"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" -Matt. 10:11
We serve between 350 - 400 students for both sessions and for online homeschool. In-person classes are dependent on volunteers. We need to have a better understanding of the number of students we can serve before we assign classes. With this in mind, we are urging parents who are interested in registering their children for in-person Religious Education to register early. This will help determine which grades can stand on their own and those which may need to be combined with other grades. Your help would be much appreciated!
The foundation of our Children's Religious Education Program cannot happen without the stewardship gifts of time and talent so generously shared by our catechetical and formation team members. If you would like more information, please contact John Domingo at [email protected].
“Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule.” (CCC 2223)
We offer online registration from June to September 30 at sjavb.org. Payment can be made with PayPal or credit card. Forms are available to print at sjavb.org, then mail or drop off (exact cash and check only) to the parish office at 1968 Sandbridge Road, VB 23456. Forms are available at the church office during office hours - Monday-Thursday from 9-4 pm (closed 12-1pm for lunch) and Fridays 9-12 pm.
YES. Your family must be registered with our parish prior to enrolling your child in religious education classes. You may pick up a parish registration packet at the Welcome Desk at weekend Masses, parish office or online at sjavb.org.
Also called a “Family ID number”, this is the 1-5 digit number your family was assigned when you registered with the parish. The number can be found on your parish envelopes or by calling the parish office at 757.426.2180.
The fee is per family - all children inclusive
June-July 31 - $80
August 1 - September 15 - $100
After September 15 - $150
In -person classes are held October through April and are offered on Sundays from 12:45-2:00 pm and Mondays from 6:15-7:30 pm. We also offer a Homeschool program for 1st, 3rd – 8th. Classes are held at the SJA school.
Class assignments for students are given on a first come first serve basis. We will email classroom assignments to the email address on the registration form. The Religious Education schedule will be at sjavb.org.
ONLINE HOMESCHOOL OPTION (First Grade, Third Grade through Eighth Grade)
For the past few years, St. John the Apostle has offered an online homeschool option (First Grade through Eighth Grade) through My Catholic Faith Delivered. My Catholic Faith Delivered (MCFD) has the entire "Faith and Life" Series from Ignatius Press available for individual and classroom use.
To choose this option, please register online and click on "homeschool". The registration fee - all children inclusive - can be paid online. We will obtain the necessary purchases from MCFD, and parents will be informed by email from them as to the log-in information. Homeschool families will be notified in the September/October timeframe for the start of the School Year.
Since Second Grade is traditionally focused on sacramental preparation for First Penance and First Communion, families with students preparing for these sacraments should expect in-person classes.
Students in the following grade levels have the option of home instruction via an online program using the same textbook series (Faith & Life) that we use: 1st, 3rd – 8th grade. Families should pay the regular registration fee and a portion of that fee will be used to set up the online access provided by MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com. The DRE will have the ability to check up on individual students and their progress in work. Students in second grade or those preparing for the sacraments (i.e. Baptism, First Penance, First Communion) should be enrolled in an in-person class – there will be no option for online instruction due to the work that needs to be done. Any other specific questions about homeschooling should be directed to the DRE.
The SJA Children of Light Ministry is a ministry to students with special needs (physical, emotional, intellectual) and their families. We provide guidance to catechists to best instruct children with special needs, as well as provide support for families who choose to homeschool their children based on these situations. We meet with parents and students to determine the best preparation for their religious instruction. Any other specific questions about Children of Light should be directed to the DRE, John Domingo at [email protected].
If your child has been baptized, is at least 7 years of age, and is ready to prepare to receive their First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion, please visit our Sacramental Preparation page for more information about the Parish program.