Religious Education

St. Paul the Apostle Religious Education Program is a school in which children come together to pray, to learn and to experience Christian values in a caring environment. All children whose families belong to St. Paul’s Parish or another Catholic parish in the Joliet Area and wish their youngsters to learn about the Bible, the beliefs, and the traditions of the Catholic religion, are welcome to attend. The main reason for these classes is our faith in Jesus Christ and all that his life and works teach us. As believers we learn to respect ourselves and others as God’s creation. Our response is to pray to God and serve God in one another and to pass these beliefs to our children. In order to ensure a safe, orderly and respectful environment, families are asked to cooperate and support these policies and procedures.

About the Program

Classes

All students K through 8 attend classes on Monday evenings from 5:45 to 7:00pm, from September through May. First class is September 12. 2011. Students will meet in classrooms and then come to Church for an opening of the school year Mass at 6:15pm. Dismissal from Church.

2011-2012 Tuition

This includes the first three children’s books.

• A family with one child – $160
• A family with two children – $235
• A family with three children – $305 (for fourth, fifth…$20 for book per child)

• Extra fees:
  • Non-parishioner – $50
  • Confirmation fee – $35
  • Reconciliation/Eucharist – $30

Tuition covers the books, supplemental materials, supplies, postage, in-service for the teachers, helps toward electricity, heating, maintenance and so forth. Because there are extra expenses for students in the sacramental programs (Reconciliation/Eucharist, Confirmation) there is an extra fee involved. The income we receive from tuition DOES NOT cover the cost of the religious education program. The parish must subsidize the program; therefore it is also important that you regularly use your parish envelopes

REP Office

This office is located in the convent building with an entrance closest to the Church – 120 Woodlawn. It is staffed by a full-time director, Sr. Karen Marie Lanigan, OSF, and a part-time secretary, Mrs. Denise Powers. Regular office hours are 9am to 3pm during the school year. Summer hours are irregular. Please call before stopping in (725-6927) because the staff works out of several buildings.

Sacramental Programs

First Communion Class

A full year of instruction is required prior to a child’s preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist. Transfer students must provide records from a previous program. Placement is at the discretion of the Director.

Confirmation Class

Background preparation for this sacrament takes place in Grades 3 through 6. Youngsters attending St. Paul’s REP for six years may enroll in the two-year Confirmation program in 7th grade. Transfer students must provide records showing their regular attendance in a previous religion program. Placement is at the discretion of the Director.

Parent Meetings

Since parents are the primary educators of their children they are required to attend meetings to help in the understanding of the sacraments and how they can help their children prepare for the reception of the sacraments.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to: respect and obey teachers and helpers; do assigned work; bring their textbook to class; enter and exit in an orderly fashion; take assigned seats upon entering the classroom; respect the property of the school and the other students and be responsible for any damage to property.

Parent Expectations

Parents are expected to: work with their children, not only modeling faith but also talking faith; see that their children participate at weekly Mass and help them to develop a sense of stewardship; see that their children attend class weekly; attend FLAG (Families Learning About God) sessions, in November and February; follow procedures for notification of absence, tardiness and early dismissal; see that homework is completed and prayers mastered; review weekly lesson with children; read newsletters and other communications and respond when necessary; attend sacramental preparation meetings and other meetings that are required.

Links of Interest-Newsletter and RAINBOWS

February 2012 Newsletter
RAINBOWS for All of God’s Children Info and Registration