We have been planning and discussing how best to help you as parents pass on the Catholic faith to your students in the midst of our current reality.  We are continuing to work on how to safely hold our RE program this year.

We have decided that we will re-evaluate this with the hope of being able to meet in person starting in January. Until then, here are some important dates to know. This also means that we will be changing the cost of RE for this year to $50. If you have already paid, we will reimburse you the $50. This may take a little bit of time, as some people are not in the office right now. 

We will have a book pick up for students in grades 1-5 next Wednesday, October 14, from 6:00 -7:00 pm. If you are not able to make it at that time, please let us know. This will be a drive by pick up, by the Carport doors near the church. No need to leave your car! Elementary students will receive information on how to use the books, as well as times that we will meet by grade level via Zoom. This may be done for parents, or students. We are still figuring out how best to help with this. 

Grades 6-8 will be meeting via Zoom from 6:30-7:30 on the following dates. 
October 21
November 4
November 18
December 9

Grades 9-11 will be meeting via Zoom from 6:30-7:30 on the following dates. 
October 28
November 11
December 2
December 16

Here is the information for Middle & High School Corporal Works of Mercy Project. This should be done by December 16.  
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NmOWEXiqVOlzrrq06hyAtGm3mdV2Vln9rtgbEou0_3g/edit?usp=sharing 

Zoom links will be sent out next week.

Please be PATIENT and FLEXIBLE with us throughout this year. We may have some changes in our plans this year, but we promise to keep you up to date via email, our Parish Facebook page and right here on our website.  

Please let us know if you have any further questions. 

Lori Mathwich-  lmathwich@sacredheartshawano.org                                                        Kate Ruth-  kruth@sacredheartshawano.org

"Religious Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest years.  This already happens when the family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of Christian life in keeping with the Gospel.  Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith.  Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.  The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2226) 

We use Remind.com as an instrumental way to stay in touch with students and parents of our Religious Education Program. Follow the instructions below to sign up for Remind based on the grades of your students.

This is a great way for us to send out text messages to keep you up to date!  Please text the following code (Message) to this number: UPDATED CODE TBD

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
1st-11th grade

First Reconciliation-“brings to the Christian God’s merciful forgiveness for any sins committed after Baptism, and it brings the sinner consolation and peace."

1. Students must be baptized.
2. A First Reconciliation Retreat and service will be held prior.  

First Holy Communion-is the first experience receiving the Eucharistic meal of the Body and Blood of Christ. 

1. Students must be baptized.
2. Parishes in the Diocese of Green Bay celebrate this sacrament in second grade. If the child has not been in any religious education class, please contact Lori Mathwich.  
3. Regular attendance at Weekend Mass with family is expected for each child preparing to receive First Holy Communion.
4. Students must know their prayers: Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Act of Contrition.

Confirmation-is “a sacrament that confirms and strengthens the life of the Holy Spirit which was given to us at Baptism. In virtue of this sacrament, the faithful are obliged to spread and defend the Faith as true witnesses of Christ."

1. Students must be baptized.
2. Students must have a desire to receive the sacrament.
3. At our parish, students receive the sacrament of Confirmation at the end of their junior year, and must have completed the high school religious education classes. If they have not been in any high school religious education class, please contact Lori Mathwich.