Religious Education

The primary model for Religious Education & Youth Faith Formation at St. Isaac Jogues is that of age-appropriate group learning sessions held on our campus.

The year offers Masses, confessions for the children during both Advent and Lent, and other devotional practices throughout the year. These will be communicated to families. Families are invited and encouraged to participate with the children in these liturgical and devotional practices.

• Each class is taught by a certified teacher using the same textbook as is used in SIJ School. (Each lesson is designed with the 1.5 hour weekly time frame in mind)
• Each week classes will participate, on a rotating basis, in Mass or a devotional activity: Rosary, visit Adoration Chapel, Reconciliation and other seasonal activities that follow the liturgical year.
• Weekly assessments are to be completed and will be posted in Google Classroom as evidence of the learning and participation in the program.
• All families will have access to FACTS to be able to see the progress of the child and communicate with teachers and staff.  
• FACTS is the Student Information System: Tracking grades, attendance, registration and communication between SIJ RE Staff and SIJ RE Families.
• Google Classroom is the Learning Platform that is used by students to access assignments, communicate with the teacher, and access remote learning through Google Meets (a feature within Google Classroom)
• Each child will receive a login to access Google Classroom and Google Meets.
• Google Meets will be used for remote learning access.
  
  

• Payment in full by ACH or credit card (online via FACTS - follow link)
• Payment plan using your FACTS account
• Payment in full by check (made out to St. Isaac Jogues, bring check to Rectory Office: 306 W. 4th St.)

Curriculum: Grades 1 to 8

• The true human story that answers the questions about our real identity, why we are here, and who we are called to be. Reveals the dignity of every person and our identity in Christ.
  
  

• Presents an integrated approach to virtue and living as a person of character who is transformed by grace.

• Catechesis that shows why the faith matters and nurtures a deepening integration of the faith in daily life through Christian discipleship. Inspires students to live as committed disciples of Christ.

Sacramental Program

First Communion/ First Reconciliation Program
This is a two year program offered in first and second grade. Parents must:

• Provide a baptismal certificate

• See that child completes two years of catechesis (First and Second Grade)

• Attend parent meetings

• Attend retreats with child

Confirmation
This is a two-year program offered in seventh and eighth grade. Candidates must:

• Complete two years of catechesis in a satisfactory manner (Seventh and Eighth Grade)

• Attend Confirmation Retreat(s) 

• Complete Journals indicating that they are actively living the Catholic Faith (4 to Explore)

• Submit Confirmation Registration Form

• Submit a Confirmation Sponsor Certification Form

• (A Confirmation Binder with a timeline is given for all events to be completed) 

Seventh and Eighth graders are encouraged to live their Catholic faith through Mass, devotions, Adoration, and serving others in the community as part of the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

The Blended Program (Remote Learning)

If a family cannot participate in the primary program, then they may educate and form their children in the faith through the Blended program. Participants in this program are encouraged to join in the liturgical and devotional events scheduled on campus throughout the year. At Home families are guided to follow a calendar that parallels the on-campus program, completing a chapter from the text each week, along with submitting chapter reviews in a timely manner. Even though the at-home learning is done within individual families, it is very important that families stay on schedule, so the child experiences systematic and consistent learning; participation in the on-campus liturgical and devotional events is also important so that the child and his/her family can recognize that they are a vital part of their parish community, their church family.

• The Blended Program is designed for teachers to partner with the family to offer guidance for delivery of the Religious Instruction. Teachers will create the timeline for instruction.
• Students will be assigned to a Remote Learning Classroom through Google Classroom and Google Meets. 
• Each week the class will meet virtually on Wednesdays beginning at 4:30pm.
• If a child cannot attend the class in real time the class will be recorded and posted on Google Classroom to be be viewed at a time before the following class.
• Weekly assessments can be turned in electronically through Google Classroom. It is important for children in this program to keep up week to week with assessments.
• Families will be required to participate in the liturgical and devotional practice (Mass, Reconciliation, Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration....) 
• Families are required to attend 1 introductory workshop.

General Program Guidelines

It is expected that all grade-level assignments for the year be completed. In order to register for the next grade, the prior grade should be fully completed. A permanent record is kept for each child.
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St. Isaac Jogues Religious Education & Youth Faith Formation program abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the Religious Education Office will provide the non-custodial parent with access to religious education records and other related religious education information regarding the child. If there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the Religious Education Office with an official copy of the court order.

On-Campus Program Guidelines