Religious Education (CCD)

The mission of the Religious Education program of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is to provide our children with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to develop and nurture their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  The program encourages the children to learn Catholic doctrine, prayers, scripture stories, traditions and practices in order to acquire a Catholic identity.  The program strives to connect the teachings of Christ and the Church with the students’ life experience in living out the Christian life.   

Many opportunities are offered to the children and youth of Our Lady Help of Christians:

1. Religious Education Classes for Pre-K (4 years old) through 8th grade are offered in four sessions on Sundays and Mondays (see "Religious Education Sessions" below)
2. Sacramental Preparation - Workshops and/or Retreats are offered to families enrolled in our Sacramental Preparation programs
   1. Baptism
   2. First Reconciliation/First Communion
   3. Confirmation Year 1 and Year 2
3. Opportunities for going beyond the textbook to living the Christian Life:
   1. Grades PreK-5 are encouraged to participate in our monthly Faith-in-Action Team Meetings
   2. Grades 6-8 are encouraged to participate in our monthly Edge Nights
   3. Grades 9-12 are encouraged to participate in our weekly Life Teen Nights
4. Summer activities include, but are not limited to:
   1. Vacation Bible School
   2. Steubenville Youth Conferences
   3. World Youth Day
   4. Youth Leadership Training
   5. Service Opportunities
   6. LifeTeen Camp

• Pre-K is open to those children who will have turned 4 years old by September 1.
• Kindergarten is open to those children who will have turned 5 years old by September 1 and are enrolled in Kindergarten in a public, private or homeschool.
• OLHOC Religious Education stresses the importance of the parents as the primary educators of the faith for their children, but we don't leave our parents without the necessary tools to assist them.
  • All students in grades 1 - 7 learn Catholic doctrine by working collaboratively with their parents on a weekly online lesson at home.  At the end of each lesson, the student's progress is accessible to the appropriate catechist for review.  Each student must successfully complete these lessons before being advanced to the next level the following year.
  • During Religious Education classes,
    • grades PreK and Kindergarten lessons flow from the Sunday Gospel, so children are introduced to the Catholic faith within the rhythms of the liturgical year.
    • grades 1-6 engage in a variety of hands-on, interdisciplinary activities to enhance the concepts being learned in their online lessons at home.  They learn the story of Salvation History and how they are part of the story.  They hear the story, they explore the faith, and they respond to the message through creativity.
    • grades 7-8 progress to a more "discussion-style" catechetical experience as they  embark upon a 2-year overview of the Catholic faith .  Discussions are sparked by the video content from "Decision Point" and "Chosen". They engage in weekly discussions about how the faith applies to their lives as teens who are preparing for Confirmation and will soon be fully initiated members of the Catholic Church, called to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.  Additionally, they attend scheduled Sacramental Preparation workshops and/or retreats.

Our Sunday sessions are conveniently offered to either precede or follow your family’s worship at Sunday Mass (not to replace it). 

      Session 1:   Sunday 9:30-11:00 AM           PreK, Kindergarten, & Grades 1 thru 8

      Session 2:   Sunday 11:15-12:45 PM          PreK, Kindergarten & Grades 1 thru 8

      Session 3:   Monday 6:45-8:15 PM             PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 1–8 & RCIA (adapted for children)

      Session 4:  Monday 5:30 - 6:30 PM             Special Needs Session (PreK - Adult)

We are limited by room size as to the number of students per class. All of our classes are filled on a first come basis.  In order to be enrolled in the session of your choice,  early registration is encouraged.

• one child, $60
• two children, $90
• three or more children, $120

• First Reconciliation/First Eucharist, $50
• Confirmation Year 1,  $50 (retreat, pilgrimage)
• Confirmation Year 2,  $100 to cover all sacramental preparation supplies and activities (books, materials, parent/sponsor resources, Retreat, robe, group photo, etc.).

Payment may be made online, in cash, or by check.  Please make checks payable to OLHOC with "Religious Education fees" in the memo. No one is ever denied a religious education due to financial hardship. Please contact Therese Thiedeman, to discuss options. All arrangements will be confidential.