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ST. PAUL'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM "Catechesis is intimately bound up with
the whole
of the Church's life. . . her inner growth and correspondence with
God's
plan depend essentially on catechesis.
(Catechism of Catholic Church)
Religious Education Office RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
GRADES K-6 St. Paul's is involved in the following programs of study: Lectionary Based Catechesis.
Children in grades K - 3 attend classes on
Sunday during
the liturgies. They receive instruction based on the Sunday
readings. Because the readings are organized over a three-year cycle
the curriculum is comprehensive. Over a three-year period the children
are introduced to much of what is needed to grow in faith, hope and
love. Grades K - 3 receive instruction based on their ability to
comprehend, thus their depth of instruction is minimal. All children in grades 4 – 8
will be attending classes once a month with their parents and the
rest of the parish. This class will be complimented by work at
home which will enable the children to deepen their understanding of
the theme of the month as well as to process the information on a day
to day basis.
Since there will be only one class per month, parents will be asked to commit this weekend time as a priority to Christian Formation. The class may be made up by attending the class at St. Peter Parish the following weekend. The classes will begin in October. Family Religious Education Program This program is open to all families who wish to grow in Faith together. In involves some Home Study lessons enabling parent and child to study and question together. The program also involves group gatherings several times per year. Families come together to share fellowship, enrich themselves in matters of Faith and participate in group activities that reflect their social consciousness. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM Jr. & Sr. High students attend a series of mini courses over a period of four years, which enable them to complete their basic religious education begun in their elementary years. Of the 15 courses offered over a four-year span, students are asked to attend at least 12 in order to have a well-grounded theological base. Students may choose those courses they opt to skip depending on interest and/or personal schedules. The areas of study covered are: CHRISTOLOGY SCRIPTURE CONFIRMATION ECCLESIOLOGY LITURGY/SACRAMENTS RELATING Mini course for the Junior High years: Mini Courses for the Senior High years:
The last three courses are not optional. They are the immediate preparation for the reception of Confirmation. YOUTH MINISTRY St. Paul/St. Jerome Components of the Youth Ministry Program-YMP
YMP a Multi-Dimensional Approach
The youth ministry of St. Paul's
parish is designed to engage the youth
of both Junior and Senior high students. Our goal is to guide the youth
toward
a deeper while wholistic approach to the faith experience in their
lives.
This is done by combining religious education with "on the job"
experience
as well as having fun all the while experiencing the real world and its
complex realities. The program is in the developmental stages but we
trust that the youth of the parish will grow spiritually as well as
socially as the program evolves.
Activities will be planned in
relation to the theme of the year as well
as in consideration for the components to be developed.
RCIA
The process wherein adults receive the sacraments of initiation of the Roman Catholic Church. It is open to any non-Catholic interested in learning about the Catholic Church. The process consists of a period of Inquiry about Catholicism without obligation or expectation. Candidates preparing for these sacraments journey with other community members over a year long process. Potential candidates are: 1. a non-baptized person in the Christian
tradition.
2. a baptized Christian who has not been fully initiated, i.e. has not communed with the Body of Christ, or been confirmed. 3. a baptized Catholic who has not completed the initiation process RCIC The process wherein a children who have reached
the
age of reason i.e. 7 yrs. old, and have not been baptized, receive the
sacraments
of initiation after a two year catechetical journey. These children
join
the other candidates for initiation at the Easter Vigil service in the
spring.
Potential candidates are: Children 7 years of age and above who are not yet baptized. SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Parents who desire their child to be baptized may
contact the office of
the Pastoral Associate. A meeting will be set to meet with parents
previous
to the Baptism of their first child. A review of the theological
significance
of the sacrament will be offered as well as an immediate preparation
for
the initiation process will be discussed. Eucharist, Reconciliation & Confirmation Special care is taken to prepare the children for these sacraments. Parents are urged to contact the Religious Education office when they believe their child is of age in order to receive any support they may need for the education of their child previous to the reception of these sacraments. Sacrament of Marriage Couples who are planning to marry are urged to contact the parish office at least six months in advance of their marriage date. All couples are asked to meet with the pastor or pastoral associate in addition to a marriage prep course offered by the deanery.
For this reason I fall on my knees before
the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. I
ask
God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit
to
be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make his
home
in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and
foundation
in love, so that you, together with all God's people, may have the
power
to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love.
Yes,
may you come to know his love. . .and so be completely filled with the
very
nature of God.
( St. Paul-Eph.3:14:19)  |
