Religious Education Program

The goal of the Religious Education Program at Saint John the Apostle is to minister to all parishioners the love of Jesus Christ through instruction on the teachings of the Catholic Church. Through our program, we invite all parishioners to lifelong spiritual, moral and intellectual conversion to Jesus Christ that is lived out in the Catholic Faith.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
For those adults who have a desire to become Catholic or baptized adult Catholics who have not celebrated Eucharist and/or Confirmation, we invite you to join us for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Classes are on Wednesdays, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the School Library starting September 24. Please contact John in the Parish Office for more information.

KINDERGARTEN - EIGHTH GRADE
All Sessions take place in Saint John the Apostle School
Sunday Session: 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Monday Session: 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

CLASS SCHEDULE

SUNDAY SESSION
(K – 8, Children’s Catechumenate)
Click here for class schedule.

MONDAY SESSION (K - 8)
Click here for class schedule.

NINTH GRADE SESSION
All Sessions take place on Sunday in the Church, except last Sunday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Click here for class schedule.

SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS:
Children of Light Ministry is a ministry to students with special needs (physical, emotional, intellectual) and their famililes. We provide guidance to catechists to best instruct children with special needs, as well as provide support for families who choose to homeschool their children based on these situations. We meet with parents and students to come up with the best preparation for their religious instruction. For more information, please contact Margo Perry at msfixal@cox.net or 468-5234 or John Domingo in the Parish Office.

Youth Sacramental Information:
CHILDREN'S CATECHUMENATE: For those children aged 7 through high school who have not been baptized, there is a special process where, after a two year process, they celebrate the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, & Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. Please contact John in the Parish Office for more details.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST EUCHARIST
Students who were in formal Religious Education classes last year (2007-2008) can start preparation for First Reconciliation in anticipation of the First Eucharist. Students fourth grade or older are put in a special sacramental class on Sunday afternoons (12:45 - 2:00 p.m.), while students in second or third grade are put in a regular First Eucharist Year 2/Second Grade Class during regular Sunday or Monday sessions.

In addition to regular classes in School and religious education, there are separate parent and student sessions. Parents gather for instruction on preparing their children at home as well as improving their understanding of the Sacrament. Students from School and Religious Education have a chance to interact with one another and reinforce what is taught in class. These meetings are mandatory.

Parent/Student Meetings run from 9:00-10:30 a.m. in the Church and School on the following Saturdays:
November 15, December 6, January 10 (First Reconciliation)
March 7 & 21 (First Eucharist), April 4

Celebration of First Reconciliation-Saturday, January 24 (9 & 11 a.m.)
Celbration of First Eucharist-Saturday, May 9 (4 & 6 p.m.) and Sunday, May 10 (9:15 a.m.)

HIGH SCHOOL CONFIRMATION
The Diocese of Richmond has a two year preparation process for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

CONFIRMATION YEAR 1
Students normally start in 10th grade.  Sophomore students at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School are exempt from this first year. 
Classes are normally the first and third Sundays of the month from 6:00p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the School Cafeteria.

Click here for classes.  

CONFIRMATION YEAR 2
Students who were in Confirmation Year 1 or Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School last school year (2007 – 2008) are eligible for Confirmation Year 2. Junior and Senior Students (who have not been confirmed) at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School should participate this year.
Classes are normal the second and fourth Sundays of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the School Cafeteria. Confirmation date to follow.

Click here for classes.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
In cases of inclement weather, classes will be closed and catechist will inform their classes. We will also post cancellations online at the websites for WAVY TV 10 (www.wavy.com) and FOX 43 (www.wvbt.com). Classes may be made up on certain holiday weekends.

Click here for information on Sacrament Preparation

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