THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH

Dear Parents,

Lent begins on Wednesday, February 22. For the next six weeks, your child and his teacher, along with the other students in our classrooms, will be aware of the journey we walk toward the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord. We will talk about how prayer, fasting and almsgiving during these weeks make our faith grow stronger by increasing our love for God and others, stretching our hearts to be more charitable, and making our celebration of Easter especially meaningful.

Although family life can be very hectic, consider gathering together for a few minutes on the eve of Ash Wednesday, after your Mardi Gras celebration, to decide on one way in which you, as a family, will pray, one way in which you will fast, and one way in which you will give alms throughout Lent. Again this year St. Luke will participate in the Catholic Relief Service’s Operation Rice Bowl. Your child will bring home a “rice bowl” the first Sunday in Lent. Perhaps this could be part of your family’s almsgiving. Together, we can make this Lent especially meaningful for your child.

Also during the Lenten season, each class will have the opportunity to attend a Way of the Cross with Benediction Service during their regular class time and also receive the sacrament of Reconciliation at another time. Parents and other family members are invited to attend both of these services with their child’s class. Please check with your child to know which day his/her class is scheduled.

Blessings on you and your family this Lent.

2011-2012 Religious Education Schedule

Classes will begin the week of September 18th. There will be a Parent Information night on Monday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 13 at 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center Auditorium. Attendance at one of the sessions is required.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

Each year the Archdiocese requires that all volunteers, parents, and students receive the Safe Environment training. All of our catechists have gone through the Archdiocesan background check and training. The parents will have the opportunity to hear the presentation at the Parent’s Information meeting September 12 & 13. The students will be given the age appropriate lesson material during their regular class time during the week of October 9-11th. To read more about the Safe Environment program and to review the lesson plans, you can go to the web site of the Office of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, www.arch-no.com.

Our class schedule is as follows:

REGISTRATION FEES

Registration fees are as follows:

1 Child ---- $40.00

2 Children ---- 50.00

3 or more Children ---- 60.00

Confirmation Candidates --- 70.00

In addition to the regular fees, the following may apply:

First Reconciliation/Communion Sacrament Fee $15.00 per family

Phase I & II Confirmation Students Retreat Fee $10.00 per student

SACRAMENT PREPARATION

Preparation for the sacrament of Eucharist and Reconciliation is a two- year process, with children registering in first grade and reception of the sacraments at the end of second grade. Students who are older than the traditional second grade and wish to receive the sacraments are placed in the Sacrament class and attend two years, with the reception of the sacrament at Easter time of their second year.

If your child is in the second year of sacrament preparation there is an additional fee of $15.00 per family to help defray the expenses of the retreat and reception following the ceremony.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a three-phase process beginning in ninth grade, with Confirmation in the Fall of the candidate’s junior year. All public school and Catholic school students must register for this preparation in ninth grade. Public school students will attend the weekly CCD classes and Catholic school students will continue to have their formal religious education at their school. All registered students will come together for a series of activities specifically focused on the sacrament of Confirmation.

There is an additional fee of $10.00 per student to cover the expense of the required retreat in both the ninth and tenth grade years. Catholic school students only pay the $10.00 retreat fee at the time of registration.

Students in Phase III or their junior year, will follow a schedule specific to the immediate preparation for the sacrament. Registration for this part of the process is $70.00 for all students that covers the expense of the overnight retreat and the reception.

If you have any questions, contact Leah Burke at 985-641-2570.

2011-2012 Religious Education Schedule

2011-2012 CALENDAR

Religious Education Handbook (Word)

Registration Form for Currently Enrolled Students (Word)

Registration for New Students (Word)

Confirmation Information

Confirmation Schedule

Service Project

Saint Name

Sponsor Information

Sponsor Eligibility