Welcome to the Religious Education Program at St. John the Evangelist

As pastor, I am grateful for the privilege of working with you parents in bringing your children to a closer relationship with God. You show your children the importance of religious instruction by enrolling them in our programs. Your children also see that prayer and worship are an essential part of their spiritual lives by attending Mass together. It is encouraging to see so many take their Christian parental responsibilities seriously.

I would also like to thank our catechists, assistants, administrators and all who share their enthusiasm in spreading the Gospel message to our children and youth.

The administration of religious education and youth programs for such a large of children requires the skills and talents of many. We are fortunate to have a full time staff in our Religious Education and Youth Ministry offices. The Director, John Poland , and the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Dawn Fitzpatrick , create and administer the programs, select texts, provide sacramental preparation for Confirmation, Penance and Eucharist, operate a program for developmentally disabled adults, offer a Vacation Bible School, train catechists and other volunteers and participate in seminars and workshops. These folks are supported by two very dedicated Administrative Assistants. We thank them all.

To provide for the staffing of the Religious Education and Youth Ministry departments, maintaining a professionally equipped office and provide programs for your children, involves considerable expense. The financing of the office and programs is made possible partly through our tuition. Just as your expenses at home rise, so do ours. This coming year, we have found it necessary to ask for a modest (4%) increase. Still, a sizable subsidy from parish funds that comes from the Sunday collection will continue. A family who may be experiencing financial difficulties can request tuition assistance. No child is denied a religious education because of the inability to pay the fee.

Please know that I am grateful to you, our catechists and staff for all that is done to provide a solid education in our Catholic Faith for our children. May God continue to bless us in teaching the Gospel message and fulfilling God's command to teach all nations.

Respectfully yours,

Rev. Msgr. Richard Woy

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Send an e-mail to DRE@stjohnsp.org
St. John the Evangelist Office of Religious Education, 689 Ritchie Highway, S.E., Severna Park, MD 21146-4011
Phone: 410.647.4892

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