Religious Education
CHRISTIAN FORMATION PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Saint Francis Religious Education Program is to teach Christian doctrine to the youth of St. Francis Assisi / Our Lady of the Angels Parish in order to invite, lead, and enable them to enter into a living, intimate relationship and communion with the Person of Jesus Christ, Who alone can lead them to Christian values.
This mission is accomplished primarily by means of a teaching apostolate that not only explains the meaning of the mysterious truths of Christianity using age-appropriate, biweekly catechetical instruction in a classroom setting, but also prepares students to worthily receive the gift of God’s supernatural life (“grace”) in the Sacraments.
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OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
932 N. Kostner Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
773 235 3132 Ex. 12
STAFF MEMBERS
Father Lawrance M. Choate, O.S. M., Administrator
Br. Roberto Jiménez. C.S.C., DRE, Pastoral Associate
Deacon Sabino Sanchez
Sacramental Coordinators:
RCIA- Br. Roberto Jiménez, C.S.C.
High School – Noemi Rojas
Confirmation- Br. Roberto Jiménez, C.S.C.
First Reconciliation & First Eucharist –Br. Roberto Jiménez, C.S.C.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Religious Education Program at Saint Francis of Assisi / Our Lady of the Angels is one component in a life long process of seeking the Lord. Classes are a systematic effort at each level to form the whole person to the message of the Risen Jesus as proclaimed through the Gospels and nourished by our parish family. Working in conjunction with the individual family and the celebration of liturgy, religious education classes encompass one aspect of a child’s and adult’s understanding of who he/she is in God’s created world.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS
The parish sacramental programs are separate, yet complement the religious education program. Sacramental preparation is done by means of a tri-fold method: religion classes provide background, parent sessions begin the process and finally, parents complete the outlined program at home. To be a part of the Sacramental programs of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation, a student must have completed one year of religious education classes prior to the Sacramental year.
Meetings must also be attended by parent and child as the program calendar outlines. There are parent sessions for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, in addition to one parent and student retreats. First Reconciliation is held in February and First Eucharist in May. Students must be in the program two years attending RE class regularly in order to be eligible for Confirmation.
BAPTISMAL PROGRAMS
Baptisms are held the fourth Saturday of the month at 4:00 p.m. All baptisms are held at Saint Francis of Assisi Church located at the corner of Kostner Avenue and Augusta in Chicago. Baptismal preparation classes are held on the first Monday of each month in the Religious Education Building at 7 P.M. IT IS MANDATORY TO ATTEND THE
PREPARATION CLASS BEFORE SCHEDULING THE DATE FOR THE BAPTISM. Call the religious education office to register in advance.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)
RCIA classes are for those persons eager to join the Catholic Church and also, for those baptized Catholics who want to learn more about their faith. Classes are held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. Through a series of faith sharing sessions, guided prayer and informative lessons about the Catholic faith, inquirers are prepared to be initiated into the
Church at the Easter Vigil. The RCIA team is made up of the deacon and the DRE. Call the Religious Education office to register.
ADULT EDUCATION
Various programs are held during the course of the year to enhance the adult faith formation of the parish. Bible study is offered throughout the year. Details of offered programs are presented in the church bulletin regularly.
COMPONENTS OF OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
All religion classes, either for adults or children, are generously taught by volunteer catechists. All catechists commit themselves to personal growth and development by attending Adult Enrichment courses and regular faculty meetings. A catechist spends many hours outside the class time in preparation. The average catechist volunteers approximately 120 hours of his/her time each year. All new and returning catechists have completed a background check in compliance with the diocesan program, “For the Sake of God’s Children”. In addition, volunteers with regular, recurring contact with children 5x or more during the year are screened.
All precaution has been taken to insure that the children of our parish are learning in a safe, comforting atmosphere. Your child is an integral part of the Religious Education program. In order to get the foremost benefit out of our faith formation, it is imperative that he/she attend class regularly. Sessions begin promptly at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday mornings and end at 12:00 P.M. Please make every effort to see that your child is present and on time.
YEARLY STUDENT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. THERE IS ALSO A MATERIALS FEE: $70 PER CHILD. CHILDREN MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE PARISH OF THE PARENT. A COPY OF CHILD’S BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE IS ALSO NEEDED TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION. Registration forms are given out in the month of August for the upcoming year. ALL FORMS AND FEES ARE DUE BEFORE THESTART OF CLASS.
LITURGY
Celebrating Liturgy with the rest of our parish family is the highest form of worship. Praying together at weekly Mass sets an example for your child’s future development and responsibility as he/she grows to maturity. Actions and responses during church liturgies will be a guide for him/her. 10:30 A.M. or 12:00 PM Sunday Mass during the year is a perfect time for families to worship together.
FAMILY
Education, broadly defined, includes the entire process of transmitting our knowledge and beliefs to our children. The family component of religious education is the basis of all the child’s understanding. It is in a family that a child comes to know love and faith. The family’s job in the process of formal religious education is one of reinforcement and preparation. YOU are the first teachers of your child(ren). It is an awesome responsibility. PPLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SEE THAT YOU ATTEND MASS REGULARLY, HEAR PRAYERS WITH YOUR CHILD(REN), DISCUSS THE MANY CHURCH RITUALS AND SEASONAL LITURGIES, AND BE INVOLVED IN PARISH ACTIVITIES. IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION POLICIES IN PLACE FOR ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI / OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS PARISH
< This year we will be at St. Francis of Assisi with classes on Sat. and Sun. until further notice. Las clases se estarán dando en la parroquia cada Sábado y Domingo hasta que se informe que regresemos a la escuela en San Pedro Canisio.