SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH Religious Education Handbook

Transcription

1 SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH Religious Education Handbook The child is God's gift to the family. Each child is created in the special image and likeness of God for greater things; to love and to be loved. - St. Teresa of Calcutta OUR LADY OF FATIMA **PRAY FOR US** O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Mary taught this prayer to the children 100 years ago.

2 Religious Education Classes Wednesdays Preschool 5 th Grade at 7:00 8:00 p.m. Middle School (6 th & 7 th ) and Confirmation (8 th & 9 th ) at 6:30 8:00 p.m. Building C Dear Parents and Guardians, WELCOME Thank you for enrolling your child(ren) in the St. Francis Xavier Religious Education Program. Our goal is to help the children of our parish to grow in their faith and to understand what they believe. This is a joint effort between you as parents and guardians, the Religious Education Staff, and the parish as a whole. In order to provide the best possible environment for all of our children to learn, this handbook is provided in order to ensure communication is as clear as possible. The St. Francis Xavier Religious Education staff looks forward to the opportunity to work with your child(ren). All of us are engaged in this ministry out of love for the Lord, the Catholic Church, and for the children who are part of the program. The goal is to help each child to develop a relationship with Jesus, and to teach the riches of the Catholic Faith so the students will grow in their knowledge and faith life for many years to come. We hope that you find this handbook helpful. Your input is welcome and vital to our success. Contact Information: Pastor: Father Kyle Berens (785) , fatherkyle@saintxparish.org Directors of Religious Education: Kurt and Sandy Leistner (785) / , director-religious-ed@saintxparish.org Coordinator of Religious Education: (Pre-School 5 th Grade) Sandy Leistner (785) , ccd@saintxparish.org Middle School Coordinator: (Grades 6 th and 7 th ) Gabriela Robles (785) , at YDisciple@saintxparish.org Confirmation Coordinator: (Grades 8 th and 9 th ) Kurt Leistner (785)

3 ADMINISTRATION The Pastor has ultimate responsibility for all parish religious education to include sacramental preparation. The Directors of Religious Education (DRE s) in cooperation with the pastor oversee the catechetical program for the students. The DRE s are responsible for recruiting and supporting catechists, selecting textbooks or other resource material, planning and executing sacramental preparation programs, and preparing parents meetings and communications. Finally, our Catechists serve as the backbone of the religious education program. Our Catechists are volunteers who have recognized a special call to help spread the Word of God and to share it with His children. ROLE OF PARENTS As parents, you are the primary educators and role models for your children. (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church: ) You introduce them to Christ and shape their beliefs about God, the Church, and your faith. It is important that you maintain an active role in their religious education offered through the parish. Please consider volunteering to support the catechists. Prayer is also important, for and with your child. Read the Bible with them, ask them about what they learn in class, and attend Mass every weekend, Holy Days and if possible daily Mass. By showing your commitment to the Church, its teachings, and your child s religious education, he/she will grow stronger in faith. GENERAL RULES Students should arrive on time. (Please note that 6 th and higher grades start at 6:30 p.m. and Pre-K 5 th starts at 7:00 p.m.) Students should attend every week. If a child is going to be absent, parents are asked to call the religious education coordinator as listed on page 1. Children should not be absent from class more than 4 times per year. This is especially important when your child(ren) is/are preparing for a sacrament. Parents/guardians should pick up their own child(ren). If another person is picking up your child(ren), please contact the DRE. Parents should come to the classroom of children who are in preschool through 3 rd grade at dismissal. You may also designate an older, responsible sibling to do so. Students should dress modestly. Girls skirts should not be shorter than 3 inches above the knee when the child is seated. Please no short shorts, bare midriffs, low-cut shirts, tank tops or tops with spaghetti straps. Students should wear a coat or sweater during the winter. BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT One of our primary concerns is providing a safe environment conducive to learning for all our children. Respect for the catechists, their assistants and fellow students is the expected behavior. Everyone (catechists, volunteers, parents and students) is to be treated courteously and with respect. 2

4 Students are expected to respect parish property, classroom materials and the property of others. Students should not bring items that distract other students during class time. Students must not use cell phones, IPods, MP3 players, tablets or other electronic devices during class. The teacher reserves the right to confiscate items and return these after class. Any item that can be used as a weapon is prohibited. Possession or use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco is prohibited. School-appropriate behavior is expected during instruction. No fighting, inappropriate language, pushing, roughhousing or talking out of turn. Any inappropriate behavior issues will be addressed and hopefully resolved at the lowest level possible: Level 1 is discussion of inappropriate behavior by the catechist with the child; if not resolved... Level 2, the catechist will refer the child to the DRE; if not resolved... Level 3, the DRE will contact the parent(s) or guardian and an appropriate remedy will be agreed upon. CLASS DISMISSAL For safety purposes please do not block the parking lot. It is recommended that you park your vehicle and walk to the entrance of the classroom building. Also, you may park on the north side of Building C, Third Street. This will eliminate blocking traffic in the parking lot. INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY Please listen to KJCK (1420 AM or 97.5 FM) for announcements concerning the cancellation of classes. This information is also provided (most times faster) at KJCK s website at: on the JC Post. Announcements will be made no later than 6 p.m. You may always call the DRE s if you are in doubt. You will also be sent an . We will also try to have the announcement put on the Saint Francis Xavier Parish FACEBOOK page at facebook.com/saintxparish. CURRICULUM -Preschool uses Stories of God s Love published by Resources for Christian Living (RCL). The website is - Grade K will be using the textbook series Faith First published by RCL. - Grade 2 uses two special textbooks from RCL to prepare for the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist and Blessed by Dynamic Catholic. -Grades 1, 4 and 5 will be using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. You can go to pflaumweeklies.com 3

5 and click on Online Resources. Go to The Gospel At Home for a summary of the Sunday Gospel and suggestions to use at home. -Grade 3 will be concentrating on the Bible and constructing a Salvation History Timeline. - 6 th and 7 th Grades will be using YDisciple and other related materials. You can find YDisciple at Our parish code is V3CZ6Q to give you access to this program as well as many other Bible studies, faith-building programs, videos, books and audio programs. -8 th Grade is the first year of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students will be studying Theology of the Body for Middle School and Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed by Ascension Press. -9 th Grade is the final year of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students will be studying Chosen by Ascension Press. SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS 1. Children normally celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and Holy Communion in the 2 nd Grade, and Confirmation occurs typically in the 9 th Grade. Our diocese requires a minimum of two years preparation to receive these sacraments; therefore, children should attend 1 st and 2 nd Grade classes to receive Reconciliation and their First Communion. Potential Confirmation candidates should be attending classes every year after they receive their First Communion and will be preparing for Confirmation in the 8 th and 9 th Grades. 2. Your child s attendance at the classes is essential. Students should not miss more than 4 excused classes per year. There may be make-up homework or classes if there are absences. 3. All parents will need to complete an application form for each sacrament received. For those youth not baptized at St. Francis Xavier Parish, parents or guardians will need to provide a copy of the child s baptismal certificate. 4. Parents or guardians are expected to attend the planned meetings and practices in preparation for the sacraments. 5. IMPORTANT: If your child has not been attending religious education classes or Catholic school and is in 2 nd grade or a higher grade, please speak with the DRE s so that we can work out a plan for your child(ren). TUITION Tuition is charged to cover the expenses for books, supplies, one paid employee, building maintenance, and utilities. The fee of $100 per family can be considered as part of your tithing. If you cannot pay the full amount at the time of registration, you can make monthly installments. NO CHILD WILL BE TURNED AWAY BECAUSE OF PARENTS INABILITY TO PAY. PHOTOS/VIDEOS 4

6 At various events photos/videos are taken of the students and sometimes printed in the parish bulletin, The Register published by the Salina Diocese, or posted on FACEBOOK. If you do not want your child photographed or video recorded, please let the DRE s know. SAFE ENVIRONMENT The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires parishes to provide formation to children in the areas of safety and the integrity of their person. Our parish religious education program uses Child and Teen Lures Prevention. If you do not wish your child to receive this training, please complete an Opt-Out Form which can be found on the parish website or by contacting the DRE s. 5

7 COMMON PRAYERS The Sign of the Cross The Sign of the Cross is the most basic Catholic prayer, though we don't often think of it that way. We should teach our children to say it with reverence before and after their other prayers. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our Father We should pray the Our Father daily with our children. It's a good prayer to use as a short morning or evening prayer. Pay close attention to how your children pronounce the words; there are a lot of opportunities for misunderstandings and mispronunciations, such as "Howard be thy name." Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Guardian Angel Prayer Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. 6

8 Grace Before Meals Instilling a sense of gratitude in our children can be especially hard in a world where many of us have an overabundance of goods. Grace Before Meals is a good way to remind them (and ourselves!) that everything we have comes ultimately from God. Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Act of Contrition (Prayer of Sorrow) My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his Name. My God have mercy. 7

9 ORACIONES Senal de la Cruz En el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo. Amen. El Padre Nuestro Padre nuestro, que estás en el cielo. Santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Amen. Ave Maria Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo. Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres. Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús. Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores, ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. Amen. Gloría Gloria al Padre, al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo. Como era en el principio, ahora y siempre, 8

10 por los siglos de los siglos. Amen. Ángel de la Guarda Ángel de la Guarda, dulce compañía, no me desampares ni de noche ni de día. No me dejes solo que me perdería. Ni vivir, ni morir en pecado mortal. Jesús en la vida, Jesús en la muerte, Jesús para siempre. Amén. Oracion del penitente Dios mio, me arrepiento de todo corázon de todo lo malo que he hecho y de todo lo bueno que he dejado de hacer, porque pecando te he ofendido a ti, que eres el sumo bien y digno de ser amado sobre todas las cosas. Propongo firmemente, con tu gracia, cumplir la penitencia, no volver a pecar y evitar las ocasiones de pecado. Perdóname, Señor, por los meritos De la pasion de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo. Amen. 9