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-3rd Grade Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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.
Visit this page for more information
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.
Chick-fil-A Retreat 6th/7th/8th 6:00pm-9:00pm
Chick-fil-A, lots of fun games, and time for reflection and discussion. Meet in O’Keefe.
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-11:30am
2nd Sunday of the month. Breakfast, games, and faith-based conversations. Sunday 10:30am-11:30am. Meet in Lower Level in the French Room.
Chick-fil-A Retreat 6th/7th/8th 6:00pm-9:00pm
Chick-fil-A, lots of fun games, and time for reflection and discussion. 4x a year. Meet in O’Keefe.
WyldLife for 6th/7th/8th 4:30pm-5:45pm
Fridays during the school year. Meetings include games, friends, a message about the Gospel and how it relates to our everyday life. Faith Formation Calendar K-8
Tuition
Once again we are offering a discounted Religious Education tuition rate for those that register before July 15th.
K, 1, 3, 4, 5 | 1 Child – $350 | 2 Children – $550 | 3 or more – $700
2, 6 ( Added Sacramental Fee: $75) | 1 Child – $425 | 2 Children – $625 | 3 or more – $775
CGS | 1 child – $350 | 2 children – $505 | 3 or more children – $700
7-8 | Each student $150
If you need educational or financial assistance, please contact us to assist you.
Debbie Macaluso dmacaluso@notredameparish.org 630-601-1762 or Elizabeth Gerth at notredamere@notredameparish.org
Registration
New Families
- Must have a copy of each student’s baptismal certificate on file.
- Payment in full must accompany your registration to complete the registration process.
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RE grades K-6 RE Registration 26/27
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CGS link CGS REGISTRATION
- Read the Parent Resource Guide
Current Families (New Procedure)
- All students who were enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year must register online.
- Your payment in full will complete your registration by July 15th (after this date, a late fee will apply).
- 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
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