Religious Education Program

The Religious Education (RE) program of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish is essential to carrying out the Parish mission to teach and preach the gospel to all people. The program provides spiritual formation and religious education to families, which furthers the goals of the Parish.

Parents, through word and example, are the primary faith educators of their children. The RE program helps parents in their work by teaching our rich Catholic heritage and provides a basis for faith formation.

The Religious Education Program at Our Lady of Perpetual Help provides Catholic faith formation to children in grades Preschool through Eighth grade who attend the community public schools.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help along with The Archdiocese of Chicago encourages participation in all years of formation for a full and complete religious education experience.  Not attending all grade levels results in a delay of the Sacraments.

The students in Grade 1 begin the preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion and complete the preparation in Grade 2 at which time the sacraments are received. The students in Grade 7 begin the preparation for Confirmation and complete the preparation in Grade 8 at which time the sacrament is received.

This process is carried out not only by classroom discussion and teaching, but also through participation in prayer, special celebrations and worship opportunities, and service to others. In this way, the child is led to a closer relationship with God, other children, and the total Christian faith community.