​Registration for 2026-27 Faith Formation to open soon.
For further information, please contact Kathy Breitenbach.
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Please CLICK HERE for General Information about the 2026-27 programs.
Please CLICK HERE to register.
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St. John the Baptist 2026-2027 Faith Formation Registration program is open! The goal of our Faith Formation program is to assist parents in the religious education of their children. Parents are the primary teacher in the ways of faith; we value their commitment and look forward to partnering with them in deepening their children's faith and relationship with God both in formation and the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass.
Our Faith Formation program is open to all Catholic children in grades 1 – 8 who are not attending a Catholic elementary school. Children in Grade 2 receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion and young people in High School grades receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Religious Education every year from 1st through 8th grades helps secure them a solid foundation in the faith and helps qualify them to receive their Sacraments with their peers.
For more information, please contact Kathy Breitenbach, Registrar/Program Administrator at kbreitenbach@stjohnhillsdale.com or 201-666-2707 ext. 211
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SUMMER PROGRAMS
SUMMER PROGRAM GRADES 1 TO 8
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The 2026–2027 Summer Faith Formation Program for Grades 1 through 8 will be offered during two separate weeks in the summer to better accommodate family schedules. Families may choose the week that works best for them. Attendance is mandatory for the entire week in the option that a family chooses. Class begins at 8:30 AM and concludes at 12:00 PM the entire week for both options. Registration for Summer Programs ends on Wednesday, June 10th.
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Option #1: Week of June 22
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Option #2: Week of August 10
Grades 1–6 students will use the Finding God program by Loyola Press. During the selected summer week, students will complete 15 of the 25 lessons over the course of five days. Class begins at 8:30 AM and concludes at 12:00 PM each day.
The remaining lessons will be completed during the school year through monthly Sunday sessions held from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM, beginning in October and concluding in March 2027.
Grades 7–8 students will participate in the Alive in Christ Thematic Program by Our Sunday Visitor. This two-year junior high program focuses on key themes including Revelation, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, and the Kingdom of God.
In addition to the summer component, students are expected to attend six additional Sunday sessions from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM, beginning in September and concluding in March 2027.
The success of this program depends greatly on the generosity of our parish community. We need catechists and aides to assist each day of the summer sessions. Your willingness to share your faith and support our young people is essential and deeply appreciated.
The success of our Faith Formation programs depends greatly on the generosity and support of parents and parish community volunteers. Catechists and aides are needed to assist in the classrooms each day of the program. Your willingness to share your faith and your time with the young people of our parish is truly vital to the growth of our faith community. Through your example, encouragement, and dedication, our children can deepen their relationship with Jesus and experience the love and support of the parish family.
SUNDAY WEEKLY PROGRAMS
We are offering a Sunday weekly faith formation program for children in grades 1 through 8. Approximately 20 classes will be held throughout the academic year, beginning in mid-September and concluding in April 2027.
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Classes will take place from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM each Sunday.
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An initial parent meeting will be held in September (date and time to be announced).
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The faith formation resources used in this program are the same as those used in the summer program:
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Finding God (Loyola Press) for grades 1 through 6
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Alive in Christ for grades 7 and 8
HOME PROGRAM FOR
GRADES 1 - 6
The Home Faith Formation Program for grades 1 through 6 is a cooperative effort between the home and the parish. The parish provides resources and formal instruction for both parents and children, while families reinforce and continue the learning through informal instruction at home.
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Monthly formations will begin at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center with one parent and children coming together for opening prayer. Following prayer, children will be dismissed to classrooms where they will participate in a session led by a catechist and aide. Formation ends at 8:00 PM.
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An initial parent meeting will be held in mid-September. At that time, families will receive workbooks, a calendar of required online interactive lessons to be completed at home, and the schedule of monthly gatherings, which will take place from October through April. Specific dates and times will be announced later.
JUNIOR HIGH
FAITH FORMATION
The Junior High Faith formation is for students in grades 7 and 8. Junior High Faith formation is offered both in person weekly and in the home-programming format.
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Read the Sunday Weekly Program description for additional details for in-person formation.
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Junior High Home Program includes one mandatory class each month, held in the parish center from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
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During these sessions, students will cover two chapters in class. The remaining four chapters, along with corresponding worksheets, will be completed at home. All homework will be collected at the beginning of each monthly class.
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This year’s curriculum will focus on the themes of Revelation, The Trinity, Jesus Christ and Kingdom of God, using the Alive in Christ program by Our Sunday Visitor.
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An initial parent meeting will be held in September (date and time to be announced).
