St. Gertrude Parish
Religious Ed News
Each week, we send out an e-newsletter to keep our Religious Ed families updated on what is going on. Below are ones from recent weeks.
Newsletter for Friday, January 22
More Class Updates
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
Happy Friday! I hope this weekend provides some rest and relaxation for your family!
The third and fourth grade is moving forward with a discussion about the seven sacraments, what they are, and what they mean. The children have been asked to interview their parents about their baptism and share what they learned about where it was, who came, their godparents, who they were chosen, if any family traditions were practiced, etc.
Our first presentation was this past Tuesday and it was interesting and fun to hear their stories!
Our fifth and sixth-grade class reviewed the different kinds of psalms, how and why rules are set by parents and God, and the differences between choices made as a kid versus those decisions made by adults.
8th-Grade Confirmation Info
Parents of 8th-graders met yesterday, Thursday, January 21. Parents heard about our plan for Confirmation and have been asked to notify me which is better for their family - either Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass or Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. We also talked about service hours, retreats, and paperwork required.
Three Reminders: Correction to the Calendar/Parents of 7-8th Graders Need to Pick up Their Bibles/Cameras On
- There is a correction to the Religious Ed school calendar. Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter. So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 13. Our Religious Ed Parent Packet has been updated here.
- Families of our seventh and eighth-grade students are asked to stop by the Rectory in the near future to pick up the bibles we ordered for them. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come!
- Please ask your children to keep their cameras on so everyone can see each other in order to foster a more open and inviting learning environment.
Newsletter for Friday, January 15
Class Updates/Correction to Religious Ed Class Calendar
I hope you and your families are doing well during this unsettling time. In our parish bulletin last week, we included a prayer for our nation, adapted from a reflection written by Sister Joan Chittister. It's linked here for your family if you'd like to read it and share it with your loved ones.
3rd & 4th Grade Update
As promised this school year, we are regularly sharing what is being taught in each class. Below is an update on what I'm teaching in our 3rd and 4th-grade class:
This week, we eased back into class with a discussion about how we celebrated Christmas and winter break. We started to learn about the seven sacraments, what they are, and what they mean.
I was so impressed with how the kids tackled new vocabulary, carefully sounding out the words as they read to the group. I'm also grateful for their enthusiastic participation and how they share little stories about their home life that is so charming and funny.
In the coming weeks, we will go into more detail about baptism and our Catholic identity. The children will be asked to interview their parents about their baptism and share what they learned about where it was, who came, their godparents, who they were chosen, if any family traditions were practiced, etc.
We'll do a similar project for First Communion too. For those who have not made their First Communion yet, we will talk about possible family plans for this celebration.
8th-Grade Confirmation Info
Earlier this week, parents of 8th-graders were notified of the date for Confirmation - either Saturday, May 22 at the 5:00 pm Mass or Sunday, May 23 at the 10:30 am Mass. Parents have been invited to attend a Zoom meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 21 to hear information about service hours, retreats, and paperwork required.
Reminder - Correction/Update to the Religious Ed Class Calendar
There is a correction to the Religious Ed school calendar. Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter. So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 13. Our Religious Ed Parent Packet has been updated here.
Reminder: 7th & 8th Grade Families Need to Pick-up Bibles from the Rectory
Families of our seventh and eighth-grade students are asked to stop by the Rectory in the near future to pick up the bibles we ordered for them. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday.Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory.
Please call before you come!
Update Sent Friday, January 8
Classes Resume on Tuesday, January 12/Correction to Religious Ed Class Calendar
This Tuesday, January 12, we will welcome back our Religious Ed students after a much-needed break. I hope your family's time off was restful.
The start of the new year is also an ideal time to check in with families about the Religious Education program. Are things going well with classes? If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, I'm happy to hear from you. Please reach out to me via email at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
Correction/Update to the Religious Ed Class Calendar
There is a correction to the Religious Ed school calendar. Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter.
So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 13. Our Religious Ed Parent Packet has been updated here.
Reminder: 7th & 8th Grade Families Need to Pick-up Bibles from the Rectory
Families of our seventh and eighth-grade students are asked to stop by the Rectory in the near future to pick up the bibles we ordered for them. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday.Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come!
Our newsletter contains the Zoom links to both classes, they are never posted online. Email Ke. Thos
Correction to the Religious Ed Calendar
Dates of Spring Break Corrected
There is a correction to the Religious Ed school calendar. Our spring break will take place over Holy Week and the Tuesday after Easter.
So there are classes on Tuesday, March 23, with a break on March 30 and April 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, April 13. Our Religious Ed Parent Packet has been updated here.
Religious Ed Update for December 18
Merry Christmas!
Christmas Mass Schedule/No Classes Until January 12
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
Merry Christmas to you and your families! I hope your Christmas break is filled with peace and joy and is a true break from the rigors of online learning.
Ginevra (grades 1-2), Suzanne (grades 5-6), Steve (grades 7-8), and I are so grateful for the incredible support of our Religious Ed families. We recognize this school year has been exceptionally rough on our entire parish community, particularly so for our Religious Ed students and their parents. We are so appreciative of the opportunity to interact with your children.
We are off for the next few weeks, with classes resuming on January 12, 2021.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass Schedule
Do you want to attend Christmas Eve or Day Mass in Church? Registration is required! We've just added a 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Mass, as our 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass is at maximum capacity. Spots for the 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass may open up as people switch to the 6:30 pm Mass.
Our full schedule is below:
Thursday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve
- 5:00 pm ~ Christmas Eve Family Mass in Church and live-streamed (Musical prelude at 4:50 pm.) Limited availability - click HERE for reservations to attend Mass in person.
- 6:30 pm ~ Mass in Church (Musical prelude at 6:20 pm.) (This Mass is not live-streamed.) Click HERE for reservations to attend Mass in person.
Friday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day
- 8:00 am ~ Mass in Church (Musical prelude at 7:50 am.) (This Mass is not live-streamed.) Click HERE for reservations to attend Mass in person.
- 10:30 am ~ Mass in Church and live-streamed (Musical prelude at 10:20 am.) Click HERE for reservations to attend Mass in person.
Staying Home This Christmas? Watch Services via Facebook Live or on our YouTube Channel!
We will live-stream the 5:00 pm Mass on Christmas Eve and the 10:30 am Mass on Christmas Day on our parish Facebook page. After these services are over, they will be posted on our parish's YouTube channel. Please note, when you go to our Facebook page, we will go live about 15 minutes before the service and you will need to scroll down the page to look for the LIVE icon on the video, which will also be labeled with the day and time (e.g. Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 5:00 pm Family Mass.
Live Christmas Music Played Before Masses
If you plan to attend Christmas services in person or watch the live-stream, please consider coming/tuning in ten minutes early as there will be instrumental arrangements of popular Christmas carols.
Again, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
Religious Ed Update for December 11
Class Updates/Christmas Masses/Giving Tree
This weekend, we celebrate the third Sunday in Advent, which focuses on joy. We are all invited to read, pray, and reflect on the joy that comes from God's love, the birth of Jesus, and the light of Christ.
As promised this school year, we are regularly updating families about what is being taught in each class.
5th & 6th Grade Update
Suzanne Stryczak, our fifth and sixth-grade teacher, has been teaching that Jesus is the incarnate, long-awaited Messiah as foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament.
Students have been asked to read about the details of Jesus’ birth in the gospels of Matthew (1:18 – 25, 2:1-23) and Luke (2:1-21) and complete an Advent assignment by December 15.
7th & 8th Grade Update
Steve Monti, our seventh and eighth-grade teacher, reported that his class has been reviewing the different sacraments and going over the different seasons in the liturgical year.
Additionally, families of our seventh and eighth-grade students are asked to stop by the Rectory in the near future to pick up the bibles we ordered for them. The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come!
Christmas Eve Family Mass/Christmas Day Masses and Musical Prelude/Masses for the New Year
If you are interested in attending the Christmas Eve Family Mass and our Christmas Day Masses in person, please sign up! If you are unable to attend in person, I invite you to watch the live-stream of the 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve or the 10:30 am Mass on Christmas Day on our parish Facebook page. After these services are over, they will be posted on our parish's YouTube channel.
Please consider coming/viewing ten minutes early as there will be instrumental arrangements of popular Christmas carols. We will have professional trumpeter, Scott Baker, at all three Masses (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) and fellow parishioners, Jim Szmurlo (trumpet) and Nicholas Bussey (trombone) will join him at the 5:00 pm and 10:30 am, respectively.
Registration is also available to attend Masses in-person on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The 10:30 am Mass on New Year's Day will be live-streamed on our parish Facebook page.
Giving Tree
We also ask you to consider taking part in our parish's Giving Tree. This program supports people in need in our community this Christmas season, specifically, those people helped by Care of Real and the families sponsored by our Refugee Ministry. Due to the pandemic, our entire collection of gifts will consist of gift cards. You can read more about it HERE. Gift cards can be dropped off at the Rectory or even mailed to the Church by Wednesday, December 16.
Religious Ed Update for December 4
Advent; Christmas Masses; Parish Giving Tree; Parents of 7th & 8th Grade Students - Pick Up Bibles
We are officially in Advent! This past Tuesday, most of our Religious Ed classes talked about Christmas and the true meaning of this holy time. Most classes will continue to discuss Advent on December 8 and also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated that day.
Christmas Eve Family Mass/Christmas Day Masses/Masses for the New Year
If you are interested in attending the Christmas Eve Family Mass and our Christmas Day Masses in person, please sign up! If you are unable to attend in person, I invite you to watch the live-stream of the 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve or the 10:30 am Mass on Christmas Day on our parish Facebook page. After these services are over, they will be posted on our parish's YouTube channel. Registration is also available for Masses on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Giving Tree
We also ask you to consider taking part in our parish's Giving Tree. This program supports people in need in our community this Christmas season, specifically, those people helped by Care of Real and the families sponsored by our Refugee Ministry. Due to the pandemic, our entire collection of gifts will consist of gift cards. You can read more about it HERE. Gift cards can be dropped off at the Rectory or even mailed to the Church.
7th & 8th Grade Parents - Please Pick Up Your Child's Bible at the Rectory
The bibles we ordered for our seventh and eighth-grade students have arrived. Please stop by the Rectory soon to pick them up. The office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come!
The Latest Rel Ed News - November 29
No Religious Ed Newsletter This Week
Happy Advent! We look forward to classes this month during this special time of year. Please note there will not be a Religious Ed newsletter sent out this Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Our next break will be over Christmas vacation. There will be no classes on December 22, December 29, and January 5.
If you still need to pick up your child's books for the school year, please note that the St. Gertrude parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Here are our Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory. Please call before you come!
Newsletter for November 20
Class WILL Be Held Tuesday, November 24; Thanksgiving Prayer
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week! I am so grateful for our Religious Ed community's strong support this school year. Weekly attendance has been excellent and the children have been friendly and engaged. Thank you so much for helping make Religious Education classes meaningful!
I hope your family's Thanksgiving is safe and happy. I'm attaching a prayer below to share with your family. St. Gertrude is celebrating Mass at 10:00 am on November 26 that will be live-streamed on our parish Facebook page.
I also want to remind you that we WILL have classes on Tuesday, November 24! But there will not be a Religious Ed newsletter sent next Friday.
Prayer for Thanksgiving Day
Thank you, God, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow, and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health, and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us.
— From The Catholic Prayer Book, compiled by Msgr. Michael Buckley
Reminder: Cameras On
Usually, students usually get to know their classmates as the year progresses by interacting with each other in class. With distance learning, however, building a sense of community within the class is difficult, especially when students see a grid of blank squares instead of the faces of their classmates. Please ask your children to keep their cameras on so everyone can see each other in order to foster a more open and inviting learning environment.
Please Pick Up Your Child's Books
If you have yet to pick up your child's books for the school year at the Rectory, please stop by during the parish's office hours - Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Please review the Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory and call before you come!
Zoom Links
Please email me if you need the Zoom links for each session which will remain the same throughout the school year. (We cannot post them on the website.)
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns! Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
November 13 Newsletter Content
Please Have Cameras On During Religious Ed Classes; First and Second-Grade Class News;
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
Thank you so much for helping to make the start of the Religious Ed school year successful! Classes have been going smoothly and attendance has been good. I appreciate all of our families getting their students logged on and ready to participate.
Usually, students usually get to know their classmates as the year progresses by interacting with each other in class. With distance learning, however, building a sense of community within the class is difficult, especially when students see a grid of blank squares instead of the faces of their classmates. In order to create a more open and inviting learning environment, I ask that students turn their cameras on so everyone can see each other.
Grades 1 & 2 Lesson Content
This school year, we'll regularly keep families updated on what is being taught in each class. Below is an update from Ginevra Clark, our first and second-grade teacher:
Each week, the first and second-grade will read a little from each text and sing songs/watch videos to connect the lessons. You may want to go through some of the other exercises in the book with your child or do the "Family + Faith" exercises at the end.
This week, we explored God's Creation and being a good shepherd. We read the story of David and talked about what it means to be a good shepherd. We also watched the first few minutes of this video and talked about modern-day shepherds. We saw how God's blessings are appreciated!
The students each came up with one thing that they will do this week to be a good shepherd. Ideas ranged from planting seeds, building insect homes, washing out the recycling, picking up litter, and taking care of pets. Next week, they will be asked to share what they did. They may wish to write it down or draw a picture of what they did.
This Tuesday, we will continue to talk about God's creation and making good choices. We will link the ideas by talking about the honorable harvest. The students will choose one step in the honorable harvest to incorporate into their faith and practice. We will watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEm7gbIax0o.
Please Pick Up Child's Books
If you have yet to pick up your child's books for the school year at the Rectory, please stop by during the parish's office hours - Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Please review the Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory and call before you come!
Zoom Links
Please email me if you need the Zoom links for each session which will remain the same throughout the school year.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns!
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
November 6 Newsletter Content
Class Planned for November 10
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
I'm looking forward to seeing your children this Tuesday, November 10! Please remember to pick up your child's books for the school year at the Rectory before then, the students will need them for their classes.
The parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Please review the Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory and call before you come!
Class Assignments
For grades 5 and 6, Ms. Stryczek has asked the children to complete this worksheet and bring it to class.
Zoom Links
Please email me if you need the Zoom links for each session which will remain the same throughout the school year.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns!
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
October 30 Newsletter Content
No Class Next Tuesday; Books for Students are Available for Pick-Up
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
Our first week went well! It truly was a pleasure to see your children and have a chance to get to know them.
Next Tuesday is Election Day and a CPS day off. There will be no Religious Ed classes held. Our next meeting date is Tuesday, November 10.
I am happy to let you know the books we plan to use this year have arrived! I ask that you come anytime prior to our next class.
Please email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org if you would like to collect them at one of our weekend Masses, Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.
If you would prefer to stop by the Rectory, the parish office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-2:30 pm and 8:30-11:30 am on Sunday. Please review the Parishioner Guidelines for Visiting the Rectory and call before you come!
We have sent out Zoom links for each session, which will remain the same throughout the school year. We have emailed them directly to parents and will not post the links online. Email me if you need them. Please note, the Zoom classes will be locked at 5:10 pm and 7:10 pm to minimize disruptions.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns!
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
Parent Packet, Catechist Needed, Fees, Sacramental Info
- The Religious Ed parent packet can be found HERE.
- We are looking for a volunteer to teach third and fourth-grade!. We have one person that is interested in teaching and cannot commit to weekly sessions. They are willing to co-teach and are looking for a partner. If you are interested, please email me!
- If you still need to reschedule your child's First Communion or Confirmation from spring 2020, please email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
- Later in the school year, there will be parent meetings for those who have children making their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation in spring of 2021 and those parents of 7th graders who are in their first year of Sacramental prep for Confirmation,
- Fees for Religious Ed can be paid online via GiveCentral. Parishioners pay $185 for their entire household. The cost for non-parishioner families to attend classes is $205. Sacrament fees are $50.
Classes Begin This Tuesday, October 27
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
Thank you so much to those parents and guardians that were able to attend one of our parent meetings on Tuesday. I appreciate your time and the ideas you shared to make this year meaningful for our students yet considerate of the many stressors our Religious Ed community is facing during this pandemic.
I am also grateful for our catechists who attended, Ginevra Clark (first and second grades), Suzanne Stryczek (fifth and sixth grades), and Steve Monti (seven and eighth grades).
This Tuesday. October 27, the first of our Religious Ed classes will begin! This first week will be low-key and a chance for the teachers and students to introduce themselves and get to know one other. No prep work is assigned to any of our students. Zoom links for each session, which will remain the same throughout the school year, were in the email sent out this week. Contact me if you did not receive our Rel Ed newsletter.
Religious Ed Books are Coming Soon!
I'm expecting the books for this year to be delivered to the Rectory next week. I plan to share pick-up times after organizing them into family packets. Since there is no class on Tuesday, November 3, the first time students will need the books is just before our November 10 class. I'm hoping that will give parents enough time to make a trip to the Rectory or Church to grab their children's materials.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns! I'm looking forward to seeing your children on Tuesday,
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
Parent Packet, Catechist Needed, Fees, Sacramental Info
- The Religious Ed parent packet can be found HERE. (This online version of the packet does not have Zoom links.)
- We are looking for a volunteer to teach third and fourth-grade!. We have one person that is interested in teaching and cannot commit to weekly sessions. They are willing to co-teach and are looking for a partner. If you are interested, please email me!
- If you still need to reschedule your child's First Communion or Confirmation from spring 2020, please email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
- Later in the school year, there will be parent meetings for those who have children making their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation in spring of 2021 and those parents of 7th graders who are in their first year of Sacramental prep for Confirmation,
- Fees for Religious Ed can be paid online via GiveCentral. Parishioners pay $185 for their entire household. The cost for non-parishioner families to attend classes is $205. Sacrament fees are $50.
Rel Ed Update-Oct 16
Parent Meeting This Tuesday/Religious Ed Parent Packet Available
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
This Tuesday, October 20, I will host two Zoom meetings for parents and guardians to review this year's Religious Ed plan. One will be held at 5:00 pm and another one will be held at 7:00 pm. Parents are welcome to attend the session that works best with their schedule. Links were sent out via email. (Please contact me if you need them resent, we will not be posting them on our website.)
These links will be the same for Religious Ed classes, which will officially begin on Tuesday, October 27.
Religious Ed Parent Packet
I'm also including a link to our Religious Ed parent packet. It outlines the calendar for the year, learning topics broken down by grade, and family resources.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns! I'm looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday,
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
October 15 Update
Time to Meet Finalized
After receiving feedback from Religious Ed families, the time for Religious Ed classes has been changed. Grades 1-4 will meet online on Tuesdays from 5:00-5:45 pm and grades 5-8 will have classes on Tuesdays from 7:00-7:45 pm.
There will be a parent meeting held on October 20 at 5:00 pm and repeated at 7:00 pm. The first class with children will be on Tuesday, October 27. (Zoom links will be emailed tomorrow in the Religious Ed newsletter.)
We will group the following grades together:
- Grades 1 and 2
- Grades 3 and 4
- Grades 5 and 6
- Grades 7 and 8
Students will use the OSV Alive in Christ series and lesson plans. All students will receive a grade-specific edition and will be asked to review a brief chapter before class. During our online lessons, the theme/subject will be explored further with discussions and activities.
Call for Catechists
We are still looking for a few more volunteers to be Religious Ed teachers, particularly someone willing to share the role and teach every other week. Please note, lesson plans and materials will be provided. Additionally, lessons will be much shorter than in the past - at most 30-40 minutes weekly. If you are interested, please email Kevin Chears at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org.
Weekly Religious Ed newsletters are sent on Friday afternoons. If you would like to receive them please email kchears@stgertrudechicago.org.
Click the image to be taken to our Religious Ed page and scroll down for all recent updates.
October 4 Update-Start Time Reconsidered
Religious Ed Classes Start Time Reconsidered/Catechists Needed
Dear St. Gertrude Religious Education Families,
Thank you to those families that have registered for this year's Religious Ed program! If you haven't signed up yet, please use this fillable PDF form, save it, and email it to me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org.
Start Time Reconsidered
Scheduling is always a difficult thing to get right. After I sent out last week's email about a 7:00 pm start time, it was very thoughtfully pointed out to me that this was late for young children.
I want to meet the needs of our Religious Ed community and am reconsidering the start time for classes on Tuesday. I would appreciate your input on a start time that works for your children.
We would still hold classes via Zoom on Tuesdays, but one option is splitting the Religious Ed meetings into two different time blocks, specifically grades 1-4 and grades 5-8. The younger kids could meet as early as 4:00-4:45 pm and the older grades from 5 to 5:45 pm. Please email me to share your thoughts.
Call for Catechists
Would you be willing to be a Religious Ed teacher this year? I could really use your help and so could the children of our parish. This year's structure is to start as a group with a prayer, followed by me (as the Zoom host) sending teachers and students to the assigned breakout rooms. Each grade will have specific learning goals and lesson plans and materials will be provided. Additionally, lessons will be much short than in the past - at most 30-40 minutes weekly.
I'm also considering combining a few grades, specifically 3rd and 4th grades, and 5th and 6th grades. Please email me if you can help! A few final reminders:
- If you still need to reschedule your child's First Communion or Confirmation from spring 2020, please email me or call the Rectory at 773.764.3621.
- Later in the school year, there will be parent meetings for those who have children making their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation in spring of 2021 and those parents of 7th graders who are in their first year of Sacramental prep for Confirmation,
- Fees for Religious Ed can be paid online via GiveCentral. Parishioners pay $185 for their entire household. The cost for non-parishioner families to attend classes is $205. Sacrament fees are $50.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at kchears@stgertrudechicago.org.
~ Kevin Chears, Pastoral Associate
