About Our Program

The St. Julia Catholic Religious Education (C.R.E.) program offers faith-sharing classes for grades Kindergarten through the 10th grade, based on Archdiocesan curriculum guidelines. The mission of the St. Julia C.R.E. program is to support family faith formation within the parish community, based on the belief that parents are the primary educators in the faith formation of each child.

As Catholic parents, we are encouraged to bring our children to Mass every Sunday, to pray regularly with them at home, to marvel at all of God's creation, to care for it, and to model Christian living. When we bring our children to C.R.E. classes we offer yet another way of bringing about Christian community as we learn together about our faith, pray together and rejoice in the good news of Christ as a family of God. Sunday classes are scheduled around the Mass times so that families may attend the Sunday liturgy together. C.R.E. classes can never replace the grace and nourishment we receive at the celebration of the Eucharist on Sundays.

Approximately 500 students are enrolled in the St. Julia C.R.E. program this year, under the direction of Sister Marie LaBollita, S.C., Director of Religious Education, and Cathy Capizzi, Religious Education Assistant. The Religious Education Commission, a group of parishioners concerned about the quality of the program, meets monthly to advise and support the staff.

Each year, 50-60 volunteer catechists from the parish, including some high school assistant catechists, come forward to lead C.R.E. classes. Many have come back year after year to serve in the program. This year, two seminarians are leading one of the 9th grade classes. These catechists form the backbone of the C.R.E. program. We are truly grateful for the gift of their time and talent in this important ministry of passing on the Faith to the next generation. Anyone in the parish, over 18 years of age, can become a catechist. High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to serve as assistant catechists in the program. Please click on the link to learn more, How to Become a Catechist.

Classes meet once per week, with the exception of holiday weekends, for a total of 16-18 sessions from October through April. For grades K-6 and 9-10, classes are held in the 10 classrooms located on the first floor of the St. Julia Parish Center. Classes are also held at St. Joseph House in Lincoln on Monday afternoons. The 7th and 8th grade students enjoy a slightly different program of instruction. They are combined for a large-group gathering, with small-group discussion and activities. These sessions are held upstairs in the Parish Hall at St. Julia on Sunday evenings.

Second-grade C.R.E. students are prepared for First Reconciliation, held in February, and for First Holy Communion, in April or May. Students in High School will enter a Confirmation program that will often take two years but can be completed in less or more time. An overview of the Confirmation Program shows the different components that comprise the candidate's preparation. The Confirmation liturgy takes place in the fall. The exact dates for these sacraments can be found in the Calendar and Classes.

For the 2008-2009 religious education program we are changing the textbood series in grades 1-6 from First Faith to the Sadlier series titled We Believe. Kindergarten are currently using the Sadlier Program. The reason for the change is that Sadlier provides catechist and family friendly resources. Catechists and children who have used the series on a trial basis were delighted with Sadlier's approach. Catechists found their guides easy to follow and the children enjoyed working with the text.

Sadlier is a family owned company and is used by many parishes in the archdiocese. This program makes sense on three important levels: spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. As families you will find that your role in your child's faith development will be enhanced with the weekly chapters that will be sent home on a regular basis. Each chapter has a section titled: Sharing faith as a family.

The We Believe Series respects each child as an apprentice in faith who is a member of a larger community of believers at home, school and in the parish. Like most programs We Believe offers a program that spirals in depth each year and provides catechists, children and families with a strong foundation in faith, scripture and doctrine. We encourage families to use the free on line resources for further faith development and activities appropriate to each grade level. Just go to www.webelieveweb.com.

The 7th and 8th grade combined program includes large group presentations by Fr. Evans and a host of other speakers who will come and speak to the students on topics related to the overall theme of the year, "Being Catholic in Today's World". Catechists and high school youth lead the small group activities/discussion groups following the presentation. The source text for the program is called, "One Lord, One Faith", by Sadlier Press.

While each of the grade-level texts and materials have a specific focus, the basic aspects of our Catholic faith are reinforced each year. Catechists may use audiotapes, videos and craft projects to supplement the textboook. Parents traditionally take turns providing a snack for each class. Open discussion and questions about the faith are strongly encouraged so that the students can more fully explore the traditions and beliefs of their Catholic Church. Prayer, scripture reading, participation in service projects, and grade-level liturgies are common elements for all students participating in the C.R.E. program.

We invite any parent who is interested in learning more about the curriculum to stop by in the Religious Education Office to look through our texts and materials, or to speak directly with Sister Marie about the program.