Religious Education at St. Matthew Church

Our Program 

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Our Religious Education Program offers classes for the children beginning with Kindergarten and continuing through Confirmation. We offer RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) preparation for children between 7-17 who have not been baptized. We also offer RCIA and Sacramental preparation for adults 18 and older.
 
RCIA Classes for adults are scheduled based on the needs of the  individual.  Weekend, Weekday and Evening classes are possible.  You can find a registration form below.  Contact us for more information on RCIA.
 
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist requires two years of classes prior to the reception of the Sacraments. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, the earliest a child can receive these sacraments is in 2 nd grade.
 
Our program generally prepares students in first and second grade for the reception of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist at the conclusion of second grade.  In cases where a child has not attended first grade religious education, or is in an older grade, we will make arrangements to prepare the child for the sacraments over a two-year period.
 
The age for Confirmation is set by the parish in accordance with Archdiocesan mandates.  For those who have been enrolled in our program, and who are members of our parish, Confirmation may be conferred in 8th grade.  However, if the family has been attending another Religious Education program, is a member of another parish, or has not been in Religious Education during 6th grade, the family will need to contact us to arrange a meeting to see if we can accommodate the teen.  We have a very limited number of spaces reserved for new seventh graders and priority for those spaces is given to families who have recently moved into the area. Ordinarily, Confirmation should be received in the home parish, and we require permission of the home parish to accept transfer students into our program.  
 
Sacramental preparation at St. Matthew occurs within our curriculum. We do not accept preparation from parent homeschooling for the second Sacramental preparation year.  Home-schooling arrangements are made case-by case, by contacting the Religious Education Office. Families with extenuating circumstances should contact us right away to see if appropriate accommodations can be made.
 

Please contact the Religious Education office if accommodations are needed.

 

 

Forms and Information

• 2023-24 Religious Education Registration Packet 

• Family Calendar

• Parish Registration form (for registering as a member of St. Matthew)

• RCIA Registration Form

• Parent Information Sheet

 

Confirmation Packet Forms

• Confirmation Homework Packet

• Confirmation Service Project Form

• Confirmation Sponsor Form

• Confirmation Registry Form

 

Class Syllabus

• Kindergarten

• 1st Grade

• 2nd Grade

• 3rd Grade

• 4th Grade

• 5th Grade

• 6th Grade

• Confirmation 1

• Confirmation 2