St. Elizabeth & St. Jules Churches
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION
PARENT HANDBOOK
2015-2016
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to a new year of Christian Formation. We are excited about our program this yearand hope that you and your family will grow closer to Jesus through our lessons and activities!
As God has blessed you with the awesome gift of children, He has also given you the responsibilityto teach your children about Him. Your mission, which you accepted at your child’s baptism, is to introduce your child to Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. While you are your child’sprimary teacher of our Catholic religion, we at St. Elizabeth and St. Jules are here to offer resources to assist you.
This handbook is designed to assist you in fulfilling your duty as parents by providing all necessary information related to: class dates, curriculum, resources, activities, responsibilities, and a guide for prayers and doctrine for each year. We will also assist you in your personal faith formationby offering classes and activities for adults throughout the year. We encourage you to take advantageof these opportunities to grow in your knowledge of our Catholic faith.
Throughout the year, we will communicate with you in various ways - the church bulletin,
Flocknote, materials mailed through the office, our church parish website, or issuesaddressed by Father Merrickduring Mass. Please feel free to contact the Office (225-473-8569 or 985-369-7398) anytime you have a question or concern.
Thank you for your continued support.
CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION PERSONNEL
Staff Members
Rev. Andrew MerrickPastor
Megan S. BraudCoordinator
St. Elizabeth & St. Jules
Telephone Number: 225-473-8569 or 985-369-7398
Office Hours – 8:30 am - 3 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Location of Classes:
High School Classes – St. Elizabeth Community Center
K-8th Grade Classes – SES school
Philosophy of the Christian Formation Program
“As it is the parents who have given life to their children, on them lies the gravest obligation of educating their family. They must therefore be recognized as being primarily and principally responsible for their education. The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute. It is therefore the duty of parents to create a family atmosphere inspired by love and devotion to God and their fellow-men which will promote an integrated, personal and social education of their children”. - Vatican Council II, Declaration on Christian Education, Paragraph 3
The primary purpose of the Christian Formation program of St. Elizabeth and St. Jules is to support parents in their role as primary educators of their children as they lead them to grow in awareness of the presence of God. Growth in faith implies formation, information, and transformation, and is the responsibility of the educator to support those parents who strive to teach their children to live the Gospel as part of the Catholic community and in developing a Christ-centered environment in today’s world.
The policies and provisions contained in this Handbook are to help parents and students in their awareness of the importance of continuing religious education. We thereby hope to support, encourage, and enable parents to help their children learn more about the Catholic Christian faith. “Catechetical programs for children... are not effective without a strong adult faith community and the full and active involvement of parents” (James Merhaut, Families & Faith). St. Elizabeth and St. Jules extend the opportunity and encourage all parents to participate in meaningful ways in the spiritual growth of their children. In order to ensure cooperation and understanding between the faculty, administration, families, and students of the St. Elizabeth and St. Jules Christian Formation program, parents are asked to review this handbook carefully with your students who participate in Christian Formation classes.
CURRICULUM
- Kindergarten
Program - Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program
The Pflaum Gospel Weeklies are weekly lessons, in a convenient booklet format that
inspire children and young teens to live the Gospel in their daily lives. It includes a handbook, or catechism, which reviews and reinforces the basic Church teachings that need to be mastered at each grade level.
- 1stthrough 8th Grades
This course will utilize 2 separate programs simultaneously.
- Program 1 - Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program
The Pflaum Gospel Weeklies are weekly lessons presented in a convenient booklet format thatinspire children and young teens to live the Gospel in their daily lives. It includes a handbook, or catechism, which reviews and reinforces the basic Church teachings that need to be mastered at each grade level.
- Program 2 – Faith and Life Online Courses
The Faith and Life Online coursesare designed for in-home presentation and study.
The series presents an overview of Salvation History and the Eucharist. Students see clearly how the Eucharist is the center of God's plan of mercy and the center of our Catholic faith. This series is fully correlated with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and uses scripture to complement the presentation of Catholic doctrine and practices.
- High School
This course will utilize a new program called Decision PointbyDynamicCatholic.com.
This program is a spiritual, Christ-encountering experience for teens as they mature in their relationship with God and take on more responsibilities on nurturing this relationship. “This program will not only prepare young Catholics for the Sacrament of Confirmation in a dynamic way, but also teach and inspire them to respond and cooperate with God’s grace in all the circumstance of their daily lives, long after their Confirmation has passed” (DynamicCatholic.com/confirmation). The goal is nothing short of winning over the hearts of teens at a critical time in their lives and keeping them in the Church.
The dynamic videos for each session break down twelve important topics in our Catholic faith. These topics will guide the teens to better understand the things they already know and fully understand the things they don't.
Your teens will:
- Be equipped and prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
- Hear the Faith presented in new and unexpected ways
- Be called to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ
- See what sets the Catholic Church apart
- Be inspired to a deep appreciation of the Sacraments
- Learn from examples of the saints
CLASS ATTENDANCE
Attendance is vital for spiritual growth of the individual and of the group.
K - 8 grades–We have tried to minimize the number of meetings required for parents and children; therefore, a great deal of information will be distributed and/or communicated at each session. Missing any sessions will require additional time and effort on the part of the parent, child and PSR instructor. One absence between August - December 2015 and one absence between January - May 2016 is allowed. When possible, please notify the church office of your absence prior to the session in order to make arrangements to pick up your resources from the rectory. Parents are expected to make such arrangements in the case of absences of either the child or the parent.
During parent meetings, parentswill
- receive the materials for the next month’s lesson,
- gain valuable information to ensure they understand the teachings of the Church and are able to communicate it effectively to their children,
- (have the opportunity to but not required to) ask questions about what they taught, learned, or experienced from the previous lessons, and
- (have the opportunity to but not required to) share insights and suggestions about what worked well for them and the blessings they experienced as result of this time of study about God and their faith with their children.
During the children’s meeting, children will
- Express their level of understanding of the previous month’s lessons, through discussion, quizzes, games, and interaction with catechist and other students
- Share time in prayer and activities designed to reinforce the lessons of the Gospels of the previous weeks and of the units completed using the online course.
During the meeting with both parents and children, PSR organizers will
- identify the successes and needs that are present in new structure of the program
- make necessary modifications in order to maximize the impact of the new programs
- provide support to parents with managing the new program
- Provideongoing feedback to parents on their children’s progress and performance with the online courses.
9th - 11th grades - Students are allowed 2 absences per academic year.We ask that everyone be on time for classes. Classes will be held at the St. Elizabeth Community Center from 6:30-8:15pm on Monday evenings.
Confirmation retreat is mandatory for all 11th grade students; therefore, an allowed absence cannot be used for retreat.
WEEKEND MASS ATTENDANCE
Give your child the gift of you as an example of faithful weekly Mass attendance.
The weekly celebration of the Eucharist, or Mass, is an essential part of the Christian Formation
Program. It is here that we gather as a community to give praise to God, learn from His Word,
and receive the Body and Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Weekly Mass attendance should be
a way of life in response to God’s infinite love for us rather than a requirement which we fulfill during the months of formation classes or sacramentalpreparation.
SACRAMENTAL REGISTRATION
Students entering First Reconciliation/First Eucharist Prep Program will receive separate information with details and requirements of the program. This will be provided to parents at an introductory meeting. Notification of the meetings will be mailed to parents and also placed in the church bulletin and on Flocknote. There is an additional registration fee for this program.
Confirmation candidates will be prepared for the Rite of Confirmation through the High School Religious Education Program offered on Monday evenings at St. Elizabeth Community Center from 6:30-8:15. Students who attend Catholic high schools are still required to attend the sessions. Our goal is to nurture the development of a community of believers who pray, study, and work together as the people of God with the power to transform themselves, our parish, and our culture.
PRAYERS AND OTHER CATECHESIS
K-11th Grades
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 2590, Prayer is the raising of one’s
mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God. Effective prayer involves
your heart and mind. As in any good friendship, it includes insight and affection. As parents,
you have been given the responsibility to develop a meaningful prayer life in your child. Insuring
that children are reciting prayers should be a daily ritual in your home. The prayers below are suggested for the grade level identified.
KindergartenFirst GradeSecond Grade
The Sign of the CrossGuardian Angel PrayerBlessing Before Meals
Blessing Before MealsBlessing Before MealsGlory Be to the Father
Guardian Angel PrayerGlory Be to the FatherHail Mary
Hail Mary The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s PrayerAct of Contrition
Third GradeFourth GradeFifth Grade
The Lord’s PrayerAct of ContritionHail Holy Queen
Glory Be to the FatherApostle’s CreedApostle’s Creed
Hail MaryConfiteorConfiteor
Act of Contrition
Sixth GradeSeventh Grade
Hail Holy QueenHail Holy Queen
Apostle’s CreedConfiteor
ConfiteorPrayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer to the Holy SpiritAct of Contrition
Seven Sacraments
Eighth GradeNinth Grade
Rosary/MysteriesCommandments
Act of ContritionSeven Sacraments
CreedSeven Deadly Sins
Confiteor
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Tenth Grade Confirmation
Works of Mercy
Parts of the Mass and the necessity of attending Mass
Beatitudes
Eleventh Grade
No formal test – Students should have knowledge of all of the prayers above by this level.
PRAYERS
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Blessing Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these, thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty,
through Christ our Lord. Amen
Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God=s love commits me here, Ever this day,
be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen
Glory Be to the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and
at the hour of our death. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as
we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil. Amen
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee and I detest all my sins, because of
Thy just punishments, but most of all because of they offend Thee, my God, who are all
good, and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no
more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen
The Apostles’ Creed (as taken from the Roman Missal, Third Edition)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His
only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen
The Confiteor( as taken from the Roman Missal, Third Edition)
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed
Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for
me to the Lord our God. Amen
Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in
this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us.
And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement,
O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us o Holy Mother of God. That we may be
made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit, You have taught the hearts of Your faithful.
In the same Spirit, help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
SERVICE
If opportunities arise for students to help with service projects itwill be explained to them during class sessions.