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Voice mail will take your call when we are unable to do so. Please leave a daytime phone number and we will return your call. Generally during class weeks, we will be out of the office some times to compensate for working Saturday mornings and the many evening meetings.

Please use the "Flagpole" / Holy Family Garden door of the school where the Religious Education doorbell is located EXCEPT on session days. If you’d like to see us, it is important to call ahead and be sure someone will be available for you. Sometimes we are in a different part of the building setting up for a meeting and can’t hear the phone or doorbell unless we are aware that you are coming. We want to be available for you, but we need your help in planning.

On class days the children, teens and parents enter through the “kitchen” door, near the gym. This is the southern most door facing Lawler Avenue. Class hours are hectic times. During session times the Director is busy with the children, teens and catechists. If you need to speak to the Director, please call 636-4373 and make an appointment. Your cooperation in this regard is appreciated.

Our Religious Education Programs are alive and well because of the many parishioners who make them work! Our success depends totally on the volunteers who step forward each year. We have many needs and we are always looking for a helping hand. Our gratitude this year goes to the following people who have volunteered to share their faith with the children and young people in our Church.

The Religious Education Program for grades 1 through 8 meets on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 11:30 AM. The children/teens and catechists gather in the gym for an opening prayer and then go to their classrooms for their individual grade level sessions.

WE BELIEVE in the Second Vatican Council's statement on formation and education: That as baptized persons are gradually introduced into a knowledge of the mystery of salvation, they may daily grow more conscious of the gift of Faith which they have received; that they may learn to adore God the Father in spirit and in truth, especially through liturgical worship; that they may be trained to conduct their personal lives in righteousness and in the sanctity of truth... and that in our religious formation at Saint Linus, our children/teens will learn how to relate all human culture to the news of salvation so that the light of Faith will illuminate their knowledge of the world, of life, of humankind.

WE BELIEVE, as stated in the pastoral letter, TO TEACH AS JESUS DID, that the purpose of our catechetical ministry is to proclaim authentically and fully the message of Jesus, to foster an understanding of and build community in all areas of life, and to encourage service to each other for the good of all.

WE BELIEVE that our program should be a "true community of faith in which the formational efforts of Catholic families are complimented, re-enforced and extended.

WE BELIEVE that you have entrusted your children to us to deepen the Faith you as parents/guardians have given to them. WE BELIEVE that we can do very little to help your child grow in Faith without your complete cooperation, e.g., attendance at Parent Meetings, celebrating the Eucharist and the Sacraments together, reinforcement of Christian values in the home.

WE BELIEVE that the goal of religious formation is to make us aware of the action of God in our lives--both within us and outside of us. That religious formation is faith experience brought to understanding.

Therefore we will strive to awaken this awareness in your children, encouraging them to think freely and reason independently, achieve self discipline and gradually to accept responsibility for their own Christian development insofar as they are able

In the past few years, the Church has begun to experience new growth as adults choose the Catholic faith. No longer does the Church ask these folks to take private instruction. Instead they are invited to join others who are on the same journey to join with catechists and sponsors in the Catechumenate process. In this Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, they come to know the parish community and its members. In this process. they come to make a commitment to Jesus Christ and to the Church.

Often these adults bring with them younger members of their families who also seek to become part of this community. There are youngsters who have not been baptized as infants who seek membership in the parish community. In addition, there are children who have been baptized but not catechized. These children are part of the Children's Catechumenate process. We are working to redefine the process by which these children become members of the Saint Linus Parish community. Within this process, they will begin their journey towards the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.

The Confirmation program at Saint Linus Parish is an eighteen month preparation process, beginning toward the end of seventh grade. Confirmation candidates study their faith in both small and large group settings, participate in special experiences of Christian community

through formational sessions and live out the call of Christian service through various service opportunities.

Students wishing to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation must be enrolled in Religious Education or in Saint Linus Parish School.

Confirmation Formation sessions are scheduled on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Candidates do service hours helping children, the elderly, the community and the church. A Ministry Fair during Lent highlights this part of the candidates’ preparation. The process also involves an Enrollment ceremony, a thorough Review of basic information and prayers of the Catholic religion, an interview with a member of the Religious Education staff as well as a Confirmation retreat.

A day of retreat is mandatory for all eighth grade students as they prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. This is a most valuable part of their religious experience and it provides an opportunity for a day of prayer, reflection and discussion of their Catholic commitment in their private lives as members of today’s society. In cooperation with each of the superintendents and principals this is a time-release day from the public schools.

The Office of Religious Education coordinates a program to help parents prepare their children for First Eucharist. This program provides for the involvement of the priest, parents, catechists, and children, in small group sessions, faith sharing in the home, and special Family Sacrament Experiences. The First Eucharist family program is in addition to the regular classroom sessions. It involves both the children in the Parish School and those in the Religious Education Program.

In accordance with the directives of the Archdiocese of Chicago, students are prepared for Reconciliation prior to the reception of First Eucharist. This basic introduction is done in the first semester of second grade. This program provides for the involvement of the priest, parents, catechists, and children, in small group sessions, faith sharing in the home, and special Family Sacrament Experiences. The First Reconciliation family program is in addition to the regular classroom sessions. It involves both the children in the Parish School and those in the Religious Education Program.

In grades two through eight students are given the opportunity to participate in Reconciliation/Forgiveness services with their families as part of the Religious Education Program. We encourage the students and their parents/guardians to come and participate in these services, as well as in Reconciliation services scheduled for all parishioners.

The catechists form an active small Christian community within our parish. These adults of all ages are trained by the Religious Education staff and conduct the Catechetical sessions for the children and young people of Saint Linus Parish. Catechists have an excellent opportunity to share their faith with one another at planning sessions, professional meetings, and spiritual enrichment sessions. Catechists gather on Thursday evenings once a month for Adult Formation and Session Planning.

We always welcome new catechists. If you are interested in becoming a catechist, catechist assistant or a substitute catechist, please call Cheryl Antos at the Office of Religious Education at 636-4373

ELEMENTARY LEVEL

Grades 1 Through 6 -BLEST ARE WE

The Religious Education Program seeks to support parents/guardians in their role as the primary religious educators of their children. Parents put faith into action by modeling the Christian lifestyle, and by living Gospel values

Catechists, during the session, draw upon the students' experience of faith, and help the students reflect on that experience in the light of the Scriptures and teachings of the Church. They seek to build small Christian communities within the small groups, enabling the students to share their faith and grow in it. During the year, opportunities are provided for the students to participate in prayer and liturgical experiences and in service projects.

The goal of Blest Are We is an ongoing conversion of life and apprenticeship in being faithful disciples of Christ. Adults and children are invited into a way of life through critical reflection on their own lives in the light of the Gospel and the life of the Church. Blest Are We encourages a global consciousness sensitive to the relatedness of all life and of all creation. Throughout the year there are regular reviews of the material presented. Homework is assigned each session as a way of enhancing and extending what is presented during the sessions. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL.

In addition to the regular classroom work, junior high students are expected to master the basic prayers of the Catholic church as well as the fundamentals of the faith.

Parents are expected to work with their children, not only by modeling faith, but also by talking about their faith with the children. Parents are asked to review what has been taught in class, and help the children with any homework a catechist may have assigned. Parents are encouraged to take time to pray with their children, and help them to learn the content for their grade level.

Children and Teens are expected to bring their book, folder, and supplies in a backpack or tote bag to each class. Students who are the youngest or only in the program, are expected to bring their white Family Correspondence Envelope to class each session since this envelope is the primary means of communication between the Director, catechist, and parents. Any messages for the Office of Religious Education from parents may be returned to Saint Linus in this white Family Correspondence Envelope.

Students in grades three through eight are also expected to bring their Study Bibles. Bibles are presented to the third graders as well as to any new students in the fourth through eighth grades early in the year. Any student who does NOT have a Bible, as well as anyone who loses his/her Bible is expected to purchase another copy through the Office of Religious Education. The cost is $20.00. Bibles are necessary for each session.

The Bibles which the students use are for learning Biblical skills. Each session students will be asked to highlight or mark the passages from Scripture which they are studying. The translation used is the New American Bible, which is the same one the church in the United States uses for liturgical proclamation at Mass.

Children and teens throughout the program have received Scripture Study Workbooks to assist them in developing Biblical skills. Study questions are included in the parent letter each week so that home and church may work together as partners in helping the students develop and practice these skills.

HOME STUDY OPTION

Occasionally families need to take advantage of the home study option for Religious Education. The family meets regularly with the Director and parents are invited to share in the catechist formation sessions. Families participate in the grade level special events with the rest of the families in the program.

Many families at Saint Linus elect to do Family Catechesis. These are grade level session which meet once a month on a week night. Usually grades 1-4 meet from 5:30 to 7:00 and grades 5-8 meet from 7:00 to 9:00. Families gather at the beginning of the year to schedule these sessions. Children and teens must always be accompanied by an adult. . . a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or sponsor. In this option the adults and children/teens come together as a group on a particular grade level for formation, group prayer and activities and then do their book work at home before coming for the next session. Families participate in the grade level special events with the rest of the families in the program.

The Saint Linus Religious Education Program is operated under the auspices of the Catholic Bishop of Chicago, a corporation sole, in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Saint Linus admits students of any race, color, gender and national and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges accorded or made available to students in this Religious Education Program.

Saint Linus Religious Education Program does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, handicap, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its policies, supplementary programs or any other program-based function.

Enrollment in the Religious Education Program is open to any child of a family registered in Saint Linus Parish, who is in grades 1-8.

The grade level of a student entering the program will be left to the sole discretion of the Director of Religious Education (DRE) in dialogue with the child's parents/guardian.

In keeping with our professed belief that Catholicism and the sacraments do not consist of a moment in time, but in the knowing and living of a Catholic way of life, we hold the religious education and formation of children and teens as a prime responsibility of the adult community. Recognizing parents as the first and foremost educators of their children, we are happy to share the responsibility with you. We believe the family unit to be the heart and sustaining force of each child’s faith life. Ours is a family oriented program encouraging family participation at all levels, and especially involving the family in sacramental preparation

Saint Linus Religious Education Program offers an eight year program which is based on the growth and development of children of grammar school age. In order to gain full benefit from the program the following policy is mandatory

A) All children entering the program are expected to attend through eighth grade. Those who choose to drop out will not be allowed to return in eighth grade just to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation.

B) Two years of regular attendance in this program (or another Religious Education or Catholic School Program) is required prior to celebration of a sacrament.

C) Parental participation at Parent Sacrament Sessions is required for any child/teen who is participating in a sacramental preparation program.

Tuition Rates and fees are determined each year and are available in the Registration Packet.

This tuition is payable at the time of registration but must be paid in full before June 1 each year. No child can be placed in a class without all tuition/fees being paid in full.

In the best interest of each child we do not wish to exclude anyone from participation in the Religious Education Program. However, in order to maintain the quality of the program, each family must assume their fair share of the financial burden. If, with adequate reason, tuition payments present a financial problem, that family will be expected to contribute their time and assistance to the program. Please contact Cheryl Antos at the Office of Religious Education to make special arrangements. All financial matters are confidential and are taken care of by the parish business manager.

At Saint Linus the Religious Education families are encouraged to use SCIP (Shopping Certificate Incentive Program) as a way to earn tuition credits. Once registered as a SCIP participant, families receive tuition credits for all their purchases. The percentage of credit varies from one retailer to another but over the course of a year, it is possible to pay all Religious Education expenses with SCIP credit, if a family faithfully participates in the program. For further information or to sign up please contact Cheryl Antos at 636-4373.

Registration for incoming first graders and new students is held during April and May with a late registration in August. All previously enrolled students are automatically placed in their appropriate grade level but do need to re-register each spring. Children are normally assigned to the grade which corresponds to their grade level in public school but the final decisions on class placement will be made by the DRE in dialogue with the parents/guardians of the children/teens. If there are any questions about this procedure, please contact Cheryl Antos at the Office of Religious Education at 636-4373.

Ideal class size is 8-10 children/teens. Recognizing that forming community is one of the primary goals of Religious Education, class size will generally be limited to 15 students per catechist. Assignment of students to classes depends upon having enough catechists to serve the children. Registration is taken on a first come/first served basis. When space is filled parents will be given the option of Home Study or Family Catechesis.

The religious formation of your child is important and we are happy to share in that responsibility with you. We have an eight year program which is based on the growth and development of children at the primary, intermediate and junior high levels. During these eight years we cover the basic truths of the Roman Catholic religion. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated at the end of eighth grade.

It is expected that students will faithfully attend each grade level (grades 1 through 8) as part of their religious formation. Missed grades must be made up on a home study plan during the summer and/or during the school year. Because students need to experience continuity in their formation, grades cannot be skipped. No one may drop out for a year or two and then expect to be readmitted at a later date. Anyone who is absent for more than two sessions without making up the missed work may automatically be dropped from the program.

Religious Education personnel are required to conform to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (P.A. 81-1007). Copies of the brochure regarding child abuse published by the Department of Children and Family Services have been distributed to all personnel working with children and are available in the Office of Religious Education.

Classes in the Saint Linus Religious Education Program will be taught in conformity with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as presented in the General Catechetical Directory, in Sharing the Light of Faith, the National Catechetical directory of the United States, in The Catechism of the Catholic Church and in accordance with the policies and guidelines for Religious Education Programs within the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Comfortable clothes, appropriate for learning, are to be worn to class. Religious Education sessions are NOT recreational or sporting events. Dressing appropriately helps children and young people remember why they are at Saint Linus.

For both boys and girls - NO "baseball style caps" are allowed inside the building. These are a distraction during the sessions and can cause other problems before and after the sessions. Please leave all baseball style caps at home or in your vehicle. In cold weather, of course, a regular knit cap which provides warmth may be worn to and from the building but again NOT inside the building.

Discipline and Personal Growth

There is a close connection between discipline and personal growth. All of us must be free to choose one form of behavior or another and to take upon ourselves the consequences of our chosen behaviors. Growth demands self control on everyone's part so that an atmosphere of order, peace, purpose, mutual respect and cooperation can develop.

Self control is a learned process and it takes time and effort to develop. Much unacceptable behavior occurs because children and young people make mistakes in the process of growing up. The usual means that we take to help children in the development of self control includes our own positive example and our affirmation of children and young people's good choices, decisions and behaviors. The significant adults in their lives are powerful role models for children and young people. Never underestimate the power of your own life and example in fostering positive attitudes and behaviors in your children and young adolescents!

An atmosphere of hospitality and congeniality is desirable in any teaching situation, but this is not to be confused with unruliness and disrespect. Control and discipline must be maintained in the classroom if our teaching is to be effective.

Students in the Religious Education classes are reminded that the rooms and desks they use for class are shared with other children within the parish. All are expected to respect the property of the school and other students. Parents/guardians are responsible for any damage to or theft of Saint Linus property.

Good conduct, cooperation, attention, and courtesy are expected during class time. Any student who constantly disturbs a class and who continually fails to cooperate with the catechist and other students within a class, shall be subject to the following procedures

1st offense --- Catechist will speak privately with the child.

2nd offense --- Catechist will contact parents/guardians after informing the DRE.

3rd offense --- DRE, catechist, parents/guardians, and student will have a conference about the situation

On occasion, a catechist will find it necessary to eject a student from class. The student will be escorted to the office and parents called to pick up the student. The DRE will conduct a conference about the situation and enter a contract with the student ejected, which will seek to solve the problem.

This contract will name the problem situation, the corrective action agreed upon, and the penalty for failure to follow through with the contract. The contract will be placed in the student's permanent record file.

If there is no improvement, in fairness and justice to the catechist and students in the class, the DRE reserves the right to ask the parents to provide an alternate form of Religious Education outside of the regularly scheduled sessions.

Arrival Time

Students are expected to arrive no more than 15 minutes before class time. Parents (except those of Junior High students) are asked to bring them to the building. Enter AT THE “KITCHEN” DOOR (the southern most door facing Lawler Avenue and go to the gym to wait for the catechists. Supervising parents/guardians will be in the gym with the students. Catechists will come from their rooms to greet the children 10 minutes before the session begins. We will pray together and then the catechist will escort the students to their rooms so that the session may begin PROMPTLY. Parents are invited to stay for the short prayer service each session. This witness of parents joining the children and teens for prayer at the beginning of each session is a powerful one for all of us and makes visible to the children our adult relationship with God.

Classes end at 11:30 AM on Saturday. Because we are legally liable for the safety of students, under no circumstances are catechists allowed to dismiss students early.

Children in grades 1-5 are dismissed to the gym. Parents or older siblings are asked to come into the building and wait for the children at 11:30. No young child may leave the gym without an accompanying adult or older sibling. With so many vans and larger vehicles it is easy for children to remain unseen by drivers. This policy is for the safety of the children. We ask for your cooperation and support as we put safety first for all the children in our program.

Students in junior high are dismissed to the parking lot for prompt pick up. It is important that they stay near the front door and wait for their ride in an orderly fashion.

Children/teens are not allowed to leave class early. In case of an emergency, a note from the parents/guardians specifying the requested time of dismissal and reason for early dismissal, must be brought to the Director before the class. This note will be approved by the Director and be sent with the student or Attendance Clerks to the child's catechist. The attendance clerks will have the child to be dismissed early at the front table ready for the parent pick up. For the protection of the student, the person coming for the student must also report to the Attendance Clerk. Catechists may not dismiss a child/teen from class without receiving a written OK from the Director of Religious Education and the person picking up the child will be asked to sign out the child/teen.

Session Summaries - Keeping in Touch

Each session a brief summary of the key points for the session is sent home in the Family Correspondence Envelope so that parents can stay well informed about the material which is covered during the session. This enables parents to reinforce the concepts at home and to help the children master the material. The student's knowledge of grade level content can be assessed. Faith cannot.

Periodically throughout the year children and teens will have chapter reviews to help them remember what they have learned and to integrate their learnings into their lives. These reviews are “open book” and are to be completed at home. Parents and/or siblings may help the children with these reviews. Basic prayers and Scripture work may also be included in these reviews.

All children in grades 1-8 will have a review at the end of each unit. The dates of these are published with the calendar. Junior High will have their reviews as they complete their work throughout the year. Advance notice will be given in the Parent Letter. The thorough Review prior to Confirmation is taken from the material covered in Blest Are We, The Church is Bigger Than You Think and The Gift of the Spirit. This Review is part of the Confirmation interview process with the DRE

Regular attendance at all sessions is essential to establish continuity in the religious education of your child. Excessive absenteeism (2 times or more) or tardiness will be evaluated by the DRE. Children/teens with more than two absences during a sacramental preparation year may be asked to delay the sacramental celebration until a later date.

Promptness and attendance at all classes is expected for the full session each week. Every session is important in the student's catechetical formation. The catechists facilitate the formation of Community, present the Word, encourage Service, and lead the students in Prayer each week. Each session builds upon the preceding one. When students miss a session the work needs to be made up, signed by the parent/guardian, and returned to the catechist on a Welcome Back sheet.

Since Religious Education sessions meet only 16 times during the year for only about 36 hours a year, Home Work is an integral part of the program. It is the link between the sessions. Except for the holiday breaks, children will have Home Work assignments. Minimally the assignment is to read over the next part of the chapter in their books and be ready for class at the next session. Regularly the Parent Letter will list specific Homework assignments. If a child habitually fails to complete Home Work the child will be sent to the Director and the parents/guardians will be contacted to discern what the problem is. Catechists will not tolerate habitual failure to complete Home Work assignments.

In Case of Absence

When you know that your child will be absent for a particular class, please notify the Religious Education Office by phone--636-4373 or in writing in advance of the class. Voice mail is available 24 hours a day for your convenience.

Absences on the day of the class are to be reported to the Office of Religious Education by phone prior to the beginning of class.

Please be prepared to give the child's name, grade, room number, and catechist's name, plus the reason for the absence and who is reporting the absence.

During class time, Attendance Clerks are on duty and will call you if your student is absent and there has been no advance call

A student who misses a class is expected to do make-up work for the session missed. The student, the student's parents/guardians, and the catechist share the responsibility for getting make-up work completed as soon as possible. A Welcome Back page is provided for each absence. When this sheet is finished it is to be signed by the parent/guardian and catechist and turned into the Office of Religious Education. These completed Welcome Back sheets become part of each child’s permanent record folder and are credited to the child at the end of each year.

When a student in grades 1 through 8 misses two or more classes within a given year without making up the work, a conference will be scheduled to discuss a student's future participation in the Religious Education Program. Depending on the results of this conference, a student may be asked to repeat the same grade the following year. Class work must be made up for all absences.

If a child is preparing for a sacrament, the date for the reception of the sacrament can be delayed until the catechist, the Director of Religious Education and the parents/guardians can all be assured that the student is properly prepared.

Tardiness

Children arriving after 9:00 AM on Saturdays will report to the Attendance Clerks for a pink slip. This pink slip is for the security and safety of the students because it lets us know that the student has arrived safely and is late, not absent. Parents/guardians MUST accompany late students into the building and give the reason for the tardiness. Students are to be at their line-up area no later than 8:55 AM on Saturday morning so prayer can begin promptly at 9:00 AM and they are ready to go to their classes with the catechists immediately following our morning prayer.

Tardiness disrupts the session and chronic tardiness of any student will warrant a conference between the Catechist, parents/guardians, and Director and some solution to the problem.

Ordinarily Reconciliation is celebrated in the first semester of second grade and children are prepared to celebrate Eucharist in second grade. They need to complete first grade prior to preparation for the sacrament.

Children older than 7 or beyond second grade are prepared for the sacraments in the Children's Catechumenate. Parents and children participate in this process which culminates in the celebration of sacraments during the Easter Season.

It is our belief that memorized formal prayer is a necessary part of faith development. The basic prayers of our Catholic Christian heritage are taught and prayed at home long before the children enter a formal religious education program. However, within the context of our religious education sessions we review these prayers and add a few that the family may not have taught the children. In order for these prayers to be learned memorization is fostered and encouraged. Within our sessions we take time to pray the formal prayers of the church and expect that families will take time to pray them with their children at home--perhaps before meals or at bedtime.

Below is a listing of the prayers that the children/teens are expected to “learn by heart” and be ready to pray aloud when invited to do so. Each year builds on the previous ones so the prayer repertoire increases each year. Confirmation candidates are responsible for knowing these prayers and being able to write them out correctly.

Parent/guardian correspondence, flyers about upcoming events, monthly calendars and program information will be sent in a white tyvek Family Correspondence envelope via the YOUNGEST and ONLY CHILDREN in each family. Parents are asked to sign the envelope and return it each session. Their signature indicates they have received and read the materials enclosed. A calendar of the sessions is printed on this envelope for parents' convenience.

If the envelope is lost, please contact the Office of Religious Education for a replacement. A $2.00 fee will be incurred.

The Saint Linus Religious Education program abides by the provision of the Buckley Amendment. Divorced and/or separated parents must file a court certified copy of the custody section of the divorce decree (or separation agreement) when the child is enrolled in the program. We abide by the provisions of this Amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, we will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the records and to other related information regarding the child. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the Office of Religious Education with an official copy of the court order and to update this copy when necessary.

Please notify the Office of Religious Education if you should move or change your phone number.

If your child loses an article, please check with the Office of Religious Education or call 636-4373.

Safety instructions for both fire and tornado are posted in each room of Saint Linus school. Catechists practice fire and tornado safety procedures with the children and young people in the program.

The Office of Religious Education uses the computerized Emergency Closing Center to relay information about class cancellations. These announcements can be heard on the following stations:

When a cancellation has been made, the Office of Religious Education will attempt to notify the catechists and they, in turn, will attempt to contact the parents of the YOUNGEST child in each family, if there is time to do so.

Or you may wish to call the Emergency Closing Center at 1-900-726-1234, supplying the center with the access code for Saint Linus Religious Education (708) 636-4373. There is a per minute charge for using this service. You will receive information as to whether class is open, closed or no information given.

The parishes in the Southwest Suburban Cluster are working to develop and implement a Crisis Plan for Religious Education as well as for Parish Schools. Saint Linus is participating in this process. We will keep you abreast of information, policies and procedures as they develop. We want you to know that we are concerned about the safety and well being of your children just as you are and will do our best to assure that all is well while they are in our care.

During 2003-04 the Archdiocese of Chicago mandated that ALL Archdiocesan employees, volunteers, coaches, scout leaders and others who work with children/teens participate in the Protecting God's Children program before they can begin any ministry or work with children or teens under 18. The program was developed as one way to protect the children and teens the parish ministers to in various programs. The program has three parts: a background check, a three hour training/awareness session and ongoing online education. Thousands of people throughout the Archdiocese have participated in this program and all new volunteers are required to do so.

The following parking directives are to ensure the safety and wellbeing of ALL CHILDREN in the Religious Education program. We ask for your cooperation in dealing with these arrival and dismissal procedures.

1. All pick-up of children in grades 1-5 is in the gym. Older siblings may stop for them and walk them to the car in the parking lot or parents/guardians may come into the gym at 11:25 to wait for them.

2. Vehicles are to enter the church lot by way of LINUS LANE and park ONLY in the spaces facing south. This lets everyone drive FORWARD rather than having to back up.

3. Parents of young children (grades 1 through 5) need to leave their vehicles and meet their children in the gym and walk them back to their vehicles.

4. As soon as all the children are in the vehicle the driver may pull straight out (PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BACK UP!!!) proceeding cautiously at a reduced speed through the lot, exiting onto Lawler Avenue.

5. In the event of a funeral, the lanes closest to the church should not be used. Please use lanes closer to 103rd Street.

These procedures are designed for the safe arrival and dismissal of all the children/teens in the program.

To ensure their safety, the children and teens who walk will be held in the gym until car riders have gone. Parents of walkers will need to sign a permission slip indicating their permission for their children/teens to walk home.

On the West -- People living between Central Ave and the Railroad tracks are welcome to register at Saint Linus.