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Grade School
Religious Education
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Religious Education Guidebook
It has been the philosophy of our parish that religious formation exists
from “Womb to Tomb”, meaning that we must form our parishioners from Baptism
until the celebration of Christian Burial. We offer a wide variety of
programs to improve the religious formation for all ages and our formation
should not end once we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The following is a brief synopsis of our programs, for additional
information please contact the Director of Religious Formation, Susan Juliano,
Re@stthereseparish.ws.
Children’s Liturgy of
the Word:
Adult leaders proclaim the Word to the children during the 9:45 am and 11:45
am Masses. Readings are at a child's level of understanding. Children in
grades 1 through 5 are invited to participate. Children process from
the sanctuary prior to the readings and return to the Mass in time to place
their food offerings in the basket and return to where their parents are
seated. This program is on hiatus during the summer months of July and
August
Preschool/Kindergarten
Programs:
During the 9:45 Mass on Sundays, three (3), four (4) and five (5) years olds
are invited into a classroom setting to learn about Jesus through study and
activities. These classes are held from September through April following
the same schedule as the students attending the weekly religious education
program. Parents are welcome to volunteer as Catechists and Assistants
for this program coordinated by Mrs. Lisa Brown.
Religious Education for Grades 1 – 5:
The school year begins in September with GIFT followed by regular
classes until the end of November, closing the semester with GIFT.
No classes are held during the month of December. The second semester
of classes begins in January and closes out the school year with GIFT.
The parent may choose to have their child attend on either a Monday or
Tuesday class. Each day also has a choice of two sessions. The
first session runs from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and the second session runs
from 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Parents are always invited to participate
as a catechist or assistant. (Ask Sue Juliano for more details)
G.I.F.T.:
(Growing in Faith Together) is a “family night of catechism” and is part of
the curriculum for all students. The whole family participates in a simple
meal, prayer and age appropriate classes or family activities on topics
relating to our Catholic faith. An outreach to a group or organization is
featured at each GIFT and families are asked to bring an item to
support this outreach. GIFT is held, in addition to the regular 18
classes, on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday they are held at 6:00 p.m. Dates for GIFT are included with
your family registration for religious education.
TRINITY Program for Grades 6 - 8:
The Trinity program for Junior High students in grades 6th,
7th and 8th is a way to engage our today’s
youth to experience our God in a real way. This process is modeled
after Youth Ministry and allows our youth to explore their faith on
a new level.
There are three requirements of the Trinity program: Modules,
Junior High Nights and GIFT.
Trinity Modules:
Modules are nine weeks, two hours each week, with various catechists
leading the class. We offer two (2) tracks, each nine weeks in length
available, Sunday or Wednesday. Space is limited so students would be
placed in the track on a first come, first serve basis at time of
registration.
In general, the categories of modules are: Catechesis,
Evangelization, Prayer and Worship, Pastoral Care, Leadership Development,
Called to Serve, Justice and Peace. Students absent from any of these
classes will be required to make up the missed material in order to be
promoted to the next grade level. Switching tracks because of absence in
not permitted.
Trinity Junior High Nights: Junior High Nights are social events
that are scheduled throughout the year, generally on Fridays, Saturdays
and Sundays from 6-8 p.m. Students are required to attend three (3) per
year. The events range from service projects to fun activities designed to
bring the students together outside of the classroom. Some examples
include: Bon Fire, Drive by Rake, Military Day, Movie Nights, Christmas
Caroling and a Lent visit at the Shelby Nursing Home, Game Nights, Sports
Nights, Shelby Clean-up, WIND Conference, Leadership Workshops, Girls
Night, Boys Night, Pump it Up, Vacation Bible School.
Trinity G.I.F.T:
(Growing In Faith Together) GIFT
is a “family night of catechism” and is part of the curriculum for all
Religious Education students, including Trinity students. The whole
family participates in a simple meal, prayer and age appropriate classes
or family activities on topics relating to who we are as Catholics. An
outreach to a group or organization is featured at each GIFT and families
are asked to bring an item to support this outreach. GIFT is held on
Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. or on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at
6:00 p.m. Dates for GIFT are included with your registration for religious
education. GIFT sessions occur three times during the religious education
school year – once in the fall, again in the winter, and last in the
spring. See the current year GIFT dates below.
Sacrament Preparation and Celebration:
Students in Grade 2
prepare for their First Reconciliation (Confession)
prior to receiving First Eucharist (Communion).
Students are required to complete two years in religious education classes
before they are prepared for these sacraments.
Parent/students attend a workshop to complete the process of
preparation prior to celebrating. Reconciliation is celebrated in the
winter and First Eucharist is celebrated in the spring. Preparation
for Reconciliation begins in October and preparation for First
Eucharist begins in January.
Confirmation - Preparation for this sacrament begins in the 9th
grade and requires that the student complete the Junior High Trinity program
(described above).
In the
spring, 9th grade students will receive an invitation
from the parish to become a candidate for Confirmation, followed by a
“come and see” information meeting for parents of these candidates.
Registration packets will be given out at this time.
Once the
student is registered, attendance is required at all ten two
hour sessions (referred to as “tracks”). An overnight retreat will also
be part of the requirement to participate in the celebration of
Confirmation. Failure to complete these requirements will delay
confirmation of the student.
Two
tracks of preparation are held. The student will choose a Sunday or
Wednesday track. These will be filled on a first come first serve basis,
as class size is limited.
All
questions regarding this process will be answered at registration time.
Family Discipleship:
In lieu of “service projects” families are being asked to select one project
per year as a family and to journal that project along with pictures. At
each GIFT families will be asked to share about what they have done as a
family in outreach to others. Families are being asked to continue this
project yearly with their students.
Excused Absences Information:
Grades 1-5 check your syllabus for
the lesson you are to make-up. Turn the last page of the lesson (signed by parent) into
your teacher the very next day that you report to class.
Excessive unexcused absences will require an assessment before promotion to the next grade
level.
Email:
re@stthereseparish.ws
Phone:
(586)254-4433
2012 - 2013 DATES TO REMEMBER
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