The Catechist's Prayer Blessed are you, O God of all creation. From the dawning of life you have called me by name. From the waters of my Baptism you set me on the path to this day. In your generosity you have brought me to this time when I am blessed to journey with your children as they come to share in your mercy and goodness. Send the Holy Spirit to guide us on our way in this time of preparation. Help me to remember that it is through your Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Saint Joseph's Church Religious Education Program 2014 2015 Handbook Friend us on Facebook for updates and information about our CCD program at: St. Joseph Lancaster CCD The CCD schedule and Calendars for the 7th & 8th Grade Confirmation Classes, 1st Penance, and First Communion may also be found on our Web Site. St. Joseph Church 440 St. Joseph St. Lancaster, PA 17603 Rectory: 717-397-6921 Fax: 717-397-2120 Learning Jesus Loving Jesus Living Jesus 12
7TH GRADE CONFIRMATION DATES 2014-15 2014 Dear Parents, 2 September 2014 Welcome to our new year of religious education for the public school students of St. Joseph Parish. Our goal is to assist you, the parents, in the role of passing on the faith to the next generation by helping them live a sacramental life in Christ. This handbook recognizes that our school of religion is growing and will continue to grow. From our past experience, we have drawn up policies that will enable us to run a good program. We are a systematic school of religion of 30 hours of class per year. We need our students at each class so they can grasp the whole picture of discipleship. Missed classes mean part of the picture has not been understood. Good conduct among the students is important so the other students can learn. Professionalism among the catechists is important so your students can be well-taught. Support on your part is important so that our efforts are not in vain. Please read this handbook carefully. Please support your children's religious education by having them at class regularly and on time and by bringing them to Mass every Sunday. Our prayer is that together we will succeed in bringing our young people to a lasting relationship with Christ and His Church. Your brother in Christ, Fr. Allan F. Wolfe Pastor Sept. 28 th Confirmation Meeting 1:30pm St. Francis Rm. Nov.1 st Y.E.S. Retreat 9am - 2pm St. John Neumann Ch. 2015 Jan. 25 th Confirmation Meeting 1:30pm St. Francis Rm. SPONSORS AND PARENTS SHOULD COME TO THIS MEETING. SPONSOR FORMS ARE DUE AT THIS MEETING. 8TH GRADE CONFIRMATION DATES 2014-15 2014 Sept. 28 th Confirmation Meeting 3:30pm St. Francis Rm. STUDENTS / PARENTS / SPONSORS MUST ATTEND. Dec. 6 th A.C.T.S. Retreat 9am 2pm St. John Neumann Ch. 2015 Jan. 25 th Confirmation Meeting 3:30pm St. Francis Rm. STUDENTS / PARENTS / SPONSORS SHOULD COME TO THIS MEETING. Feb. 27 th C O N F I R M A T I O N D A T E S 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat 8TH GRADE SLEEPOVER AT ST. JOSEPH CH. 11 Students arrive by 6pm. Date TBA Confirmation Practice Time TBA St. Anthony OF Padua March 1 st Rite of Sending 10:30am Mass Church March 7 th CONFIRMATION 10:00AM ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
Prayer to the Holy Spirit Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen. The Corporal Works of Mercy ~ Feed the hungry ~ Give drink to the thirsty ~ Clothe the naked ~ Shelter the homeless ~ Visit the sick ~ Visit prisoners ~ Bury the dead The Spiritual Works of Mercy ~ Instruct the ignorant ~ Convert sinners ~ Advise the perplexed ~ Comfort the sorrowful ~ Show patience to sinners ~ Forgive others ~ Pray for the living and the dead 10 C O N F I R M A T I O N Gifts of the Holy Spirit Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord Fruits of the Holy Spirit Joy Charity Peace Faithfulness Patience Goodness Generosity Modesty Gentleness Chastity Self-control Kindness RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM Parents are the primary educators for their children in matters of Faith. Our program is designed to emphasize and assist you in that serious responsibility. This program is offered to all Catholic children attending public school in Grades K through 8. We teach religious education and provide instructions for children to participate in the Sacraments. The program implements the Catechetical Norms and Regulations of the Diocese of Harrisburg. The program uses these norms to fulfill the tasks of the catechetical process: to proclaim the message of Jesus; to foster community; to motivate to service; and to lead students to prayer. Classes are held in St. Joseph s CCD Building on Sunday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. After 9:15am the lower door will be locked and students must be buzzed in for entrance. This change is for the safety of the children and the catechists. After class, catechists will escort their students to the lower parking lot where parents must pick their children up. Children are not permitted to leave their catechist until a family member arrives. Progress cards are issued two times throughout the year. Please review, sign, and return to your child s catechist. Encourage and support your child s religious education program. Share your child s homework each week. Please ask questions after class and follow up with progress. Come to Visitation Day and inquire about your child s religious education. LEARNING & GROWING TOGETHER IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious Education is made up of four major components: + PARENTS + CHILDREN + TEACHING STAFF + PARISH 3 CCD
WORKING + LEARNING + SUPPORTING! As a unit we can accomplish a great program! These guidelines have been selected to enable all of us to have better communication and clearer goals. Let us come together as a team to help create a wonderful and memorable experience for our children our future church. Parents As the primary teacher in your child's faith journey, it is important that we not only give them formal religious education, but guide them in living the faith through sacraments and worship. Attendance at Mass is crucial because it feeds and strengthens us to live as followers of Jesus Christ. Children Learn From Example Because our children look to us as examples, we need to be authentic witnesses to our faith and how we live it by fostering Christ centered homes. Examples of this are: nightly prayer, prayers before meals, weekly participation at Mass and by controlling the time used for viewing television, movies, computer and electronic devices. 4 Religious Education 2015 Calendar JANUARY, 2015 1 Feast of the Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation) 4 Class 10 Reconciliation Retreat, Saturday @ 10:30 a.m. in the St. Francis Room 11 Class 18 Class 25 Class FEBRUARY, 2015 1 Class 8 Class 14 First Penance, Lunch, Blessing Cups @ 10:30a.m. Church/St. Francis Rm 15 Class 18 Ash Wednesday (7:00pm: Mass & Ashes - Not a Holy Day) 22 Class MARCH, 2015 1 Class / 8th Grade Confirmation Rite of Sending at 10:30am Mass 7 Confirmation at 10:00am @ St. Anthony Church 8 Class (Daylight Savings Time / Spring Ahead) 15 Class (Confession Grades 2-5) 22 Class (Confession Grades 6-8) 28 Saturday, First Eucharist Mtg, @ 10:30a.m. St. Francis Room 29 Class (Palm Sunday) APRIL, 2015 2 Holy Thursday 3 Good Friday 4 Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil 5 Easter Sunday (No Class - Holy Day of Obligation) 12 Class 19 Class 25 First Eucharist Retreat & Pictures @ 10:30a.m. Meet in Church 26 Called to the Eucharistic Table @ 10:30a.m. Mass in Church 29 First Eucharistic Practice @ 6:00p.m. in Church MAY, 2014 3 First Eucharistic Celebration @ 10:30a.m. Mass 10 Class 17 Last day of CCD - Closing Mass at 10:30 a.m. 9
Religious Education 2014 Calendar CCD Schedule can also be found on www.stjosephslanc.com SEPTEMBER, 2014 7 First day of class (Students / Parents 9:15 a.m. in Chapel) 14 Class 21 Class Catechetical Sunday / Blessing of Catechists @ 10:30 27 Saturday, First Penance Mtg. @ 10:30a.m. in the St. Francis Room 28 Class OCTOBER, 2014 05 Class 12 Class 19 Class 26 Class NOVEMBER, 2014 1 All Saint s Day (Not a Holy Day of Obligation this year) 2 Class (Standard Savings Time / Fall Back) 8 Saturday, First Penance Mtg. @ 10:30a.m. in the St. Francis Room 9 Class 16 Class 23 Class 30 No Class (Thanksgiving Day) DECEMBER, 2014 7 Class / Rite of Enrollment 10:30a.m. Mass (Confession Grades 3-5) 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation 14 Class (Confession Grades 6-8) 21 Class 25 Christmas Day (Holy Day of Obligation) 28 No Class (Christmas Holiday) 2014-2015 Religious Education Staff Roster Pastor: Fr. Allan F. Wolfe, Pastor Coordinator: Julie Saragosa (617-9222) jcsaragosa@gmail.com KINDERGARTEN Carole Good (397-7138) Erin Good FIRST GRADE Patricia Wang (396-0635) Bobbie North (569-5556) SECOND GRADE Tom Weber (871-8784) Carolyn Weber THIRD GRADE Mary Rose Christoffel (569-6102) Joanne Celotto (872-9731) FOURTH GRADE Julie E. Kirchner (464-9389) Steve Kirchner (464-9389) FIFTH GRADE Julie H. Kirchner (872-2233) SIXTH GRADE Mary Huber (584-5437) SEVENTH GRADE Mary Weaver (397-3657) EIGHTH GRADE Tom McCarty (464-1808) Car- HIGH SCHOOL CLASS Steve Festerman ol Festerman (442-9528) SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS Ellen Collister (569-3024) 8 5
Norms and Regulations Religious Education Class is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for Sunday Mass. Any parent who allows their children to substitute Religious Education Class for their Sunday Mass obligation is contradicting what the children are learning in their religion classes. REGISTRATION: Registration is done in August prior to the 1st religious education class. If the registration fee is a hardship, please see or contact the Coordinator. No child will ever be denied religious education because of financial problems. ATTENDANCE: The Diocese of Harrisburg requires 30 hours of religious education per year. With this limited classroom time, it is vital for parents to bring their children prepared and on time to class. HOMEWORK: Homework assignments must be completed and books, binders, and pencils need to be brought to class each week. CLASSES: Classes begin Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. (following the 8:00 a.m. Mass) and end at 10:15 a.m. Students should enter the Saint Francis Religious Education Building via the side door (former Convent Building). Parents escort the children to the door between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. and pick them up between 10:15 and 10:25 a.m. TARDINESS: No student is permitted to roam the halls during class or to leave the school building. If a student is scheduled to serve at the 10:30 a.m. Mass, either as an altar server or choir member, he/she must report to the Religious Education Office and have an adult escort him/her to the church. ABSENCE: An excused absence means an important excuse submitted in writing and signed by the parent. If your child does miss a class, please refer to the binder and make up what your child missed in class. This way you can help your child stay current with the class. EMERGENCY INFORMATION: The Religious Education Office must have an emergency phone number for your child and notification of any medical problems, allergies, etc., to keep on file. CONDUCT: Appropriate behavior is expected at all times. If a student misbehaves in an extremely inappropriate manner, the following measures will be taken: 1 st Offense: Catechist handles behavior in the classroom. 2 nd Offense: Catechist contacts parents about the inappropriate behavior. 3 rd Offense: The child is sent to the Coordinator s Office pastor and parents are notified. 4 th Offense: The pastor calls the parents to discuss the situation and to make appropriate decisions. The Parish affirms the inherent value of every individual and upholds the respect due to each because of his or her uniqueness as a child of God; therefore, the following are not permissible: 1. Talking back to one in authority with a degrading attitude, demeanor, or tone, 2. Gestures of a degrading nature, 3. Leaving the school building or grounds during school hours without prior permission, 4. Running, yelling, or raising voices in hallways or classrooms, 5. Possession of or using alcohol, drugs, or weapons on church property or at church-sponsored functions. Any student who engages in any of the above behavior/s is subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion, depending on the seriousness of the offensive conduct. SMOKING AND CHEWING GUM: Smoking and chewing gum are prohibited in the Religious Education Building. CANCELLATIONS: For Religious Education Class cancellation news due to poor and inclement weather, parents can: 1. Log-into Facebook and read St. Joseph Lancaster CCD page. 2. Call or text Julie Saragosa (617-9222). 3. Go online to wgal.com for CCD cancellations due to weather. 4. E-mail: jcsaragosa@gmail.com CURRICULUM: A copy of the curriculum for your child is included in your child's binder. 6 7