Introducing Paul and Debbie

Greetings 8th Graders and Families!
 
We are Paul Rubio and Debbie Lopez, the catechist-teachers for 8th grade Religious Education class for the 2020-21 RE year.

We welcome you to this new year, and we'd like to introduce ourselves to you.

A little bit about Paul:

I am a long-time Ascension parishioner, since about 2000, after attending St. Giles Family Mass Community for several years.  I attended Ascension’s RE program as a student during Grades 7 and 8.  I am now starting my 8th year as a middle school RE teacher.  I grew up in Oak Park and attended local public schools: 

I am Irving Class of 2002, Julian Class of 2005, and OPRFHS Class of 2009.

I graduated in May 2016 with a Master's degree in Library and Information Science from Dominican University.  After working at the Oak Park Public Library for nearly 2 1/2 years, I started my current job as a cataloger in the Technical Services department of the Orland Park Public Library.  I feel my work as a librarian aligns well with that of being a catechist, since in both positions, I am helping people find the knowledge they need to live meaningfully.
 
I lector and serve as Eucharistic minister at Mass.  I also am a Knight of Columbus in Ascension's Council, and I was part of the charter group when the Council started in August 2018.

A fun fact about me: I immensely enjoy traveling the coterminous United States onboard Amtrak.  My Mom took the above photo of me in the Metropolitan Lounge at Chicago Union Station right before we rode the Capitol Limited route to Washington, D.C., back in May 2019.
 
A little bit about Deborah/Debbie:

Hello, my name is Deborah Lopez. I am excited to start this year's RE class. Ascension is my family's home church. My son is Hector; he is 8 years old. He completed his communion this summer and will also be continuing RE. I have been volunteering with Ascension for two years now. I started helping out with attendance two years ago.  Last year I joined Paul's 8th grade RE class. I have learned so much from Paul's class and all the students and I am looking forward to meeting all of this year's parents and students.
Best regards 
Debbie
 
We are looking forward to meeting the students and one of their parents at the Meet and Greet on Tuesday, October 6, at 7 PM.  We'll spend part of that time discussing how class will work this year, and also learn about the Creed.

While our learning experience this year is atypical to previous years, we are still eager for the ways we will encounter our God together.  And we look forward to getting to know the 8th graders in class this year, and accompanying during Confirmation preparation and then as you start your lives as confirmed Roman Catholic Christians.

 
As usual, please feel free to contact us with questions, etc.  We provided our contact information in an e-mail sent to all the parents.
 
God's Blessings,
Debbie Lopez
Paul Rubio