Religious Education Program

"Each encounter with Jesus fills us with joy,
with that deep joy which only God can give."  Pope Francis

Classes are held on Monday evenings from 4:45-6:00pm

Starting the second week of September and Ending the third week of March.

First Holy Communion - Saturday - May 4

Doors Open - 12:00 PM
Seated Quietly - 12:30 PM

Brief Rehearsal - 12:35 PM

Directions for those with pyx - 12:45 PM

Prayerful Silence - 12:45 PM

Mass beings - 1:00 PM

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Seating & Guests

Pews generally seat 10 adults comfortably. 

Names were drawn for pew assignments. 

The number of unassigned pews will allow for an additional four guests for each family.
Please honor the handicapped section for those who are in need.


Does your child need a pyx and low-gluten host?  Do any of your guests have a gluten allergy? 

If yes to either question, please email christine@straymond.net or call the parish office, 815-722-6653 for more details.

Plan Now for Your Best Photo!

You will want to see everyone's happy face in your child's First Holy Communion photo.

(Reminder: Parents, you will receive Holy Communion near the side aisle as you return to the pew.
Please have your child to wait as you receive.)

Complementary Photo

Send a family member to the narthex after Mass to pick up your complementary photo with a keepsake photo folder. 

Additional photos for godparents and grandparents, will be printed onsite, $10 each.

Practice the song, "Sanctuary" with your child! (Music and refrain text are provided below.)
Let us boldly sing praise to God for the gift all will receive at our First Holy Communion celebration!
Refrain: Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With Thanksgiving, I'll be a living sanctuary for You.

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Grades 1-8

For grades1-8 our approach to faith formation interweaves the teaching of virtues, worship, prayer, community, and service. 
Students are guided by adults using appropriate teaching techniques for each grade level. Students grow in knowing Jesus Christ, living the Catholic faith, understanding the sacraments, forming a life of prayer, and learning the teachings of the Church.

REACH

Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped. REACH provides simplified religious education lessons at a slower pace using a smaller student-to-catechist ratio. This program also prepares students for the sacraments of reconciliation, the Eucharist and confirmation.

REP Calendar

Required Documents

Send Us An Email

Volunteer to be a Catechist / Aide


WHAT IS A CATECHIST?

The official teachings of the Church are called the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A catechist is a person of faith who leads others in understanding the faith teachings according to those official teachings. The role of the catechist is a vital ministry to the St. Raymond Parish.


WHAT DOES A CATECHIST DO?

The primary goal of a Catechist is to model God’s love to others. As a result, the primary requisite of a catechist is a love for God and a love for children.

A catechist develops a lesson plan and uses that plan to teach in the classroom. By creating the lesson plan, the catechist ultimately designs and structures experiences for students that help them grow in their personal faith and spirituality. The catechist passes on to students a set of shared meanings and values that are Catholic. A catechist also initiates others into the faith community, into its life, its worship, symbols and practices.


WHAT DOES AN AIDE DO?
The primary goal of an aide is to assist the Catechist in their role of helping our children come to know God and know their beloved identity as God's child.


WILL I RECEIVE TRAINING AND SUPPORT?

Yes


ARE THERE TEACHING AND RESOURCE MATERIALS?

St. Raymond provides teaching and resource materials.


WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

We ask catechists to commit to teaching a class for an entire academic year. St. Raymond Religion Education Program begins in September and ends in March.


WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOLUNTEER IN THIS ROLE?

We are so blessed to have such an active and engaged community of parents, grandparents, and friends supporting our faith formation programs through volunteering. We welcome any person of faith who wishes to lead others to grow in faith and understanding the Catechism of the Catholic Church.


For the safety and protection of our parish children, any adult who wishes to volunteer to work with children at St. Raymond in any capacity must comply with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and the Best Practices for the Parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Joliet, all volunteers must: complete an online session of “Protecting God’s Children", a course in child abuse prevention and "Mandated Reporter training", a course in reporting suspected child abuse in addition to a background check.


WHO DO I  CONTACT IF I AM INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATECHIST?

Please contact our Director of Faith Formation, Christine Pershey at 815-722-6653 ext. 225 or via email at christine@straymond.net.

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