Religious Education (RE) for Children

"The Mass:The Social Media of the Soul"

Kevin Cody Director EMAIL KEVIN Kevin J. Cody changed careers from auditor and cost management director to catechetical ministry as religious education coordinator for St. Alphonsus in July 1997.

Kevin Cody completed master's degree studies in Theology and Pastoral Studies at Catholic Theological Union in 2003. Was certified as a Director of Religious Education by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Currently serving as President of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors (NPCD). Member of the NPCD Executive Committee since 2004. Currently serving on the following boards: Archdiocesan Catechetical Advisory Board Chicago Association of Religious Educators St. Alphonsus Worship Commission St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick Celtics Football Team Married with two teenage daughters.

Tricia Latz Administrative Assistant EMAIL TRICIA Administrative Assistant in RE office since October 2010. Volunteer catechist since 2007. Degree in fashion merchandising from Ray College of Design. Married with four teenagers.

VIEW DETAILED TRACK SCHEDULES

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REGULAR RE PROGRAM

The seed of a rich and deep spirituality is present within each child. In their earliest years, children grow in relationship with God and understanding of their faith. It is our mission to help parents in their responsibility to nurture their children's faith. Faith is based not only on an intellectual understanding of doctrine, but also on a conversion of the heart (adopting a way of life).

We proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of Got through prayer, education, service, social activities, and worship. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we respond to Christ's call to "come follow Me" and carry on His teaching mission. We follow Jesus' example of teaching what to believe and then showing how to put those beliefs into practice.

Our purpose is to assist parents in:

• Teaching a Catholic way of life: laying the foundations for developing Christian attitudes, values and behavior in their children's early years;
• Presenting religious concepts in accord with their children's age and capacity for understanding and growth in faith;
• Helping their children make an increasingly personal response to God through their unique gifts;
• Integrating liturgical and Eucharistic formation with religious education (liturgical celebrations shape a child's faith every bit as much as Catholic schooling);
• Nurturing growth by providing a proper environment and witness of adults;
• Fostering a sense of community and belonging (faith is something to be lived and is lived best in community); and
• Recognizing and fulfilling their role as the first and foremost catechists of their children.

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REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Three tracks of classes are held on Sunday mornings, Monday afternoons, and Wednesday evenings for children in Grades 1 through 8. Special events for the formation of Preschool and Kindergarten students will be scheduled. Track schedules appear below.

Preschool and Kindergarten students are invited to participate in our event-centered Little Tykes for Christ (LTC) program. Events are scheduled throughout the schoolyear. Registration will take place prior to each event.

Families should be registered and active parishioners in order to have children enrolled.

Returning families should submit the application distributed in the classrooms. If you've misplaced your form, please contact the office. Tuition is not due until the first session.

Families who are new to our program should contact Kevin Cody by phone or email (see above) to arrange for a registration meeting.

Award-Winning "Faith First" Website
To complement our textbooks for Grades 1-6, we have an excellent website, www.FaithFirst.com. It offers practical and creative resources for parents and catechists, games and activities for children, and links to other useful sites. Children will love the grade-appropriate games, stories and service ideas that extend lessons into the home. Check out www.FaithFirst.com!

Our agenda is conversion, leading to discipleship, within the context of community.

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"ParentLink" Newsletter

Below are links to issues of the "ParentLink" newsletter in reverse chronological order. The most recent one is at the top:

ParentLink Feb 2012 (child) (819KB)

ParentLink Feb 2012 (teen) (1.1MB)

ParentLink Jan 2012 (1.3MB)

ParentLink Dec 2011 (1.1MB)

ParentLink Nov 2011 (1.4MB)

ParentLink Oct 2011 (899KB)

ParentLink Lent 2011 (741KB)

ParentLink Feb 2011 (970KB)

ParentLink Jan 2011 (786KB)

ParentLink Dec 2010 (1.8MB)

ParentLink Oct 2010 (714KB)

ParentLink Jan 2010 (child) (4.8MB)

ParentLink Jan 2010 (teen) (1.7MB)

ParentLink Dec 2009 (1.8MB)

ParentLink Nov 2009 (317KB)

PARENT ORIENTATION MEETINGS
Church Hall

Track A:  Tues, Sept 20, 2011, 7pm
Track B:  Mon, Sept 19, 2011, 7pm
Track C:  Wed, Sept 21, 2011, 7pm

PLEASE NOTE: Parents may meet their children's catechists
in their classrooms immediately following the orientation meeting,
and babysitting will be available.

DOWNLOAD & PRINT OUR MOST RECENT PARENT HANDBOOK

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Be a catechist...

Have you ever considered becoming a catechist? Maybe you're thinking, "Oh, not me!" The common sentiment that runs through the stories of so many catechists is amazement at what they received in the course of working in our Religious Education Program. Following are comments from recent surveys of our catechists:

• "The kids give so much. They are enthusiastic, inquisitive and loving. They recharge me and my ministry."
• "It was my first experience teaching a class. It gave me an outlook and experience that will be helpful as I prepare to become a teacher."
• "It is an incredible feeling to work with the children and see them grow!"
• "God calls all of us; we must answer some of the calls. We all can make a difference. Kids and parents are thankful."
• "I enjoyed seeing how the different volunteers work together."
• "I was able to revisit some of the things that I have not looked at since college."
• "This was a very nice group of kids to teach. My assistant was very helpful."
• "I love listening to the kids' ideas."
• "I love teaching the class and having the children enjoy coming to RE, as I believe mine did."
• "I grew with the children. As they learned, so did I. It was a spiritual growth."
• A common thread in most catechists' stories: "I received so much more than I ever expected!"

Maybe this is the year for you to become involved in this very important and rewarding ministry!

If you have no experience and are unsure about teaching by yourself, we may be able to team you up with an experienced catechist. Catechists on each grade-level meet to discuss lesson plans and share ideas. A core catechist for each grade is available to lend assistance. You also can attend a comprehensive "Getting Started" workshop provided by the Archdiocese Office for Catechesis. Explore the possibility by contacting Kevin Cody by phone or email (see top of page).

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CHILDREN'S INITIATION PROCESS

We also have a process in place to initiate children and young teens who have not been baptized and/or have had no formal religious education. The process normally takes at least two years to lead them into an experience of conversion and prepare them to celebrate the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

This is not a rigid program, but a process that is meant to be adapted according to the spiritual and educational needs and progress of the child. Children, with their parents and catechists, meet in small groups on a schedule that best fits their calendars. They progress through periods of preparation looking to Easter Vigil as the highpoint of their journey with the reception of the sacraments.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Thank you to everyone who participated in making this year's Vacation Bible School (VBS) a success!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VBS PHOTOS FROM SUMMER 2011

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VBS PHOTOS FROM OTHER YEARS

RE PROGRAM FOR DEAF CHILDREN

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON THIS PROGRAM

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