Saint Joseph's Church Religious Education Program 2016 2017 Handbook Learning Jesus Loving Jesus Living Jesus
September 2016 Dear Parents, 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 learned. Good conduct among the students is important so all 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 2
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM Parents are the primary educators of their children in matters of Faith. Our program is designed to emphasize and assist you in this serious responsibility. Our 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 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 meet their children. Children are not permitted to leave their catechist until a family member arrives. Progress cards are issued two times during the year. Please review, sign, and return the report to your child s catechist. Encourage and support your child s religious education. Share your child s homework each week. Please ask questions after class. 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 CCD 3
WORKING + LEARNING + SUPPORTING! As a unit we can provide a great program! These guidelines have been selected to enable all of us to have stronger 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 to not only provide for formal religious education, but guide our children 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 demonstrate how we live it by fostering Christ centered homes. Examples of this are: nightly prayer, prayers before meals, weekly participation at Mass and by limiting time used for viewing television, movies, computer and electronic devices. 4
2016-2017 Religious Education Staff Roster Pastor: Fr. Allan F. Wolfe, Pastor Coordinator: Mr. Armando Torres KINDERGARTEN Carole Good (397-7138) Erin Good FIRST GRADE Joanne Celotto (872-9731) SECOND GRADE Tom Weber (871-8784) Hope Weber THIRD GRADE Mary Rose Christoffel (569-6102) FOURTH GRADE Mary Weaver (397-3657) FIFTH GRADE Joan Wurster (413-3118) SIXTH GRADE Mary Huber (584-5437) SEVENTH GRADE Tom McCarty (464-1808) EIGHTH GRADE Paul Armstrong (412-401-7057) SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS Michelle Pieters (464-7116) Christine Spiess (572-4260) Julie Kirchner (872-2233) Julie Saragosa (617-9222) 5
Norms and Regulations Religious Education Class is NOT A SUBSTITUTE for Sunday Mass. Parents who allow their children to substitute Religious Education Class for their Sunday Mass obligation are 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 9:15am (following the 8:00am Mass) and end at 10:15am. Students should enter the Saint Francis Religious Education Building (former Convent Building) via the side door. For safety reasons parents are asked to escort the children to the door between 9:00 and 9:15am and pick them up between 10:15 and 10:25am. If a student is scheduled to serve at the 10:30am 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 requires a written excuse signed by the parent. If your child does miss a class, please refer to the binder and complete the work 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 on file an emergency phone number for your child and notification of any medical problems, allergies, etc. CURRICULUM: A copy of the curriculum for your child is included in your child's binder. 6
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 take appropriate action. 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 use of 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 Armando Torres 799-4113. 3. Go online to wgal.com for CCD cancellations due to weather. 4. E-mail: atorrres@stjosephslanc.com 7
Religious Education 2016 Calendar CCD Schedule can also be found on www.stjosephslanc.com SEPTEMBER, 2016 11 First day of class - Students /Parents 9:15am in Chapel 18 Class - Catechetical Sunday / Blessing of Catechists @ 10:30am Mass 25 Class OCTOBER, 2016 2 Class - Parent/Sponsors Confirmation meeting; 9:15-10:15am 9 Class 16 Class 23 Class - 2nd grade Penance / First Eucharist Parent meeting; 9:15-10:15am 23 Class - 6th thru 8th grade opportunity: I AM RALLY @ LCHS 12:00-6:00pm 30 Class NOVEMBER, 2016 1 All Saints Day, Holy Day of Obligation 6 Class 13 Class (Standard Time Change Clocks) 20 Class 27 Thanksgiving Break; no classes DECEMBER, 2016 4 Class (Confession Grades 3-5) 10 ACTS Retreat 8th Grade 9:00am-2:00pm, St. Anthony of Padua 11 Class 18 Class (Confession Grades 6-8) 25 Christmas Day, Holy Day of Obligation 8
Religious Education 2017 Calendar JANUARY, 2017 1 No Class, Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, Holy Day of Obligation 8 Class - Epiphany of the Lord 15 Class 22 Class - Confirmation meeting @12:00 pm for Parents, Sponsors and Candidates 28 Class - Saturday: 2nd grade Penance Retreat from 9:00am - 12:30pm 29 Class - 7th grade / Pre Confirmation, Parent Meeting 9:15am - 10:15am FEBRUARY, 2017 5 Class 12 Class 18 First Penance, Lunch, Blessing Cups @ 10:00am - 12:30pm 19 Class 26 Class MARCH, 2017 1 Ash Wednesday 5 Class (Confession Grades 3-5) 12 Class (Daylight Savings Time) 19 Class 24-25 Confirmation Retreat 26 Class - (Confession Grades 6-7) APRIL, 2017 2 Class - Call to Eucharistic Table - 10:30am Mass 9 Class - Palm Sunday 13 Holy Thursday 14 Good Friday 16 Easter Sunday, No Class 23 Class - Rite of Sending Confirmation Class - 10:30am Mass 30 Class - First Holy Communion - 10:30am Mass Confirmation Rehearsal at St. Anthony of Padua at 3:00pm MAY, 2017 2 Confirmation at St. Anthony of Padua at 7:00pm 7 Class 14 Class - Last day of CCD - Mother s Day 9
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
7TH GRADE CONFIRMATION DATES 2016-17 2017 Jan. 29 Pre-Confirmation Meeting 9:15-10:15am St. Francis Rm. PARENTS AND SPONSORS March 24-25 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat (Includes 7th grade) SLEEPOVER AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH FRIDAY 6:00PM - SATURDAY 12:00PM C O N F I R M A T I O N D A T E S 8TH GRADE CONFIRMATION DATES 2016-17 2016 Oct. 2 Confirmation Meeting 9:15am - 10:15am St. Francis Room PARENTS / SPONSORS Dec. 10 ACTS Retreat 9:00am - 2:00pm St. Anthony of Padua 2017 Jan. 22 Confirmation Meeting 12:00-1:30pm St. Francis Room STUDENTS / PARENTS / SPONSORS SHOULD COME TO THIS MEETING. March 24-25 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat (includes 7th grade) SLEEPOVER AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH FRIDAY 6:00PM - SATURDAY 12:00PM April 23 Rite of Sending 10:30am Mass St. Joseph Church Apr. 30 Confirmation Rehearsal 3:00pm St. Anthony OF Padua May 2 CONFIRMATION 7:00PM ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA 11
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, 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 10/4/2016 12