{"id":1338,"date":"2018-12-05T17:39:44","date_gmt":"2018-12-05T17:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmatthewtn.com\/church\/?page_id=1338"},"modified":"2025-08-19T18:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T18:33:10","slug":"religious-education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stmatthewtn.org\/church\/ministries\/religious-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Religious Education"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Religious Education<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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Register for Religious Education<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Register for Ignite<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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View the Confirmation Page<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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The Church teaches us that parents are the primary educators of the faith for their children. Ephesians 6:4 tells us, \u201cFathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.\u201d And according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, \u201cThrough the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the \u2018first heralds\u2019 for their children\u201d (CCC, 2225).<\/p>\n

With this in mind, Saint Matthew\u2019s Religious Education ministry serves as a support to parents in this role. To forge this union, the parents and catechists in the church will work together to allow the children to understand the teachings of the Catholic faith and regularly participate in the sacraments.<\/p>\n

Our Religious Education program for pre-K through 6th-grade students seeks to create an encounter with Jesus through a formation of the mind, heart, and soul built on the pillars of learning, service, prayer, and fellowship. We provide our catechists and students with an authentic Catholic foundation to help guide their formation and spiritual journey throughout their lives.<\/p>\n

Ignite is Saint Matthew\u2019s middle school youth ministry for 7-8th graders. Ignite prepares children for the Sacrament of Confirmation by giving them the tools to become committed disciples of Christ. Ignite strives to create an environment of a sound Catholic identity, to answer the youth\u2019s pressing questions, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus. Ignite provides small group discussions facilitated by parish leaders to engage the youth and draw them closer to the faith. Ignite\u2019s structure and content speak to the psychological, cognitive, relational, and spiritual maturation of middle school youth.<\/p>\n

If you have a child who is interested in joining one of our classes or have any questions regarding our Religious Education program, please feel free to reach out to Tony Jesse, Director of Religious Education, by email at tjesse@stmatthewtn.org<\/a> or by phone at (615) 550-5100.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Important Information<\/h3>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Registration<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. Click the links at the top of the page to register today.<\/p>\n

If you would like to join our mailing list, please contact Tony Jesse, Director of Religious Education, at tjesse@stmatthewtn.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To register by mail, complete and mail the following forms along with payment to:<\/p>\n

Attn: Religious Education Office
\nSaint Matthew Catholic Church
\n535 Sneed Road West
\nFranklin, TN 37069<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Parent Information<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Religious Education classes for grades pre-K through 6th grade are held from 9:45-10:45 a.m on Sundays. Classes meet from mid-September through early May.<\/p>\n

Ignite classes for 7th and 8th graders are held from 9:45-10:45 a.m on Sundays. Classes meet from mid-September through early May.<\/p>\n

Class Cancellations:<\/strong>
\nFamilies will be notified by e-mail if Religious Education\/Ignite classes are cancelled because of snow or any other occurrence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Inclusive Program<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Saint Matthew Religious Education is an inclusive program. If your student uses an IEP or 504 plan at his or her current school, we will follow up to ensure appropriate modifications are in place to support your student.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>The Sophia Institute<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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We have partnered with The Sophia Institute to bring quality Catholic lesson plans to our Religious Education students. Click the link below to learn more about The Sophia Institute and find more resources for your students.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/sophiainstituteforteachers.org\/spirit
\noft<\/a>ruthparishsupplements<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>2026 - 2026 R.E. Calendar<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Click the link below to access and view the Religious Education calendar.<\/p>\n

View the calendar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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<\/i>Youth \/ Life Teen<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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<\/i>Music Ministries<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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<\/i>Religious Education<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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<\/i>Haiti<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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