Religious and Faith Education

A key ministry of the Parish is the faith formation of its members.  In particular, the parish is charged with the faith formation of children.  This is accomplished in a number of ways:

• The Parish conducts two excellent schools within Endeavour Hills, 
  St Paul Apostle South, and St Paul Apostle North. 

• As well as these, St John’s Regional College in Dandenong offers a comprehensive education for our young people through to Year 12.  It offers for a wide curriculum, from children with advanced skills to children with disabilities.

• The children attending Government Schools are provided for through the After School Religious Education programme on a Tuesday afternoon.

• Children preparing for Sacraments do so through and integrated Parish Sacrament Programme supported by the school and parish staff.

• The parish priests provide chaplaincy services to St John’s Regional College.

Recognising that much of our faith development happens through regular participation in the Eucharist, our priests celebrate regular liturgies with our children at class, year level and whole school levels.

St Paul Apostle South School

This School was begun in 1981 and led by the Presentation Sisters for five years.  From that time, we have been well served by a variety of men and women committed to the ministry of education.  It currently has about 300 students.  The leaders in this school are:

St Paul Apostle North School

This School was established in 1985.  It currently has about 300 students.  The leaders in this school are:

St John’s Regional College

St John’s College was begun as a ministry of the Presentation Sisters and the De la Salle Brothers.  Since then it has continued through the commitment of a fine group of teachers.  The Leadership of the College is invested in a principal appointed by the Association of Canonical Administrators, that being the five parish priests of the feeder parishes. 

After School Religious Education Programme

Children attending the five Government Primary Schools in Endeavour Hills are catered for with the After School Religious Education programme.  This is held in the Church/Hall on Tuesdays at 4pm.  It begins in mid February each year and ends in late November.

Sacramental Initiation of Children

Children are initiated into the Catholic Community through several steps or sacraments over a period of 12-13 years.  From the time of Baptism, children are influenced by the lived faith and life of their parents, and their practice of personal and family prayer, together with their participation in the sacramental, liturgical and social of the parish community.   The parish supports this with a Family Based Sacrament Programme.  Children are presented to the Community at a Sunday Mass, when they Register for the Sacrament.  They are given their work materials for home use, then come together with other Children for a Workshop Day at the parish.