Children’s Religious Education

Kids are our future.
And the best faith foundation we can give them in life is to receive the holy sacraments.
Classes are available to anyone. Registration day is September 11th, 2022.

This CCD school year will begin the Sunday after Labor Day weekend (9/11/22). It is also registration day, so parents can sign up kids the day of. Class sessions will be from 10:00 am - 11:15 am.  Masks are not required. They are optional for students and teachers. Anyone is welcome to wear a mask if it makes them more comfortable and/or feel safer.

If you have a student who has any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, headache, loss of taste or smell etc.), or suspect that you may have symptoms, please stay home and get tested, and please let us know. Please consult your families doctor right away if you have any concerns. Please see the CDC guidelines for the State of Indiana for more information regarding Covid19 at: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/ We will be watching for any changes to the guidelines as they arise.

CCD classes are taught in 1-1/4 hour sessions after the Sunday morning Mass. This program is designed for kids ages 3 to 17. (Anyone that is 18 or older can take part in our RCIA Program.)

• First Reconciliation is usually received when the students are in 2nd grade or above.

• First Communion is usually received when the students are in 3rd grade and above.

• The Sacrament of Confirmation is usually conferred to students in the 8th grade year or above.

Please Note: Classes are not grade level specific. Sometimes students may be placed in a class that may be different than their actual grade level due to the fact that placement is determined by where students are in regards to their readiness and formation needs for the individual Sacraments.

Mass is the source and summit of who we are and what we believe as Catholics. That is why we expect families to faithfully commit to attending Sunday or Saturday Liturgy (Mass) regularly with their children. Parents should set the example that Christ an priority in our lives.

This following is a letter from Vickie Blackwood, DRE of St. John Bosco to the families of St. Joseph Parish regarding this year’s Religious Education Program along with Viann Wootten, RE Coordinator.

Dear Religious Education Families,

Following is the note printed in St. John Bosco's Church bulletins, from Fr. Jeff:

“The first bells of the school year have sounded, and soon it will be time for children to begin their Religious Education classes. This year will be a bridge-building year for the Religious Education programs at St. John Bosco and St. Joseph parishes. At Bosco, our longtime DRE, Vickie Blackwood, will continue to direct the program, while also working with Viann Wootten, who will be the site coordinator at St. Joseph. Children at both sites will be learning the same material and will come together for retreats and other events during sacramental years.

Families can also choose which site and time works best for them. At Bosco, classes are from 9 to 10:15 a.m., while at St. Joseph, they are one hour later, following the 9 a.m. Mass from 10:00am - 11:15am. My priority is that our children are receiving formation AND attending Mass. I will do everything I can to help ensure the formation of our young disciples.

Our children will continue to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation together, as has been the established tradition for more than a decade, while also coming together to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in second grade. First Communion Masses will continue to be celebrated at both parishes.

Working together allows us to better use our resources—both our financial resources and our human resources—while it also helps our children to see that we are all part of a united Catholic family.”

So, what does a “bridge-building” year look like? In my mind, “bridge-building” means working together in ways that touch the hearts and minds of our students, our families, and our communities. Since the year 2000 (my first year as DRE), Bosco and St. Joe’s have joined together on retreats, Confirmation Liturgies, service days, and Catechist gatherings. These joint ventures have been on and off, except for the joint Confirmation Retreats and Liturgies which have remained pretty consistent over the years.

I also see Viann (whom I have known and worked with for many years) and myself, along with Catechist and parent input, working as a team to ensure that all programming (classes, parent sessions, retreats, RE gatherings) is scheduled in a way that works for the majority of our students/families. Some of this may be held at the individual parishes and some may be combined.

It is difficult to run a program without some type of income. I wrote the following in a letter, sent to Bosco families at the beginning of August, 2022 regarding the registration fees for RE:

“…Fees range from $100.00 to $130.00 (for 3 or more children) with additional fees for Sacramental Preparation, Family Faith Nights, Service Days, and/or Retreats.

Please note….it is important that all our children attend RE. We want our children (and our families) to learn more about the Catholic Church and to grow in their faith; each year building upon the previous year, helping us to gain more of an understanding of who we are and what we believe in God’s eyes. Therefore, fees can be negotiated or payments can be made or if you are having financial difficulties, fees may be waived.”

The fees are as follows: 1 child=$80.00, 2 children=$120.00, 3 or more children=$150.00. These fees help to defray the cost of everything we do and the materials we use. We pay for books and also shipping costs (including a Bible for students in 4th grade and older) paper/notebooks, pens/pencils, markers/crayons, snacks, etc.

I have had families that were unable to pay, but they were still allowed to attend classes and receive Sacraments. I have also had families that paid for their child or their children and then gave a little extra to help others that may be struggling with the fees. It is important that our children attend RE classes and come to understand the importance of being part of and growing with a community of faith. So, if there is some concern about the fees that are being charged, please speak to either myself or Viann.

Families can also choose which site and time works best for them. At Bosco, classes are from 9:00 am to 10:15 am, while at St. Joseph, they are one hour later following the 9 a.m. Mass from 10:00 am to 11:15 am. Our priority is that our children are receiving formation AND attending Mass. We will do everything we can to help ensure the formation of our young disciples.

Our children will continue to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation together, as has been the established tradition for more than a decade, while also coming together to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in second grade. First Communion Masses will continue to be celebrated at both parishes.

Working together allows us to better use our resources—both our financial resources, and our human resources—while it also helps our children to see that we are all part of a “united Catholic family.”

This is a transition year (something new) for all of us. But we both believe with communication and a willingness to serve all of our families and both of our communities, we will continue to grow in our stewardship and discipleship of Christ.

Questions, comments, thoughts, ideas may be directed to either myself or Viann. We look forward to working with and meeting all of you.

May we all have a great start to our Catechetical year and may God continue to bless all of us as we journey together in building this bridge.

Vickie Blackwood, DRE
St. John Bosco
219-844-9027, ext. 310
Email: sjbreligion@comcast.net

and

Viann P. Wootten, RE Coordinator
St. Joseph
708-341-4668
Email: viannvip@comcast.net