Catechism Classes 2023-24

Dear Families of St. John the Evangelist,
 
            I’m pleased to announce that registration for our next Catechetical Year is now open. Our program continues to focus on Whole Family Catechesis. The most important influence in a child learning their faith is the example of their parents. So, we are asking parents to participate in certain ways and are providing materials and resources to assist you in handing on your faith to your children.
     One major change this year is to the Confirmation program. Bishop Deshotel, in consultation with pastors around the Diocese of Lafayette, has moved the year of Confirmation to 8th grade. For this reason, we are asking all students entering 8th grade or above to register for Confirmation. In addition, we are moving to a year-and-a-half format. Students will begin classes in the fall and remain in the program until the end of the fall in the following year. This means that students entering the program in Fall of 2023 will receive Confirmation in November or December of 2024. We will announce that dates once we have reserved it with the Bishop.
I pray that this coming catechetical year proves to be fruitful for all of you! I have laid out the expectations below. You can find the calendar of classes at the link on the right of this page.
 
Expectations
  • Mass attendance every week is considered part of class for all grade levels. Parents/Guardians should be attending Mass as well.

  • The 1st Sunday of each month (usually), all families with children are expected to attend class, including those with children in Catholic School.
    • Parents/Guardians and Grades 6-12 will meet in the parish hall for a lesson with activities and small groups.
    • Children 5th grade and below will use the Kitchen and Classroom to engage in lessons and activities (These do not cover everything and are only a supplement to the lessons parents will do with their children)

  • One Wednesday night each month (usually the 3rd Wednesday), we will have a family game night. Attendance is expected of all families and students.
    • This will consist of 30 minutes of adoration, followed by a meal and communal time.
    • The focus will be spending time together, though we will sometimes have review games or activities. Building community is an important part of faith formation. Feel free to bring boards games, card games, or other fun communal activities.
    • This is an open event, so feel free to invite friends and family who aren’t in Catechism, belong to another parish, or aren’t Catholic.

  • For families with children in 1st Communion (2nd Grade, ends May 5, 2024):
    • If a 1st Communion student cannot attend Mass at St. John’s on a particular weekend, they must get a signed bulletin from the Church where they attend.
    • All parents/guardians will be given materials to take home. They are to use these materials to help their own children understand Confession and the Eucharist
    • All 1st Communion students & their parents/guardians are required to attend two Mornings of Reflection.
      • Saturday, Dec 2 at 9am
      • Saturday, May 4 at 9am
    • All 1st Communion students not in Catholic chool will attend two additional classes each month, following the 9am Mass
      • Those in Catholic schools are welcome to attend as well, but not required

  • For families with children in Confirmation (8th grade and up, ends Dec 2024):
    • If a Confirmation student cannot attend Mass at St. John’s on a particular weekend, they must get a signed bulletin from the Church where they attend.
    • All Confirmation students and at least one parent/guardian must attend one additional class each month. Sponsors are encouraged to attend as well.
      • This includes students enrolled in Catholic Schools
      • This will usually fall on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month and is focused on community, discipleship, and service
      • We will try to provide childcare for your younger children who aren’t in Confirmation so you can both attend without worry.
    • Students not in Catholic School will attend a second additional class each month
      • This will usually fall on the 3rd or 4th Sunday of the month and will focus on catechesis
      • Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend as well
    • All Confirmation students and their parents/guardians will attend three miniature retreats. These events are mandatory. The first one is Sunday, Sept 17th beginning with the 9am Mass and concluding by 2pm. The others are TBD.
      • If there is good reason to miss these events, a student may make it up by attending an alternate retreat with another Catholic Church.
      • Sporting and dance events are not considered valid reasons to miss.
    • All Confirmation students are expected to participate at least one time in the summer Theology of the Body workshop in July. Attending both is advisable since the program varies each summer.
      • This can be done the summer before they start or during the summer between their spring and 2nd fall semesters.
      • If there is a good reason the student cannot attend either summer, they may be able to make it up with an approved online program. Please speak with me if this becomes necessary.
    • All Confirmation students will complete 15 service hours and 30 spiritual hours over the course of 18 months
      • These will be turned in in increments of 5 and 10 hours each semester.
      • Service hours are gained through acts of service to non-family members.
      • Spiritual hours are gained through spiritual practices other than attending Sunday Mass.
      • Opportunities for each will be provided, but students will need to seek additional opportunities in order to reach the amount required.
    • Sponsors of Confirmation candidates must meet the proper criteria:
      • At least 16 years old & Confirmed in the Catholic Church
      • Actively practicing their faith (regular Mass attendance, not publicly contradicting the Church’s teaching)
      • If they are married, they must have been married in the Church
      • They must complete the proper form, which is to be signed by the pastor of the Catholic Church they attend
    • Sponsors will participate in the third miniature retreat, the rehearsal, and attend the Confirmation itself. They are welcome at any other events as well.
  • Significant absences in classes or required events will result in delaying Confirmation to the following year.
 
Cost, Materials, and Paperwork
  • Registration fee is $25 per family
    • There is an additional fee of $25 for each child in 1st Communion or Confirmation (Confirmation students do not have to pay this extra fee again in the Fall of 2024)
    • Hardship waivers are available. Speak with me if you want this waiver.
    • Please visit the parish website – stjohnjeanerette.org/registration– to complete the registration. There is a link there to complete payment as well. You can also visit the office to pay by cash or check.
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  • Required books:
    • Provided by us: Parent Guide,1 children’s activity book for each child ages 10 and under. Materials for Confirmation and 1st Communion students will be provided by us as well.
    • A bible (NABRE, RSVCE, JB, or ESV-Catholic)
      • I recommend the “Didache Bible”
    • A Catechism of the Catholic Church
      • The “YouCat” is a recommended additional resource as well
    • Access to Formed.org is also required for each family. See our website to register

  • Required paperwork:
    • If your child was baptized at a church other than St. John the Evangelist in Jeanerette, you will need to contact the parish where they were baptized
      • Ask them to send a new copy of their baptismal certificate to our office at: St. John the Evangelist, 1510 Church St, Jeanerette, LA 70544.
    • Completed sponsor forms for each Confirmation student. Due by April 1, 2024
    • Completed Service and Spiritual Hours forms for each Confirmation student due December 1, 2023; May 1, 2024; and November 1, 2024.
 
As always, thank you for being a part of our parish family and I look forward to being together with you all as we deepen our knowledge and love of this great faith we share.
 
In Christ,
Fr. Alexander Albert,
Pastor,
St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette

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Link to online resources that accompany the books:
https://sophiainstituteforteachers.org/familyoffaithvol4supplements
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