The goal of the Adapted Religious Education (ARE) Program is to present the Gospel to people with special needs and give them an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith, preparation for the sacraments, and establish a foundation of life in the Christian community. ARE serves all age groups from elementary school, middle school, and high school to adults.
The ARE Program is a specially designed and focused Religious Education Program based on the “Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Program to Improve Catholic Religious Education for Children and Adults with Mental Disabilities,“ Loyola Press’ “Adaptive Finding God” program, and “Pflaum Gospel Weeklies.” These programs are tailored to present the Catholic faith to those with special needs (physically or mentally disabled) and are designed to teach three age levels: Elementary, Middle Level (middle school and above), and Upper Level (high school and above). Portions of these programs are used with Gospel materials in the adult-level class.
Youth classes generally follow the SJN Faith Formation schedule on Sundays from September through late April. The ARE youth program classes are held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Room A3 and the Conference Room (on the first floor). The ARE adult program participants meet every other Sunday in the Brown-McCarthy Auditorium at 9 a.m. and attend the 9:30 a.m. Mass together.
All are welcome to participate as a student, special friend, or catechist at all levels. We welcome as many “Simons” and “Veronicas” as possible.
