Religious Education Program

St. Paul the Apostle Religious Education Program is a school in which children come together to pray, to learn and to experience Christian values in a caring environment. All children whose families belong to St. Paul's Parish or another Catholic parish in the Joliet Area and wish their youngsters to learn about the Bible, the beliefs, and the traditions of the Catholic religion, are welcome to attend. The main reason for these classes is our faith in Jesus Christ and all that his life and works teach us. As believers we learn to respect ourselves and others as God's creation. Our response is to pray to God and serve God in one another and to pass these beliefs to our children. In order to ensure a safe, orderly and respectful environment, families are asked to cooperate and support these policies and procedures.

About the Program:
Classes: All students K through 8 attend classes on Monday evenings from 5:45 to 7:00pm, from September through May.
Financial Obligation: The financial obligation for a family with one child is $120; a family with two children in REP is $140; a family with three or more children in REP is $160. This amount should be paid at registration or on the first day of class, special payment arrangements may be made with the REP secretary. The financial obligation covers books, supplemental materials, supplies and inservice for faculty and staff as well as contributing at least somewhat toward utilities and maintenance fees. A replacement textbook will cost $20. If unable to pay tuition, arrangements can be made.
REP Office: This office is located in the convent building with an entrance closest to the Church - 120 Woodlawn. It is staffed by a full-time director, Sr. Karen Marie Lanigan, OSF, and a part-time secretary, Mrs. Denise Powers. Regular office hours are 9am to 3pm during the school year. Visitors are encouraged to call before stopping in (725-6927) because the staff works out of several buildings.
Program: The series used with the students is "Blest Are We", published by Silver Burdett, Ginn, 2003 edition. This program has been rated "excellent" by the diocesan textbook evaluation committee. The goal of this religion series is to help children know, love and serve God. It seeks to help the faith of the children become "living, conscious and active through the light of instruction." (National Catechetical Directory, #32) Other materials used have been approved by the Diocesan Religious Education Office. The families participate in the Generations of Faith program, FLAG (Families Learning About God).

 Sacramental Programs:
First Communion Class: A full year of instruction is required prior to a child's preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist. Transfer students must provide records from a previous program. Placement is at the discretion of the Director.
Confirmation Class: Background preparation for this sacrament takes place in Grades 3 through 6. Youngsters attending St. Paul's REP for six years may enroll in the two-year Confirmation program in 7th grade. Transfer students must provide records showing their regular attendance in a previous religion program. Placement is at the discretion of the Director.
Sacrament Fee: The fee required for Eucharist students is $25 and for Confirmation students is $35. This should be paid at the first parents' meeting: the Confirmation meeting is in April the year before and the Reconciliation meeting is in September. This fee covers the meetings and extra materials that are required by diocesan policy.

Student Expectations:
Students are expected to: respect and obey teachers and helpers; do assigned work; bring their textbook to class; enter and exit in an orderly fashion; take assigned seats upon entering the classroom; respect the poroperty of the school and the other students and be responsible for any damage to property.

Parent Expectations:
Parents are expected to: work with their children, not only modeling faith but also talking faith; see that their children participate at weekly Mass and help them to develop a sense of stewardship; see that their children attend class weekly; attend FLAG sessions; follow precedures for notification of absence, tardiness and early dismissal; see that homework is completed and prayers mastered; review weekly lesson with children; read newsletters and other communications and respond when necessary; attend sacramental preparation meetings and other meetings that are required.