YOUTH FAITH FORMATION AT SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR CHURCH
“Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mk 10:14
Learning about the Catholic faith cannot be accomplished solely by a series of lessons taught in a classroom. Faith must be lived and also reinforced by strong modeling practices. Parents and Guardians are the first and primary teachers of their children, and their desire to participate fully in the life of the church community will provide an enriching faith experience for the entire family.
“The witness of Christian life given by parents in the family comes to children with tenderness and parental respect. Children thus perceive and joyously live the closeness of God and of Jesus made manifest by their parents in such a way that this first Christian experience frequently leaves decisive traces which last throughout life. This childhood religious awakening which takes place in the family is irreplaceable. It is consolidated when, on the occasion of certain family events and festivities, "care is taken to explain in the home the Christian or religious content of these events". It is deepened all the more when parents comment on the more methodical catechesis which their children later receive in the Christian community and help them to appropriate it. Indeed, "family catechesis precedes...accompanies and enriches all forms of catechesis". (General Directory for Catechesis #226)
“God entrusted children to parents so that they might be steady, righteous examples for those children, that they might love and respect them and do everything possible so that their children can develop physically and spiritually.” (YouCat #372)
“Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2226)
The Religious Education program at Saint Edward the Confessor Parish relies on the support of families to be successful. Setting religion and religious education as a priority within the family helps create an attitude of learning which will lead to a deepening of faith and a strengthening of community.
GOAL AND OBJECTIVES OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM:
Thank you for all you do to reinforce the lessons learned in our program to form a foundation for living that goes beyond the classroom.
“Let the Creed be like a mirror for you. Look at yourself in it to see whether you really believe all that you claim to believe. And rejoice every day in your faith.” St. Augustine
CURRICULUM:
The Religious Education program at Saint Edward the Confessor Church is designed to promote lifelong faith formation for students from first grade through tenth grade. Our purpose is to teach fundamental faith topics that will gradually grow the knowledge and meaning of the faith adapted to the needs, abilities, and age of the child.
We are here to support you as your child’s first catechist, to fulfill your promise made when you presented your child(ren) to be baptized. “In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor (Rite of Baptism for Children).”
Grades 1, 3-5
Blest Are We, Faith and Word Edition, Parish Program (RCL Benziger).
Grades 6-8
Encounter, Experiencing God in the Everyday (Ascension Press).
Grades 9-10
Chosen, Your Journey to Confirmation (Ascension Press).
Reconciliation and Eucharist, Grade 2
Believe Celebrate Live: Reconciliation and Eucharist (Sadlier Religion)
YOUCAT for Kids (Ignatius Press)
Confirmation, Grade 10
Chosen, Your Journey to Confirmation (Ascension Press).
YOUCAT Catechism (Ignatius Press)
RCIA for Children and Teens
Journey of Faith for Children (Liguori Publications) Journey of Faith for Teens (Liguori Publications)
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION:
Readiness for the sacraments is an essential piece of the continuing education of our parish youth. The faith of a young child is different from the faith of an older child, a young adult, or a mature adult. This growth occurs because of our experience of faith and our ability to consciously reflect on develops gradually as we grow.
A student must have completed one full year of Faith Formation instruction before entering a Sacramental Preparation class. Students will normally be prepared to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation for the first time in Grade 2, so they should have completed Grade 1.
The sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated every year in the spring of the 10th Grade year, it is expected that each candidate will have been active in learning about their faith, in addition to, participating and completing the 9th grade curriculum.
(If older students have missed any sacraments, special arrangements will be made for them to receive the sacrament(s). Parents/Guardians should notify the Office of Religious Education (978-874-1559) at the beginning of the year if any special conditions exist.)
In order to assist parents in the preparation of their children for the reception of the sacraments, we will provide Sacramental Preparation Meetings for Parents/Guardians. These meetings are a required part of the sacramental program. The Parent Meetings are designed to familiarize parents with current Church teachings; develop methods to promote and increase family participation in the reception of the sacrament; and to extend the process of catechesis at home. Parents/Guardians will be given a letter of instruction concerning the dates of meetings and other sacramental information.
Prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, the candidates will be required to participate in a Diocesean sponsored Retreat to finalize their spiritual preparation. In addition to the retreat, the candidates and their sponsors will be required to attend a series of workshops to assist in the preparation of the sacrament.
ASSESSMENT:
In accordance with the Diocese of Worcester, each child will be given an assessment twice a year. These grade level inventories are done in order to facilitate further growth. It is important to be aware that the child’s faith, love for the Lord, moral living and commitment to the Church is not being assessed. What is being assessed is the child’s grasp of the knowledge that has been taught in the Religious Education Program, as well as an assessment of the program itself.
REGISTRATION:
All families in the Religious Education Program must be members of the Parish. Green registration forms can be found in the back of the church or online.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM REGISTRATION:
Registration for the Religious Education Program is held each year before the classes begin in the fall. This information will be published in the bulletin and available on the Parish website. Registration is for students in grades 1 -10. . All students must register for the Religious Education Program each year, even if they have been in the program previously. A Baptismal Certificate will need to be provided for all new children to the program and/or if your child was not baptized at Saint Edward the Confessor.
SCHEDULE:
Grades 1-3 meet Sunday mornings from 10 am - 11 am.
Grades 4-5 meet Monday afternoons from 4:00 - 5:15 pm.
Grades 6-8 meet Monday evenings from 7 - 8:15 pm.
Grades 9-10 meet Sunday afternoons from 3:30 - 5 pm.*
A detailed calendar will be available online.
Our bi-monthly Youth Mass will be held (generally) on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Those in our high school program will be expected to attend and participate in the various ministries of the mass.
*Grades 9-10 are in Sacramental preparation for Confirmation, the program is a combination of whole-family catechesis, peer-based learning, and workshops. (Please refer to the Program Calendar for more details.)
REGISTRATION FEES:
1 Child $50, 2 Children $90, and 3 or more Children $135. There is an additional $50 fee for each student preparing for First Communion or Confirmation. Fees are non-refundable.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Religious Education classes are scheduled from September to April. Each parish child who does not attend a parochial school or private Catholic school is expected to attend all religious education classes. Those children who attend a parochial or private Catholic school will need to participate in Sacramental Preparation.
Please notify the Office of Religious Education (978-874-1559) or email [email protected] when a child will not be present at class. FIVE unexcused absences may result in having to repeat the grade. For those in sacrament preparation, it may result in a delay of receiving the sacrament. Parents/Guardians will be expected to help the child with any make-up work.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
When the AWRSD closes due to weather, Religious Education classes will be canceled as well. A notification will be sent out through FlockNote.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM:
Saint Edward the Confessor Church, along with the Diocese of Worcester, is committed to ensuring the safety of all in its care. All staff and volunteers are required to read and sign the Diocesean Code of Ministerial Conduct, submit to a CORI check, and to participate in Safe Environment training. The Diocese of Worcester has adopted the Circle of Grace program, a curriculum developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha, as part of our compliance with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Circle of Grace is the mandatory safe environment program for all parishes in the Diocese of Worcester.
“ARTICLE 12. Dioceses/eparchies will establish "safe environment" programs. They will cooperate with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children. Dioceses/eparchies will make clear to clergy and all members of the community the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse.”
https://worcesterdiocese.org/safe-environment
Circle of Grace sessions will be held in January.
An overview of the program will be presented at the beginning of the year's parent meeting. An opt out form for the Circle of Grace program will be available for those families who do not wish to participate, this form will need to be completed for auditing purposes.
HEALTH CONCERNS AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Please provide information about medical needs or conditions on the children’s registration form. The Parent/Guardian hereby acknowledges that the religious education personnel and Saint Edward the Confessor Parish are not medical providers and cannot administer any medication. If a child has a special medical concern or need, the parent/guardian must leave a written phone number with the Office of Religious Education so that the parent/guardian can be reached immediately and be available at all times while the child is attending class/workshops.
Avoiding the spread of illness is important to the health of all students. If your child is suffering from symptoms associated with a virus, flu or a heavy cold, please refrain from having your child attend class. Children should be fever free for 24 hours without the assistance of fever reducing medication before they should return to class.
We appreciate your attention and cooperation. Thank you!
“After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.’” Lk 5:4