Religious Education

The primary model for Religious Education & Youth Faith Formation at St. Isaac Jogues is that of age-appropriate group learning sessions held on our campus.

• Children in grades 1 to 8 meet on Wednesdays at 4:15 pm to 5:45 pm in the school.  

The year offers Masses, confessions for the children during both Advent and Lent, and other devotional practices throughout the year. These will be communicated to families ~ families are invited and encouraged to participate with the children in these liturgical and devotional practices.

If a family cannot participate in the primary program, then they may educate and form their children in the faith through the  At Home program. Participants in this program are encouraged to join in the liturgical and devotional events scheduled on campus throughout the year. At Home families are guided to follow a calendar that parallels the on-campus program, completing a chapter from the text each week, along with submitting chapter reviews in a timely manner. Even though the at-home learning is done within individual families, it is very important that families stay on schedule, so the child experiences systematic and consistent learning; participation in the on-campus liturgical and devotional events is also important so that the child and his/her family can recognize that they are a vital part of their parish community, their church family.

Curriculum: Grades 1 to 6

St. Isaac Jogues uses the Blest Are We Faith in Action Series published by RCL Benziger as the primary text for Grades 1-6. Blest Are We Faith in Action clearly states that it is a thematic program. Each unit clearly depicts the movement of the four chapters, which correlate to the four pillars of the Catechism: What Catholics Believe, How Catholics Worship, How Catholics Live, and How Catholics Pray. 
Each grade level has a different focus:
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Grade 1: themes include an introduction to Family – My Family, Holy Family, and Church Family. 
Grade 2: themes focus on the Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Community. 
Grade 3: themes focus on an introduction to the Catholic Church, its structure, and core beliefs.
Grade 4: themes focus on moral teaching of the Catholic Church. 
Grade 5: themes focus on Sacraments.
Grade 6: themes focus on the Old Testament.

Through exploration, discovery, and decision-making, students are invited to accept the challenge to follow Jesus. Opportunities are provided for students to learn and practice the skills needed to be active disciples.

Curriculum: Grades 7 and 8

St. Isaac Jogues uses The Didache Series from Midwest Theological Forum in 7th and 8th Grade. The Didache is a catechetical summary of Christian sacraments, practices, and morality. The Didache is the teaching of the Apostles and, as such, it is the teaching of the Church.

Seventh Grade focuses on The Blessed Trinity and our Christian Vocation. The Blessed Trinity  takes an in-depth look at the mystery of the Blessed Trinity as revealed in Sacred Scripture. This book presents a detailed look at the Person of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Divine Revelation, the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life, and how we can know the Father through the Son. It also examines the Christian voaction and how God invites us to be in communion with him.

Eighth Grade focuses on The Sacrament of Confirmation.  The Sacrament of Confirmation was designed for preteen and early teens to bring them toward a closer union with Christ and a deeper intimacy with the Holy Spirit, "in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life" (CCC1309). The eighth grade uses the Who is the Holy Spirit? book which deepens ones understanding and relationship with the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. This book teaches Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) a way to guide a meditative way of reading Scripture.

Seventh and Eighth graders are encouraged to live their Catholic faith through Mass, devotions, Adoration, and serving others in the community. 
 

General Program Guidelines

It is expected that all grade-level assignments for the year be completed. In order to register for the next grade, the prior grade should be fully completed. A permanent record is kept for each child.
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St. Isaac Jogues Religious Education & Youth Faith Formation program abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the Religious Education Office will provide the non-custodial parent with access to religious education records and other related religious education information regarding the child. If there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the Religious Education Office with an official copy of the court order.

On-Campus Program Guidelines