St. John the Beloved and St. Catherine of Siena’s Religious Education (RE) program provides religious education and sacramental preparation for the children and young people of our parish in first through eighth grade who do not attend a Catholic school. We also provide faith formation for children who are seven years of age or older who have not received all of their Sacraments of Initiation as well as children who have special needs. Would you like more information about our program? Click here to contact us!
Office of Faith Formation
Sacramental Preparation
For Baptism, Marriage, and Funerals please contact the parish office at 302-999-0211. For First Reconciliaton, First Communion, and Confirmation, please contact the Office of Faith Formation at 302-994-7757.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which an adult is baptized or welcomed into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, click here to contact Deacon Steve Oldiges, our OCIA coordinator. If you are an adult who was baptized Catholic and are looking to receive your First Communion and/or Confirmation, please click here to contact Ms. Lara Ballintyn, Coordinator of Faith Formation.
Vacation Bible School
St. John the Beloved and St. Mary of the Assumption host Vacation Bible School where children can learn about God through song, crafts, Bible stories, and more. VBS runs from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday through Friday during the third full week of June. Save the date for VBS 2027 scheduled for June 21-25, 2027. Registration opens in March 2027. For more info, contact the Office of Faith Formation.
Authentic Intentional Catholic Families (AICF)
AICF is a group of intentionally Catholic families who meet together for fellowship, fun, and faith with local, like minded Catholics. The group hosts many different events in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania for families with kids of any ages. Events include family potlucks, faith sharing, family events, service projects, Diocesan group events, and sports days. For more info, contact parishioner, Ruthie Coutinho, by clicking here.
Bible Studies
Our parish has two main Bible study groups: Encounters with Christ and Walking With Purpose.
Encounters with Christ meets on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm in the Parish Office Conference Room. We do a reflection on the upcoming Sunday's Gospel followed by a "Case Study." The "Case Study" is where we discuss where we have seen someone in the world living the Gospel message. We reflect on the virtues they exhibited, a parallel in the Gospels, and make connections to our own daily lives. We then discuss a resolution on how we might be able to apply some of those virtues into our lives over the next week. If you are interested, contact Sue O'Hanlon by clicking here.
Walking With Purpose is a Catholic women's Bible study group designed to fit into your busy lifestyle while bringing peace to the chaos, and provide you with the 'more' in faith and fellowship that you've been longing for. If you would like more information or would like to participate, please email Amy O'Connor by clicking here.
Prayer Groups
Our prayer groups include the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality, Blue Army, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Prayer Group. If you are interested in any of these prayer groups, please contact the Office of Faith Formation for more information.
The Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality is a prayerful group of women which aims at fostering in its members an ardent devotion, reverence, and love to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We honor our Blessed Mother each first Sunday of the month after the 7:30 am Mass and pray the rosary. All are encouraged to join us in prayer after Mass. We participate in all Marian devotions in the Church including First Saturday observances and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In addition, we also provide rosaries and pamphlets, located in the narthex, to anyone who needs them.
The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima was established to spread the message of Our Lady given to the three children at Fatima to fight against Satan and the atheistic policies of the world. Members offer sacrifices and pray the rosary daily. The devotion includes praying five decades of the rosary for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of all souls on five consecutive first Saturdays of the month. At St. John's, we promote this devotion on first Saturdays to honor Our Lady with a procession and songs by the faithful. We hope to spread devotion to Our Lady's Immaculate Heart for peace and hope for all mankind.
The Faith, Hope, and Love Prayer Group meets Wednesdays at 10:15 am at Table of Plenty Outreach for Bible reflection, praise hymns, and intercessory prayers.
