
We strive to provide your child a quality Catholic faith-based education in a Christ-filled environment. Our teachers deeply care about leading your child closer in a personal relationship to Jesus through their Catholic faith.
GIFT: Grades 1-8
Religious Education for youth in non-Catholic schools. Wednesday evening classes from 7:00pm-8:10pm. Pre-registration is required. $25 donation to cover cost of materials per child.
Youth Faith Formation
A detailed overview PDF of all that St. Christopher Parish has to offer your child. From preschool through senior year, we strive to help you foster and nourish a love for Christ within your child.
Youth Sacraments
Youth preparing to receive First Reconciliation & First Communion in the 2nd Grade. Confirmation in Sophomore year of High School. Includes older youth needing either of the Sacraments as well.
Hello & Welcome
Welcome to St. Christopher Youth Faith Formation & Religious Education. We believe that faith formation develops first and foremost in your own home. At St. Christopher we want to support you. In that effort we have many programs and opportunities designed for your children. Below you will find more details about each program we offer. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
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GIFT: grades 1-5
Click on the tabs below to learn more about each program option we have available for your child’s GIFT education experience.
The GIFT program will follow the same pandemic protocols as St. Christopher School. This means the students will be spaced out in desks that are 5.5-6ft apart and masks will be required for all participating. Sessions are on Wednesday nights in the Emmaus Center (Northern end of the school building) from 7pm-8:10pm. Sessions are taught by volunteer catechists and we use the Discover Finding Faith curriculum from St. Mary’s Press.
Parents are asked to make a $25 donation for materials.
In case of a pandemic shutdown for students enrolled in the “in person” Wednesday classes…
There will be a 2-part approach to GIFT remote learning:
- GIFT uses the Discover Series from St. Mary’s Press (SMP). SMP has prepared for a possible shutdown by creating an online module for each’s week’s chapter. Each module is able to be completed by the student with minimal involvement from the parent (unless you want to complete the module with your child). Each module takes about 20 minutes. Doing one module a week will keep the student up to date with their remote learning. At the time of shutdown, parents will be given an access code to the modules.
- Each student is invited to participate in a Wednesday night Zoom meeting with their teacher. The meetings will allow teachers and students to check in with each other, recap the weekly chapter and pray together. The student should attend the meeting whether they have completed the week’s module or not. Zoom meetings will last no more than 15 minutes. The schedule will be on regularly scheduled Wednesday nights at the following times per grade:
First Grade: 7:00pm-7:15pm | Second Grade: 7:15-pm-7:30pm | Third Grade: 7:30pm-7:45pm | Fourth Grade: 7:45pm-8:00pm | Fifth Grade 8:00pm-8:15pm
Parents and caregivers will be provided with Discover Finding Faith grade specific materials (a folder with weekly leaflets and a Bible). A parent guide is available at the St. Mary’s Press website which will walk the parent through how to teach the weekly leaflet in a one-night session at home (caregiver and child together). The expectation is that the caregiver and child complete one leaflet/one session per week.
Parents are still asked to make a $25 donation for materials.
Please note these important dates pertaining to the Sacrament requirements:
RECONCILIATION DATES:
[WED] Sept. 15 – Classes begin for GIFT[SAT] Nov. 20 – Parent/Child Retreat & Reception of the SacramentFIRST COMMUNION DATES:
[WED] Sept. 15 – Classes begin for GIFT[SAT] April 9 – Parent/Child Jesus Day Retreat[WED] April 20 – Pictures & Rehearsal[SUN] April 24 – First Communion DayGIFT: grades 6-8
Click on the tabs below to learn more about each program option we have available for your child’s GIFT education experience.
Class Information:
Wednesday Nights | 7:00pm – 8:10pm | Youth Center (Parish Office Basement) – entrance is down the exterior steps by the Parish Office.
Teachers:
Sessions are taught by volunteer catechists and our Director of Youth Ministry: Elena Pope.
Cost: $25 per student
Parents are asked to make a $25 donation for materials.
In-Class Service Opportunity:
One Wednesday a month we will focus on a service opportunity within our community. All students will learn about ways to serve God and others as a teen and participate in some sort of service activity in class. Additionally, a group of 8 students will be sent over to the Vandalia Butler Food Pantry (next door) to help with organization and prep at the pantry.
Parents and caregivers will be provided with:
A booklet of class content material with a short parent/teen discussion guide for a deeper connection to your teen’s spiritual development & a teen Bible.
Service Ideas and Staying Connected:
It’s important for your teen to feel connected in some way to their teen community and to the importance they hold as a member of our faith community. We will include an idea list in your kit of ways to serve your community from home. Be sure to check out our YOUTH MINISTRY page for other small group and service opportunities throughout the year. Youth Ministry is a great way for your teen to put their faith into action and form friendships with other teens within their faith.
Parents are still asked to make a $25 donation for materials.

Confirmation Prep
SOPHOMORE YEAR (+): We have two ways your teen is able to prepare for their Confirmation:
Class Information:
2 Sessions per Meeting. ONE meeting per month. 2:00PM-4:00PM*. September through January February. Meetings include a social outing as well and will be taking place at various locations off-campus. Sessions are facilitated by our Director of Youth Ministry: Elena Pope
Advantage Point: The small group formation teens can enjoy community and learn from one another.
Best Fit: For those who are social and thrive with “people time”. Teens that enjoy sharing with others about their faith in conversation.
Small Group Sunday Session Dates:
September 26 – Sessions & Matt Maher concert
October 10 – Sessions & XLT Tour
November 7 – Sessions & TBD
December 5 – Sessions & Maria Stein Shrine Visit
January 9 – Sessions & Urban Krag changed to Bowling at Thunderbowl Lanes in Englewood from 12:30pm-2:30pm (time includes sessions and bowling)
February 6 – Confirmation Retreat
Cost: $25 per student
Parents are asked to make a $25 donation for materials.
*Times may vary depending on the social outing.
Class Information:
Ten online sessions each youth completes individually. Each session takes around 20 minutes.
Advantage Point: Youth can fit their formation into their unique and busy schedule and complete the modules in the comfort of their own home.
Best Fit: This is a GREAT option for any teen that is interested in their faith, but not quite open to sharing it or discussing it with others yet. We have seen excellent reflective responses from the online teens whom otherwise might not have spoken about or discussed it in such depth in class.
Cost: $25 per student
Parents are asked to make a $25 donation for materials.
See “Important Dates & Info” tab for *required* gathering dates.
Please note these important dates pertaining to the Sacrament requirements:
[SUN] Sept. 26 – In-person Sessions begin[OCTOBER] Online Sessions begin[SUN] Oct. 10 – XLT Tour Youth Rally[SUN] Feb. 6 – Confirmation Retreat & Rehearsal[SUN] Feb. 13 – Confirmation DaySUBMIT BY FEB. 6 : SUBMIT CONFIRMATION NAME & SPONSOR

Liturgy of the Word
Click on the tabs below to learn more about our Sunday Gospel formation options for children ages 4 to 4th grade.
Children ages 4 to 4th grade are invited to listen and reflect on the Sunday readings on a “child friendly level” during the 9am Mass. Just before the readings, the children will be dismissed and head to the bridal room. An adult facilitator will guide them through the readings and reflection. They will return at the time of the offertory.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word will kick off on Sunday morning, Oct. 10
Children’s Liturgy Page in the bulletin. Each week in the weekend bulletin is a page geared to children with age appropriate Gospel reflections, prayer and puzzles. Great material for your early readers and simplified content to help children get the most out of the Sunday Gospel each weekend.

vacation Bible School
Click on the tabs below to learn more about our Vacation Bible School options for children ages 4 t0 6th grade.
Vacation Bible School is an exciting adventure for our young parishioners ages 4 years old to the summer’s incoming 4th graders. The kids enjoy praise music, gizmo projects, skits, Bible
stories and more that teach of God’s love, constancy and friendship.
Cost: Online pre-registration is required and there is no cost for the program.
When: VBS takes place for one week out of the summer (typically in mid-late July).
Volunteers: Jr. High and High School youth as well as plenty of adults are needed to volunteer.
Vacation Bible eXperience (VBX) is a concurrent camp for 5th and 6th graders. Tweens enjoy a very high-energy, interactive week of Bible lessons, games, music, and challenging activities!
Cost: Online pre-registration is required and there is no cost for the program.
When: VBX takes place for one week out of the summer (typically in mid-late July).
Volunteers: High School youth as well as several adults are needed to volunteer.

Freshmen Faith Formation
Freshmen and their parents are provided materials to open up discussion at home about the basics of our faith. Periodic Youth Ministry events will be offered to pull the community of faith together. By registering online, families are signed up to receive the materials via email.
There is no cost for this program.
Do justice – Love kindness – Walk humbly with God
Micah 6:8