Saint Thomas the Apostle

Lenoir City, TN 37772

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Religious Education (K-5)

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Religious Education (K-5)
At Saint Thomas the Apostle, we partner with parents to nurture and support our children's religious and spiritual potential. We provide an atmosphere where children are exposed to sacred Scripture and tradition, the celebration of the sacraments, prayer, and works of mercy and justice—all within the context of Jesus Christ's teachings and Catholic tradition.
Our children’s faith formation program is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and runs from August through mid-May. The Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation (Confession) and Eucharist (First Communion) take place in second grade, while the Sacrament of Confirmation takes place in fifth grade.
Although we have many seasoned catechists, we are always looking for new teachers to guide and nurture our children's religious and spiritual potential. If communicating with parents, preparing weekly lessons, and engaging with children come easily to you, please consider inquiring about becoming a catechist.

Please review the guidelines below to help make class time productive and ensure your child's experience is safe and rewarding.
1. Classes begin promptly at 10:15 AM. For your child's safety, students are not allowed in the classroom before 10:10. At a minimum, a teacher or a parent must be present in the classroom at all times. Regular attendance is important, and we expect students to be in class every Sunday morning except for posted holidays, a family emergency, or illness.
2. Classes are held on the lower level of the PFLC, and you must enter through the doors located at the rear of the building. Parents must escort their children to the classroom door and pick them up there at 11:15. No child will be allowed to leave the building without an escort. Please meet your child promptly at 11:15, as many teachers assist at the 11:30 Mass.
3. We invite parents to visit their child's classroom at any time and to consider volunteering. You can sign up on the registration form below.
4. Families should attend Mass together every Sunday and on holy days of obligation. Students must fill out a Mass Attendance Slip, located in the blue basket in the narthex.
5. Parents will be notified of any class cancellations due to inclement weather through Flocknote.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

First Reconciliation and First Communion
Children seven years old and in Grade 2 or higher may receive the Sacraments of Confession and First Communion after faithful attendance at class and Mass. As a rule, no child receiving sacramental preparation can be absent more than three times, and you must bring a copy of the child's baptism certificate to the Parish Office by January 5, 2026, unless the child was baptized at Saint Thomas the Apostle. Please see the Parish Calendar or Parish Events on our website for important dates.

Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation may be received in fifth grade or higher. Students in fifth grade will be prepared for Confirmation through their regular religion class on Sunday mornings as well as five additional sessions in the months of January and February (see Calendar below). Please know that, as a rule, no child receiving sacramental instruction can be absent more than three times, and you must bring a copy of your child's baptism certificate to the Parish Office by January 5, 2026, unless the child was baptized at Saint Thomas the Apostle.

Students in Grades 6-12 should attend Edge (Middle School) or Life Teen (High School), and they will be prepared for Confirmation during special classes, as listed on the Youth Ministry Calendar. Edge and Life Teen members also must comply with the same guidelines as those in K-5.

FAMILY CATECHESIS SUNDAY
There will be seven Family Catechesis Sundays (FCS). All FCSs take place on the fourth Sunday of the month at the same time as Religious Education (RE), from 10:15 to 11:15 AM, but they are not held together. While classes are in session, adults will gather in the Social Hall or the Deacon Jose Room to hear a one-hour talk. All talks will be given in English and Spanish. The English track will take place in the Deacon Jose Room, and the Spanish track will be held in the Social Hall. These talks are mandatory for all parents of children attending faith formation classes.
2025-2026 Religious Education (K-5) Registration
This form is not accepting responses at this time.
- CHILDREN INFORMATION
- HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE YOU REGISTERING? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Child Information No. 1
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Grade in 2025-2026 REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  School Attending REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Cell Phone Number (if applicable) Maximum 20 characters Please enter a phone number.
  
  Child's Email Address (if child is in Life Teen or Edge) Please enter an email address.
  
  Gender REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What language(s) does your child speak? REQUIRED English Spanish Please fill out this field.
  
  Did your child attend Religious Education or Youth Ministry in 2024-2025 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What Sacraments does your child NEED? REQUIRED Baptism First Reconciliation First Communion Confirmation None Please fill out this field.
  
  What is the name of the Church with City, State and Country of Baptism (REQUIRED)? REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Please include any comments or information we may need to know about your child (medications/allergies/physical restrictions/other)
  
  Child Information No. 2
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Grade in 2025-2026 REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  School Attending REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Cell Phone Number (if applicable) Maximum 20 characters Please enter a phone number.
  
  Child's Email Address (if child is in Life Teen or Edge) Please enter an email address.
  
  Gender REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What language(s) does your child speak? REQUIRED English Spanish Please fill out this field.
  
  Did your child attend Religious Education or Youth Ministry in 2024-2025 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What Sacraments does your child NEED? REQUIRED Baptism First Reconciliation First Communion Confirmation None Please fill out this field.
  
  What is the name of the Church with City, State and Country of Baptism (REQUIRED)? REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Please include any comments or information we may need to know about your child (medications/allergies/physical restrictions/other)
  
  Child Information No. 3
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Grade in 2025-2026 REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  School Attending REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Cell Phone Number (if applicable) Maximum 20 characters Please enter a phone number.
  
  Child's Email Address (if child is in Life Teen or Edge) Please enter an email address.
  
  Gender REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What language(s) does your child speak? REQUIRED English Spanish Please fill out this field.
  
  Did your child attend Religious Education or Youth Ministry in 2024-2025 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What Sacraments does your child NEED? REQUIRED Baptism First Reconciliation First Communion Confirmation None Please fill out this field.
  
  What is the name of the Church with City, State and Country of Baptism (REQUIRED)? REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Please include any comments or information we may need to know about your child (medications/allergies/physical restrictions/other)
  
  Child Information No. 4
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Grade in 2025-2026 REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  School Attending REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Child's Cell Phone Number (if applicable) Maximum 20 characters Please enter a phone number.
  
  Child's Email Address (if child is in Life Teen or Edge) Please enter an email address.
  
  Gender REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What language(s) does your child speak? REQUIRED English Spanish Please fill out this field.
  
  Did your child attend Religious Education or Youth Ministry in 2024-2025 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  What Sacraments does your child NEED? REQUIRED Baptism First Reconciliation First Communion Confirmation None Please fill out this field.
  
  What is the name of the Church with City, State and Country of Baptism (REQUIRED)? REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Please include any comments or information we may need to know about your child (medications/allergies/physical restrictions/other)
- FAMILY INFORMATION
- Parent/Legal Guardian REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Parent or Legal Guardian No. 1
  
  Name of Parent/Legal Guardian REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Cell Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Email Address REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  NOTE: FLOCKNOTE IS THE PRIMARY WAY FOR US TO NOTIFY YOU IF CLASSES ARE CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER OR ANY OTHER EMERGENCY. PLEASE PROVIDE A CELLULAR PHONE NUMBER AND/OR A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS.
  
  What language(s) does the parent/legal guardian speak? REQUIRED English Spanish Please fill out this field.
  
  Street Address Please enter valid data.
  
  City REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  State REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Zip REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a zip code.
  
  Emergency Contact Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Emergency Contact Phone Number REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Emergency Contact Relationship to the Child REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Parent or Legal Guardian No. 2
  
  Name of Parent/Legal Guardian REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Cell Phone Number REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Email Address REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  NOTE: FLOCKNOTE IS THE PRIMARY WAY FOR US TO NOTIFY YOU IF CLASSES ARE CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER OR ANY OTHER EMERGENCY. PLEASE PROVIDE A CELLULAR PHONE NUMBER AND/OR A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS.
  
  What language(s) does the parent/legal guardian speak? REQUIRED English Spanish Please fill out this field.
  
  Street Address Please enter valid data.
  
  City REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  State REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Zip REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a zip code.
  
  Emergency Contact Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Emergency Contact Phone Number REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Emergency Contact Relationship to the Child REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- I (We) would be interested in volunteering in the following areas: Teacher Assistant Core Member for Edge (middle school only) Core Member for Life Teen (high school only) Member of Youth Food Ministry Service Translate at special events
- If interested in volunteering, have you taken the required Diocesan Safe Environment training? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
- Name of two additional adults including phone numbers with permission to pick-up child(ren) REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
- I, the undersigned, individually, on behalf of the minor child's other parent, and on behalf of the child(ren) listed on this form, hereby release, discharge, and indemnify Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic parish, its employees, agents, and all volunteer personnel from all liabilities for damage, injury, or illness to minor child(ren) during his/her participation in any activity on church property.
- I Agree REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
- My child(ren) have permission to be photographed for parish and diocesan events, and those photos may be published in parish and/or diocesan publications, both in print and electronic formats. REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
- SAFE ENVIRONMENT AGE-APPROPRIATE LESSON INFORMATION:
  The Safe Environment age-appropriate lessons will be offered each year in the fall during regularly scheduled class time. These lessons will address good and bad touch, respect for self and others, good and bad choices, and safe adults. The Diocese of Knoxville opt-out form and lessons are available for preview at www.dioknox.org
  
  (After carefully reading the above statement on age-appropriate lesson information, please choose one of the options below.)
- Age-Appropriate Lesson Agreement REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL WAIVER
  
  LIABILITY RELEASE: I, the undersigned, individually, on behalf of the minor child(ren)'s other parent/guardian and on behalf of the child listed above, acknowledge that participation in activities and travel off of the church property involves certain risks. I, on my behalf, hereby release, discharge, and indemnify Saint Thomas Catholic Church, its employees, agents, and all volunteer personnel from all liabilities for damage, injury, or illness to the minor child or his/her property during his/her participation in any activity or travel to or from any activity away from or off of the church property.
  
  I understand that for every activity requiring transportation from church property in any situation other than an emergency, a signed release form will be required.
- Middle School/High School Liability Waiver Agreement
- T-Shirt Size (please select a size if your child(ren) are in Edge (Grades 6-8) or Life Teen (Grades 9-12) Small Medium Large XLarge XXLarge
- INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
  Please keep in mind that it is parish policy to cancel classes whenever local schools are cancelled due to severe weather conditions. Updates will be sent out via Flocknote.
- Typing your name below acts as your signature on this document. REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- Relationship to minor(s) Please enter valid data.
Submit

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2025-2026 Religious Education Calendar (K-5)
- 2025-2026 Religious Education Calendar
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2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbook

2025-2026 Parent-Student Handbook
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For more information, contact
- Celeste DeVore
  
  Director of Faith Formation | Religious Education (K-5)
  
  865-986-9885 Ext. 115
  celestesthomaslc.com

Religious Education (K-5)

CHILDREN INFORMATION

FAMILY INFORMATION