In our Parish, the call to evangelize takes several forms and is directed to all members of the Parish.
The Religious Formation and Catholic Education Program of St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish is composed of 5 parts:
• Religious Education (CCD) for children of participating Parish families that are enrolled in public schools, grades 1 through 8.
• A partnering with St. Barbara Parish for Catholic Education offered to participating Parish families, grades pre-school through 8.
• A scholarship program through the Parish for high school students of participating families to De La Salle Institute at both boys’ and girls’ campuses.
• An Adult Sacramental Program for adults who wish to receive the Sacraments Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation.
• Ongoing Adult Catechetical Formation for adults and parents.
Religious Education (CCD)
The Religious Education Program for students enrolled in public schools takes place on Sunday morning, beginning at 9:00am, followed by participation at 10:30am Mass by students and their parents. Parent participation is mandatory for continued enrollment in the program. Students must be registered before Labor Day for the following Religious Education academic year. Other requirements can be obtained from the Religious Education Coordinator, Collette Hylka at (773) 927-6646. It is required that a student have at least 2 consecutive years of Religious Education before receiving a Sacrament.
Catholic School Education
Partnering with St. Barbara School, our Parish offers a parishioner tuition rate to St. Mary of Perpetual Help families who enroll their children in St. Barbara School. Interested parents should contact St. Barbara School, (312) 326-6243, to gain information on how to enroll their children for a Catholic School education.
De La Salle Institute Scholarship Program
Participating Parish families can receive up to a 50% tuition scholarship for their high school age children who are accepted as students at De La Salle Institute. Parents should contact Fr. Don Craig, Pastor, at (773) 927-6646 to find out more information on what is needed to receive a tuition scholarship.
Interested Parishioner parents should contact Fr. Craig no later than November of each year to begin the scholarship process for the next school year. A qualified student can begin receiving the scholarship for any year of high school, even if they have not previously attended De La Salle and transfer from another high school.
Adult Sacrament Preparation Program
Adults who wish to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation should contact the Church Office (773) 927-6646 for information on how to prepare to receive these Sacraments as they are offered during the year. The preparation period lasts from October through May at various times, depending upon what Sacraments are requested.
Adult Catechetical Formation
Since every Catholic adult has the need to continually be formed in the Faith, our Parish offers sessions specifically designed for adults and parents to assist them in furthering their response to the call of the Lord in their lives. This response of informing ourselves, as adults, more and more about our Faith, helps in strengthening the call of Evangelization and spreading the Gospel message in our families, parish, community and world. These adults sessions are offered periodically throughout the year and are advertised in the Parish and locally. All adults are welcome to participate.
Click here to send an email to our religious education coordinator, Collette Hylka, or call the church office at (773) 927-6646.