PK3-5th Under Thy Roof

Under Thy Roof is St. Vincent de Paul's family catechesis program. It is a home-based family program dedicated to children's catechesis, parent formation and fostering intentional community.
Under Thy Roof is a comprehensive program that facilitates the opportunity for families to learn and live their Catholic faith by providing resources to celebrate it at home and with the community. 

The program includes:

Religious Education: Providing age-appropriate text books, online activities and support for parents as the primary catechists of their children’s faith.

Community Sundays: The entire family comes & participates! Monthly we gather to worship at 9 am Mass as a community. Following Mass all come to the Family Center for time to connect and a snack.

The children attend classes with their peers. Younger siblings (0 – 24 months) stay in the nursery and older siblings (6th grade and up) assist in the classrooms.

Parents remain in the family center to be Inspired and educated through engaging discussions provided by qualified speakers.

Family Life Communities: Belonging to a small community of families cultivates our Catholic character and builds lasting friendships. Family Life Communities are assigned based on the school your family attends, and geography. The groups meet two times per month in an agreed upon location (someone’s home, park…) During this meeting time there are suggested activities for the group to participate in.

Why and how we do it…

This program is designed to empower your family to continue to learn about the Catholic faith, partake in the sacraments, and enhance your personal relationship with Jesus. This allows us all to live out our baptismal call daily. This means that you live as joyful witnesses to the many graces that God has given to you. In the spirit of catechesis, family, and community we seek to journey with you as we all strive for holiness and Heaven.

Each family will receive a “Family Box”. Included in your Family Box is a program guide, syllabus, and calendar for the purpose of engaging your domestic church in the faith and building Catholic traditions.

Parent orientation sessions will be held in August/September prior to classes beginning in September, the Sunday after Labor Day. These sessions are meant to familiarize you with the content and provide best practices for producing good fruit by fully engaging in Under Thy Roof.


Pre-K children will enjoy an interactive workbook as their parents work with them on the lessons throughout the year. Each lesson provides a family guide for parents to know the key concepts.

Kindergarten - 5th grade children will enjoy a blended learning model of textbook, online learning interactions, and engaging video enhancements.

Community Sundays are designed to enrich the entire family! Parents receive a monthly talk and discussion led by a guest speaker. Each engaging topic for parents is meant to enable growth in our Catholic faith and relationship with Jesus. This series for parents is foundational to a vibrant Religious Education program in your home. It is only through your own authentic and personal relationship with Christ that you can share this gift with others and strengthen the faith of your domestic church. During Community Sundays, children experience learning about Jesus through catechesis with their peers while developing their Catholic identity.

Family Life Community is where each family is connected to a family community to further cultivate their Catholic faith. These groups are 3-4 families who will gather 2 times per month to complete the suggested activities.

Sacrament Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are integrated with Under Thy Roof. In addition to participating in Under Thy Roof, during the two-year preparation for receiving the sacraments, children in year two will complete the requirements for immediate preparation. These include a half day retreat and book for each sacrament.

See more about preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion here.

Volunteers are always welcome and needed!

To volunteer, please fill out the interest form here.

All volunteers will receive information and formation to successfully carry out your role! Remember, God qualifies the called!

Volunteer Roles

Catechist - teach children during the monthly Community Sundays. Parents with registered children need to stay in the parent sessions. We need adults that do not have children in class for this rewarding position. Please invite aunts, uncles, grandparents, or friends!

Retreat Team Volunteer - help as hospitality, break out room assistant, or session leader for our Reconciliation and/or First Communion Retreats. These are two times a year.

Family Box assembly team
Community Sunday Set Up
Community Sunday Clean Up
Phone Tree Caller

ALL volunteers MUST have completed the required Safe Environment for Children training BEFORE volunteering. 
All information for this requirement is on the Archdiocesan Website here.

Once you have completed the training please send your certificate to kmuncy@svdp-edu.org.