ADULT & CHILD CATECHESIS

Baptisms are scheduled on every Sunday at 1:30 PM and at one of the weekend masses on the fourth weekend of the month. Baptism preparation class is necessary.

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Religious education is offered for grades K-8 on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.

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Preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Penance, for the first time is a meaningful and grace-filed step in a child’s faith journey. This sacrament focuses on God’s mercy, the importance of forgiveness in our families and communities, and the joy of being reconciled with God.

First Reconciliation is part of a two-year preparation process that leads to First Communion. Children should begin formal preparation in first grade, with the sacrament typically being celebrated in second grade.

However, children in second grade or older who have not yet begun this process are warmly welcome to begin preparation now. Families of these children are encouraged to contact the Religious Education Office at ReligiousEd@StBenedict.com to learn more about how to begin this important journey.

First Communion is a joyful and sacred celebration, marking a child’s first reception of the Eucharist – the Body and Blood of Christ. It is a profound moment of encountering Jesus in a new and personal way within the life of the Church.

First Communion is part of a two-year preparation process that begins in first grade and includes preparation for First Reconciliation. The Eucharist is typically received in second grade, following a time of learning, prayer, and participation in the life of the parish.

Children in second grade or older who have not yet begun this process are encouraged to begin preparation now. Families of these children are encouraged to contact the Religious Education Office at ReligiousEd@StBenedict.com to learn more about how to begin this important journey.

The sacrament of Confirmation, along with Baptism and Eucharist, is one of the three sacraments of initiation. At Confirmation the Holy Spirit strengthens the baptized Christian and endows her or him with gifts to enable us to carry out our mission to be Christ in the world and to continue building God’s kingdom. To be fully a member of the Catholic Church, one needs to be baptized, confirmed and receive first Eucharist.

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Spred (Special Religious Development) is a method of religious education. We gather in small faith communities to foster friendships while growing in our faith journeys together. Along with neighboring parishes’ Spred groups, we invite friends to age groups starting with age 6-10, followed by 11-16, 17-21, and 21 years to end of life. Any interest to explore this method of religious education for a family mArchdiocese of Chicago SPRED Facebook Pageember or as an adult volunteer catechist, partnered to each invited friend in a Spred group, please contact us: Stephanie Dragovich at (773)988-809 or Pat Woodhouse at patwoodhouse1@yahoo.com. For more on SPRED, go to the Archdiocese of Chicago SPRED Facebook Page. Watch this ArchChicago SPRED video

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for Adults and Children:

For unbaptized persons - both adults and children - and for those already baptized who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the process of becoming a Catholic, please contact Norma Vazquez, Director of Catechesis at (773)509-3806 or at nvazquez@stbenedict.com with any questions.

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Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the Sunday morning 10am Mass. It is geared towards children who have not received their first communion. The children of the parish are invited by Father after the Opening Prayer to follow the Prayer Leader (Catechist) to a room where they can participate in age appropriate activities using the Children's weekly bulletins. They return to the congregation after the Creed.