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Religious Education: Programs

Smiling girls sitting at table in elemen

Grades 3-6

We hope that your children will continue to attend Religious Ed during these important years. In these grades, we use the Loyola Press Christ our Life    series to continue the process of helping your child develop a personal relationship with Jesus by learning more about the Catholic faith.

 

For over 40 years, the Christ our Life    religious education program has been leading children to Jesus Christ in schools and religious education programs in every diocese in the United States. Our teachers use the workbook as a starting point for making class interesting and relevant. The students will learn about how Christ loves us, the 10 Commandments, the Sacraments, and Holy Scripture. Authored by the Sisters of Notre Dame, Christ our Life  is the only program aligned with the Church's call for the New Evangelization.

 

Discover more about Christ our Life and the rich resources it provides for students, teachers, and families here.

GRADES 3-6 MEET:

Wednesdays from 6:00pm - 7:30pm

OR

Thursdays from 6:00pm - 7:30pm

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Grades 7-8

Here at St. John the Baptist, we have selected two excellent Ascension Press programs to engage the students in diving into their faith in a more mature manner. 

 

We begin 7th grade with the Theology of the Body for Middle School Students program. The “Theology of the Body” (TOB) refers to St. John Paul II’s in-depth biblical explanation of the mystery of marriage and human sexuality. Seventh grade is an excellent time to have these discussions with our students as they are being bombarded with contrary messages through social media, school, and entertainment. We study from a workbook, watch videos, and discuss what it means to be a male and female as designed and loved by God. It is not just an abstinence or chastity program. It is an identity and evangelization program for middle school students.

In December of 7th grade and continuing through 8th grade, we will be learning from the Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation program.    Chosen is a catechetical journey for teenagers preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Its purpose is to bring about a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. This program takes young people on a journey through the entire Catholic faith in all its richness and vitality. We pray that the teens will be captivated by the story, from Creation through salvation history, and how the sacraments, prayer, and discipleship are the keys to a happy life. We hope that by the end of 8th Grade - as they celebrate Confirmation - that the students understand that they are disciples of the Risen Lord, and are ready to receive the strengthening grace of the Holy Spirit.

You are invited to look at both Ascension Press programs online by following these links:

Theology of the Body

Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation

GRADES 7-8 MEET:

Wednesdays from 6:00pm - 7:30pm

OR

Thursdays from 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Students on a Break

Teen Disciples

St. John's Teen Disciples Program is for high school students. They meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm in the Youth Ministry Room. This is a program for high school teens who want to grow closer in their relationship to Jesus. We focus on discipleship through studying the Bible and learning about relativism, Theology of the Body, current events, and other topics of importance to teens from a Catholic perspective.

Venture: the Bible Timeline for High School

YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body

Who Am I to Judge? Responding to Relativism with Logic and Love

TEEN DISCIPLES MEET:

Wednesdays from 6:00pm - 7:45pm in the YM Room

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Family Ministry

St. John the Baptist Family Ministry exists for this purpose- to help your family create space for God in your family life. We continue to offer the Family Retreats for all students grades 3-6 and their families. Retreat Days are also held for all students preparing for Sacraments in Grades 1, 2, 7, and 8. In addition, we hold family activities for Advent & Lent.

We offer Family Retreats for all students in Grade 3 through 6 and their families. Retreat Days are also held for all students preparing for Sacraments in Grades 1, 2, 7 and 8

The Loyola Press website, (click on the Catholic Resources tab) has numerous resources for families, too. It complements the books our students use between Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Confirmation.  

Grades 3-6
Grades 7-8
Teen Disciples
Family Ministry

Religious Education Department

Sr. Jane Keller, Director - srjkeller@sjbnf.org

Mrs. Belinda Siperko, Admin. Assistant - bsiperko@sjbnf.org

717-235-2439

reled@sjbnf.org

315-A N. Constitution Ave (inside St. John's School)

New Freedom, PA 17349

 

OFFICE HOURS

M-F 10:00am - 4:30pm and during all Religious Ed classes

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