Education and Evangelization

"The moment has come to commit all of the Church's energies to a new evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples." John Paul II

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)

For more information, call Maria O'Grady at the Religious Education office, 703-765-4421 ext.18, or check the Bulletin.

"If a man is truly and vitally converted, he has the peace of surrender without the shame of treason." G. K. Chesterton

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which people become members of the Catholic Church. The process is concerned with the total formation of the person into believing, praying, living and serving with the Church community. The RCIA follows a process of journeying through four periods of formation. Each period is a span of time devoted to formation of doctrine, liturgy, apostolic work and Christian living. The gradual development culminates in the celebration of the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

RCIA classes meet every week. Contact the Religious Education Office at 703-765-4421 ext.18 for more information.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

The St. Louis Religious Education Program provides formal instruction in the faith for all children from kindergarten through grade twelve. The aim of our catechetical program is, in the words of Pope John Paul II, "to put children not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ." Recognizing that parents are the primary educators of their children, we also encourage their participation as volunteer catechists and aides.

Our sacramental preparation program prepares children in the second grade for First Penance and First Eucharist. In grades seven and eight, students prepare for Confirmation. We provide basic instruction in the Catholic faith for older children who have not yet been catechized.

CD classes are held every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 - 11:15am for all grades K -12. Special education classes are offered on Sundays only. Contact Maria O'Grady at the Religious Education Office at 703-765-4421 ext.18 for more information: e-mail; ccd@saintlouisparish.org

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)

“I came that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program is a Montessori based approach to educating children in the faith. Dr. Maria Montessori’s approach follows St. Thomas Aquinas’ understanding that “all our knowledge has its origin in the senses.” The “atrium” is an environment prepared especially for the children to learn about the life of Jesus and the liturgy of the Church with the use of many sensorial materials, including infancy narrative figures, a raised surface map, a model altar and a baptismal font. This concrete method of teaching the faith is similar to the way the Church teaches us through the sacraments, holy water, incense, and statues.

Contact Maria Blazevich at the Religious Education Office at 703-765-4421 ext.29 for more information: e-mail; maria@saintlouisparish.org. The phone number for the St. Louis Catholic Montessori Atrium is 703-660-9270. Click here to visit the St. Louis Atrium webpage. For more information about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, click on the following link: www.cgsusa.org.

"I picked at random and took out a large volume. It bore the title The Life of St. Teresa of Avila, written by herself. I began to read, was at once captivated, and did not stop till I reached the end. As I closed the book I said, 'That is the truth'." Saint Edith Stein

The St. Louis Parish Library was formed to enlighten, entertain, and spread the Good News of God's Word. The Library is located in the church basement and has many quality Catholic books, audio cassettes, and videos. Library Hours are as follows:

The Library is managed and staffed by volunteers. Please contact Larry MacTaggart if you would like to volunteer your time with this organization.