St. Patrick Catechist Handbook We are Living as Missionary Disciples!

Transcription

1 St. Patrick Catechist Handbk We are Living as Missinary Disciples! 1

2 ST. PATRICK RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Directr f Religius Educatin Nancy Lng re@stpatrickhutt.rg (fc) nancylng52@gmail.cm (cell) St. Patrick Website links Religius Educatin Page: Family Faith Page: Catechist Resurce Page: OFFICE HOURS* Mnday 9:00-4:30 Tuesday 9:00-12:00 and 2:00-6:30 Wednesday 9:00-11:00 and 2:00-8:30 Thursday 9:00-4:30 Friday 9:00 3:00 Sat/Sun: Clsed *Subject t change due t hlidays, and miscellaneus meetings, trainings, etc. I will d my best t be available t yu as needed via text, phne & . 2

3 GUIDELINES FOR MINISTERING TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE PHILOSOPHY The GDC states that the definitive aim f catechesis is t put peple nt nly in tuch, but als in cmmunin and intimacy with Jesus Christ (#80). We must prvide peple with experiences f the sacred and help them t identify the sacred in their wn lives. Catechesis is accmplished by varied, intercnnected tasks that are inspired by Jesus example in frming his disciples. The six tasks f catechesis as utlined in the NDC are: Catechesis 1. prmtes knwledge f the faith 2. prmtes knwledge f the meaning f the liturgy and the sacraments 3. prmtes mral frmatin in Jesus Christ 4. teaches the Christian hw t pray with Christ 5. prepares the Christian t live in cmmunity and t participate actively in the life and missin f the church 6. prmtes a missinary spirit that prepares the faithful t be present as Christians in sciety (pg ) These tasks are imparted thrugh individual relatinships, the cmmunity f faith, liturgy, instructin, experiential learning, ritual, prayer, and utreach t the glbal cmmunity. Cntinuing educatin in the faith is a questin which cncerns the whle cmmunity; catechesis, therefre is an educatinal activity which arises frm the particular respnsibilities f every member f the cmmunity, in a rich cntext f relatinships (GDC #220). Nthing can replace the experience f faith taught and practiced in the husehld. Parents are catechists precisely because they are parents (NDC pg, 203). Therefre central t elementary catechesis is the faith develpment f the entire husehld. Faith Frmatin is mre than a subject t be taught It is an invitatin t a way f life. 3

4 GOALS f Elementary Catechesis Thrugh frming a persnal relatinship with Jesus Christ, children build a strng fundatin fr lifelng discipleship. It is essential that elementary prgrams create a nurturing cmmunity fr husehlds t grw in faith prviding pprtunities fr cnversin and frmatin nt nly fr the child but fr the entire husehld. Thrugh catechesis, all shuld be encuraged t knw and respect ther cultural, racial, and ethnic grups. Catechetical materials shuld accmmdate cultural, racial, and ethnic pluralism, the cncerns f particular grups, and persns with special needs. Persns with disabilities shuld be integrated int rdinary catechetical prgrams as much as pssible (NDC 207) As children mature, nging catechesis is needed t help them bserve, explre, interpret and judge their experiences, ascribe Christian meaning t their lives, and act accrding t the nrms f faith and lve. The truths f ur faith shuld be presented at every age t allw fr an ever deepening understanding and grwth in lived faith. A crrect understanding f experiential learning includes recgnitin that the entire faith cmmunity is an imprtant part f the experience f the child: husehlds, catechists and faith cmmunity all have essential rles in the catechesis f the yung. 4

5 Learning Envirnment fr Children Organizatin fr catechesis is persn centered (NDC pg. 246). It is critical that learning envirnments are prvided t help children think, questin and explre new ways f understanding their faith and building a relatinship with Gd. This requires us t be aware f the many different way in which ur children learn. As human beings we are cntinuusly grwing and develping. Sme f these ways include hw we build knwledge and cnstruct meaning, hw we grw psychlgically and in ur ability t relate t thers, and hw we grw in ur ability t think and act mrally Understanding the cgnitive ability f ur learners will help us t respnd t their develpmental needs in apprpriate ways that can nurish their grwth in faith (Eches f Faith: Intrductin t the Learner). A well planned and executed lessn includes a clear bjective, knwledge f yur learners and their age apprpriate abilities, a variety f activities that meet the needs f different learning styles, well timed activities, and new ways f appraching and relating faith cncepts t yur learners lived realities. The use f audi and visual aids such as art, music, mvement, strytelling and spntaneus prayer are encuraged. 5

6 St. Patrick Religius Educatin ELEMENTARY/JR HIGH CATECHIST JOB DESCRIPTION JOB DESCRIPTION: *Sharing in the missin wrk f the church by walking in faith and sharing the faith *Teaching the Gd News with the elementary /middle schl age children and building cmmunity with their families RESPONSIBLE TO: *Religius Educatin Directr DUTIES: *Be prepared and prmpt fr weekly classes (at least 10 minutes befre class begins) *Maintain presence befre & after classes t supprt, assist, cmmunicate with ther catechists and parents *Cperate with the rest f the SPRE Team in facilitating special events *Establish cmmunicatin with the family f the student at Orientatin and drp ff/pick up *Seek t grw and learn with cntinuing educatin prgrams *Take attendance at each sessin *Fllw prtcl regarding the safe envirnment, discipline and the dismissal f children TIME REQUIRED: *Preparatin time: 1-2 hurs per week *Class time: 1 hur 25 minutes (10 minutes befre, 1 hur with the class and pssibly 15 minutes after dismissal) *Additinal seasnal/sacramental preparatin (Advent, Christmas, Sacramental Prep Retreats, Easter, end f year) *Meeting time: 2 hurs fr in-services twice a year. 2 hurs training nce a year *Persnal frmatin, cntinuing educatin classes LENGTH OF COMMITMENT: September thrugh May (and July VBS if pssible) IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROVIDED: *T build spiritual teamwrk and persnal faith frmatin * Advisement and cnsultatin in the certificatin prcess *Mandatry attendance at EIM Training and Recertificatin every three years QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS: *Lve f the Lrd and lve f children *Willingness t share faith and nurture the children's faith *Be in cmmunin with the Cathlic Church *Teaching experience is helpful, but nt mandatry *Willingness t wrk n a team and cllabrate fr the gd f the cmmunity BENEFITS OF INVOLVEMENT: *Gain a sense f fulfillment in serving the cmmunity *A sense f accmplishment *Grwing and learning and becming persnally enriched *A sense f true jy in serving the Lrd and helping thers knw Gd (bringing abut the reign f Gd) *Becme mre familiar with the cmmunity thrugh increased invlvement *Enjy being recgnized n Catechetical Sunday Inspiratin: The vcatin t be a catechist springs frm the sacraments f Baptism and Cnfirmatin. Thrugh these sacraments catechists participate in the priestly, prphetic and kingly ministry f Christ. The Church awakens and discerns this divine vcatin, and cnfers the vcatin t catechize. The Lrd Jesus invites men and wmen, in a special way, t fllw him as teachers and frmatrs f disciples. Frm a lving knwledge f Christ springs the desire t prclaim him, t evangelize and t lead thers t the yes f faith in Jesus Christ. (General Directry fr Catechesis, n.231 adapted) 6

7 Student Check In Prcedures: Parents will sign students in and are encuraged t take them t the restrms befre class begins. Students will sit in church in rws marked with grade level signs. Parents may sit with children until yu take them t yur Faith Sharing area. (Yu are n Hly Grund, nt matter where yu are!) Parents will sign ut their children frm yur Faith Sharing Area. - Please get t knw yur parents by name make them feel that they belng, t! Encurage them! FAMILY NIGHTS This will be a wrk in prgress! Let s be patient with the flw and each ther! The Gal: T help parents and children learn mre abut ur Cathlic Faith and Traditins and why we d what we d! Als, we wuld like t empwer parents lead their families in faith traditins, get them talking abut Gd as family, help them t learn hw t live a Cathlic lifestyle! If a parent cannt make it t Family Night and has nt arranged fr their child t be with anther family, we can d ne f the fllwing things: 1. Make sure the child has anther family they can share faith with (please chse a family that already desn t have multiple children). Let s try t keep a family unit t 3 r 4 children. 2. Catechist (if yu dn t have yur wn family with yu) will take three r fur children t spnsr fr the evening. 3. Administratrs and Hall Mnitrs can take an extra child. 4. Please dn t leave any child alne! Belnging is ne f ur CHURCH s main gals! We all belng, we are all ne Bdy f Christ. When yu (the catechist) arrive: Please sign in at table Cllect yur class flder frm behind the sign-in table. Wear yur name tags s students can identify a safe adult. If yu need a nametag, let me knw ASAP. Class flder is ur weekly cmmunicatin tl: It cntains: Reminders f what is happening this week and the next mnth. Students wh will miss class because f illness r emergency, Please pray fr them in yur class. Cntact infrmatin, special needs r allergies that parents have shared with us. Please lk at it carefully! RETURN TO ME in yur flder frnt pcket: Any ntes parents give yu abut changes in pick up peple, PLEASE remember that sme f the infrmatin in the flder is sensitive s dn t take it hme r discuss it with thers. Leave the flder back n the table when yu leave after class. If students must use the restrm during class, smene shuld supervise (an EIM certified persn) we will have hall mnitrs again. If yu cannt make it t RE, please ntify me ASAP s we can call a sub fr yu. Dn t send an I wn t get it until the next day. Send a text. My phne number is

8 Set Up and Clean Up f Faith Sharing Areas: Set Up: We set up the tables after mass n Tuesday and Wednesday mrning. If yu can be there t help set up tables, chairs, prayer spaces, etc.we culd use yur help! Clean Up: Early sessin clean up fr the next class wipe tables, straighten chairs. Please dn t leave all f yur scraps f paper in the bin r cube fr smene else. Leave the prayer space, but take any prayer items that yu brught. Last sessin is respnsible t put up everything tables, chairs, supplies, yur papers. break dwn tables and return them. put sanctuary chairs back there are black squares drawn n the flr indicating the frnt left leg and frnt right leg. Grades 1st-6 th tear ut pages frm their bks, staple them and send them hme each week. If a student is absent, pull their pages, write their name at the tp and send them hme with the student next time they cme. Encurage the parents t wrk with their child at hme. 7TH AND 8 TH GRADES DO NOT WRITE IN THEIR BOOKS. SUPPLY Lcatins Classrm D - they are in the lwer built-in shelves as yu walk in n the left. Classrms A, B, & C: are in the cubes Music Rm they are in the built-in drawers (marked) In the Main Sanctuary - they are in the bins delivered t yur Faith Sharing area. Please let me knw if yu need smething in particular in advance, if pssible I will keep extra supplies in the cpy area (markers, pencils, paper, scissrs) Magnetic dry erase bards are in Classrms A, B, and C.. Each Faith Sharing Area will have a Dry Erase Easel t use. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD IS TO BE LEFT WITH RE SUPPLIES. Supplies Prvided: Pencils Crayns x4 Dry erase markers x 3 Erasers x 2 Dry erase bard cleaner Tissues x2 Altar clth Hand sanitizer Grades Als have Mechanical Pencils The Bks will be prvided each week. 8

9 Children SIGN OUT - This is fr the SAFETY OF THE CHILD. Parents will sign students ut at YOUR Faith Sharing Area ONLY PARENTS unless yu have a nte. (NOT neighbrs, siblings, friend, ) We will bring a clipbard and a pen t yur class abut halfway thrugh. Parents must prvide a written nte if smene else is taking a student. Keep nte in frnt pcket f the flder and put the date n it. If peple are carpling ALL year, nly ne nte is necessary at the beginning f the year. Catechists and aides children wrk tgether t make arrangements t cllect yur children frm their classes. Any students NOT picked up 7 minutes after class bring t me with yur sign-ut clipbard. If we have ntes t g hme with parents, we will try t give them t the parents when they sign students in if we miss them, we will attach it t the sign-ut clipbard fr yu t send hme with them. If yu miss them t, send them back with the clipbard and we will catch them next week. STUDENT NAME TAGS Students will have nametags available Have them wear them while yu learn their names. Maybe use them as seat assignments fr a while. Have them available fr subs t use t. Being Called by name makes yu feel yu belng!!! I will try t learn all yur names as sn as I can please wear yur name tag, t!!! It helps me!!! PRAYER SPACES Each Class will have a prayer space. Depending n where yur Faith Sharing Area is this year, make the prayer space a part f yur class learning. Encurage them t create a prayer space fr their family at hme r in their wn rm. (I will be talking t the parents abut this as well). We prvide: Clth that will change with the liturgical seasn green, purple, white Bible, statue, fake candle, religius picture, rsary, Hly Water Bttle (they are in church, yu may take ne and fill it)... Feel free t bring items that tie in the theme f yur lessn ask the children t guess what they think the theme will be. Feel free t ask students t bring smething special fr the fllwing week t put n the prayer space. Please d nt light a REAL candle. It is a SAFETY issue. We will prvide the electric kind 9

10 SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN If yur persnal children cme early with yu, please keep them in yur Faith Sharing Area until smene is in the church t supervise them. We need smene in the church t supervise yur class at 7-10 minutes BEFORE class begins either an aide r catechist. Smetimes we are busy registering new students, answering parent s questins, finding a substitute, STUDENTS MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES FOR THEIR SAFETY. Cme in t the church at the start f yur class time t cllect yur students prmptly and reverently. Fire Drill prcedures / Evacuatin maps Leave the building fr a fire drill EVERYONE even helpers/mms Be familiar with maps psted n back f classrm dr, n the side f yur bin (grades 6-8) and in yur flder. Prayer packets I have a packet f prayers that students shuld knw by grade level. Parents were given ne last year and encuraged t practice prayers with students at hme. We will send them hme again and they will be n the website under the Family Faith Page Please practice in the classrm as well. Start class and end class with a grade level prayer each time s they becme familiar with additinal prayers. US Cathlic Catechism fr Adults If yu d nt have a cpy f the US Cathlic Catechism fr Adults, I highly recmmend yu purchase ne. (They are cheap n Amazn.). There is a link n the website under Catechist Resurces. Yu can easily d a search, if yu have a specific questin. SPECIAL EVENTS: OPENING NIGHT RE Ht Dg Scial September 12th/13 th We will start with all parents, students, catechists, and aides in the sanctuary. Parents may sit with children. We will release catechists/aides/students by grade level t get their ht dgs r g t their class space. Kindergarten thru 3 rd grade will have htdgs, pretzels, ckies, and drinks brught t yu. Grades 4-8 will frm a single line and g thrugh the hall t pick up their fd and drink and walk back t class. Parents will be in St. Brigid and St. Catherine rm their fd will already be in there. All students may have ne cup f lemnade water after that. Fr. Adrian and I will meet with parents. We will be ding a 30 minute Frmatin Sessin with the parents. WE will release them 5 minutes befre the class ends. Pray befre eating! 10

11 ROSARY NIGHTS Family Nights Octber we will say the rsary as a grup n Octber 11 th. We will frm a rsary with parents, extra students, catechists, and aides in the middle. Prayers will be printed n cards fr the students t read and it will be prjected n the drp dwn screen fr all. 8 th grade will annunce the mysteries. And reflectin Each grade level will lead part f the rsary using a micrphne. April 25th we will d it again. Fire Drill/ Liturgical Calendar On Octber 11 th, after we say the rsary, everyne will return t their class area, begin teaching the lessn, and we will have a fire drill. Parents will be cming with me fr a shrt liturgy lessn. Yur jb as the catechists and aides is t get YOUR class ut. Take yur flder s yu have a class list. COUNT YOUR STUDENTS. Catechist lead, students fllw, and aide is cabse. Smene will check the bathrms, ffice, chapel and classrms and bring ut anyne in these lcatins. When we return t class, yu will cntinue yur lessn n the liturgical year using yur Liturgical Calendar pster in yur classrm. Yur bk has sme infrmatin n the Liturgical Year but yu dn t need t read every wrd. YOU read it and cnvey it t the students. Pint ut that as the church seasns change, s d the clrs in the decratins in the church and in Fr. Adrian s chasuble. Mve the car alng the track thrughut the year. Mentin it ccasinally the upcming changes. Pint ut changes in the decratins in the church when yu pick up yur students. Adratin Nights I am nt sure hw many we will have this year, as I get the final dates this is hw I hpe it will wrk: Shrt invitatin t spend time with Jesus, remind them abut prcedure: We kneel when Jesus is Expsed and stay kneeling fr 5 minutes, then yu are welcme t sit and just BE with Jesus. There will be 15 minutes f Adratin time and then Benedictin. The whle prcess shuld be n mre than minutes. When the children g back t yur Faith Sharing Area be sure t ask them t share hw they felt t just BE with Jesus. N expectatins. Yu can pray, yu can be silent. Just knw that Jesus lves yu! Remind them that this is the same Jesus that they can receive at Eucharist n Sundays!!!! He wants t be with us Always!!! Family Advent Night Our Advent will end with a Family Advent Service. Parents will be asked t bring 1/2 dzen ckies t share at the end f the evening and we will teach abut Advent and the Cming f Christ at Christmas. If yu want t gather yur class tgether at the end fr a family prayer and sending frth, we can definitely make time fr that. I am nt exactly sure hw I want t d this t include as many peple as pssible. If yu want t be n the cmmittee t help plan this, let me knw! 11

12 Family Tur f the Church This is always a favrite activity fr everyne! Each parent family grup will be given a TOUR f the Church sheet where they will be able t g arund the church and learn mre abut ur prayer space.. Even thugh there is a lt f activity in and utside the Sanctuary, Sacristy and Chapel, we will ask that they keep the reverence due this Hly Space. Again, we will make sure each child is attached t a Family t learn abut their church. The parents will be teaching! This is always a fun night Sme f the items als lead int teaching abut Liturgy and why we d what we d each Sunday! If we have enugh Families we will try t have a few Catechists at the key areas Altar, tabernacle and sacristy t answer questins and t help remind peple f reverence fr this Hly Area. Statins f the Crss Family Night In Lent, we will reflect n the statins f the crss. We will divide int 2 grups K-4 and 5-8. The lder students will be in the chapel learning abut the statins while the yunger students reflect n age apprpriate statins. We will clse the evening with Adratin (20 minutes) If there is extra time, let s begin a simple catechesis n the Triduum inviting families t g t at least ne f the services during Hly Week. Being an EASTER PEOPLE Celebratin and Prayer Blankets I wuld like t d a n evening n being EASTER PEOPLE! What is s great abut EASTER? Hw can we truly live as if CHRIST HAS RISEN!!! Hw are ur lives transfrmed by EASTER Resurrectin? We will tie this activity int prayer and finish ur prayer blankets, praying fr the children and families wh will receive them. Final Rsary/May Crwning and Sending ur Families ut as Disciples! This will be a little like the 1st Rsary night in Octber. I am nt sure hw we select the persn t Crwn Mary The 1st Cmmunin children can wear their 1st Cmmunin clthes. We will end in family grups talking abut hw they will share the Gspel during the summer! Again, we will ask parents t bring 1/2 dzen ckies t share and yu can gather yur families tgether fr a final prayer and sending frth! 12

13 End f Year Celebratins This year, we will have Family Celebratins instead f individual class parties At the Family Advent Service I will ask parents t bring a dzen ckies t share. WE will prvide water and lemnade.(and baggies fr extra ckies t take hme). Yu can gather yur class (with parents) tgether fr a final prayer befre they grab their ckies and g. (If yu give ut little Christmas gifts t yur students, this wuld be the time t give them away). At the end f the year Rsary/ Sending Frth We will d the same type f thing. Again, yu can gather yur class (with parents) fr a final year end prayer (and sending frth fr the summer) and give away little gifts if yu want, then send them frth t get their ckies and enjy living ut their faith fr the summer! Please nte: Sme parents will have mre than ne child in the prgram. If that s the case, please let the parent make the chice at which class they will gather fr final prayer. Make sure t include the children whse parents are nt there r in anther grup t d smething special during the prayer, s they dn t feel left ut. (They can lead the sign f the crss, they can hld the prayer space crss, r special prayer space item, they can say a petitin, be creative!!) Service Prjects Year-lng prject - students are encuraged t d gd deeds. Parents are asked t give students a penny fr each gd deed. Students will bring their pennies t RE and put them in a jar at the sign-in table. Fall mney will purchase an item(s) ff the angel tree. Spring mney will g t VBS schlarship Fall prject Bags f Hpe Each grade level is assigned an item t bring t dnate t the Bags f Hpe. Letters will g hme (frm the sign-in table) explaining prcess 7 th and 8 th graders will assemble bags Bags will g n sale t the parents the evening we assemble them and n Sunday Extra items will be dnated t the Hutt Fd Pantry Spring Prject Prayer Blankets Mney frm the sale f the Bags f Hpe is used t purchase fleece Parent vlunteers cut fringe Students will tie the fringes and pray Blankets are dnated t Dell Children s Hspital 13

14 Cpies r Class Needs I will make cpies f wrksheets fr yu s yu dn t have t stand in line at the cpier but I need them ed t me at re@stpatrickhutt.rg by 9 am Mnday/Tuesday. I will NOT have time t make cpies n Wednesdays. Tell me hw many cpies yu need. I will make cpies and have them in yur flder when yu arrive. Bad Weather Day If there is n schl that day due t bad weather, we will nt have RE If the weather gets bad AFTER schl and yu feel it is unsafe t drive, d nt drive CREATING LESSONS: (Remember it is abut putting yur children in tuch with Jesus Christ...Hw des what they are learning tie int their life at hme, at schl and with friends?) Lessn Objectives They are fund in yur teacher manual. They are n the tp f the first page f the chapter. Yu shuld be able t ask each student what they learned tday and they shuld be able t tell yu. EX: OBJ: Students will name the 3 persns in the Hly Trinity. Gd the Father, Gd the Sn, and Gd the Hly Spirit. Sending Frth n a Missin frm Gd: Hw des what they learned tday tie int their life? Hw can they live this ut that wuld be their MISSION frm Gd this week? Talk abut examples f ways they can live this ut. Encurage students t share their missin and what they learned with their families. Family Updates: Just a shrt nte explaining the bjective and shrt summary f what yu taught that week (yu are catechizing the family!) (where they can learn mre n-line? What is the Missin fr the week? Hw can they be n the Missin frm Gd, t? We shuld have family updates sent hme each week (in the bk) s that parents are learning alng with their children. I will be glad t make cpies if yu let me knw ahead f time - Als, we can them t the parents. I will be glad t help yu with this if yu want. 14

15 PLANNING Lessns that they will Live! Welcme t yur Faith Family fr this year (week)! We Respnd We Gather! D a brief Check-In with them. Get their temperature? What s the weather? Thumbs up day? Thumbs dwn? Any Birthdays? Special Games this week? Tests? (Remember these fr yur pening and clsing prayer use the whitebard if yu need t!) Rewind Review last week and hw yu lived it ut!!! Why the struggle? Or fr 1st night Hw did yu see Gd this Summer? Opening Prayer Include the Saint f the day. Prayer needs that they have. Let them add things, use prayers they are suppsed t learn...kids lve Rituals! Theme! Scripture! - One sentence Hw are yu ging t teach it? What materials? What methds? Remember, all children d nt learn the same!!! Sending Frth t Live the Wrd What lessn d yu want them t take with them this week? Why is this imprtant fr them t knw and live? what scripture can they pray and try t live ut? Wh can they pray fr in their new Faith Family? Have them help yu make a list f ways t live this week s lessn... What can their parents d with them this week? - Clsing Prayer Praying fr each ther and the larger cmmunity! 15

16 Great n-line resurces fr yu as teachers: 3 minute retreats frm Lyla Great site that cllects many cathlic sites fr kids this will keep yu busy fr awhile!!!!! Bible Clring Pages: United States Cnference f Cathlic Bishps This has the bible, ur daily readings, the catechism f the cathlic church, the beliefs and teachings f the church everything yu wanted t knw abut being cathlic Everything yu wanted t knw abut saints and angels: If yu g dwn t Saint Fun Facts they have Saint sheets fr Kids!!! We can print these ut if yu want!!! Let me knw!!! Here is a wnderful site filled with free resurces. Yu culd get lst in this site-deeply, spiritually lst 16