St. Joan of Arc Prepares Students for Sacraments

St. Joan of Arc Catholic School Prepares Students for Sacraments

(Lisle) -The Sacraments of Initiation, which include Baptism, Eucharist (Communion), and Confirmation, are very important to Catholic families. The St. Joan of Arc Religious Formation program prepares students who attend the SJA school as well as those who attend public schools. “The benefit to students who attend the SJA school is that they’re imbued with what they need in order to receive the Sacraments,” said Dolly Pointner, Director of Religious Formation at SJA. “It’s integrated into everything they do, and they’re surrounded by people who help them understand their faith because they see it come alive in how others live their lives.”

Students who attend public school still have a wonderful opportunity to learn about their faith during Wednesday evening classes. “Our approach is very holistic, and focuses on helping children understand and develop their faith, and to live it out accordingly,” said Pointner. “SJA’s program is highly individualized, with the overall benefit of meeting the needs of children beginning wherever they are in the process of receiving the Sacraments.”

While some children are baptized as infants, there are always students who weren’t. “We meet people where they are, and help families prepare their children to receive the Sacraments,” said Pointner. “We do this by offering weekend programs for young children, Wednesday after-school programs that start in first grade for public school students, and daily religion classes for our SJA school students.”

For those who haven’t had religious education recently, it’s not difficult to get back into it. “We accept all, in the true image of God,” said Pointner. “We have an open-door policy where everyone is welcome.”

Students transferring to St. Joan of Arc school from outside the Diocese of Joliet, or from public school, are eligible for a transfer grant of $1,000 the first year, and $500 the second year, towards tuition. For more information, please contact:

St. Joan of Arc Catholic School

Pre K-8th grade

4914 Columbia, Lisle, IL

www.sjalisle.org

(by Denise Freese) Sub Life