St. Mary’s Religious Education is a program of Catholic education and formation for students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade. The program includes sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion as well as the normal formation for students in those grades.
To accommodate a large student population we are always in need of adult volunteers as catechists, aides, substitutes and hall monitors; if you are able to help, please fill out the volunteer forms you’ll find on this page or outside of the Religious Education Office!
We are excited for another exciting year in Religious Education – you can find all of the registration information below or in the RE Office. We look forward to working with your children this year!
Our Mission:
St. Mary’s Religious Education Program seeks to help our children become fully devoted followers of Jesus. We do this by teaching them to pray, by sharing the truths of our Catholic faith in a creative, life-giving way, and by helping them to apply their faith through service projects.
For more information, or with any questions, please contact Roberta Christian at (847) 669-5953.
To accommodate a large student population we are always in need of adult volunteers as catechists, aides, substitutes and hall monitors; if you are able to help, please fill out the volunteer forms you’ll find on this page or outside of the Religious Education Office!
We are excited for another exciting year in Religious Education – you can find all of the registration information below or in the RE Office. We look forward to working with your children this year!
Our Mission:
St. Mary’s Religious Education Program seeks to help our children become fully devoted followers of Jesus. We do this by teaching them to pray, by sharing the truths of our Catholic faith in a creative, life-giving way, and by helping them to apply their faith through service projects.
For more information, or with any questions, please contact Roberta Christian at (847) 669-5953.
Religious Education Registration
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the size of the Religious Education Program we are not able to accept requests for specific class assignments.
Religious Education Volunteers
In order to allow a program of our size to successfully minister to our children, we are in need of many volunteers for teachers, teachers aides, and hall monitors. Please consider helping out with our religious education program next year; when registration begins, we will also have volunteer registration available!
All volunteers need to complete paperwork for a background check before class begin and then complete training for “Protecting God’s Children” within two months of the beginning of the Religious Education year.
Catechists spend one to two hours preparing a lesson plan for each 1-1/4 hr. class. Class size is limited to 20 students with an aide in each class. Participate in 3 catechist meetings during the year and complete classes required (for new teachers) by the diocese.
Catechist aides assist in planning as needed and help with classroom management. Present the lesson should the Catechist be absent.
Hall Monitors assist students in getting to their classrooms upon arrival. They also monitor students getting to and from the restrooms and hallways during class time. May help out in classrooms in the event of an absence.
All volunteers need to complete paperwork for a background check before class begin and then complete training for “Protecting God’s Children” within two months of the beginning of the Religious Education year.
Catechists spend one to two hours preparing a lesson plan for each 1-1/4 hr. class. Class size is limited to 20 students with an aide in each class. Participate in 3 catechist meetings during the year and complete classes required (for new teachers) by the diocese.
Catechist aides assist in planning as needed and help with classroom management. Present the lesson should the Catechist be absent.
Hall Monitors assist students in getting to their classrooms upon arrival. They also monitor students getting to and from the restrooms and hallways during class time. May help out in classrooms in the event of an absence.
Class Times & Information
Class Times:
Class Information:
Sacramental Information:
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received in the Second Grade. Students must have the necessary preparation for the reception of these sacraments, which includes attendance in our religious education program. Admission to 2nd Grade sacramental preparation will not be accepted after October 1st. If you have a child who needs one or more of these sacraments, please contact the Religious Education Office at 847-669-5953 for more information.
Sacrament Make-Up:
Sacrament Make-Up is offered for those beyond Grade 2 who have not yet received the sacraments of Reconciliation or Communion. This program requires one full year of Religious Education and attendance at a series of classes to prepare for the reception of the sacraments. Contact the Religious Education Office at 847-669-5953 for more information.
Emergency Cancellation of Classes:
If District 158 is closed for the day due to severe weather there will be no classes at St. Mary that day. The Religious Education Office will then send a Flocknote directly to all families with the closing information and also put the information on the RE Office voicemail.
- Tuesday Classes: 5:00 – 6:15 PM
- Wednesday Classes: 5:00 – 6:15 PM and 6:45 – 8:00 PM
- All classes are held at St. Mary Church in the Parish Ministry Center.
- All Students Grades K-3 must be walked to and picked up from class.
Class Information:
- All grade levels are offered at each session.
- Kindergarten classes use “God Loves Us” by Loyola Press.
- Grades 1- 5 use “Finding God” by Loyola Press.
Sacramental Information:
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received in the Second Grade. Students must have the necessary preparation for the reception of these sacraments, which includes attendance in our religious education program. Admission to 2nd Grade sacramental preparation will not be accepted after October 1st. If you have a child who needs one or more of these sacraments, please contact the Religious Education Office at 847-669-5953 for more information.
Sacrament Make-Up:
Sacrament Make-Up is offered for those beyond Grade 2 who have not yet received the sacraments of Reconciliation or Communion. This program requires one full year of Religious Education and attendance at a series of classes to prepare for the reception of the sacraments. Contact the Religious Education Office at 847-669-5953 for more information.
Emergency Cancellation of Classes:
If District 158 is closed for the day due to severe weather there will be no classes at St. Mary that day. The Religious Education Office will then send a Flocknote directly to all families with the closing information and also put the information on the RE Office voicemail.