ST. ODILO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
6617 West 23rd Street
Berwyn, Illinois
(708) 484-0755
Pastor Rev. Anthony J. Brankin
Director Mrs. Virginia Uphues
St. Odilo Parish Religious Education Policies
Your child/children may be enrolled in our religious education program provided you are a registered member of St. Odilo Parish. Registration must take place before your child will be accepted into the program.
Continuity of Program
Our religious education program is intended for faith formation and not just sacramental preparation. The program is designed to have continuity from first through eighth grade. Skipping of years in between sacraments does not allow for adequate faith formation. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a child and teacher to make up for inadequate preparation. Thus, young people will be eligible for the Confirmation program only if they have completed the previous two years (grades 6 and 7) in a religious education class. Children eligible for Reconciliation and Eucharist, received in second grade, must complete grade one.
If a child has not had the opportunity for consistent religious education, it may be necessary to provide an additional year of review before preparation for a sacrament. The parish wishes to encourage your cooperation and to assist you in this joint responsibility.
2007-2008 Schedule of Classes
Classes will meet on the following days:
September 17, 24
October 1, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 19, 26
December 3, 10, 17
January 7, 14, 28
February 4, 11, 25
March 3, 10, 17, 31
April 7, 14, 28
May 5
Religious education classes are held in the school on Monday beginning September 17th from 4:00 to 5:15 P.M. The last day of class is May 5, 2008.
PHILOSOPHY
The Religious Education Program of St. Odilo Parish respects the uniqueness of each child and endeavors to develop the faith-life received at Baptism through a comprehensive program of religious instruction.
Since parents are the primary educators of their children, we expect participation in weekly Mass so that by word and example in a cooperative effort of parent and teacher, we may instill in the student a permanent appreciation of faith and love of God necessary to maintain and practice our Catholic faith.
Class Attendance
Your child is expected to attend all the sessions for the entire year. A child may be excused only for serious reasons. As one session builds on another, much will be lost by missing even one class.
If a child is absent, it is the parent’s responsibility to call the Religious Education Office at 484-0755. This may be done anytime before the class session.
We expect the children to be on time and remain for the entire class session. No child will ever be permitted to leave class early without a written note from the parent.
Good Conduct
For the sake of all involved in our program – students, teachers, parents – appropriate behavior is required of all students. Should a discipline problem arise the following procedures will be taken:
1st offense Catechist and Religious Education
Director will speak to student.
2nd offense Religious Education Director will
contact parent.
3rd offense Religious Education Director will
schedule a confereance with
parents, teacher and student. If
there is no improvement, in fairness
and justice to the Catechist and
students in the class, the Director
reserves the right to ask the parents
to provide an alternate form of
religious education.
Parent Meetings
During those years when your child is receiving a sacrament your attendance at the Parent Meetings for the various sacraments will be mandatory if your child is to receive that sacrament.
Parents will be notified of the dates and times of these meetings. All Parent Meetings take place in the Parish Hall at 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of these Parent Meetings is: (1) to help parents in their role as the primary educators of their children; (2) to share necessary practical information about the event and (3) to offer adults the opportunity to update and continue their own faith development.
Tuition and Fees
Registered Contributing Parishioner
Tuition and Books:
One child $160.00
Two children $230.00
Three or more children $280.00
Non Registered Parishioner
Tuition and Books:
One child $400.00
Two children $450.00
This fee is due at the time of registration.
After August 20, 2007 a late fee of $25.00 will be added to the above tuition rates.
Special Dates
Following is a list of special dates that will be of interest to parents of children who will be receiving the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Also parents of children in Grade 7, please note the date for the 7th Grade retreat day.
Sept. 23, Sunday 11:30 a.m. Mass
Parent-Child Promise Day
Nov. 6, Tuesday Grade 8 Parent Confirmation
Meeting-7 p.m. School Hall
Dec. 6, Thursday 8th Grade Day of Retreat
8:00–2:30 p.m. School Hall
Jan. 16, Wednesday Parent Communion Meeting
7 p.m. School Hall
Mar. 11, Tuesday First Communion pictures
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. School Hall
Apr. 10, Thursday 7th Grade Day of Retreat
8:00-2:30 p.m. Parish Hall
April 14, Monday Confirmation Practice
(4:00 – 5:15 p.m.)
April 22, Tuesday Sacrament of Confirmation
7:00 p.m. Mass
April 28, Monday First Confession 4:15 p.m.
May 1, Thursday First Communion Practice
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. (church)
May 4, Sunday First Communion 11:30 a.m.