Religious Education

The 2024-2025 Religious Education School Year is September 9-May 19, 2025. 

Mission Statement:

The Religious Education Program (1-8) at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church aims to call, accompany, and assist all to walk the way of Jesus Christ in the home, parish community, and society at large.  As such, the catechesis (teaching of the faith) that is offered at OLGC includes not just children in 1^st through 8^th grade, but also families through whole assembly catechesis “(family assemblies”).

With a diocesan-approved curriculum,  Grades 1-8 students are taught the tenets of Catholicism, as well as Scripture, and how to practice the Gospel message in their everyday lives.  Classes are held Monday evenings from 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Whole assembly catechesis is also a feature of our program, wherein in lieu of a classroom lesson, families periodically attend a program that includes:

• Catholic doctrine
• Scriptural teachings
• Hands-on activities that foster faith formation in intergenerational, small group settings
• Acts of service
• Spiritual Music
• Prayer
• Guidance on fostering the Catholic faith in the home

Parents are the primary teachers of the Catholic faith and the family home is itself a “little church”.  Our program strives to support families in that regard while building community within the family, the parish and beyond the parish doors.

Tuition Fees per child:

• Grades 1-8 Formation Tuition = $65.00  (Monday evenings)
• First Communion Preparation Tuition = $50.00 (Periodic Sunday afternoons, see calendar in packet)
• Confirmation Preparation Tuition = $65.00 (Periodic Sunday afternoons, see calendar in packet)

Classes and periodic family assemblies are on Mondays, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. and are held at the church. See the calendar in the registration packet for details.

Volunteers, Teachers and Assistant Teachers are most welcome and always needed.

Registration is not automatic for returning students.
Enrollment is required each year via the Religious Education registration packet. Packets are available to download and print from this page, and we have hard copies in our parish office and in the church entrance foyer. Packets and payment may be turned in via our parish office, in the offering basket at an upcoming Mass (contained in an envelope) or mailed to: OLGC, Attn: Religious Ed Administrator, 5950 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092.

Families in our program must be registered and active OLGC parish members. Active is demonstrated by regular Mass attendance at OLGC and support of the parish by stewardship. Stewardship expectations are outlined in the registration packet cover letter. Families with children in 3rd Grade or higher should plan to undertake a periodic liturgical volunteer commitment at the Saturday or Sunday Masses. (Details are within the registration packet.)

Due to space limitations in our church building, we regret that we’re unable to integrate students from other area parishes into our Religious Ed Program. Thank you for your understanding.

Protecting God’s Children – Requirement for Volunteers:

All volunteers over the age of 18 working with minor children or vulnerable adults must be fingerprinted and background check through the Diocese (this is done on a national level and is to be renewed every 5 years). Please contact Church Office for registration instructions. These volunteers must also attend a class called “Protecting God’s Children“. Classes can be found online at www.virtus.org. A diocesan volunteer application with 3 references must be submitted to OLGC Church Office.  Please call the Church Office if you have any questions. No persons ministering with minor children or vulnerable adults may do so unless they have fully completed all requirements.

Access the VIRTUS website here.
 

Diocese of Saint Augustine policy:

Sacraments are to be conferred in the family’s “home parish”: the parish in which you are officially registered and participate with your Stewardship of Time, Talent, Treasure.

The following must precede the reception of a Sacrament:
Youth who have actively attended two (2) consecutive years of a formal religious faith formation catechetical program and who regularly attend weekend Mass and live their faith are invited to participate in Sacramental Preparation classes for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. These classes will be held at OLGC on published Sunday afternoon dates.  If your child was not in a Catholic Religious Education program last year, then your child must attend two consecutive years before he/she is eligible to receive Sacraments.