Registration for the 2024-25 Elementary Religious Education Program (Preschool - 5th grade) 

Classes begin September 15, 2024

BUILDING FAMILIES OF FAITH: Elementary Catechesis for Families 

Our parish has gone beyond the limited approach of traditional weekly catechism by forming our hybrid Religious Education Program.  Acknowledging the present day realities in which our parents and young people exist, we have designed a program to assist them in being people of faith in all of life’s situations and circumstances; their family, their school, their community, and their parish.

We address faith formation in this way: Whole Family Catechesis combined with both Class Catechesis and Home Catechesis in a hybrid program of in-person and Zoom sessions.

This approach enables formation in various learning styles and incorporates the most important element of catechesis; parents passing on their Catholic faith to their children.  Sharing the catechetical lessons with other families and supporting one another along our journey of faith and parenting, is a departure from the “Sunday School” approach of years past.  Our parents are engaging in conversation about faith with their children, not letting others do it for them.  This builds a connectedness amongst the family members that will help in all areas of family life.

Lastly, to support our parents in their role, we offer Adult Faith Formation through our Men’s and Women’s Groups that meet virtually discussing scripture reflection, prayer and fellowship. Email Trish for more information on the adult programs: drehrsj@gmail.com

FAMILIES OF FAITH MONTHLY FORMAT

Class Catechesis:  On the first Sunday of the month, families can choose from these two options for Catechism  1) The student can participate in Zoom sessions where the catechist will lead a grade specific lesson. The time is 10am-10:40am on Zoom  OR   2) The family attends 8:30am Mass at St. James where the student will participate in Children's Liturgy of the Word.

Whole Family Catechesis: Second Sunday of the month all of the family members come together at 10am in Msgr. Barry Hall at St. James and attend 11:30am Mass. 

Class Catechesis In Person: The third Sunday of the month the children are given age specific formation from their catechist in a classroom setting at the Evangelization Center at Holy Redeemer from 8:45am-9:50am and the families then attend 10am Mass. 

Home Catechesis: The fourth Sunday of the month, the family works together at home on a lesson that incorporates the Gospel message for that Sunday. This lesson will be sent by email and should take 30 minutes.

• If there is a 5th Sunday in a month that is an off week

For more information, email our Faith Formation director at: drehrsj@gmail.com

Please complete the REGISTRATION FORM below.   CLICK HERE TO MAKE PAYMENT.

CONFIRMATION AND YOUTH MINISTRY

Please click here for the HRSJ Youth Ministry website with full details on our Confirmation program Sealed, our middle school youth ministry and our high school youth ministry.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD on the first Sunday of the month at St. James 8:30am Mass.

On Summer break! Will resume October 6, 2024.