Religious Education Programs

                  K-12 Religious Education Program:

The Religious Education Programs (preschool/kindergarten through grade 8) provide ongoing opportunities for religious learning for children and youth enrolled in local public schools.

-Sunday evening at St. James site 6:30-7:45 pm

-Bilingual sacramental program – Tuesday evening at St. Joseph site 6:30-7:45pm

-K-5 -- Thursday evenings at St. Joseph site 6:30-7:45pm      

Ongoing needs include volunteer catechists (teachers) and catechists’ assistants, who plan and implement lessons weekly. Commitment is to class each week, and necessary preparation, plus occasional ongoing inservices.   If interested, please contact

                  Sr. Zita Simon, 271-5771,  zsimon@straphael.org

 Special Requirements         

All volunteers must take part in the diocesan mandated VIRTUS training. This training is provided for new volunteers. Previous teaching, childcare, or group leadership experience is helpful but is not required.

St. James school volunteers: 

                  Tutors read to children, listen to children read, and help children with math and various other subjects. 

Computer Room Volunteers help students after the technology instructor presents a lesson.  Volunteers can also help students with proofreading students' work as the students edit their writing.  

Playground Helpers provide safety for the children at lunch time recess (11:45 am  12:30 pm). One day a week or a one day a month is a great help.  

Daycare Providers offer child care when the regular school has ended .

Volunteers are always welcome to play with youngsters, help in studies and with projects.  

Library Workers are needed for a variety of jobs:  to put books away on shelves, to type cards, to cover books and to read to children.  

Volunteer Commitment:  All volunteer opportunities take place during the school year, September through June.  

Contact St. James School/ or Sister Kathleen Loughrin   256-3095.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The parish offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the process through which non-baptized and baptized men and women from non-Catholic traditions enter the Catholic Church. These men and women are guided and cared for as they awaken in faith and are gradually introduced to the Catholic way of life. Participants undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and in the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist with support of a sponsor.

         Sponsor's Commitment:

         Involvement in the RCIA process involves dedication to spiritual growth throughout ones lifetime. A sponsor should be well grounded in the Catholic faith tradition and be willing to share that faith intimately with another person.

For more information about this program, please contact

                  Sr. Zita Simon, 271-5771 or zsimon@straphael.org

Confirmation Preparation Program

The Good Shepherd Parish Confirmation Preparation Program provides sacramental preparation to young people grades 9 -12 who are seeking to celebrate Confirmation.

Small group leaders, sponsors and guest speakers are always needed.

Volunteer Commitment

         Small group leaders commit to foster group dynamics in small group settings for a one year cycle of Confirmation related activities, including several group meetings and a one day long retreat. Small group leaders also commit to preparation and to planning meetings as necessary.

         Sponsors provide emotional and spiritual support to one particular confirmation candidate for one year, including presence at several two-hour Sunday Faith-sharing evenings and at part of the day-long retreat.   For further information, please contact

                  Sr. Zita Simon, 271-5771 or zsimon@straphael.org