Welcome to the Religious Education Program Page!
The Our Lady of the Holy Family Religious Education program will be operated this year as a family faith formation program, in which the lessons are primarily taught to the children at home by their parents with support from our team of catechists. We adopted this model because of the need for social distancing brought about by COVID-19. This program will provide parents a chance to grow in their faith because the best way to learn something is to teach it. The Church teaches that parents are the primary catechists of their children, so we are happy to institute a program that will help our parents live out their calling more fully. It will also help families grow closer together because families will spend time praying together and learning and discussing the Catholic faith. To register or for more information, please click on the welcome packet below. You may also register using the form below.
| Our Lady of the Holy Family Religious Education Program 2020-2021 |
Anticipated Questions
Who does this program serve?
This program serves students in grades 1-8 and their families. If you have a student in high school who needs to be confirmed, we will happily include this student as well.
How much does the program cost?
The program is $100 for one student from one family, $175 for two students from one family, $250 for three, and $300 for 4. This includes the textbooks and the parish instruction and time for gatherings. Half of this must be paid by the beginning of the program, and the other half must be paid by the beginning of the new year.
What if I, as a parent, do not feel confident teaching the faith?
Parents will be aided in their teaching of the lessons by our virtual parent meetings, the point of which are to help parents teach the faith. Also, the catechetical team is here to support parents in their role as the primary catechists of their children. Our hope is that parents will grow in their own faith through this experience, as a great way to learn something is to teach it to other people.
If I have children of different ages, how do I accommodate the material to their age level?
We will work individually with any families who have this question or are struggling in this area.
What if one parent is not Catholic?
They are welcome to participate in as much of the program as they would like. It is our hope that they are on board with the children being raised in the Catholic faith even if they are not Catholic.
Does my whole family have to come to Mass?
This is certainly encouraged, but due to COVID-19 we understand that this may not always be possible, so we will only require 1 parent and the children in the program to come to the monthly Mass and gathering.
What if my kid did the first year of sacramental prep last year? Will my child receive the second year now that the materials are different?
Yes. We will release more information on sacramental preparation later in the year.
What is the church doing to help keep people healthy and safe during this time of COVID-19?
The Archdiocese of Chicago has many safety guidelines in place and requires parishes to be certified before allowing religious education activities to go on and Our Lady of the Holy Family is in full compliance with those guidelines.
What if I do not want my child or my family to attend an in-person event (or any in-person events) due to health concerns during this COVID-19 pandemic? Can we still sign up for the program?
If your child or your family is unable to attend a Sunday mass and gathering for any reason, that family must talk with the director of lifelong formation, and he will fill them in on what was discussed at the gathering. If your family has overall health concerns and cannot or desires not to attend in-person gatherings, YES you can still sign up for the program and we will work to accommodate you.
What is the role of the catechists in this program?
Due to COVID-19, we are not able to have in-person classes each week as traditional models of religious education always used to. The role of the catechist in the family faith formation model is different. Catechists will be given several families to be responsible for. They will be available to help the parents in the teaching of the faith. They will also grade the assignments that families submit. Also, catechists will be given a role in the parent meetings and monthly gatherings. We need catechists, so if you are interested in volunteering, please let the director of lifelong formation know.
This program serves students in grades 1-8 and their families. If you have a student in high school who needs to be confirmed, we will happily include this student as well.
How much does the program cost?
The program is $100 for one student from one family, $175 for two students from one family, $250 for three, and $300 for 4. This includes the textbooks and the parish instruction and time for gatherings. Half of this must be paid by the beginning of the program, and the other half must be paid by the beginning of the new year.
What if I, as a parent, do not feel confident teaching the faith?
Parents will be aided in their teaching of the lessons by our virtual parent meetings, the point of which are to help parents teach the faith. Also, the catechetical team is here to support parents in their role as the primary catechists of their children. Our hope is that parents will grow in their own faith through this experience, as a great way to learn something is to teach it to other people.
If I have children of different ages, how do I accommodate the material to their age level?
We will work individually with any families who have this question or are struggling in this area.
What if one parent is not Catholic?
They are welcome to participate in as much of the program as they would like. It is our hope that they are on board with the children being raised in the Catholic faith even if they are not Catholic.
Does my whole family have to come to Mass?
This is certainly encouraged, but due to COVID-19 we understand that this may not always be possible, so we will only require 1 parent and the children in the program to come to the monthly Mass and gathering.
What if my kid did the first year of sacramental prep last year? Will my child receive the second year now that the materials are different?
Yes. We will release more information on sacramental preparation later in the year.
What is the church doing to help keep people healthy and safe during this time of COVID-19?
The Archdiocese of Chicago has many safety guidelines in place and requires parishes to be certified before allowing religious education activities to go on and Our Lady of the Holy Family is in full compliance with those guidelines.
What if I do not want my child or my family to attend an in-person event (or any in-person events) due to health concerns during this COVID-19 pandemic? Can we still sign up for the program?
If your child or your family is unable to attend a Sunday mass and gathering for any reason, that family must talk with the director of lifelong formation, and he will fill them in on what was discussed at the gathering. If your family has overall health concerns and cannot or desires not to attend in-person gatherings, YES you can still sign up for the program and we will work to accommodate you.
What is the role of the catechists in this program?
Due to COVID-19, we are not able to have in-person classes each week as traditional models of religious education always used to. The role of the catechist in the family faith formation model is different. Catechists will be given several families to be responsible for. They will be available to help the parents in the teaching of the faith. They will also grade the assignments that families submit. Also, catechists will be given a role in the parent meetings and monthly gatherings. We need catechists, so if you are interested in volunteering, please let the director of lifelong formation know.
Contact us
Our Lady of the Holy Family Parish
1335 W Harrison Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: (312) 243-7400 Email: OLHFParish@archchicago.org connect with us
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The Archdiocese of Chicago serves around 2.2 million Catholics in Cook and Lake Counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries. This local church is pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, assisted by six Episcopal Vicars, each responsible for a vicariate (region).
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