It’s never too late to register your family in our
Religious Education Program!
Contact Karie Ferrell, Director of Evangelization & Catechesis for mid-year rates
(847) 864-0333 x14 or kferrell@stmaryevanston.org
Print registration forms and return to the parish office, Attn: Karie Ferrell
» Registration Forms
Our Religious Education Program is a family-centered program offering two options to meet the needs of our parish families.
Our Sunday Morning Program
St. Mary’s provides classes for children who attend public or secular private schools. The Finding God curriculum from Loyola Press structures this program through systematic grade-level sessions for children in preschool (ages 3-5) and Kindergarten and 1st through 8th grades. This program meets for 28 sessions (includes 3 sessions for the entire family) beginning in September and ending in May. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 10:45 am until 12 Noon in the School Building across the lot (YMCA Childcare Center).
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Regular attendance is expected, but families for whom consistent attendance is difficult (i.e., custody agreements, seasonal sports or other activity’s obligations, family travel) may purchase a Family Learning Guide ($25) to help them coordinate their children’s religious instruction during the weeks they are unable to attend. This guide coordinates the weekly lessons for grades 1-6; families with junior high students will make separate arrangements with the director of the program.
Fees: $150/one child; $225/two children; $275/three children; $325/four or more children + $15 book fee per child + $25 formation fee per child preparing for First Reconciliation & First Communion or Confirmation.
Directed Home-study Option
The Family Learning Guide for the Finding God curriculum is the ‘teacher’s manual’ for families who choose to provide the religious instruction of their children at home. Parents will meet with the director of the program three times during the program year – prior to its beginning, at mid-year, and in April – and all families are welcome and encouraged to join in the family sessions and other parish programs planned to enhance the religious formation of all our children.
Fees: $50/family (includes the Family Learning Guide) + $15 book fee per child + $25 formation fee per child preparing for First Reconciliation & First Communion or Confirmation.
Preparation to Celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation
All the children of our parish, whether they attend public or private schools or are enrolled in our parish school, Pope John XXIII, come together with their families for formation to celebrate the sacraments. 2nd Grade is the usual age to prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation & First Eucharist and 8th Grade is the usual time to prepare for Confirmation. Older children and teens are integrated into both of these programs.
Celebrating the Liturgy with Children
Sunday morning classes are scheduled for the convenience of families who gather for the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Our special liturgical celebrations (Opening & Closing Day Masses, Celebration of Christ the King) are celebrated during that liturgy and on Sundays between Catechetical Sunday and Pentecost we celebrate the Liturgy of the Word with Children during that Mass.
Parent Gathering Sessions
The Finding God curriculum includes a component for adult faith formation. This year’s theme is “Celebrating God’s Hopes for Us” These sessions meet five times over the course of the year. There is no additional fee for parents to participate in this program – parents of children in both the Religious Education Program and in Pope John XXIII School are invited.
Karie Ferrell - Director of Evangelization & Catechesis
(847) 864-0333 ext 14
kferrell@stmaryevanston.org
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About Religious Education 