Dear Parents,
 
Our most important role in the life of our children is showing them the way to heaven: By giving them experiences of the Our Lord, by sharing our faith moments, and by teaching them to recognize how God Our Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are working in their lives.  To be effective, we need Our Lord as the center of our lives allowing Catholic virtues and values to flourish in our homes.  In cooperation with our church community, we can help our family and friends obtain the goal of reaching the Heavenly Kingdom.  Religious Education is designed to help us to reach these goals. 
 
The Religious Education Program of St. Paul and Christ the King offers the opportunity for your child to grow in faith under the guidance of a catechist who responded to the call of God to “echo the words of Jesus”.  This is a call that is taken seriously and with great reflection.  Each classroom is designed for your child with age-appropriate materials and activities. The catechists take care to plan meaningful sessions that draw each student more deeply into a relationship with Jesus while conveying the truths of our faith.  By working together, we are preparing the Church leaders of tomorrow.

Bishop Monforton has decreed that Confirmation be conferred in the fifth grade in the Diocese of Steubenville. This year, 2018-2019, our parishes will offer Confirmation Preparation for students in grades five through nine who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation within the Religious Education program. Students will work with a catechist on materials designed specifically for their grade level.  
 
The reason for Bishop Monforton’s decision to move Confirmation Preparation from reception by age 16 to grade five follows the teachings of Restored Order for Sacraments of Initiation. The teachings of Restored Order can be understood better by reading the information found here.