Education
Leah Haley, Coordinator
Adult Education:
Leah Haley, Chairperson
Mission: To provide religious educational opportunities that will enhance the spiritual and intellectual growth of the adult parishioners and enable them to better meet the challenges of their daily lives.
Activities: Father’s Book of the Month Discussion: Father selects a book on a catholic subject for an evening discussion after the parishioners have read the book.
CDs of various catholic topics are available in the Commons for adult formation and enrichment of their faith.
Why Catholic Program: Small groups meet to discuss and share thoughts about the Faith based on the Four Pillars of the Church as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These groups meet for six weeks in the fall and again during Lent.
Women of Grace Study Series by Johnnette Benkovic: A nine week course offered in the morning and evening sessions will begin in September. The study will help women grow in knowledge of their faith, deepen their prayer life, meet a variety of women saints, and come to see the Blessed Virgin Mary as their exemplar.
Catholic Scripture Study by Scott Hahn: Parishioners will meet once a week for 28 weeks beginning in August and ending in April to gain a deeper appreciation for their Catholic Faith and the mysteries that we celebrate in the sacraments. This particular study is unique in that it does a marvelous job of connecting Sacred Scripture and the tradition of the Catholic Church, leading us to understand more fully why we believe what we do.
Confirmation: Laura Bradley and Richard Leibundguth, ChairpersonsMission: To continue the journey of the candidates (sophomore grade or older) in their Catholic initiation process through the sacrament of Confirmation, thus strengthening their union with God and providing opportunities to serve their parish and their community.
Activities: Students are required to attend seventeen classes from October through April. In preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring, they must also choose a sponsor, select various spiritual and community projects, attend a retreat and are committed to continuing the faithful practice and study of the Catholic religion.
Religious Education: Leah Haley, ChairpersonMission: To bring the students to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and to know God’s great love for them.
Assist parents in the religious formation of their children through classes for the children, through resources and workshops or meetings.
To provide a working knowledge of students’ Faith, following the curriculum as set by the Diocese of Evansville.
To welcome any child in grades Pre-School (age 4) through 12th grade, especially those who are not currently enrolled in Catholic Schools.
Prepare the second graders for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Activities: Religious Education for pre-school through 8th grade is held on Sunday mornings from 8:00 – 9:15 a.m., 9th, 11th, and 12th grade meet on Sunday mornings from 9:45 -11:00 from early Fall until the first weekend in May.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – RCIA: Leah Haley, ChairpersonMission: To welcome inquirers who may choose to become Catholic as they continue their Faith journey.
This process helps individuals seeking entrance into the Catholic Church deepen their relationship with God through prayer, catechesis, community and service.
Activities: The length of time for this process depends on the individual’s personal readiness and may be a year or more. Most individuals are ready to be brought into the Church at the Easter Vigil.The process can also be for those Catholic adults who have not had the opportunity to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation during the customary time of their lives. RCIA at St. John the Evangelist Church meets on Sunday after the 9:30 a.m. Mass for an hour to discuss the various teachings and doctrines of the Church, the Sacraments, Mass and other topics of the Faith. Each of the Catechumens, those who have not been baptized in any faith, and the candidates, those who have been baptized in another Faith, will have a sponsor who will journey with them through this process. The sponsors attend the Sunday morning sessions and any of the rituals that mark the steps along this process. Children who will be coming into the Church will have a separate and appropriate preparation process according to their needs and age.
Liturgy of the Word for Children: Leah Haley, ChairpersonMission: To present the Word of God to the Children in age-appropriate language and to explain the message in clear and current terms.
To recognize that the spirituality of children differs from that of adults and must be nurtured in ways that is more concrete, interactive and personal.
Activities: At the beginning of the 9:30 a.m. Mass, the children from the ages of 4 through 8 are invited by the priest to leave with a catechist and a helper.
The children, catechist and helper meet in a comfortable setting area that has been set up for the enthronement of the Gospel Book.
The catechist presents the Word, discusses with the children and allows time for their personal petitions. The children usually leave with some activity to take home to share and complete with their parents.
Vacation Bible School: Leah Haley, ChairpersonMission: To provide the opportunity for children to learn more about the God who loves them.
Activity: One week during summer vacation, the children come together for morning sessions from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 a.m.
The sessions include scripture lessons, prayer, games, craft time and snacks.
Children of any Faith from the ages 4 years to 11 years may attend. Older children may be helpers to the catechists. Parents are invited and needed to help with various activities through the morning.
VBS 2010 is coming June 21-25! It will be held from 9-12 Mon-Thurs and 9-?12? on Field Day Friday. On Sunday, June 27th, the children will participate in the liturgy of the 11:15 Mass. Join us to learn more about Our Lady, St. Catherine Laboure, and the Angels! Please turn in your forms as soon as possible! Please print off the forms, fill them out with necessary signatures, enclose fee, and return to the church office. Thank you!
Any question or comments can be directed to Lisa Schmitt, at vbslisa@att.net or 867-3539
Click here for the VBS Registration form
Click here for the VBS Volunteer form