Religious Education Program

Faith is a gift that we must care for and nourish at all times

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.

2023-2024 Calendar for RE Classes:

First Communion 2024:
for all 2nd graders and RCIC 2A: 

• REMINDER: Please make sure that a copy of your child's Birth Certificate AND Baptismal Certificate are on file with the RE Office as soon as possible for ALL Sacraments per Diocesan policy.

• First Communion Practice: Monday, May 6th (6-7pm) - in the church

• First Communion: Saturday, May 11th - 11am.  All children must be "signed-in" by 10 am in Mercy Hall

Confirmation 2024:

A few Reminders:

• Confirmation Practice with Sponsor (or parent if the sponsor is unavailable) will be held Tuesday, April 16th at 6pm starting in Mercy Hall. Please arrive early (~5:45pm) and “sign in” so we can start on time and finish in an hour.
• Make sure you turn in all outstanding paperwork including “Original with Seal” Sponsor Certificates of Eligibility (or letters) prior to the beginning of Practice.
• Confirmation Day: April 17th.
• Please dress nicely (as if you are going to a wedding) - remember: you will be presented to the Bishop.
• Candidates should be in Mercy Hall before 6pm (~5:45pm).
• Robes will be "signed out" when the candidate "signs in".
• Sponsors and families will go to the church.
• Sponsors should be in the church and seated before 6:30pm (~6:15pm) as the "Master of Ceremonies" will address them and give them instructions for the Confirmation.
• Bishop Burbidge will meet with all candidates before 6:30pm in Mercy Hall.  He will say a few words and ask questions of the candidates from the attached list. Please review these questions - all should be familiar with the answers as they have been part of the preparation. When finished, the Bishop will go to the church.
• All candidates will process into the church before 7pm so the Bishop can process in at 7pm.
• A Reception will follow the Mass in Mercy Hall where pictures can be taken with the Bishop.
• Robes must be "signed back in" prior to leaving the Reception as they are mailed out the next day.

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 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 (coming soon)
• The following are now past due:  
  • Confirmation Registrations (C1-C4), Parent Interview (C5), Baptismal Certificate , Birth CertificateREMINDER: 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).

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.

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:

1. 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. 
2. 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]