Queen of All Saints Basilica

Religious Education Ministry

 Welcome

Welcome to Queen of All Saints Religious Education Ministry. The Programs and Ministries we offer include the School of Religion, Sunday Preschool, RCIA, Sacramental Preparation, SPRED, Children’s Liturgy of the Word and Vacation Bible Camp. There are also Ministry Opportunities available on the RE Board, QASPARE, Catechists, RCIA Parish Sponsors and the VBC Teen Team. Below are brief descriptions of many of our programs and ministries.

For information on any of these, please contact the Religious Education Office at (773) 286-1939.

School of Religion
Families with children attending public elementary and junior high schools are encouraged to attend the School of Religion. Classes are offered on Sunday mornings for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 and also on Tuesdays for Grades 1 through 7.

On Sunday mornings Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten meet from 9:15 to 10:30 am, Grades 1 through 6 from 9:15 to 10:45 am and Grades 7 and 8 from 9:15 to noon. All classes meet three times a month. Tuesday classes for Grades 1 through 7 are held at 4:30 to 6 pm, also three times a month.

Classes begin in September and continue through May. Adult catechists share our gift of faith by using the Loyola Press Finding God series. Children and parents are invited to participate in two grade level family Masses each year, the annual Christmas Pageant, Living Stations of the Cross and the Living Rosary.

Registration is held in September. For more information please call the Religious Education office at (773) 286-1939.

Sunday Preschool
All children 4 and 5 years of age are invited to attend our Preschool Religion Program on Sunday mornings during the 9:30 Mass from 9:15 - 10:30 am in the Keene Ave. Bldg. Sessions are held from October - May. Adult and high school catechists share the children’s version of the Sunday readings by using Scripture, music, puppets, arts & crafts, games, finger plays, and role-play. Children and parents are invited to participate in two family masses, the Teddy Bear Breakfast, the Christmas Pageant and Resurrection Egg Hunt. Registration is held in September.

RCIA - Adult Sessions
All non-Catholic adults interested in finding out more about the Roman Catholic faith or Catholics seeking to receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation are invited to attend the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) sessions held on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am in the Jubilee Room of the Lemont Ave. building. Perhaps you have a neighbor, friend or even a spouse who has shared with you that they are curious about Catholicism. Most new Catholics will tell you that someone invited and went with them to an RCIA session. These sessions are held in preparation for the Easter Vigil from September - June.

RCIA - Teen & Child Sessions
Children who missed the opportunity to prepare for the sacraments, are invited to attend special sessions about the Roman Catholic faith. Sacraments of Initiation are received after a two year period of preparation.

SPRED
Young people (11-16) with special needs are welcomed to participate in our special religious education program held every other Monday evening in the Keene Ave. Bldg. from October -May.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word
During the Advent and Lenten season, children from Junior Kindergarten through 4th grade are invited to attend their own Children's Liturgy of the Word in the Jubilee Room during the 9:30 and 11:00 Sunday Masses. The children begin the Mass with their parents and are blessed and sent to share the Readings, Gospel and reflections geared to their age group. The children return to their parents after the Prayers of the Faithful for the rest of the Mass.

Vacation Bible Camp
Our Bible Camp is a memorable week for our children and their cousins and neighborhood friends (Preschool through 4th grade) and our Teen Camp Leaders. Each day, (9:00 am - 2:00 pm) the children will pray, play and learn together with music, skits, bible stories, arts & crafts, water games and special visits from our priests. Each year, we focus on one of three aspects of Scripture: Year I: Old Testament Heroes & Heroines, Year II: The Friends of Jesus, Year III: The Parables. Camp registration is held throughout the summer as well as after the Masses the two weekends before camp.

 Ministry Opportunities

All of our catechetical programs are in need of adults who are willing to share the faith and the gift of teaching with our children. Catechists receive training provided by the Archdiocese and meet each semester for ongoing formation. Junior Catechists, Room Parents, Teen Helpers, Teen Peer Ministers, Receptionists, Office Help and Parking Lot Patrol Parents are needed each year. Registration begins in September.

RE Board
School of Religion parents meet October-April to plan and implement activities for parents and children.

QASPA-RE Parents
Queen of All Saints Parent Association meets on the first Monday of the month. RE parents representing the School of Religion, Sunday Preschool and SPRED families fully participate in QASPA planning parish family activities like the Family Masses and receptions, parent night speakers, and parent-child activities.

RCIA Parish Sponsors
Adult Parishioners who are practicing Catholics and have completed the Sacraments of Initiation are invited to welcome others into the faith. Each sponsor commits two years to belong to the RCIA Team.

VBC Teen Team
Each VBC has a wonderful group of young volunteers who are obtaining service hours for their high school or Confirmation service requirements. They join the Teen Team Camp Staff of college and high school students who share their gifts of faith, hope and love with the campers each year. The Teen Team receives supervision, training and spiritual formation during the week prior to the camp. Teens interested in this ministry should contact Mrs. Aline Reynolds at the beginning of the summer.