Religious Education

Office:  (773) 764-0615 ext. 138
Email:  reled@hcjp.org

The Office of the Protection of Children and Youth’s (OPCY) mission is to respond to victim-survivors who report sexual abuse by assisting them in the process of healing and reporting allegations, and ensure the Archdiocese is providing services to prevent future instances of sexual abuse. For a complete listing of programs and services,
please visit  https://protect.archchicago.org

Protecting God's Children
Here you will find the PowerPoint presentations and Presenter's Guide for the different grade levels.

Child Safety

• K-5th Grade
  • Videos
  • Presenter Guide

• 6th-8th Grade
  • Videos
  • Lesson 1 | Lesson 2
  • Presenter Guide

• PreK-2nd Grade
  • PowerPoint
  • Presenter Guide

• 3rd-5th Grade
  • PowerPoint
  • Presenter Guide

• 6th-8th Grade
  • PowerPoint
  • Presenter Guide

If you are interested in learning more about ways to get involved,
please complete this short survey.  Thank you & God Bless.

Students are expected to attend each class and make up any
classwork if absent. If your child will be absent from class, please
complete and submit this absence form.

1. Children’s Faith Formation Program

With an archdiocesan-approved curriculum,  Grades KG, 1-8 students are taught the tenets of Catholicism, as well as Scripture, and how to practice the Gospel message in their everyday lives.  Classes are held from mid-September through April on Saturday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• First Communion:  Grades 1 & 2.  Candidates must be enrolled and participate in formal Religious Education classes in first grade to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion during their second grade year.

• Confirmation:  Grades 7 & 8.  To receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in eighth grade, candidates must begin formal classes in seventh grade and be an active registered parishioner.

2. Sacramental Preparation Program

Baptized children 7 years and older with no previous or intermittent formal religious education are eligible to participate in the Sacramental Preparation Program.  Classes are held from mid-September through April on Saturday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 p.m.  The preparation period is two (2) years.  Children may receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation during the winter and First Communion during summer of the second year of preparation.  Grade 8 or higher children may receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during summer of the second year of preparation.

Sacramental Policies:

• Archdiocese of Chicago Confirmation Policy: The length of parish sacramental preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation shall be a minimum of two years for adolescent candidates.  (Youth Confirmation - Parish Vitality and Mission (archchicago.org)

At HCJP preparation for Confirmation begins in 7^th Grade.  The Sacrament of Confirmation is received at the end of 8th Grade.

• HCJP Policy for the First Reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation: Preparation for First Penance and First Communion is a two-year process.  Normally 1^st grade is Pre-Communion and 2^nd grade is First Communion.