Mass Times

Mon-Fri:	7:30 AM
Sat:	5:00 PM
Sun:	7:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM
Sun Sept-May:	6:00 PM LifeTeen

Grades 5 - 8 Family Spiritual Formation

Children in these grades are beginning to be able to make moral distinctions. They can understand that their actions touch others, in addition to themselves. Therefore, our curriculum emphasizes the church’s moral teaching. Children learn about the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, they review the sacramental relationship we have with God and they study our Church’s roots in Jesus’ Jewish faith traditions.

Sacramental Preparation

As required by the Archdiocese of Chicago, our students receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in their Second Grade year.

However, if for some reason, a child has not received either sacrament at this time, St. Paul the Apostle offers an extra class to teach these students the necessary truths of the faith, so that they can join us in our rich sacramental life.

These students must register for their Grade Level class, so that they stay current with their peer's learning. They also participate in a Tuesday evening class from 5 to 6 pm. The First Reconciliation Class meets for six weeks in the October. Please note that the Archdiocese of Chicago requires that students receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving their First Eucharist. The First Eucharist class begins in January, and also meets for six weeks.

Confirmation

In Seventh and Eighth Grade, our students are exposed to a variety of learning styles as they prepare to receive the final Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation. It is a recognized part of the catechetical process that teen-agers, with their need to test boundaries and experiment with life situations, need experiential learning. We also want our Church’s values to be part of the reality that these students study and evaluate.

Therefore, our 7th/8th Grade programs are one continuous process of learning, experiencing service, sharing talks about faith with believers of all ages and stages of faith and attending a series of retreats. We hope that as our students engage in this process, they will come to truly understand the value and meaning of their faith on this part of their life’s journey. Since it is a two-year program, students must begin at the 7th grade level.