Religious Education Handbook

2018-2019

This booklet is intended to give necessary information concerning our

Religious Education program’s policies and procedures.

Registration of Students

Admission to the Religious Education program is given to the children of active registered parishioners. An active parishioner is one who has registered, attends Mass weekly, and volunteers and/or contributes to the parish.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our RE program is staffed by volunteer catechists (teachers), aides, substitute teachers, safety monitors and office helpers. Catechists, aides and substitutes are our greatest need throughout the school year. Without their generous ministry we would be unable to offer these vital services to our young people. All who give their time and talent to this ministry are greatly appreciated! If you are interested in offering your time and skills in any way, please contact Lisa Hall at the parish office, 850-897-7797 or .

Please note that all ministry volunteers over the age of 18 are required to undergo background checks. All, regardless of age, are required to take part in Armatus Safe Environment Training program.

Parent Roles and Responsibilities

Parents are the primary religious educators of their children. Parents are expected to attend Mass each weekend with their child. Children do as they see; not as they are told. Know that your continued interest, involvement and prayers do influence your child’s perception of what Christian life is all about.

Parents need to practice prayers to be learned with the child to ensure mastery of our Catholic Prayers.

Class Times

Pre-K through 5th grade: Sundays from 8:45 until 10:00 am

On the days of the Saints’ Parade and the May Crowning, classes will end at 10:30 in the Church.

Snacks

Due to many food allergies we do not allow food to be brought to RE classes. Please make sure your child has eaten before coming to class. This is our best option to protect the health and safety of all our students.

Arrival

In order to provide adequate supervision of each child, we ask that you do not drop your children off earlier than 10 minutes prior to the start of class. Children are not allowed to enter the classroom unless there is a teacher present. They are expected to wait quietly outside their classroom. Please make every effort to arrive on time as late arrivals disrupt the classes.

Drop-off Procedures

Pre-K, Kindergarten and 5th grade students MUST be walked to and from their classrooms in the church by an adult. First through 4th grade children should be dropped off at the office door on the north side of the parish hall, beside the canopy. Please do not drive under the canopy. Do not have children enter through the front doors or on the south side.

Please do not drive off before ensuring your children have entered the building.

Pick-up Procedures

Pre-K, Kindergarten and 5th grade students are to be collected at their classrooms by an adult. First through 4th grade students will be picked up in the car-rider lane on the north side of the hall. Cars are to form a single line. There will be 3 cars loading at a time. Children will NOT be allowed to cross the line of cars picking up children! If you want to park and pick up your child, please park on the other side of the building so you do not have to cross the line of traffic.

Early Pick-up

If it is absolutely necessary to pick up a child before dismissal, please go to the Religious Education office and inform the CRE or safety monitor who is working there. Your child will be collected from the classroom for you.

Late Pick-up

Children who are not picked up at the normal time will go to the RE office. A call will be made to the home and then to the parent’s cell phone. If there is no response at either, a call will be placed to the emergency number on the registration form. If we are unable to locate anyone to pick up the child, we will have to call the local authorities.

Visitors

Parents are welcome to visit the classrooms at any time. They need to sign in with the CRE and receive a visitor sticker before entering the classroom.

Students enrolled in Religious Education are allowed to bring other children not enrolled, for classroom visits. A note should be written letting the catechist and CRE know there will be a visiting student. In case of emergency, the enrolled students’ parents and/or emergency contact will be notified immediately.

Absence

We ask that you email the Religious Education Office, , as soon as possible prior to a child’s absence from class. This will allow the volunteer catechist to plan for the number of children who will be attending. Homework may be assigned for any missed classes.

Children’s Mass

We have Children’s Mass monthly during the RE Year. These Masses are the 10:30 Mass. They are marked on the calendar. At these Masses the RE children will participate in the ministries of lecturing, ushering, and singing in the choir. The Homily will be geared toward the children. Families are encouraged to sit in the front for these and all Masses.

Tuition

First child: $45.00

Each additional child: $30.00

Family Cap: $105.00

Sacramental Preparation Fee: $20.00 (First Reconciliation and Communion)

A family is never turned away because of an inability to pay for Religious Education. If you have a need for tuition assistance, please contact the Coordinator of Religious Education or the pastor.

Prayers to be Taught by Grade Level

Pre K 4 year old

  • Sign of the Cross
  • Our Father (Optional)
  • Children are to be led to understand that they can talk to God in their own words at any time.

Kindergarten

  • Sign of the Cross
  • Guardian Angel Prayer
  • Glory Be (optional)
  • Hail Mary (optional)
  • Our Father (optional)

First Grade

  • Glory Be
  • Hail Mary
  • Our Father
  • Grace Before Meals
  • Grace After Meals

Second Grade

  • An Act of Contrition
  • Simple Responses at Mass
  • Simple Morning Offering

Third Grade

  • Apostles’ Creed
  • How to Pray the Rosary (introduce Joyful Mysteries)

Fourth Grade

  • Glorious Mysteries
  • Hail Holy Queen
  • Sorrowful Mysteries

Fifth Grade

  • Nicene Creed
  • Prayer to the Holy Spirit

2018-2019 Schedule

9/9/2018 / Registration
9/11/2018 / 6:30 pm / Parent Meeting
9/16/2018 / First RE Class
9/18/2018 / 6:30 pm / First Communion ParentMeeting
9/23/2018 / RE Class
9/30/2018 / Children's Mass / RE Class
10/7/2018 / RE Class / Reconciliation Class
10/14/2018 / RE Class / Reconciliation Class
10/21/2018 / Children's Mass / RE Class / Reconciliation Class
10/28/2018 / RE Class / Saint Parade
11/4/2018 / RE Class
11/11/2018 / RE Class / Veteran's Day
12/2/2018 / RE Class
12/9/2018 / RE Class
12/16/2018 / Children's Mass / RE Class
1/13/2019 / RE Class
1/27/2019 / Children's Mass / RE Class
2/3/2019 / RE Class
2/10/2019 / RE Class
2/24/2019 / Children's Mass / RE Class
3/3/2019 / RE Class / 3/6 Ash Wednesday
3/10/2019 / RE Class
3/31/2019 / Children's Mass / RE Class / Communion Class
4/7/2019 / RE Class / Communion Class
4/14/2019 / RE Class
4/28/2019 / Children's Mass / RE Class / Communion Class
5/5/2019 / Last RE Class / May Crowning
5/19/2019 / First Communion
Additional / Dates
9/17/2018 / 7:00 First Communion Parent
10/28/2018 / 1:30 - 3:30 First Confessions
5/15/2019 / 7:00 First Communion Practice
5/8/2019 / Confirmation