CCE Parent Handbook 2012/2013 St. Bartholomew the Apostle Contents

Transcription

1 CCE Parent Handbook 2012/2013 St. Bartholomew the Apostle Contents Mission Statement of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church... 2 CCE Staff... 3 CCE Schedule... 4 CCE Program... 5 Elementary Catechesis... 6 Junior Catechesis... 7 Senior Catechesis... 8 Sacraments... 9 General Policies Revised May

2 Mission Statement of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church We are called to be a witness to the Gospel and to discern the goals and direction of religious education in our parish through shared wisdom. Intent on seeking and listening to the Holy Spirit and one another, we aspire to build a Christ-centered community. We exist to provide, facilitate and strengthen Catholic Christian Education within the community by identifying and addressing the educational needs of our entire parish family. We strive to be one heart and one mind in Christ to share His values through prayer and study, worship and sacrament. 2

3 CCE Staff Liz Adams Leezet Llorance Luchy Baltazar Nellie Aguilera Barbara Wibberg Director of Religious Education (DRE) Elementary, Junior High, & Sacramental CRE High School CRE CCE Secretary CCE Coordinator (volunteer) Office Phone Number Office Hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm (M-F) 3

4 CCE Schedule Tuesday... 5:30 PM 6:45 PM Kindergarten thru Fifth Grade Wednesday... 5:30 PM 6:45 PM or 7:00 PM 8:15 PM Kindergarten thru Eighth Grade Thursday... 6:30 PM 7:45 PM Kindergarten thru Fifth Grade Sunday... 6:30 PM 7:45 PM Sixth thru Eleventh Grade 4

5 CCE Program Faith formation is an ongoing progressive journey from Kindergarten through 11th grade (Confirmation). This section of the handbook contains a brief description of elementary catechesis (kindergarten fifth grade) and junior catechesis (sixth eighth grade) and senior catechesis (ninth eleventh grade). 5

6 Elementary Catechesis Grades Kindergarten through Sixth will use the We Believe series. The content of this series is faithful to the teaching of the Catholic Church and holistically embraces the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Moral Life and Prayer. Kindergarten The grade units: First Grade The grade units: God Made the World God gives us many gifts; God is our Creator; Jesus shows us God s love; Jesus wants us to share God s love. God Loves Us Jesus teaches us about God s love; We are the followers of Jesus; We belong to the Church; We celebrate and live our faith. Second Grade The grade units: Jesus share s God s life Jesus Christ is with us always; Jesus calls us to Penance and Reconciliation; Jesus gives himself in the Eucharist; We live our Catholic life. Third Grade The grade units: We are the Church Jesus gives us the Church; We are members of the Church; The Church leads us in worship; We are called to discipleship. 6

7 Fourth Grade The grade units: Fifth Grade The grade units: God s Law Guides Us Growing in Jesus Christ; The Commandments help us to love God; The Commandments help us to love others; We are called to holiness. We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments Jesus Christ shares his life with us; Confirmation and Eucharist complete our initiation; The sacraments of healing restore us; We love and serve as Jesus did. Junior Catechesis Sixth Grade We are God s people The grade units: Forming the Covenant; Building the Covenant nation; Redefining the Covenant people; The Covenant fulfilled in Jesus Seventh Grade We Live Our Faith (As Disciples of Jesus) Eight Grade We Live Our Faith (As Members of the Church) 7

8 Senior Catechesis Ninth Grade Catholic Morality Foundations for Catholic Morality and Catholic Morality Applied. Tenth Grade The Light of Faith An overview of Catholicism your light Eleventh Grade Confirmation The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth 8

9 Sacraments First Reconciliation (2nd grade) Individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church (CCC #1484) Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are renewed and recommitted to the Holy Spirit in our lives helping us to become more effective in reflecting Christ and His words of life and love to others. In this way we strengthen Christ s community which can continue His healing, saving, and loving work. Children wishing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation must be baptized and present a Baptismal Certificate (ONLY if baptized outside St. Bartholomew parish), must be registered parishioners, be enrolled in CCE classes and have successfully completed the prior year of CCE. Sacramental preparation classes are during second grade CCE classes. The sacrament is usually celebrated sometime in the late winter or early spring. A parent is REQUIRED to attend MANDATORY meetings. 9

10 First Holy Communion (2nd grade) Communion with the flesh of the risen Christ, a flesh given life and giving life through the Holy Spirit preserves, increases and renews the life of grace received at Baptism. (CCC #1392) Jesus instituted the Eucharist within the Jewish Passover meal on the night before He died. In the Eucharist, we are united with Christ. Nourished by His Body and Blood and filled with His Holy Spirit, we become one Body, one Spirit in Christ. Preparation for First Eucharist is during the second grade CCE classes. The child must be baptized and present a Baptismal Certificate (ONLY if baptized outside the parish), must be a registered parishioner, be enrolled in CCE classes and have successfully completed the prior year of CCE classes. First Eucharist is usually celebrated as a group during Easter Season. A parent is REQUIRED to attend MANDATORY meetings. 10

11 Confirmation (11 th grade) Those who have been baptized continue the path of Christian Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation. In this Sacrament, they receive the Holy Spirit who was sent to the Apostles by the Lord on the day of Pentecost. This gift of the Holy Spirit confirms believers more perfectly to Christ and strengthens them so that they may bear witness to Christ for the building up of His Body in faith and love. Candidates MUST HAVE RECEIVED the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist and must attend Mass regularly. They must have successfully attended CCE classes for two years prior (9th & 10th grades) to the present year (11th grade). Candidates must complete a weekend retreat, 20 hours community service hours, 4 mass hours, and a one hour family service in the community. Confirmation classes are offered to students in the eleventh grade during regular CCE classes and Confirmation is usually celebrated during the spring after Easter. 11

12 Sacraments for Third Grade and Older Students Out of Sequence (OOS) Students in the third grade through high school who need to receive the Sacraments of Baptism or First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be prepared in a special CCE class. These students will be placed in our Out of Sequence (OOS) class. The family must be registered parishioners. Students must have successfully completed the prior year of CCE classes. 12

13 General Policies The policies stated in this handbook are multi-purposed and are intended to enhance the learning experience in our catechetical programs. All catechetical ministers and parents are responsible for being familiar with the following: 1. Drop off/pick ups - Parents of elementary students must walk their children to their classroom. They will also have to sign their child in and sign their child out. 2. Attendance Students are expected to be in their assigned classrooms when the bell rings. Satisfactory attendance is expected. When a student is absent for two consecutive class sessions, the parents will be contacted by the CCE office before the next session. After four unexcused absences, the student s name will be dropped from the class roster to make room for other students, unless maintaining enrollment is justified after a meeting with a parent. Please contact the CCE office in advance to report if your child will be absent from class and the reason for the absence. 3. Tardiness To avoid disrupting the class, it is important that the child arrive in class on time. Students who are routinely late will be asked to report to the CCE office. 4. Leaving the Classroom Students are discouraged from leaving the class during CCE time. However, when necessary the student can leave the classroom with a VIRTUS TRAINED ADULT. Usually only one or two students are permitted to leave the classroom. 5. Guests Guests are welcomed. However, they are required to check in with the CCE office before the beginning of class. Each guest is expected to exhibit good conduct. Disruptive guests will be asked to leave. 6. General Conduct All students of our CCE program are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the standards of Christian charity and good manners. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Although we will make every attempt to deal with misconduct on a case by case basis, the following guidelines apply: 1 st Offense... Verbal warning from Catechist 2 nd Offense... Report to CCE office and Parents contacted 13

14 3 rd Offense... Student s name will be dropped from the class roster to make room for another student 7. Dress Code Students will be expected to present themselves for class in school dress. Attire which may be considered as promoting profanity, obscenity, or conduct contrary to Christian morality is not permitted. Students in violation of this dress code will be sent to the CCE office and parents will be contacted. 8. Illegal Drug/Alcohol Use The use of addictive substances is strictly prohibited by law and violators will be referred to the appropriate corrective agencies. Smoking is prohibited on the church premises at any time. Prescription medication may not be administered to students by catechists or any of the pastoral staff. 9. Truancy When a student willfully and intentionally leaves CCE without securing proper permission, he/she is considered to be truant. Consequences for truant students may lead to suspension and or even expulsion from the CCE program if conditions warrant. 10. Parking Lot Safety All parents and students are advised to exercise caution and good safety manners in the parking lot and drop-off areas. Children grades Kindergarten through 5th are to be picked up in their classroom by parents or other designated adult. Students of driving age are expected to operate their vehicles in a safe and courteous manner while on parish premises. Negligent and dangerous driving habits will result in suspension and even expulsion from the CCE program. 11. Sunday Mass Please remember that CCE is not a substitute for the Sunday Liturgy. Children should understand that worshipping with the parish community at Sunday Mass is an important aspect of their spiritual growth as Catholic Christians. Attendance at Mass should be regarded as part of CCE curriculum for the students and should not be neglected. 14

15 Llorance, CRE 15