Religious Education at St. John the Evangelist
Religious education (RE) opportunities at St. John include two branches of classes: Traditional Religious Education, whose classes meet in the St. John School, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, whose classes meet in the Atrium (also on the St. John campus grounds). Scroll down to learn more about either of these courses.
Director of Religious Education: Pat Newton, , (785) 843-9511.
Assistant Director: Lois Mersmann, , (785) 843-0109 ext 315.
To reach somebody on Sundays during classes, call (785) 843-9511.
Traditional Religious Education
Children from 4 years of age through 5th grade are invited to RE classes on Sundays, which meet from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the St. John School (located at 1208 Kentucky Street). The school phone number is (785) 843-9511. Classes begin in September and end in May. The 2nd grade class prepares for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. 6th grade, 7th grade and 8th grade R.E. classes meet in St. John School building on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. The 8th grade class prepares for Confirmation.
Religious Education classes do not meet over the summer months.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children ages 3 through 12. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the Church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. The classes take place in a specially prepared environment called the Atrium. It is a place for prayer and celebration in which the Mass, sacraments, and scripture are presented.
The themes presented in the Atrium are those to which the children have responded to with great depth and joy over the past 50 years. Catechesis began in Rome in 1954 and is being used in 19 countries and almost every state.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classes meet in houses at 200 W. 13th and 202 W. 13th on the parish grounds. Classes begin in September and end in May. Classes meet Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. Children in their first year of the Level II classes prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
To learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd contact Betsy Harmon, (785) 218-1897, .
Also feel free to check out the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd website at www.cgsusa.org.
Severe Weather Policy: Atrium classes are cancelled when the Lawrence Public Schools are cancelled. Announcements are made on this website, KLWN (1320 AM), KLZR (105.9 FM), KANU (91.5 FM), Sunflower Television Channel 6, and ljworld.com. Classes do not meet during the summer months.
Confirmation preparation takes place during Middle School Youth Nights (“The Rock”), Wednesday evenings during the school year from 7:00-8:30pm in the St. John School gymnasium.
Be sure to visit the St. John Youth Website for more information!