Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, Kansas, is currently working on decisions and making plans for the upcoming school year, which has proven difficult to do because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our Religious Education program is an important part of our parish but due to a number of limitations and challenges, our Religious Education is going to look a little different this coming school year," Fr. Nathan Haverland, church pastor, said in the Aug. 30 church bulletin. "Instead of meeting every week, we will have periodic meetings throughout the school year where we will cover various topics and give materials to go over in the interim weeks."

The decision for this model isn't ideal, but the church recognizes it as the best way to educate while keeping students safe from the coronavirus.

"This will no doubt be a challenging year where we will be reminded that parents are indeed the primary teachers of the faith to their children but know that we are here to help," Haverland said in the bulletin.