Who are we:
We are the IMAGE-MAKERS, as we follow St. Veronica's example in
her loving act of wiping the Face of Jesus. Initially, because of Veronica's
love and compassion, she wiped Jesus' suffering, bloody Face, with her
veil. He immediately imprinted His Image in the fabric of the veil;
she in turn, did not keep the imprint for herself - she shared it with
those around her, and His Image began to touch their hearts. Likewise,
the Religious Education department, constantly try to grow in deeper
faith, so that Jesus will imprint His Image more deeply in the fabric
of our lives, so that He can touch our hearts more profoundly. Then
like Veronica, we will share His Image with all those we encounter in
our ministry and our lives - the students, the parents and families,
the parishoners, each other, the community, the world, etc.
What is our Vision:
According to Church teaching and underscored by Vatican II and Pope
John Paul II, the PARENT(S) is the child's first and primary teacher
of the faith. School and Religious Ed. religion curriculums and catechists/teachers
help the parents teach the faith/help the child experience God. We believe
that God loves EACH and EVERY person unconditionally, that EACH PERSON
is CALLED to be the BELOVED SON/DAUGHTER OF GOD.
God sent His Son Jesus, to teach us how much He loves each one of us, and He calls each one of us in Religious Education likewise, to follow in His Son's footsteps - to experience and then to teach as He did, of the wonders of His Father's passionate love for each of His beloved sons and daughters. This is what we are about - PROCLAIMING, SHARING, TEACHING, EXPERIENCING our TRUE IDENTITY as the BELOVED SON/DAUGHTER OF THE FATHER. Consequently, all we are and do in Rel. Ed. flows from and is focused on this premise, on sharing this GOOD NEWS.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION is a SHARED EFFORT among STUDENTS, PARENTS, REL. ED. STAFF and PARISH
Our first aim is to have each child experience and grow in, the unconditional love that God has for him/her, as He calls him/her His beloved, through the spiritual and religious education of each child. Our second aim is to provide for the welfare and safety of each child as he/she participates in the Religious Education Program.
What is our vocation:
What a glorious CALL from God, our ministry in Religious Education
- it is no coincidence or chance that we have been called to teach or
serve the youngest members of our parish family, it is because the Lord
has asked us to teach in His Name and this is what a vocation is - a
call from God to minister in His Name. He is and will continue to, bless
us profoundly, for accepting His gift, for saying YES to be one of His
chosen ministers, to be His Hands, His Feet, His Heart, in the Body
of Christ, the Church.
What is the curriculm:
We use the Sadlier's COMING TO FAITH series this year for Grades
1 - 6, the Sadlier's LITURGY and WORSHIP for 7th Grade, Sadlier's FIRST
RECONCILIATION and FIRST EUCHARIST for 2nd Grade, and THE SPIRIT SETS
US FREE for 8th Grade
The DIOCESAN CURRICULUM GUIDELINES forms the basis for our program, which is TRINITY-centered and relies on the education of the intellect, the will, the heart, the soul, and on experience especially spiritual/religious experience. A copy of the curriculum is provided in this Guide
PROGRAM:
WEE WISDOM: (4 and 5 year olds) Catechesis of the Good Shepherd,
Montessori-based, very hands-on and liturgical
optional
FIRST GRADE: COMING TO GOD
First year of required catechesis, plus first year of two-year Preparation
for the sacraments of Penance/Reconciliation and Communion/Eucharist
SECOND GRADE: FIRST RECONCILIATION, FIRST EUCHARIST
Immediate preparation for FIRST Penance and Communion
THIRD GRADE: COMING TO THE CHURCH
FOURTH GRADE: COMING TO GOD'S LOVE
FIFTH GRADE: COMING TO GOD'S LIFE
Receive a personal Bible
SIXTH GRADE: COMING TO GOD'S WORD
SEVENTH GRADE: LITURGY AND WORSHIP
Invested in the first year of preparation for Confirmation. Begin Service
projects etc. for Confirmation, participate in Confirmation Retreat
during summer prior to 8th Grade
EIGHTH GRADE: THE SPIRIT SETS US FREE
Immediate preparation for Confirmation. Receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
in March
SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:
Small classes for a child with developmental, etc. special needs .
RCIA (for CHILDREN):
A special process for a child over seven years of age who has not yet been baptized.
SPECIAL SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION:
Special classes to prepare a child who has not yet received Penance/ Communion and is chronologically in 3rd grade or above at school; if child has had no Rel. Ed. or Catholic Schooling, he or she is placed in a regular class that corresponds to his/her class in school for the 1st year of preparation for the sacraments (Diocesan regulation: sacramental preparation. for Penance and Communion, and Confirmation, is a two year preparation).
HOME INSTRUCTION:
Parent teaches a child at home for a serious reason (no possibility of transportation, serious illness, etc.)
HOME SCHOOLING:
Children who are home schooled for regular classes, also home school
for religion and usually, for the immediate sacramental preparation,
but the children are incorporated
into the sacramental program for the actual sacramental celebration
.\