 Sacraments Religious Education And Faith Formation School Edition |
2008 – 2009 Handbook Mission and Purpose
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Faith Formation strives to support the children of this community in their developing relationship with Jesus and their growth as disciples. The Church recognizes and affirms you, the parent, as the primary teacher of your child. We are here to assist you in helping the children grow spiritually, impart the Roman Catholic faith to the next generation, and teach the traditions of our Christian heritage. Faith Formation sessions go hand in hand with the celebration of liturgy each weekend. These two components along with the faith life or your family provide a solid foundation for your child’s relationship with God. |
Religious Education Office
Christine Williford, Director
Mass Schedule
| Daily |
: |
7:00 am |
| School |
: |
8:30 am- Fridays |
| Saturdays |
: |
5:30 pm |
| Sunday |
: |
7:45 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am & 12:00 pm (Spanish) |
Sacrament of Reconciliation
| Saturdays |
: |
4:30 - 5:00 pm |
| Share the Journey |
Please give your child ongoing support by looking through their books & folders with them, talking about the material, and about what they do in class. This reinforces what they have learned and allows you to share their spiritual journey. Bedtime is a great time to review the events of the day and say prayers as a family.
Be committed to attending parent’s meetings and shared activities with your child. The formation of their faith in God will be primarily gained through your family’s own unique spirituality. We reinforce what you have given and continue to give them.
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It has come to our attention that many of our students do not attend Mass regularly. Catholic School and weekly Mass does not substitute for Sunday Mass. It is essential that our parish families attend Mass and be committed to participating fully as a Eucharistic community. We experience the mystery of our faith together… The Christian journey has always been a shared one. Those who come and participate consistently, become spiritually stronger and strengthen the community, those who do not show up and nurture their belonging, miss out on what the community offers, and weaken us as the People of God.
| Top 10 Reasons to Attend Mass |
- #10. Mass is a way to demonstrate the priorities in our life.
- # 9. Mass is the way to spiritual nourishment for our soul.
- # 8. Mass strengthens us during the week as we live as disciples.
- # 7. Mass allows us to publicly proclaim our Faith.
- # 6. Mass attended with our children demonstrates the importance of our personal Faith to them.
- # 5. Mass is a time to gain insight into and admit our sinfulness.
- # 4. Mass is a time to ask for and accept forgiveness.
- # 3. Mass is a way to thank God for all we have been given.
- # 2. Mass is a way to connect with the living God.
- And the # 1 reason is…. Mass is a way to foster a closer relationship with God throughout our lifetime.
| Structure and Approach |
This is a nine year program and process beginning with Kindergarten and ending with Eighth Grade. Three sacraments are prepared for and received within the nine years. The Sacrament of Reconciliation Is administered in Second Grade, Eucharist in Third Grade, the Sacrament of Confirmation in Eighth Grade. We also offer a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) for children who have entered 3rd grade and are just beginning their formal religious education.
| Session Levels<>Scope and Sequence<>Sacramental Preparation |
Kindergarten: GOD MADE THE WORLD
Unit 1: God Gives Us Many Gifts. 2: God is our Creator. 3: Jesus Shows Us God's Love. 4: Jesus Wants Us to Share God's Love.
Level 1: God Loves us
Unit 1: Jesus Teaches Us About God’s Love. 2: We Are Followers of Jesus. 3: We Belong to the Church. 4: We Celebrate and Live Our Faith.
Level 2: Jesus Shares God's Life
Unit 1: Jesus Christ is With Us Always. 2: Jesus Calls Us to Penance and Reconciliation. 3: Gesus Gives Himself in the Eucharist. 4: We Live Our Catholic Faith. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is prepared for and received.
Level 3: We are the Church
Unit 1: Jesus Gives Us the Church. 2: We Are Members of the Church. 3: The Church Leads us in Worship. 4: We are Called to Discipleship. The Sacrament of Eucharist will be prepared for and received.
Level 4: God's Law Guides us
Unit 1: Growing in Jesus Christ. 2: Learning About God's Law. 3: The Commandments Help Us to Love Others. 4: We are Called to Holiness.
Level 5: We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments
Unit 1: Jesus Christ Shares His Life with Us. 2: Confirmation and Eucharist Complete Our Initiation. 3: The Sacraments of Healing Restore Us. 4: We Love and Serve as Jesus Did.
Level 6: We are God's People
Unit 1: Forming the Covenant. 2: Building the Covenant Nation. 3: Redefining the covenant People. 4: The Covenant Fulfilled in Jesus.
Level Confirmation 1: (C1)
This is the first year of preparation for Confirmation. It will be a complete over view of the Roman Catholic faith along with class service projects, individual service to the church community and a beginning preparation for full initiation into the church and adult discipleship.
Level Confirmation 2: (C2)
This will be the final preparation for Confirmation. Class service along with individual service will continue to form the candidates into Disciples of Jesus' who understand that they must carry on His mission to change the world. A sponsor and / or adult mentor will attend a portion of these sessions to assist the candidate in their preparation . This companion will share their personal faith and understanding and in so doing, help the candidate step into adult membership in the Body of Christ.
High School Confirmation Preparation: (HSC)
This is similar to Confirmation 2. Young people in 10 th through 12 th grades who have not completed their initiation into the Church will do class and individual service, pray together. A sponsor and/or adult mentor will share in some of the sessions to assist the candidate in this preparation. This companion will share their personal faith and understanding and in so doing, help the candidate step into adult membership in the Body of Christ.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Children: RCIC (2 years)
Children who are eight years old and up, in third grade or above, and coming to receive Faith Formation for the first time will receive instruction, guidance and support in the Churches Rite of Christian Initiation. This process is especially designed for children who have not been baptized or have not been prepared for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
| Attention: Non-Catholic Families |
The Spiritual and Religious background of every child will be respected.
All children will be taught about the Roman Catholic faith as a part of the standard curriculum. All will attend Mass as a part of the regular schedule. All will share in daily prayer. Non-Catholics will not be expected to engage in any activities that are contrary to their own religious background and faith. It is important that each non-Catholic family tell us what their expectations and feelings are about matters of faith and religion.
| Prayer for Our Children |
O God,
Send Your blessing
on the children.
Holy Spirit,
guide us as we teach them
and love them
and help them grow
in Christian maturity so they
may become
Christ's witnesses
in the world.
Lord, Jesus
Help us to be your
People.
Amen
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