Frequent Asked Questions
In order to help you have a better idea of our program, allow us to answer few questions that you may have by looking at the following:
Why do I have to send my child to the Religious Education Program?
Peter L. Benson, Judy Galbraith and Pamela Espeland conducted a survey over 100,000 young people in over 200 communities and in their book “What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven Practical Ways to Raise Good Children”, state that 64% of youth who we successful in the school and their social lives, spend one or more hours each week in religious services or participated in spiritual services. (p104)
Why does a person have to prepare for the sacraments?
Sacraments are signs and revelations of God’s love and presence among us, and they mark our growth in our relationship with Jesus. To receive a sacrament, a child must have a basic knowledge according to his/her age. Learning together in faith prepares us for the celebration of the sacraments; in this way, the sacraments will have meaning and a place in the life of a child and their families.
Why is the program so long?
It takes a whole life time to develop as a person -- our faith is not different. We do not learn everything at once. As Christians we are called to be close to Jesus, to learn and to go out. This process is done gradually: it is like a journey.
The Catechesis is the beginning or "appetizer" in our faith journey. None of us knows everything after taking some good religion classes. We hope to give your children some tools to continue leaning about their faith throughout the 24 classes scheduled during 8 months.
When is a child or a young person ready to receive a sacrament?
A Child or a young person is ready to receive a sacrament when he or she knows the basis of his/her faith according to his/her age. In addition, the child or the young person must show interest and a personal readiness to receive any sacrament. The child or the young person must have a personal relationship with God and with Jesus, through prayer.
Is it enough to receive the sacraments?
No. To receive a sacrament is a commitment we make with God. We make a commitment to continue being close to Jesus. We make a commitment to grow more in that relationship. Further Formation classes in our program and other groups in our parish; give children, youth and adult people the opportunity to continue fulfilling that commitment. In addition, every person who receives a sacrament must live out the sacraments in his or her life.
Do parents have to participate in the program?
Yes. We believe parents are the first and most important educators of their children, by their vocation they are the first officially charged with the spiritual care of their child’s formation. Faith begins when parents share their faith at home though words and action; in other words, children learn through examples. The catechists’ role in this process is to assist parents in this obligation; in this way, parents and teachers work together. Parents must attend Adult Formation Classes and Mandatory Retreats during the year. This is a requirement of the Religious Education Program.
Why do I have to pay a program fee?
The Religious Education Program pays its bills with the donations we collect from you. The expenses include materials, building, and office supplies.
To give you an idea of how we distribute the payment you make, here are the listing of expenses that we take care of throughout the year:
Why do I have to send my child to the Religious Education Program?
Peter L. Benson, Judy Galbraith and Pamela Espeland conducted a survey over 100,000 young people in over 200 communities and in their book “What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven Practical Ways to Raise Good Children”, state that 64% of youth who we successful in the school and their social lives, spend one or more hours each week in religious services or participated in spiritual services. (p104)
Why does a person have to prepare for the sacraments?
Sacraments are signs and revelations of God’s love and presence among us, and they mark our growth in our relationship with Jesus. To receive a sacrament, a child must have a basic knowledge according to his/her age. Learning together in faith prepares us for the celebration of the sacraments; in this way, the sacraments will have meaning and a place in the life of a child and their families.
Why is the program so long?
It takes a whole life time to develop as a person -- our faith is not different. We do not learn everything at once. As Christians we are called to be close to Jesus, to learn and to go out. This process is done gradually: it is like a journey.
The Catechesis is the beginning or "appetizer" in our faith journey. None of us knows everything after taking some good religion classes. We hope to give your children some tools to continue leaning about their faith throughout the 24 classes scheduled during 8 months.
When is a child or a young person ready to receive a sacrament?
A Child or a young person is ready to receive a sacrament when he or she knows the basis of his/her faith according to his/her age. In addition, the child or the young person must show interest and a personal readiness to receive any sacrament. The child or the young person must have a personal relationship with God and with Jesus, through prayer.
Is it enough to receive the sacraments?
No. To receive a sacrament is a commitment we make with God. We make a commitment to continue being close to Jesus. We make a commitment to grow more in that relationship. Further Formation classes in our program and other groups in our parish; give children, youth and adult people the opportunity to continue fulfilling that commitment. In addition, every person who receives a sacrament must live out the sacraments in his or her life.
Do parents have to participate in the program?
Yes. We believe parents are the first and most important educators of their children, by their vocation they are the first officially charged with the spiritual care of their child’s formation. Faith begins when parents share their faith at home though words and action; in other words, children learn through examples. The catechists’ role in this process is to assist parents in this obligation; in this way, parents and teachers work together. Parents must attend Adult Formation Classes and Mandatory Retreats during the year. This is a requirement of the Religious Education Program.
Why do I have to pay a program fee?
The Religious Education Program pays its bills with the donations we collect from you. The expenses include materials, building, and office supplies.
To give you an idea of how we distribute the payment you make, here are the listing of expenses that we take care of throughout the year:
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The fee scale for St. Viator Religious Education is:
# of Children |
Reg. Fee |
Books/Materials |
Annual Cost |
5 Payments |
1 Child |
$ 25.00 |
$ 25.00 |
$ 200.00 |
$ 40.00 |
2 Children |
$ 25.00 |
$ 50.00 |
$ 280.00 |
$ 56.00 |
3 +Children |
$ 25.00 |
$ 75.00 |
$ 360.00 |
$ 72.00 |
When you register, we ask you to pay $ 25.00 (registration fee), $ 25.00 (books and materials) and the first month installment of the annual fee. In this way, we can order books and supplies. The annual cost payments can be made gradually in eight installments. IN CASE OF SERIOUS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, please, do not hesitate to speak with the Parish Priest or Director of Religious Education.
When should I register my child for the program?
Registration normally takes place in August and goes through the mid of September. Classes normally start on the second week of September and goes through the last Saturday of April. We announce it through the church’s bulletins, flyers and by other announcements.
What do you I need to do in order to register my child?
A. Parents should go to register their children in the Religious Education Office. 4150 W Addison St. Chicago, IL 60641, also named St. Joseph Center.
B. At the time of registration, every child needs to have a copy of their Baptismal Certificate, if she or he has already baptized.
C. If a child is transferring from another Religious Education Program or Catholic School, you need to bring a Letter of Transfer from that particular program with the specification of the program that have already attended, attendance records, and sacraments received.
Class attendance
The classes are held only on Sunday mornings:
8:45 - 11:30 A.M., children in the program attend mandatorily the 10:30 A.M. Mass
Children cannot miss more than 3 classes. In case of emergency, parents have the responsibility to call the Director and notify in order to validate their child’s absence.
In addition, every parent is handed a program’s year calendar and explained the procedures and involvements.
- If your child is scheduled to receive the Sacrament of the First Communion, there is an additional fee of $ 25.00 to cover the expenses for the preparation of the ceremony.
- If your child is scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, there is an additional fee of $ 50.00 to cover the expenses of three retreats and preparations for the ceremony.
When should I register my child for the program?
Registration normally takes place in August and goes through the mid of September. Classes normally start on the second week of September and goes through the last Saturday of April. We announce it through the church’s bulletins, flyers and by other announcements.
What do you I need to do in order to register my child?
A. Parents should go to register their children in the Religious Education Office. 4150 W Addison St. Chicago, IL 60641, also named St. Joseph Center.
B. At the time of registration, every child needs to have a copy of their Baptismal Certificate, if she or he has already baptized.
C. If a child is transferring from another Religious Education Program or Catholic School, you need to bring a Letter of Transfer from that particular program with the specification of the program that have already attended, attendance records, and sacraments received.
Class attendance
The classes are held only on Sunday mornings:
8:45 - 11:30 A.M., children in the program attend mandatorily the 10:30 A.M. Mass
Children cannot miss more than 3 classes. In case of emergency, parents have the responsibility to call the Director and notify in order to validate their child’s absence.
In addition, every parent is handed a program’s year calendar and explained the procedures and involvements.