"The most effective catechetical program for adolescents are integrated into a comprehensive program of pastoral ministry for youth that includes catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, and prayer and worship. Such programs aim to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community; and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person." (National Directory for Catechesis, p. 201)
The first catechists in any child’s life are the family members with whom he or she lives. What happens at home – both positive and negative – provides lessons for life. In the family, faith is shared as part of the unfolding of daily life. The home or “domestic church” provides a real place in which a child learns to live his or her faith as well as understanding it.
Our goal is to create a program of lifelong faith formation that is centered in and flows out of the events of Church life. It embraces all ages and generation, promotes faith growth at home and promotes participation in Church life.
Classes for children and youth ages 3 through grade twelve are on Sunday mornings from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. beginning in the fall through the school year. The purpose of the classes is to assist parents, who are the primary religious educators of children, in the faith formation of their sons and daughters. While sacramental preparation is emphasized in all texts and class activities, parents/guardians are expected to attend required parent meetings and utilize the workbooks assigned specifically for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. Children and youth are also expected to attend Sunday Mass with their family.
Information for Parents
1. It is very important for parents to meet their children’s Catechists. Parents have the responsibility to know the catechist and support him/her in the religious education of your child. Remember that, when the child was baptized, you made a commitment to help the child in his/her religious formation. We believe the complete development of a child’s formation in the Catholic faith is composed of three parts:
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Attending religious education classes regularly (1/3)
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Parental support of the catechist’s teaching (1/3)
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Attending Mass each Sunday as a family (1/3)
2. Students need to be in class on time each Sunday – 11:00 a.m. When a student is late for class, it disrupts the entire class. If a child is habitually late for class, the parent will be contacted.
3. Classes end at 12:15 p.m. Please Do Not pick up your child early - unless it is absolutely necessary. Please do not go down the hallway and stand by the classroom door - if you come early - as this can be disruptive to that classroom and well as surrounding classrooms. Please wait in the foyer.
4. If you know in advance, that your child will be missing a class, please let the catechist know or call the office.
5. For security reasons, we have only one entrance and exit to the school. The north door (facing the parking lot and 54th St.) will be the only entrance and exit. This will be a security measure for all the catechists and the children.
6. If children bring home any material from class - be sure that you go over the material with them. Sometime it is difficult to cover all the material in class - so parents have the responsibility of going over the material with the children. Even if your child does not bring home any materials from the class, please talk to your child about what went on in class.
7. Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit their child's classroom. I would like each parent to commit to attending and assisting the catechist with at least one class this year.
8. Anytime a child causes a disruption in the classroom - which cannot be handled by the catechist or DRE - the parents will be contacted.
9. Since we share space with the school, I ask that all students be respectful of the school student’s belongings and school property. We have experienced problems with destruction of property in past years and do not want this to happen in the future. Please address this with your child(ren).
10. We want this to be a great year for our students. The faith journey of each child (big or small) requires the help of the catechist and the family. So let's all work together for the faith journey of each child.
Thank you for all your help and cooperation in our mutual effort of educating your children in our Catholic faith.