Religious Education

Dear Parents,

St. John the Evangelist Parish welcomes and encourages all registered families whose children attend non-Catholic schools to enroll their children in our Religious Education Program. This letter, although a little long contains very important information.

Enclosed you will find the (re)registration form and tuition fee schedule for your elementary and middle school children. Please fill in ALL blanks including the Session Choice, Day and Time. This enables us to maintain current and accurate data with the hope that you will secure your session preference. Incomplete registration forms will NOT be processed. Be sure to include your tuition payment. Please read & review the below registration information very carefully.

On line Registration is also available for your convenience. Please visit www.stjohnsp.org/re.

Early registration usually ensures your first Session choice. However, classes often fill quickly which may necessitate our assigning your children to another Session. If, at the time of registration, your Session choice is filled, you will be notified. With your assistance we will try to accommodate your scheduling needs. It’s not unusual for the Sunday 9am and Wednesday sessions to fill by the end of July. Early registration is necessary for class list preparation, Catechist recruitment, sacramental programming, book orders, and supply purchases.

Again this year, as a special incentive to register early, we are offering a $12.00 tuition discount to families who sign up (forms with complete information & tuition payment included, received in our office) by August 1st.

All families who (re)register will receive a confirmation letter, a RE schedule and opening day information via email. PLEASE NOTE: Any request to move your child to another class or session after the assignments are made, must be received by email or in writing. Children should be registered by August 24th. Those registering after that date will receive a letter of instructions and will start RE at the second class.

Please be advised that we may start filling classes that, to date, do not have a committed Catechist to teach your child(ren). Important! Parents please note: If you have registered for a class where we are unable to secure a Catechist by August 31st, you will be notified. In an effort to be as fair as possible, class placement will be dependent upon the date your form and tuition is received by the RE office. Please contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns.

As shown on the attached, our tuition schedule is based on the number of children in the family and the verifiable support of the parish through use of the weekly envelope system (or electronic giving). New this year, payment can also be made electronically. Details are found with the on line registration (www.stjohnsp.org/re). We are happy to tell you that because of your support of last year’s November Gala event, we will not raise tuition this year. We will process your registration request upon receipt of both the Registration Form and payment.

Here is information on our Elementary and Middle School programs:

Our Elementary Program includes 4 yr. olds and continues through the 5th grade. Recognizing that parents are the primary Catechists, we offer the children an additional opportunity to receive Catechesis with their peers in a classroom environment following a well-planned curriculum utilizing the "Blest Are We, Faith and Word" series as the primary resource. For grades Kindergarten through grade 5, three session choices are offered for your convenience. Session I is held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:15 AM. Session II is also on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45 AM. Session III is held on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:45 PM. The children in our 4 year old program have the option of Session I or Session II only. Grades Pre-K and K, start RE one week after the older grades. Please refer to your RE calendar for the exact start of class (to be emailed with your registration confirmation).

The Middle School Program includes grades 6, 7, and 8. Classes for Middle School children will be offered at three times. We will offer 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes from 9 to 10:15am on Sunday morning, Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:45PM and on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:15 PM. Please note: The Confirmation Program is a free standing parish program for 8th graders (separate from Religious Education classes and St. John’s school classes). Additional Confirmation information will be available later this summer.

Please note a change in Middle School Catechesis. Fr. Proffitt has asked our Youth Minister, Cassandra Anderson, to accept greater responsibilities. She is working on revisions and improvements to the Confirmation program, adding a Life Teen program for high school youth, coordinating a young adult group and providing youth activities for the middle school youth. To this end, I (John) will be responsible for the middle school catechesis (RE).

Your Religious Education program needs you, a person of faith willing to serve as a catechist (teacher), co-catechist, and substitutes. We provide catechist and child protection training. Your children need you. We need you. Pray about it. Please contact us for more information.

In brief:

• August 1st – Families who return completed registration forms & tuition payment by this date receive a $12 discount.
• August 24th – Families who register after this date will start classes one week late.
• Week of September 25th – Classes begin.

May the Holy Spirit guide all of us as we continue on our faith journey in Christ, Jesus. Enjoy a safe, relaxing summer.

Sincerely,

John F. Poland
Director of Religious Education
jpoland@stjohnsp.org