The Confirmation program consists of two years of preparation, generally in the 7th and 8th grades. The Candidates receive the sacrament in the fall after completing this preparation. Retreats, service opportunities, and catechetical development are provided by the Confirmation staff with the help of adult mentors. Public School students meet with their mentors for study and service; St. Mary’s School students receive religious instruction during the school day and meet with their mentors to perform service projects.

Recognizing the importance of parents in the faith development of their children, parents are asked to attend sessions with their adolescent once a month in the Church. Our goal is to support and inform parents so they are prepared to pass on the faith and answer their children’s questions.

Along with the commitment to attend these monthly sessions, each family is asked to read and reflect on the Mass Readings of the day, perform two family service projects each year, and promise to attend weekly Mass.

For more information about the program, or to volunteer to share your faith as a mentor, please call Anna Taylor (ataylor@smip.org) at the Confirmation office, 815.436.2861, Ext. 877 or click here.

The Knights of the Holy Temple are an altar serving fraternity for young men of high school age.  We seek to grow in faith and authentic masculinity through prayer, mutual support, and service to the church.

Contact

Father Ramon Sida at 815.436.2651, x848 or rsida@smip.org

The ministry presents the Sunday readings to children 4 to 8 years old in words that they can understand during the Liturgy of the Word and Homily of the Sunday 9:00 am Mass. The songs, discussions and take home activities encourage the children to ponder God’s presence among us. The richness of God’s word helps our young children to follow Jesus each day.

Contact

Maria Prekop at 312.259.6851

It is the mission of the Elementary Religious Education Program to recognize, welcome, teach and empower the youngest members, grades K-6, of our parish as effective builders of the Kingdom of God. In order to accomplish this, the Religious Education Program calls upon parents, the catechists, the parish community and its leadership to collectively develop and foster our children’s understanding of the teachings of Jesus so that they might, individually and communally, utilize their gifts and their wisdom to give form and spirit to this Body of Christ we call the Church.

PROGRAMS

Grades K-6 Weekly classes are offered to the children of the parish to grow in their faith and understanding of our religion. Classes typically run mid-September through the beginning of May.

Sacramental Make-Up Children who have missed the reception of First Eucharist or First Reconciliation but who have had two consecutive years of formal religious education attend additional classes to prepare specifically for these sacraments. Parents must complete a separate Sacramental make-up registration for their child to participate in this program.

Special Needs Religious Education To meet the needs of all of our students we offer a variety of avenues to address their individual learning needs.  We employ everything from adaptive lessons, 1:1 aides, to a stand-alone Special Needs classroom.  If your child has unique educational needs, please call us so we can develop the best religious education experience for them. 

Registration forms for Religious Education are available to you at the Religious Education Office located in the Commons area. Ask the Receptionist for directions.

For more information contact Geri Morse, RE Director, at 815.436.4501, Ext. 840 or gmorse@smip.org or click here.

“Alive – St. Mary Immaculate Youth Ministry”

All High School teens are invited to join other SMI teens for food, faith and fun on Sunday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Youth Ministry room.  Grab a friend and come see what SMI Parish teens are up to.

Young Church

Young Church is Catholicism for middle school students, grades 6 through 8. Join us throughout the year to grow in friendship with God and one another through fun, uplifting and engaging activities. We seek to raise up missionary disciples by building relationships and inspiring active participation in the life of the church.

Contact

Henry Martens at 815.436.2651, x814 or hmartens@smip.org