Religious Instruction (home, elementary school, cost)

[Mikes Mom]

Hi All,

As I am investigating a move to your neck of the woods, I am trying to think of all the planning we need to do.

In NJ, public school students who are catholic (the predominant religion where I am) attend the local catholic elementary school for religious instruction once a week after school. Religious instruction does not begin until first grade and enrollment is done in the spring.

How do the students in your area attend religious instruction? Is it the same way?

My son will be entering first grade in September. If the move goes as planned, we will be there at some point in the summer so I am afraid I will not be able to get information before I need to enroll him in a class.

Also, although we are Catholic, we are open to investigating different Christian churches. As a matter of fact, we are actively seeking information on different churches.

Thanks!

[ChristieP]

Catholic churches here have CCD classes for public school kids on Sundays after mass. I grew up Catholic and I remember hoping that you DIDN'T get a nun for CCD!!!

[FarNorthDallas]

Some Catholic churches have RE on some weekday night, as well as Sunday mornings. The classes cost money and the spots can fill up. Sometimes you have to go to a different Catholic church to get in a class or perhaps because the church you go to doesn't have classes at a time you can go. Some of the classes are in Spanish and some in English. The classes are part of the Catholic church and not the Catholic school so much. The Catholic church near me has a school, but it's several miles away from the Church. The classes don't meet year round. They start after school starts and end before school ends. Some churches have a family home option where your whole family goes to RE and meet with other families in someone's home. It's helpful in case you have a special ed kid who can't attend class on their own.

I think only about a quarter of the population is Catholic and a lot of those are Spanish speaking. I think the big one down here is Southern Baptist.

ETA - http://www.cathdal.org/

[Spree]

My youngest son attends CCD on Sunday morning at the church we attend. It was around $65 for the year. He is preparing for the sacrament of confirmation this year (8th grade) so there is an extra night once a month until March that he is required to attend. Our parish has a Catholic school attached so the once a month evening night is combined CCD/Catholic school students.

[Spree]

<<Also, although we are Catholic, we are open to investigating different Christian churches. As a matter of fact, we are actively seeking information on different churches. >>

If you enroll your son in CCD, you will be required to be a registered member of a Catholic Church, preferably at the church your son will take CCD classes at. We have moved a lot and have signed our kids up for CCD at the same time we registered at the church. You might want to attend a couple of churches to see what fits before then.