Faith is a gift that we must care for and nourish at all times
Volunteers are needed throughout the year. Interested in volunteering? Please call the Parish Office.
RCIA/OCIA:
Our RCIA/OCIA classes began Monday, September 11th 7pm to 8:30pm. Please call the Parish Office for more information.
If you would like information about the Roman Catholic faith, please visit the Diocesan website at https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/Becoming-Catholic/ or visit our webpage: https://sje1.org/faith-formation/opportunities-online-learning
Sacraments:
The Diocese now requires that Birth Certificates as well as Baptismal Certificates are on file with the Parish Office for ALL Sacraments. We ask that these forms are turned in to the Parish Office by December 31st to ensure that all Sacraments are recorded correctly and in a timely manner. The Religious Ed Office is expecting to process approximately over 250 Sacraments this school year alone. Your help in this manner will greatly help all of us in the Parish Office. Thank you!
Religious Ed Classes:
Religious Ed Registrations for 2023-2024 School Year are now closed (with transfer and RCIC exceptions)!
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For those Homeschooling in all subjects: We won’t know who you are or be aware of your intentions for your children receiving Sacraments if you do not register with the Religious Ed Office each year. No Sacramental packets will be mailed to you if you do not register.
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Volunteers needed. We also have some openings for catechists, co-catechists, classroom aides, and substitutes for the upcoming year. Please prayerfully consider helping us share our Catholic faith with our parish children. If you are interested, please email Sherin Murphy at [email protected]
Inclement Weather and Cancellations
In case of inclement weather, please check your emails, the parish website at www.sje1.org.For Monday evening sessions, the RE program will follow Fauquier County Schools’ After School Cancellations.
Draft of 2023-2024 Calendar for RE Classes:
First Penance 2024 for all 2nd graders and RCIC 2A:
- Parent Meeting for all 2nd graders and RCIC 2A: Sunday, December 10th 9:30am OR 11:15am in St. John’s School Trinity Hall. You can pick the meeting time that best fits your schedule and attend that one (the meeting should last 20-30 minutes).
- REMINDER: Please make sure that a copy of your child's Birth Certificate AND Baptismal Certificate are on file with the RE Office by December 31st for ALL Sacraments per Diocesan policy.
- First Penance Retreat for all 2nd graders and RCIC 2A: Sunday, January 7th 1-3pm in St. John’s School Trinity Hall (Snow date January 21).
- First Penance for all 2nd graders and RCIC 2A: Saturday, January 27th 10:15am in Mercy Hall (Snow date February 10).
Confirmation 2024:
- REMINDER: Please make sure that a copy of your Baptismal Certificate is on file with the RE Office.
- Please make sure a copy of your child's Birth Certificate is on file with the Parish Office by December 31st for ALL Sacraments per Diocesan policy.
- Need to remember when paperwork is due or need a form? Just look to the links on the left.
- If you have not turned in all items as listed, we will assume that you are not wishing to be Confirmed in 2024. The following are now past due:
- Confirmation Registrations (C1-C4), Parent Interview (C5), Spiritual Exercises (C6, C7, C11), Service Log & Journals (C8, C9), Novena (C10), and Saint Report (12).
- Mark your calendars!
- Letter to the Pastor (C13) is due December 1st.
- Sponsor Forms C14 (My Sponsor Form) and C15 (Sponsor Interview Form) are due December 15th.
- Confirmation Retreat Date: for all those who have completed all requirements will be held Saturday, January 6th, 2024. Confirmation Retreat Snow Date is Saturday, January 20th,2024.
- We will reach out to Candidates who have attended a “Confirmation” Retreat in early January to schedule Interviews. All Interviews must be completed prior to the end of February. Take time to prepare with the Clock Test.
- Confirmation Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, beginning at 7pm. Practice will be held the night before at 6pm, beginning in Mercy Hall and conclude in the church.
Have you picked a Saint yet? Has your Saint picked you?
- Have you decided on a Sponsor yet? Please see the Guidelines below for choosing a Sponsor.
- Don’t forget to Pray!
Need Help Picking a Sponsor?
What are Sponsors?
Sponsors are witnesses to the Catholic faith who will pledge support of those who are to be baptized into the faith or who are seeking full membership into the Church through the sacrament of Confirmation.
What do Sponsors do and what are the Guidelines for picking one?
The Sponsor is to see that the person confirmed in the faith of the Catholic Church acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with this membership.
They must provide a Sponsor Certificate. They MUST be a practicing Catholic. The Sponsor should contact the Church where he/she is currently registered to request a Sponsor Certificate.
A parent may NOT be a sponsor.
Please note, a lapsed Catholic CANNOT serve as a Sponsor.
A Catholic married outside the church may NOT be a sponsor for Confirmation.
Again, a Sponsor MUST be a practicing Catholic, MUST be up-to-date on all his/her sacraments, MUST be at least 16 years of age, MUST attend Mass weekly, and if married, must be married in the Catholic Church.
Confirmation 2025:
- REMINDER: Please make sure that a copy of your Baptismal Certificate is on file with the RE Office.
- Please make sure a copy of your child's Birth Certificate is on file with the Parish Office by December 31st for ALL Sacraments per Diocesan policy.
- Confirmation Packets have been sent out to all 7th graders registered with RE and the school.
- Please turn in forms C1, C2, C3 and C4 so we can add you to SignUpGenius for volunteer opportunities.
- The Spiritual Exercises Binder for the church will be in place there after November 1st (when forms C1 through C4 are due to be turned in).
Help shape the Church's Future
Do you want to do a good deed? Teach the young!
Do you want to perform a holy act? Teach the young!
Do you want to do a holy thing? Teach the young!
Truly, now and for the future, among holy things, this is the holiest. ~ Saint John Bosco
Serving as a classroom assistant or catechist is a wonderful opportunity to build up the Church by guiding children and young people on their faith-journey.
If you're interested in volunteering, with children in any capacity, you must first become fully compliant with the Diocese of Arlington through their Office of Protection of Children and Young People (OPCYP). St. John's Office Manager, Rosemary Coakley, is our Liasion for OPCYP. Her contact info is [email protected] or (540)347-2922 x202.
There are two parts involved with becoming compliant:
- First, all must have a background check. Here are the links.
https://secure4.arlingtondiocese.org/OPCYP_Application/Volunteer_Home.aspx The first form is the CPS form. It will need to be copied back to back and notarized and returned to Rosemary in the Parish Office. Rosemary is a notary if you need her to help. Just bring your license and please call ahead so she can make sure to be available. - Second, all are required to attend a VIRTUS class which requires signing up ahead of time. Here is the link for the class: www.virtus.org Click on "First Time Registrant - Diocese of Arlington".
If you have any questions, please contact our OPCYP Liasion, Rosemary Coakley.
Thanks so much for volunteering at St. John's!
To volunteer as a classroom assistant or catechist, please email Sherin Murphy, at [email protected] or Stacy Byrne at [email protected]
Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen.