Religious education

Our Lady of the Sacrament Religious Education offers a Christ-centered program which supports parents in their role as primary educators of the faith of their children, teaching them to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ and His Church, and to love and serve each other.

Our program provides Catholic faith formation of children in grades K-8. While we feel blessed to be able to meet in person, home study options are available for most grade levels upon request.

Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist is the focus of the 2nd grade program. Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is the heart of the 7th-8th grade program. Faith formation opportunities for parents, sponsors, and catechists are also available.

LETTER TO RE FAMILIES/SAFETY PROTOCOLS; FAMILY PLEDGE

2021-2022 RE Class Schedule >Grades 1-3: Tuesday afternoons 4:30-5:45pm at SJE

Grades 4-6: Wednesday afternoons 4:30-5:45pm at SJE

Grades 8-9: Sunday mornings 10:15-11:30am at SJE

Grades 2-4: Saturday mornings 9:15-10:30am at QR

Grades 5-8: Tuesday evenings 7-8:15pm at QR

CLASS SCHEDULE

2021-2022 RE Special Dates

Confirmation 9th Grade: November 19 (7pm) at SJE

First Reconciliation: March 5 (10am) at SJE and March 9 (7pm) at QR

Confirmation Sponsor/Parent/Candidate night: March 15 (7pm) at QR

First Communion Retreat: April 23 (10am-12pm) at SJE

First Eucharist: April 30 – May 1 at all weekend Masses

Confirmation 8th Grade: May 15 (1pm) at QR

May Crowning: May 7, 2021 (10am) at QR

What is Catechesis?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that catechesis is “the totality of the Church’s efforts to make disciples, to help men believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in His name, and to educate and instruct them in this life, thus building up the body of Christ.”

More specifically, the Catechism goes on to say that catechesis “is an education in the faith of children, young people, and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life.”

Catechists

Catechists are called to teach the Catholic faith, especially by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. All training and materials are provided, and no prior teaching experience is required. Catechists work toward archdiocese certification through an online formation program which requires as little as 15 hours per year. See www.formedcatholiconline.com for more information. As mandated by the Archdiocese of Chicago, all volunteers need to sign a code of conduct & CANTS form, complete an online criminal background check, and attend a Virtus training session, which are currently held online.

If you believe the Lord is calling you to serve His Church as a catechist, substitute, or aide, please contact the coordinator of religious education at carol@olbsegv.org or (847) 979-0901 x1004.

Curriculum

Our religious education program uses only USCCB-approved catechetical and sacramental preparation materials from AFC, Ascension Press, Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, Loyola Press, and Sophia Institute Press. All USCCB-approved materials are also approved by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Additional Resources

The following links are recommended for prayer and study:

Discover more. To learn more about our religious education program, or to inquire about enrolling your child, contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Carol Uhlarik at (847) 979-0901 x1004.

Are you called? Confirmed adults on fire with a full sacramental life are always welcome to help form the next generation of Catholics. To learn more about becoming a catechist, please review the Catechist section and contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Carol Uhlarik at (847) 979-0901 x1004.