Because of protocols that look out for the safety and well being of our young people, this year we will have one unified program that takes place at St. Mathias in Hampton, that includes a specific option for students in 9th and 10th grades preparing for Confirmation. Classes will begin on Wednesday, October 7th to allow everyone to settle into the new school year. Some have asked about the Sunday program at St. John’s in Vermillion. We will not be able to have the Sunday program this year because of limited trained personnel to sanitize the school building between Sunday classes and the Monday school day. What we will have, however, is a hybrid form of faith formation for our tri-parish community that manages numbers to provide for appropriate safety measures like social distancing in classrooms and ample opportunity clean and sanitize for the good of everyone involved.
In this hybrid format, weeks will be designated as Week I and Week II. Week I will be the week for classes in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Week II will be for classes in grades 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. In the “off” week, students will be assigned homework that may include specific reading, or watching a video at home that will then be discussed at class. Classes will be on Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. An updated calendar is enclosed that includes the Week I and Week II schedule. As students come into the building on Wednesday, they should expect a temperature check. Students are also expected to wear masks in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order. Students should not attend class who are exhibiting sick and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Students should also not attend if someone in their household is sick and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, whether with a positive or negative test, or a test pending.
Being sensitive to the needs of those preparing for Confirmation, while still following the hybrid schedule, there will be the opportunity to choose whether to attend class on Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at St. Mathias in Hampton, or on Sunday from 8:45-9:45 am in the church basement at St. John’s in Vermillion.
Registration forms for the 2020-21 faith formation year are attached, that also include the option of home study and are due by no later than Monday, September 14. Again the key this year will be “patience and flexibility.” Please know that we will continue to update you as the year goes on, and that we will evaluate whether we keep this model for 2021-22, adapt it, or return to the Sunday/Wednesday format of this past year. As we begin this new year of faith formation, may it be a time for our young people to hear the Lord’s call to them, may it be a time of growth in our Catholic faith, as we together seek to reflect the Kingdom of God for our time and place. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Sister Tresa at sr.tresa@sjb-school.org or 651.438.8680 or contact the parish office at 651.437.9030.
Our New Reduced Classroom Tuition Fee: $30 for one student, $50 for two students, or $80 per family
Home Study: $25 for one student, $40 for two students, or $60 per family