The affiliation between the parish church and the local Catholic school is a vital one. It is a relationship that requires the interest and good will of both the local pastor and the principal and teachers of the school. Similarly, in order to be really effective, this connection between the church and the school also entails the participation of the parents. Without their support and concern in the religious formation of their children, the work of either the school or the parish or even both together lacks a significant element. The activity of the parents, school and parish in the religious formation of children are interrelated. They work hand in hand to form a holistic experience for the child. 

All settings whether it is home, school and parish, all contribute in exceptional ways to the formation, learning and celebration of a child's life of belief and devotion to God through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mother. But it is only when all three of these settings are working collaboratively that the child is fully involved in an environment that will foster and liven up his or her life of faith.

There are many ways in which the parents, parish and school can work together to enhance the faith life of the children. One of these ways involves the preparation of the children for sacraments. Another is in the celebration of the Eucharist together at various times during the liturgical year. It is indeed a partnership to make the faith experience of a child to happen. At Our Lady of Loretto, there is a great blessing of having a very positive and dynamic relationship with the school and with the parents of the children who attend school. The principal and staff of the school are particularly encouraging and supportive and they take their role, not only as classroom teachers but as religious educators primarily.

Both parish and school over the past years have worked closely together to enhance the religious formation of the children and to engage the parents in this process in new and resourceful ways. This groundwork provides great expectation for the future and for the ongoing formation of our children in the ways of faith.