RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Welcome! Please use the following page to find information on our Religious Education Program as well as information on sacraments and registration.
Mission Statement
The ultimate goal of our Religious Education program is to lead children, youth, young adults and adults of our parish to love the Person of Jesus Christ and understand and appreciate the salvation and the new life of grace that He won for us. Through the power, grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we strive to lead everyone to a life of prayer and communion with God and be of service to others who are in need. We seek to foster community and unity in our parish through worship and faith.
In cooperation with parents of the parish, the St. James Religious Education Program offers sacramental preparation, religious education instruction, opportunity for the learning of prayer, Catholic catechism and an understanding of the faith. We seek to align our program and policies with those of the Diocese of Charleston.
Personnel and Contact Info
Mrs. Paulette Flench - Religious Education Coordinator
Mrs. Eleanor Fisher - Coordinator of RCIA (843) 650-8726
Program Information
• Religious Education for Children (Grades K-5): Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30PM - 7:45PM from September-May.
• Religious Education for Youth (Grades 6-8): Classes meet on Sunday evenings from 6:30PM - 7:45PM from September-May.
Registration
We offer faith formation classes to the children of registered parishioners. Registration for the school year opens during the month of July. Registration forms are mailed to families for completion during that time. Parents are urged to return registration forms immediately with the appropriate book and supply fees. Parents may also download the registration packet offered on this website, complete the forms and return them to the Religious Education office.
Grades K-5 Registration Packet
Grades 6-8 Registration Packet
Fees
Families pay a regular enrollment fee of $15.00 per child. A family fee of $25.00 is charged when enrolling more than one child. This fee helps to underwrite the Religious Education program expenses, including materials, textbooks and supplies. Parish Scholarships are available to families that are in financial need. Please contact the Coordinator to apply.
Attendance Policy
Class and Mass attendance go hand in hand in the Religious Education program at St. James. In other words, faithful Mass attendance is an extension of the catechetical process.
Mass Attendance Policies
- Parents of children are expected to understand the teaching of the Catholic Church and are responsible for taking their children to Mass of a weekly basis. Regular Mass attendance is essential to a student's growth in faith. Sports or extracurricular activities should not be excuses for missing Mass.
Class Attendance Policy
- No more than five (5) unecused absences a year should occur for class attendance. Students in sacramental grades (grades 2, 3, 7, and 8) that miss more than four classes may have the reception of their sacraments delayed. Sports or extracurricular activities should not be excuses for missing Mass.
- Exceptions to the limit based on illness or adverse family circumstances will be made by the Pastor and Coordinator after consultation with the parents.
Please click to download the policy.
Calendar of Events
We offer a full year calendar at the beginning of each school year. Please check our calendar frequently to see if there have been any changes or updates.
Please click here to download the calendar for K - 5
Please click here to download the calendar for Grades 6 - 9
Family Handbook
The Family Handbook is a guide to the policies and procedure of the Religious Education program. Please download a copy to read over and keep at home.
Please click to download the Family Handbook.
Sacramental Classes
First Reconciliation is celebrated during Lent for students in the second grade. Preparation for the sacrament requires year-long classroom instruction with the student having successfully completed grades K and 1. Students are expected to attend Mass and class on a regular basis as well as a day of retreat, in preparation for this sacrament. Sacrament Family Nights occur several times a year and parents are required to attend these evenings with their child as part of the preparation process.
First Communion is celebrated during the month of May for students in the third grade. Preparation for the sacrament requires year-long classroom instruction with the student having successfully completed grades K through 2. Students are expected to attend Mass and class on a regular basis as well as a day of retreat, in preparation for this sacrament. Sacrament Family Nights occur several times a year and parents are required to attend these evenings with their child as part of the preparation process.
Confirmation is typically celebrated in the fall of a student's 9th grade year. Preparation for Confirmation is a two and a half year process. Preparation for the sacrament requires year-long classroom instruction with the student having successfully completed grades K through 6. Students are expected to attend Mass and class on a regular basis as well as a day of retreat, in preparation for this sacrament. Sacrament Family Nights occur several times a year and parents are required to attend these evenings with their child as part of the preparation process. Individual Confirmation classes create their own community service events as well as fulfill monthly service hour requirements within the parish and community. Please click on the Confirmation Family Booklet for more information.
Please click to download the Confirmation Family Booklet.
Please click to download the Authorization of Release of Sacramental Information form.
Students Without Previous Faith Formation
If your child is interested in receiving the sacraments but has not been able to attend any faith formation classes, please follow the following guidelines. First, ensure that you are registered with the parish. Online registration forms are available on the parish homepage. Second, please contact Mrs. Eleanor Fisher, Coordinator of RICA, via email or by calling 843-650-8726. After you have completed the steps mentioned previously, we can place your child in their age appropriate classroom.
