MRS. ASHLEY GUINN
Director of Evangelization and Lifelong Formation
773-763-8228 Extension 2102
Email ASHLEY AT aguinn@ARCHCHICAGO.Org
2025-26 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION MISSION & Overview
Our mission is to support the faith formation of the children, parents, catechists, volunteers, and anyone who wishes to deepen their relationship with the Lord.
We have re-structured the upcoming RE curriculum so that it provides the proper resources and training for Catechists and volunteers. This will then allow for the children to receive the best catechesis possible.
The goal of the program is to assist you, the parents, in the faith formation of your family but also your own.
We know how difficult it is to instill the Catholic Faith in our little ones so we want to help you through our RE program.
We will also provide adult faith formation ideally once a month, at the same time as our RE scheduled programming. Please know that we are here to assist the entire family in their journey towards God’s Love.
We also know the curriculum and content that is used for RE is crucial. That is why we placed a special focus and research on obtaining a curriculum that is accessible to children and the adult catechists.
The curriculum will come directly from Sophia Institute; a highly respected source of catechesis amongst Catholic circles. We will use their “Spirit of Truth” curriculum (see details below) which was written by Catechists and former teachers with the aim of providing sound faith formation to the youth while making sure the content is easily navigated by the Catechist; especially 1st year Catechists.
Students that journey through our RE program will receive the Sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation) and leave with faith that will be solidified in their heart and mind.
We are always looking for volunteers to teach or assist in other ways in helping the program (e.g. Door Monitors, Contributing to Material Production).
CLICK HERE TO LINK TO THE R.E. VOLUNTEER SURVEY
Please feel free to contact Ashley Guinn with questions and comments at the Rectory or by email at aguinn@arcgchicago.org !
Sacraments
Students enrolled in our RE program have the opportunity to receive First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation.
- First Reconciliation and First Communion are given in a TWO year program
There is a MANDATORY retreat for children and their families in preparation for First Communion - Confirmation is given in a two year program at the end of 8th grade.
There is a MANDATORY retreat for Confirmandi candidates in preparation to receive the Sacrament
RE Curriculum – Sophia Institute – Spirit of Truth
Our program will use the “Spirit of Truth” K-8 Parish Edition from the Sophia Institute. The program is on the “Conformity Review List” from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way and is designed to solidify the faith formation of the youth with sound catechesis delivered through engaging lessons and activities.
This program provides the children with a workbook that’s faith oriented and engaging as well as providing the catechists with a guide edition to lead the youth effectively and in an engaging manner.
Catechists will receive training and support directly from Sophia Institute to help them navigate resources and deliver sound catechism to the children.
RE Schedule & Calendar
Religious Education classes take place on Sundays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, following the 9:00 am English Mass.
This year, our RE program runs from September 7, 2025 to April 26, 2026 with about 3 Sunday RE sessions per month.
Click HERE to view the full Religious Education Calendar for 2025-26
Any changes to the RE Calendar will be messaged to families promptly via email/flocknote.
Certain dates are tentative pending approval.
Location
Classes will be held in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity School, next to the Parish.
Enter the school through Door 3.
Parent Handbook
We strongly suggest you familiarize yourself and your child(ren) with the handbook and its policies.
Click here to View the 2025-26 Religious Education Handbook
Absences
Children are expected to attend ALL sessions.
We understand absences might occur, however, too many absences would lead to the child being dropped from the program for that year.
Please reach out to Ashley Guinn if you have further questions.
Registration Form
If you’d like to enroll your child(ren) in our Religious Education program, please click on the following link:
2025-26 Religious Education REGISTRATION Form
Please register before RE classes begin.
LAST DAY to Register is October 5, 2025 (strict cut-off date)
2025-26 Religious Education FAQs
Here we have answered many of the common questions we hear about our program.
Click here to go to the FAQs page.
2025-26 Religious Education FEES
1st Child : $275 for
Each additional Child : $75 per Child
Sacramental Fees
First Communion : $100 per child
Confirmation $100 per child
Fee Payments
Check, cash, or Faith Direct are accepted for fees and tuition.
Checks should be payable to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and may be dropped off at the Parish office.
Tuition and Fees are due by OCTOBER 5, 2025.
Use this link to set up a Faith Direct account or to initiate payment from your existing Faith Direct account.
- Click “Make a One-Time Gift”
- Scroll down to “RE Tuition”
- Provide the necessary card information
- You must do this separately for Sacramental Fee