Religious Education Program and Sacramental Preparation

For children in grades 1-8 who attend public or non-Catholic private schools, the Religious Education program provides a faith community for children and their families as they awaken, nourish, and deepen their awareness of God's presence in all things. 

The goal of the Religious Education program at Saint Gertrude is to teach children to listen for and respond to God's invitation to love. 

In class, students and teachers work to: 

• Understand that everyone is loved and treasured by God.
• Live the lessons of Jesus Christ - loving God with your whole heart and loving your neighbors as yourself.
• Build a deeper personal relationship with God through prayer and reflection.
• Learn to pray as an individual and as part of a community. 
• Discover ways to love and serve others in our day-to-day lives. 
• Appreciate what it means to be part of a welcoming, loving community that cares for and respects people from all walks of life.
• Deepen their knowledge of the Catholic tradition.

The Religious Education program for the 2019-2020 school year will begin on Sunday, September 8 and concludes on Sunday, May 3. Classes will be held from 9:00-10:15 am. Please note the new start/end times.  A registration form is available below. Forms should be dropped off at the Rectory or emailed to jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org.

Classes are taught by volunteer catechists and overseen by Jim Potthast, the Family Minister.   If you’d like to get involved or to learn more, contact Jim at the Rectory at 773.764.3621 or via email at jpotthast@stgertrudechicago.org. 

Sacramental preparation is an integral part of the curriculum for second and eighth grades. Students must have completed two full consecutive years of class before celebrating their First Communion or the Sacrament of Confirmation. A schedule for First Communion, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Confirmation is available below.