CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Registration has now opened for Religious Education (CCD) during the 2026-2027 school year which will begin classes in September, 2026. The program is designed for children not attending a Catholic elementary school. Students should attend Religious Education from Kindergarten to 8th Grade in order to:
- grow in friendship with Jesus and in Christian moral values,
- learn about Mass, Church teachings and Catholic traditions, and
- prepare for sacraments of First Reconciliation (Confession), First Holy Communion (Eucharist) and Confirmation.
The hope and the expectation is that students will return each year during elementary school, not only for sacrament preparation years. Once a student is in class, it is assumed your family will be back next year unless you inform the Religious Education Office otherwise! The fee structure has been revised in recent years to make it easier for ALL school-aged children in a family to participate in Religious Education from Kindergarten through 8th Grade.
| Registration Fees | Family Tuition | Sacrament Fees |
| per household, NEW families only | per household | per student, only in the applicable year |
| $25 EARLY before August 15 $50 LATE after August 15 (households with RE students who attended our classes in 2025-2026 do not pay this) |
$150
NO extra charges for additional siblings! |
$50 First Communion Fee (also covers First Reconciliation) – preparation for First Communion is normally a 2-year process – new students should not expect to pay this fee in their first year $25 Retreat Fee (1st Year Confirmation/7th Gr.; retreat in early 2027) $125 Confirmation Fee (2nd Year Confirmation/8th Gr. or above, also covers 2 retreats) |
| payable on GiveCentral as Religious Education Payment (Tuition, Registration, etc.), or by cash or check | payable on GiveCentral as Religious Education Payment (Tuition, Registration, etc.), or by cash or check | payable on GiveCentral as Sacramental Fees (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, etc.), or by cash or check |
Classes are conducted in English, though communication with families is in English and Spanish. Online forms are available in English and Spanish.
- all grades, Kindergarten through 1st Year Confirmation (usually 7th Grade): Sunday morning classes will begin on Sunday, September 13 and will be held in person on Sunday mornings from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. through May 2, 2027
- Sunday morning classes are held in Queen of Angels School, 4520 N. Western Ave.
- Calendar of Sunday Classes (link to come in August) with Parent Meeting, Family-oriented Masses, seasonal Reconciliation and Parish Events
- A mandatory paremt meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Students are not required to attend, the meeting is intended only for their parents/guardians.
- A retreat for only students in 1st Year Confirmation (usually 7th Grade) will be on Tuesday, February 23, 2027 (a day of non-attendance for CPS students).
- A virtual class on Zoom for all families will be on Sunday, January 31, 2027.
- Sundays without class are expected on October 11, November 29, maybe December 20, December 27, maybe January 3, and March 21 & 28.
- Families are invited to attend Sunday Mass before class at 9 a.m. in English or after class at 12:30 p.m. in Spanish both in nearby Queen of Angels Church. Mass is also offered earlier at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Queen of Angels Church or at 8 a.m. Sunday in St. Matthias Church, both in English. Mass is an important part of living our faith and growing as a community of disciples.
- older students who qualify, 2nd Year Confirmation (usually 8th Grade): Monday evening classes will begin on Monday, September 21, 2026. Classes will be on Monday evenings from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from late September until the date of Confirmation, on Saturday, April 10, 2027.
- Previous completion of Sunday Level 7 or Level 7+ classes is required as the 1st Year of Confirmation Prep unless transferring from 1st Year Confirmation classes in another parish. The Archdiocese of Chicago requires a two-year preparation process for adolescents receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Monday evening classes are usually held in Mission Hall at the Parish Center, 4412 N. Western Ave.
- Calendar of Monday Classes for “Track A” Religious Education students (link to come in August; there will be a separate, modified calendar for “Track B” students in our Catholic Schools)
- The first retreat for students in 2nd Year Confirmation (usually 8th Grade) will be on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (Election Day, a day of non-attendance for CPS students).
- The second retreat with Reconciliation for 2nd Year Confirmation and their parents/sponsors will be on Friday, February 5, 2027.
- Parents attend Monday classes with the students on Monday, September 21 and Monday, November 9.
- Sponsors attend Monday classes with the students on Monday, November 9 and come to their rehearsal on Wednesday, April 7.
- Families are invited to attend Sunday Mass regularly at any of our weekend Masses in English and Spanish at out parish’s churches. Mass is an important part of living our faith and growing as a community of disciples
LINKS TO REGISTER including a short Parish Connection survey
- Register NEW students for classes intended for those in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Continuing students do not need to register again with that form, or pay the registration fee.
- Update information only for CONTINUING students (who attended Religious Education at Queen of Apostles in 2025-2026).
Please email rhohner@qofachicago.org or call 312-857-6782 for more information.
- New students who are older than Eighth Grade but younger than Twelfth Grade (or 18 years) may also be accepted into the Religious Education program, but please call for Level placement and further details.
- A new cohort/class of H.S. youth seeking classes and sacraments is being formed; class meeting times and dates TBD.
- Beginning students who are already 17 or close to it may be referred to our OCIA program for those over 18.
- Sacramental preparation for adults over the age of 18 is through our OCIA Program, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Please contact the parish office, apiedra@qofachicago.org or 773-539-7510. OCIA will begin in September, 2026, likely on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Parish Center, 4412 N. Western.
- Families who prefer remote or at-home learning (for all or part of the year) due to special circumstances in the family should contact Ms. Rachel Hohner, Coordinator of Religious Education, at 312-857-6782, to discuss.