Here at Notre Dame, we believe that following Jesus is a joy and a lifelong journey that begins at Baptism and continues into eternity. To that beginning, we offer Faith Formation for our children Grades PreSchool 3 to Grade 8, with each program specifically designed to teach your child the “Good News” in a way that excites them to “learn it” and challenges them to “live it.”
PreK: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Children ages 3-5 years old are invited to participate in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Visit this page for more information and class dates.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd emphasizes hands-on learning using Montessori methods to help each child develop their personal relationship with God. It features a specially prepared environment called the atrium where children, through hands-on materials and presentations of scripture and liturgy, engage with essential mysteries of faith and nurture a personal relationship with Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The approach respects the child’s natural developmental stages and abilities, fostering contemplative prayer and a joyful response to God’s love.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Pre 3, Pre 4 & Kindergarten
Sundays, 10:45am – Noon or Tuesdays, 4:00pm – 5:15pm
Thursdays AM, 9:45am – 11:15am or Thursdays PM 3:45pm – 5:15pm
Grades K-6
Religious Education and REACH RE Classes
Kindergarten – Grade 6
Sundays, 10:45am – Noon or Tuesdays, 4:00pm – 5:15pm
WyldLife for 6th/7th/8th 4:30pm-5:45pm
Meetings include games, friends, a message about the Gospel and how it relates to our everyday life. 1st Semester SIJ Gym, 2nd Semester ND Gym.
Grades 7-8
We are excited to kick off another year with your 7th and 8th graders. See our Youth Ministry page for important links and meeting information.
Breakfast Club for 7th/8th 10:30am-11:30pm
Breakfast, games, and faith-based conversations. Sundays 10:30am-11:30am. Meet in Lower Level in the French Room.
Service Projects for 7th/8th 3:30-4:45pm.
Variety of onsite projects to support our parish and community. Meet at Reception Desk.
Chick-fil-A Retreat 7th/8th 6:00pm-9:00pm
Chick-fil-A, lots of fun games, and time for reflection and discussion. Meet in O’Keefe.
WyldLife for 6th/7th/8th 4:30pm-5:45pm
Meetings include games, friends, a message about the Gospel and how it relates to our everyday life. 1st Semester SIJ Gym, 2nd Semester ND Gym.
Tuition
Once again we are offering a discounted Religious Education tuition rate for those that register before July 15th. If your child is a returning student, no need to fill out a registration form, your payment will act as registration. If you have a new student to the program, please contact the Parish Office at 630-654-3365
K-6 | 1 Child – $345 | 2 Children – $525 | 3 or more – $600
CGS | 1 child – $345 | 2 children – $525 | 3 or more children – $600
7-8 | 1 Child $75 | 2 Children – $100 | 3 or more $125
SUPPLEMENTAL FEES
Grade 2, 6 – Sacramental Fee: $75
If you need educational or financial assistance, please contact us to assist you.
Debbie Macaluso dmacaluso@notredameparish.org 630-601-1762
Mary Baker mbaker@notredameparish.org 630-601-1757
Registration
New Families
- New families need to register with the Parish before registering for Religious Education. Click here to register as a parishioner.
- Must have a copy of each student’s baptismal certificate on file.
- Payment must accompany your registration to complete the registration process
-
RE grades K-6 RE Registration 25/26
-
CGS link CGS REGISTRATION
- Read the Parent Resource Guide
Current Families
- All students who were enrolled for the 2024-2025c school year are automatically ‘rolled-over’ into the 2025-2026 school year.
- These families do not need to fill out a registration form.
- Your payment completes registration.
- Read the Parent Resource Guide
Special Needs Program, REACH
SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM, REACH, FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, 2023/2024
Dear Parish Families,
We are extremely excited to tell you about a class that we will have in the fall which will be a part of the RE program. This type of class has been in our hearts for a long time and now it will become a reality. The curriculum is for children with special needs that has been done for many, many years in our Diocese but not at our Church or very close parishes. The program is called, REACH. It is for children with learning disabilities/special needs from grades K-6. Loyola Press has created this curriculum called, Adaptive Finding God, for special students. I have two catechists with specific training that will facilitate the class in addition to knowledgeable volunteers and parents. According to the Diocese coordinator, Mrs. Jean MacDonald, from St. Raphael, they offer the class two times a month. This class will follow the Sunday time slot.
So, if you have a child with needs, we at ND would be delighted to work with you and your child so that he/she will know the love of Jesus and our Church. Please register your child at: RE Registration 25/26
How appropriate to name this program, REACH. We as a Church, parent, educator, and community member need to REACH out to ALL children in our area, so they may share in the faith, hope and love of our religion!
Any questions, please call, more details to follow. We send you our love, support and prayers.
Bless you,
Debbie Macaluso dmacaluso@notredameparish.org 630-601-1762
Mary Baker mbaker@notredameparish.org 630-601-1757
Protecting God’s Children
Parent Opportunities
Because we consider faith formation to be a family/parish family endeavor we have designed several opportunities for parents to join us and participate in our program.
- Catechist
- Substitute Teacher
- TA – Teachers’ Assistant
- Room Aide
- Hall Monitor
- Attendance Caller
- School Nurse
- Parking Lot Control
- First Communion Reception
Additional Parent Resources
Amen, the free Catholic Prayer, Meditation, and Scripture App.
How You Can Help as a Parent – Diocese of Joliet
Catholic Faith for Families- Diocese of Joliet
Fr. Mark Bernhard Youtube Channel
Fr. Burke Masters Youtube Channel
Me and My House Catholic Parenting