We invite and encourage our children to experience the Gospel message through proclamation of the Word and faith sharing experiences in the classroom setting. We also emphasize our Liturgical seasons and the implications in our lives. Each grade covers content at developmentally appropriate levels. First grade introduces and focuses upon God, second grade emphasizes who Jesus is and calls us to be through our Sacramental celebrations. In the third grade the children begin to explore the role of the individual as member of a community of believers, a member of the Body of Christ. The fourth graders study the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and Covenant. The fifth graders go into a much more extensive study of Sacraments and the Gospel call to outreach through our Sacramental responsibilities. The sixth graders spend the time looking at how we are invited through sacred Scripture to understand Church Doctrine, outreach and justice, and vocations.

Elementary classes meet on Tuesday and Wednesday at 4:00-5:15 and 6:00-7:15. We begin in early September and conclude at the end of April. Our breaks allow for families to fully celebrate the liturgical seasons, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Teacher training is required so that our volunteers ministers are fully equipped to go forth and do the work of sharing faith with our children.

As Baptized Catholic Christians, we are called to share our faith, to tell the story of Jesus in our lives and to live our Faith in active and visible ways. Our children learn to know Jesus, God and Holy Spirit through the example of the adults who surround them. Mass attendance and participation is absolutely required for our children to learn that we are a Sacramental people. We are a people of action and faith. We find our Spiritual nourishment in our ritual celebration, the Mass, the Source and Summit. Our experience of Prayer, Morality, Sacramental Celebration, Justice and Service are reflected in our formation classes. Our catechetical/religious education offerings go hand-in-hand with values and morals taught at home. We are in partnership. Parents are invited, encouraged and expected to participate regularly with our classroom experiences.

The scope and sequence of our curriculum material is available for parents to look over and consider as we, together, enter into partnership in the formation of our children.

Grades K through 5 by Unit:

• Unit One - Revelation
• Unit Two - Trinity
• Unit Three - Jesus Christ
• Unit Four - The Church
• Unit Five - Sacrament
• Catholic Prayer and Practices

We encourage each of our children to have their own Bible to bring with them to class each week.  God reveals God’s self to us through Sacred Scripture, the Bible.  Helping  our children develop the tools they need to read, explore, begin to understand and be comfortable as they pick up their Bible to read and pray is a sacred trust all ministers of the Word share.  As catechists we have a responsibility to help our children and to help one another, regardless of age, to delve into God’s word revealed to us in the Bible.

Each week the child brings his/her Bible to class, they will receive a Bible Bead to add to their nametag.  At the conclusion of the year, your child will take that beaded nametag / necklace home as a special reminder of attendance and faithfulness in the study of God’s Word.

If your child does not yet have Bible of their own, it is time to acquire one.  It is the one possession each and every person should have.

We open the Bible to the Gospel reading of the approaching week to read, pray and discuss in every class.  It is a critical component of our formation process.  AND, parents and other family members can share the very same experience at home!  In fact, a family faith sharing discussion should be one of the required family activities each week.  Will you engage with your children in a discussion around the message of the Gospel?  Check out Call To Faith .. there are some great discussion starters!

For more information, please contact Paulette Colin.

Page updated: Wednesday, October 03, 2007