Religious Education for Children

Religious Education Facilitator: Brenda Anton

Brenda Anton
Facilitator, Children's Catechesis

(602) 867-9171 ext. 309

Sacramental prep students are mainstreamed into our regular catechetical program. We recommend enrollment in Children’s Catechesis as early as three and a half years of age and no later than kindergarten. This provides the best foundation for proper reception of the sacraments at the appropriate ages, and encourages lifelong catechesis.

Children’s Choir
This year, we are initiating a partnership between the Offices of Evangelization & Catechesis and the Office of Liturgy & Music; initiated with the desire to integrate more closely our children's religious formation and its expression in the celebration of the liturgy.  Singing in our parish children's choir program is an excellent way for your children to put their gifts at the service of God and his Church, and to foster the growth of their faith.  I have no doubt that this experience can be of great value to your children, and I encourage you to consider enrolling your child also in the Children's Choir this year.  We have arranged the schedule so that students in the Tuesday, 6:30pm Religious Education session can easily sing in the choir, which will rehearse immediately before their class at 5:45pm.  Please indicate “choir option” when registering for RE this year. Additional information will be mailed to you upon registration.

Catechesis for Children (Faith & Life)
Children from Pre-K through Grade 8 attend weekly classes according to their grade level on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at 4:30pm or 6:30pm. For those who have already received sacraments please register here.
Specific dates and requirements will be mailed out upon registration.

Catechesis for Children needing Sacraments
Those who will be approaching the sacred rites this year will be participating in a consolidated class schedule, thereby enabling them to prepare for the sacrament(s) within the context of their weekly Religious Education class. Please click here to register. For more information about the process, please see below or call the parish office during the week and ask for Michael or Brenda. Specific dates and requirements will be mailed out upon registration.

Reconciliation for Children
Children in Grade 2 or above who are baptized Catholic, qualify to begin preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Specific dates and requirements will be mailed out upon registration.

Confirmation & First Eucharist for Children
Children in Grade 3 or above who have already made their First Reconciliation qualify to prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist. Specific dates and requirements will be mailed out upon registration.

Parent Component
The Church is very clear about the importance of parent involvement is in the religious formation of children. “Parents are the first and most important educators of their children, and they also possess a fundamental competency in this area: they are educators because they are parents.” From this, it is apparent that the church recognizes the tremendous influence of parents in the life of their children. Therefore, it is up to parents, with the assistance of the parish community, to introduce your children to the person of Jesus Christ and to help foster an intimacy with Him as they grow and mature in the faith. St. Joan of Arc is dedicated to assisting you in fulfilling this most important task.

Therefore, at least one parent of those enrolled in the special joint RE/Sacrament consolidated schedule is required to attend a weekly adult enrichment class. These classes will occur simultaneously with your child’s session and will ultimately help provide you with the tools necessary for successfully passing on the Catholic faith to your children. Though we would like to see both parents in attendance, we do understand that that many of you have younger children at home requiring supervision. Please be advised that this is a parish requirement and that opting out may delay the sacrament process for your child.

Monday Evangelization Nights
One Monday evening a month, our RE/Sacrament families will gather together on campus and participate in an event geared toward helping all grow in their relationship with Christ. These evenings will be evangelistic, communal and a great deal of fun. A schedule for these “E-Nights” will be mailed out upon registration.

High School Confirmation & First Eucharist
Classes are held Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 in the Teen Center.

Fees
Fees are as follows: $80.00 for the first child; $110.00 for two children and $135.00 for three. A $50.00 per child fee will be assessed to those Catholic school children registered for sacrament classes only and $180.00 per child for all out-of-parish families. Fees for weekly classes can be paid in full at the time of registration, or paid by the beginning of classes. Also, please let us know at the time of registration if paying fees is not possible for your family at this time. We do have a limited number of scholarships available.