Parish Office: 4727 McHugh Drive, Zachary, LA 70791
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:00-5:00, Fri 8:00-3:00
225-654-5778 | Frontdesk@sjb-ola.org
Table of Contents
1. Our Mission
2 Criteria for an Effective Religious Education Program
3. Teaching Material
4. Fees
5. Policies and Procedures
6. Drop Off and Pick Up
7. Child Protection Lessons
8. Safety for Our Students
9. Attendance
10. Behavior
11. Dress Code
12. Children's Liturgy of the Word
13. Summary of Sacramental Guidelines
14. Staff
1. Our Mission
As catechist, we realize that the primary responsibility of religious education is with the parents
and godparents of our students. Our mission is to support parents in that endeavor and to
supplement their teaching with catechesis that teaches students about the Catholic Church and
Christian living. We seek to accomplish this mission through an articulated curriculum using
materials approved by the Church and by example.
2. Criteria for an Effective Religious Education Program
Our goal is to meet the standards set by the Diocese of Baton Rouge for an effective religious
education program. These criteria are reviewed annually to help us set specific objectives for the
year.
3. Teaching Material
Grade K-5 Christ Our Life program
Grade 6-8 Edge and The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth- Sacraments and Prayer
Grade 9-11 Lifeteen and The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth
The Youth Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church are used in all programs
4. Fees
A fee per student covers the cost of the textbook and a small amount of supplies.
There is a sacramental fee for second grade students and confirmation student. In
appreciation for the service of our catechists, their children may attend at no charge.
5. Policies and Procedures
6. Drop Off and Pick up
Elementary
All students are to be walked into the Gym each week by a parent/adult with permission.
All parents will walk into school and sign your family out - by family name.
Tables will be set up with parent volunteers. Parents will sign out the family.
Come at10:35 am sign the sheet. We will pray the closing prayer together. All will leave safe.
Elementary students should arrive in the gym at 9:10am.
Parents must call the office it the students needs to leave early. Students leaving eary will be picked up in the office only.
Junior High and High School
Traffic Policy - This traffic policy was devised for the safety of our Children. Your compliance
will insure that effort. Parents will enter the Church parking lot from, McHugh Drive. Drop off
students in front of the parish hall and continue out of the parking lot into Lee Street.
7. Child Protection Lessons
Each year ALL students K -11 will receive one Child Protection lesson - this is mandated
by the Bishop.
8. Safety for our Students
Each Student will be given a name tag that is to be worn while in class.
Once a year the students will be instructed for a Fire Drill, Lock down, and for
severe weather while on St. John campus. (School or Church)
****Your Children are very important to us****
9. Attendance
10. Behavior
Tardiness -Excessive tardiness (three or more incidents) will constitute an absence. Parents
will be notified if a student is repeatedly tardy.
A Elementary student having more than five absences(20%) may be asked to repeat a grade or
may not be allowed to participate in the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Communion, or
Confirmation Arrangements may be made for special circumstances.
Our catechists are volunteers who have committed themselves to our parish children. It is important that the children show proper respect and appreciation for this gift of time and talent and reverence to the presence of God in Church. Please work with us in establishing an atmosphere of respect for both teachers and students and proper behavior in the church.
If a student is disrupting a class or shows disrespect to a teacher or another student, he/ she will be sent to the DRE for counseling and a “time out”. A letter of apology is required to go back to class.
On the second time - the parents will be notified of the behavior and asked for assistance.
Parents will be asked to come to class with their child until problem is resolved.
On the 3nd time - student and parent will meet with the Pastor.
Parents will be called to pick up the student. It may be necessary at this time to evaluate the situation and make a decision on future attendance.
It is never our choice to exclude a student from the religious education program. However,
expulsion may be the consequence if a student is not willing to participate actively and appropriately in the classroom. This expulsion may be permanent or temporary depending on the circumstances. Parents will be informed immediately of any problem serious enough to warrant such action.
11. Dress Code
We are in Church and Adoration on a regular schedule. No shorts. This is for everyone
of all ages. We are to dress respectful when we are in and out of the presents of Christ.
(Regular school pants or Capi pants would be acceptable).
Modern but modest for all young women and young men.
No-crop tops, halter or strapless tops, and spaghetti straps.
No gym shorts and No short skirts ( 1 inches above the knee)
No tee shirts with inappropriate messages - this will be left to our discretion.
Thank you for your cooperation concerning this matter.
12. Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy is offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month during the 11AM mass at
St. John. Children in grades K-2nd are invited to share the first part of the Mass with catechists
who present the day’s gospel at the children’s level of understanding. The children are
returned to Mass during the offertory. Once the children have made their First Communion,
they are to remain in church throughout the entire Mass
Students preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are
reminded that the Sacramental preparation are additional to regular religious education classes.
If your child is in 2nd, 9th, 10th, 11th grade and is registered for religious education, you will be receiving all the specific information regarding these programs by mail in the near future.
If you are the parent of an older child who is in need of receiving any of these sacraments,
please notify the Religious Education Office so we can get them on our mailing list. Also,
if your child attends Catholic School, be reminded that he/she must still attend sacramental
preparation classes in their home parish. Please call our office at 654-5885, if you are in doubt
that your child is on our mailing list.
13. Summary of Sacramental Guideline - Diocese of Baton Rouge General
Reconciliation
First Eucharist
Confirmation
14. Staff of Saint John the Baptist
Father M. Jeffery Bayhi, Pastor is a native of Baton Rouge, LA. He was ordained a priest
for the diocese of Baton Rouge on May 26, 1979 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Baton
Rouge, LA. He received his degree in Psychology at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, LA; his Masters of Divinity at Notre Dame in New Orleans, LA, and his Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling from Graduate Theological foundation in Donaldson, IN
Father Bayhi was very fortunate during his priesthood to have traveled to Medjugorje and Calcutta, both of which have had a profound effect on his own spiritual journey. He was
Pastor of St. Jules Parish in Bell Rose, LA from July 1984 until July1995, he was named
Director of Vocations and Seminarians for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. In June 2001
following the death of its founder Father Harold Cohen, Father Jeff was asked to carry
on Father Cohen’s work with Closer Walk Ministries as their Chief Executive
officer.
Juanita Thiels Poole, Administrative Assistant to Father Jeffery
“Nita” born and raised in Alexandria, La., one of seven children, four girls and three boys, I am a
“Cradle Catholic’ education for twelve years in parochial schools. I have one daughter, Jennifer
Mayeux Krzewinski, also of this parish.
I have been a parishioner at St. John’s since 1975. I married my husband, John Poole, June 12th 1981. John has two living children and one deceased son.
After 43 years working in the medical field, I retired in February2013. I was blessed to have
worked for three of the finest orthopedic surgeons in Baton Rouge, 25 years for Dr. Sam Irwin, 3 years for Dr. Bryan Griffith and 5 years for Dr. Charles walker. Prior to that, I worked in surgery at Our Lady of the Lake and briefly at Lane memorial.
I have 3 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren.
I was not looking for a new job, but I feel that God had other plans for me. I am blessed again to
serve our wonderful pastor. I pray that I can serve him and the parish well.
Melany Delahoussaye Roberts, Parish Secretary and Bookkeeper.
Melany became our parish secretary and bookkeeper in September of 2010. She was born in 1960
and grew up in Baker. She went to St. Isidore Catholic School for years K-6 and then went to Redemptorist High where she graduated in 1978. She married her husband, Mark in May of 1981 and they have four children. She worked as a bookkeeper for twelve years for Baumann Surgical Supplies, two years as secretary for Cypress Heights Academy, and she and her husband owned Netterville’s Auto in Baker for five years. She feels very blessed to be working for St. John and Our Lady and hopes to continue working with the wonderful people of these parishes for many years.
Suzanne Payne, Director of Religious Education
Suzanne grew up in Ohio, graduated from college in 1984 and managed a division of a corporation until the birth of her first child.. She and her husband and children moved to Tennessee in 1993. She volunteered and worked for her church for seventeen years. She was a full time youth minister and teacher of religious education until her family moved here to Zachary in 2011.
Melissa Daigle, Religious Education Secretary
A member of St. John’s since elementary school, graduate of Zachary High, married for 18 years and counting, with 2 wonderful sons. Volunteer CCD teacher for 6 years that lead to this position. Love working at St. John’s. Love the kids and helping the church with it’s mission to bring them closer to Christ.
Youth Ministry
Katie Myrick Hamilton, has been a parishioner of St. John since she was very young.
Kaite went to Central High School and completed Beauty School. She comes from a large
Catholic family. Parishioners Dale and Julie Myrick are her parents. Katie married her husband, Austin in 2019. "I love working with the youth. I hope to bring the students closer to Christ. I hope help the students build a strong and everlasting relationship with Christ. Service to the Church is very important to me."
Choir Staff
Molly Capone, has been at St. John in the choir since 1997. She is the Choral Director with
David Belgard. She loves singing for the Lord. She works with music for the Children’s choir,
Youth choir, adult choir and music for the Christmas play. She has been married for many years
to Brian Capone. They adopted four beautiful children, Mary, Christopher, Anthony, and Edwin.
They also have three grandchildren.
David Belgard, has been a member of the parish of St. John since 1983. David joined the adult
choir in 1991 and began the role of Choral Director with Molly. David has participated in or overseen a number of special ministry efforts at St. John and Our Lady, including the musical
direction of Our First Eucharist candidates each year, programs for Religious Education,
for Vacation Bible School, Christmas programs and community outreach programs. David has been married to Connie since 1983 and has three children: Matthew, Michael, and Mary.
Rita Williams, plays piano. She has been with us since 2006.
Rita does a beautiful job for St. John. She also is a teacher of piano.
Daughters of Mary Mother of the Church
Sister Cielo Montenegro Pesign D.M., Sister is the local superior.
Sister took her vows in 2000. She has a B.S. in social work, with a M.A. in Education.
She loves doing parish ministry. She gives the Eucharist to many in the nursing homes and those at home. She is a teacher for PSR.
Sister Mary Ann, She has a B.S. degree in Agriculture and Forestry Technology.
She went to Holy Rosary Major Seminary graduate School of Theology. Sister
is a Eucharistic Minister for the nursing homes and those at home. She is a teacher for
PSR and loves doing Pastorial work.