Returning to Religious Education Classes

Dear Parishioners, 

Bishop Tylka emphasized growing disciples since he became Bishop of Peoria. He wants us to reach out to the margins of society to invite people into the church. This is a wonderful idea. When we do this, we must take some things into consideration. Catholics do things differently than some other Christian faiths.   

Some Christian Churches have people join their denomination by simply calling a church office and asking that their name be placed on the rolls of the church. A person may also have to be baptized but there is very little formal preparation. 

The Catholic Church always tries to catechize its members before they receive a sacrament. One of the primary ways we make disciples is by educating the young and having them receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation over several years. 

This methodology worked very well through the centuries, but it also requires a lot of people who are willing to teach the fundamentals of faith to children.  We rely on volunteers to do this most important work.  We try to form these teachers and give them the resources they need. 

We are starting our religious education program this month. We need volunteers to teach. The qualifications are that the prospective teacher must have a love of children and a love of our Catholic faith.   

Paraphrasing Winston Churchill,  “All I can offer you in payment is blood, sweat and tears.” This is a great sacrifice. Classes are offered on Sundays after 9:15 a.m. Mass. I encourage anyone who wishes to serve Christ in a very profound way to contact Debbie Patronagio, Director of Religious Education, and she will interview you.  You may call (309) 762-2362.

May Our Lady pray for all our youngsters as fall begins, 

Fr. Mark