Special Announcement: Summer Greetings!  My name is Lee Ann Arethas and I am the new Director of Religious Education at Most Holy Redeemer Parish.  I hope this finds you and your family healthy and safe during these unsettling times in our world.  
Here at the MHR School of Religion, we have been busy all summer preparing for a new school year.  While the school year will not be a typical religious education school year, the Archdiocese has provided parishes with specific plans for the reopening of Catholic schools as well as religious education programs.  Information is changing by the day.  With that in mind, please be assured that we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety and well being of all of our students, families and catechists at Most Holy Redeemer.  As we continue to navigate through the pandemic and look towards the fall, it is imperative that we continue to find new and creative ways to minister in extraordinary times while safeguarding the health of those in our community.  We believe it is important that we work with our students in person as much as we can in order to continue to develop their faith formation.  However, gathering in person poses unique challenges, as each student represents a distinct school cohort outside our parish program.  As such, limitations have been placed by the Archdiocese and strict measures must be followed to ensure the safety for these gatherings.  Just as the Office of Catholic Schools and public school districts are developing protocols, we, too, will have to make changes for in person religious education programming:
All catechists, aides, students, employees and volunteers of SOR will be required to wear a mask while on the campus grounds of Most Holy Redeemer. Wellness check-ins (temperature checks/symptom checks/hand sanitizer will be required upon entry to the buildings.  Hand sanitizer will be available in all classroom settings and throughout the buildings. Social distancing will be observed in the building and around the campus, including but not limited to Church, classrooms, outdoor areas, hallways and restrooms.  Restrooms will only be used in cases of emergency.  Drinking fountains will be deactivated. Classrooms and classroom gathering settings will be disinfected before and after each class session in accordance with the deep cleaning plan developed and implemented by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Most Holy Redeemer Church and School. Staggered arrival and dismissal procedures Utilization of space around campus Safe traffic flow throughout building Outdoor lessons, when appropriate All students in grades 1-8 will be assigned to cohorts (similar to the Office of Catholic Schools plan).  Each cohort will attend monthly in person sessions.   All families in the SOR program will receive at-home formation opportunities that will need to be implemented outside the cohorts.  This will involve family engagement so that we may continue the growth and spirituality of our children, which is a cornerstone of our Catholic faith.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, September 14, 2020.  
As a reminder, our Church reopened in June with the safety and health precautions implemented by the Archdiocese of Chicago.  We encourage you to sign up for weekend Masses on our parish website:  www.mostholyredeemer.org.  There, you will find a Sign-Up Genius link.  
We want to ensure you all, as parents, that we will take every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of your children.  We are committed to support your child while facilitating a safe, meaningful program this fall.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.  You and your family are in my prayers. 
God Bless,
Lee Ann Arethas

Welcome

Welcome to Most Holy Redeemer’s Religious Education Program. We are dedicated to you and your child(ren), to foster their religious formation, and work to incorporate Christian values and traditions into daily living experiences. This Catholic education is to be shared and held sacred.

As parents/guardians we need to make the weekly commitment to attend Sunday Mass with our children and support our church community by using our envelopes.

We will all work together to continue to proclaim the message of Jesus to all our young people entrusted to us.

What age(s) are served?

We serve the children of registered parish families with the following programs:

• Elementary Age Religious Formation—Grades 1 – 8
• 4 – 10 year olds - Children’s Liturgy of the Word 
• Kindergarten - fourth grade - Vacation Bible School (4 days in June)

Where and when do the children meet?

Students in grades 1 - 8 meet in Most Holy Redeemer School on Monday evenings from September thru the first Monday in May.  
Classes are held from 6pm - 7:15pm.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a way to introduce young children to the stories of Jesus, and to form in them from the beginning a spirit that is attuned to God and to a “spiritual life” suitable to their age. Children are called forward to hear the Liturgy of the Word for Children which takes place in Adamich Hall.

Vacation Bible School

Children in Kindergarten - fourth grade experience God through song, games, scripture and crafts.  Each day children will be part of a scripture-based program they can see, hear, touch and even taste!  It is an exciting way for children to learn more about their faith.  VBS generally takes place 9:30am - Noon for 4 days June.

Catechist Involvement

Our catechists are all volunteer adults dedicated to sharing their faith with the children of Most Holy Redeemer.  Each class is limited to 15 students to create a welcoming community in which the children are initiated into the Catholic faith.  We train our catechists in the basic educational principles, assisting them in application of this methodology on the particular level at which they teach.  We provide continued support and numerous opportunities to grow in skills, faith, and wisdom.