Sunday School activities, keep themselves informed about what happens in the classes, and communicate with Sunday School teachers and priests.
Events and traditions
Sunday School has several traditional joint events: a Christmas celebration, children’s Stations of the Cross, bicycle and family hikes, and pilgrimages. Summer camps give children and young people the opportunity to spend enjoyable time, do sports, get to know one another, pray together, and participate in daily Mass. Classes take place every Sunday after the Estonian-language Mass and often proceed through discussion and creative activities, along with exciting study visits and outings. Sunday School is not only an obligation—it is a wonderful opportunity to begin the Christian journey and to find good friends with whom to walk that path.
Children’s Mass and Holy Mass
It is very important that children learn to participate in the Holy Mass, which is the center and source of a Catholic’s life. The Children’s Mass takes place on the first and third Sunday of the month at 11:30 at the pastoral center and gives children the opportunity to take part in the Mass in a way suited to them. Summaries of Sunday school lessons can be read on the Sunday school blog after each class.
Topic II · Objectives
Objectives
Preparation for receiving the sacraments
The sacraments – special channels of God’s grace and presence, through which God unites with our soul and life – are central in the life of a Catholic. Sunday school must gradually introduce children into the life of the sacraments. According to the norms established by the diocesan bishop, the priest must take special care that, within an appropriate period of catechetical instruction, children are properly prepared for the first reception of the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, as well as for the sacrament of Confirmation (CIC 777 §2).
Deepening children’s Christian and prayer life
As in the life of every Catholic, the reception of the sacraments is inseparably connected with a life of prayer and the deepening of doctrinal, that is, catechetical teaching, so in Sunday school these different aspects are interwoven in order for the child’s spiritual life to grow steadily and harmoniously. In Sunday school we learn to know the fundamental truths of our faith, to find support from this knowledge in everyday life, and to develop habits of prayer (CIC 777 §3).
Growth in the life of faith until adulthood
Through the work of Sunday school, children’s life of faith grows and becomes more mature. In this way, a child is better prepared for the challenges that adolescence and adulthood present to their faith. Sunday school does not end with First Communion – even after receiving the sacraments, young people have the opportunity to continue growing in their life of faith and prayer. The Church emphasizes that the faith of young people and adults should be strengthened, enlightened, and developed through various opportunities and efforts (CIC 777 §5).
Topic III · Groups and Levels
Groups and Levels
Pre-group (0) — ages 4–6
The Sunday school pre-group is intended for children aged 4–6. We meet to become friends with God and with one another through play and creative activities. We get to know Bible stories, draw, do crafts, and share what is important to us at the moment and brings us joy. In this group, we do not yet prepare for receiving the sacraments. Therefore, participation in the pre-group is not mandatory, but it is a good opportunity to gradually become familiar with the life of Sunday school.
Preparation for First Communion (EA)
In the first level of Sunday school, we begin preparing to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During the preparation period, we learn more about God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the saints, the Church, the Mass, the sacraments, the liturgical year, and feast days. Preparation for First Communion lasts two years, and we welcome children who are at least in the first grade to this group. The two-year preparation is mandatory for all children receiving First Communion, including those who have previously participated in the pre-group classes.
After First Communion (PA)
Sunday school does not end with First Communion. Now that we can receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we focus on growing in the life of faith and prayer. We review everything we have previously learned, but we also come to know the New and Old Testaments more deeply, discuss topics related to the Ten Commandments, the sacraments, virtues, saints, and prayer, and make connections with what happens in the life of the Church.
Altar Servers (M)
An altar server (Lat. ministrare – to serve) is a boy who assists the priest at Mass and other liturgical services. The altar server serves God, desiring to imitate Jesus Christ, who “did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many!” (Mk 10:45). Altar servers learn the foundations of the Church’s liturgy and how to participate in it more fully and assist in it. Boys who themselves wish to serve and who have shown interest and responsibility in the life of the Sunday school may become altar servers.
Preparation for Confirmation (EK)
“Through the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit; thus they are more strictly obliged, as true witnesses of Christ, to spread and defend the faith by word and deed” (CCC 1285). According to the Latin tradition, the suitable time to receive Confirmation is the age of reason (at 14 years old). Therefore, all young people who are at least 14 years old are invited to participate in the meetings starting in October. The goal is not only to provide knowledge about this sacrament, but also to prepare for a practical Christian life—as a disciple and witness of Jesus Christ.
Topic IV · Practical information
Practical information
Schedule and Guidelines
The Sunday school academic year runs from September to June. Classes take place every Sunday after the Estonian-language Mass. The Children’s Mass takes place on the first and third Sunday of the month at 11:30 in the pastoral center. After class, we recommend that parents read the lesson summary on the Sunday school blog. If a child cannot attend a class, please inform the group teacher in advance if possible. Sunday school breaks and events can be found in the calendar on the blog.
Contact and Registration
The Tallinn Sunday school is overseen by Father Igor Gavrilchik. Questions and registration are handled via the contact form using the keyword “Pühapäevakool”. More information about Sunday school can also be found on the Catholic Church website katoliku.ee.