Catechesis during childhood depends largely on the child's experience in his/her relationship with others.  The child's immediate environment, normally the home, remains the child's main experience of this lived relationship with God, but now, the support of a larger community becomes highly important to formation in faith and its absence becomes a serious matter.  Catechesis seeks to help children make an increasingly personal response to God's word and gifts.  Catechesis approaches young persons with reverence and aids them in discovering and developing their unique, God-given gifts with the help of the gospel.  (National Catechetical Directory # 178).

The children meet in the Church for the initial 15 minutes of the program.  There, they experience the importance of coming together as community in God's house.  Also, they may participate in a Gospel drama, learn about a saint, find the relic in the altar stone, or sing songs of praise.

Benziger's "Share the Joy" is the textbook series used for the Elementary grades.  It is based on the most recent documents of the Catholic church:  The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II's Gospel of life and Splendor of Truth and Tertio Millenio Adveniente.  This program teaches a lived biblical faith, builds a firm doctrinal and moral foundation in the light of the documents and meets the developmental needs of the children.  It proclaims the total message of Christ without distortions,  provides those who use it a better knowledge of the mysteries of Christ, and it aims at true conversion and life in the conformity to God's will.