K-8 Religious Education Program

3 John 1: 4 “No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth”.

 

Introduction

Our religious education program is for children in grades K – 8 who are members of the parish but do not go to Catholic schools. Parents are strongly encouraged to enroll their children in this program. It is in this way that we take seriously the “Great Commission” given to us by Christ to make disciples, teaching them to observe all that God has commanded us (cf. Mt 28:19-20).  For a long time, this program of instruction was referred to as “CCD” (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), and in many places this term is still used. Another acronym, “PSR” (Parish School of Religion), has recently gained popularity as well. At Blessed Mother, we simply refer to this program as “K-8 Religious Ed.”

Classes begin at 8:30 AM and end at 9:30 AM on Sundays. The children are dismissed to their classrooms from the Parish Hall.  

Do not bring your child to the classroom. If you do, then there will be a period of time before the dismissal where your child will be alone in the classroom. For safe environment reasons, this is a situation we want to avoid.

When class is over at 9:30 AM, please come to the classroom to pick up your child. You have to personally walk into the building, to your child’s classroom. This is our only way of ensuring that every child leaves with the right person and returns home safely.

Calendar

 2022-2023 K-8 Religious Education Caledar: 1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png

Current Curriculum

Students will use one of four editions for Kindergarten through eighth grade, each containing lessons based on the Sunday Gospels and change each year according to the liturgical cycle.  Additionally, each student will utilize a catechism handbook in the classroom with an age-appropriate summary of essential Church teachings, and bring that book home at the end of the year.  Pflaum Faith Formation Program http://www.pflaumweeklies.com/

It is very important to this parish that your child receives an education that is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church. As such, we only use textbooks and activity books that have been judged by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Sacramental Preparation

As the 2nd & 3rd grade classrooms and the 7th & 8th grade classrooms are combined, both grades will receive Sacramental preparation during one of the monthly classes throughout the Religious Education Calendar year.  The students will receive different instruction over both years.  However, only the children in the 2nd grade will receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and children in the 8th grade will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Religious Education students from both 2nd grade and 8th grade will join Catholic School and Home-School students in participating in Retreat activities and the Sacraments.  Please review the Sacramental Preparation in the Calendar for those information dates.  Dynamic Catholic Programs. https://dynamiccatholic.com/blessed and https://dynamiccatholic.com/confirmation

Registration

The price for one child is $30. The total price for two children is $50. The total price for three or more children is $70. Financial assistance is available for those who need it.  To register, please fill out the following applicable forms and mail them or bring them by the Parish Office (the mailing address is at the very bottom of the page). You need a Registration form and a Youth Code of Conduct form for each child, but multiple children can go on one Safe Environment form. The Registration form is front and back, and you should be able to type the information onto the form. Please make sure you fill it out as thoroughly as possible.  When completing these forms, PLEASE COMPLETE BOTH SIDES of the form.  And, where requested, please sign the form registration in both places with a witness to your signature.  Feel free to sign them in the office and staff will witness your signature.  

Religious Ed Registration Form:    1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png
Religious Ed Safe Environment Training Form:    1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png
Youth Code of Conduct Forms:  
Grades K-2:    1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png
 Grades 3-5:    1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png
 Grades 6-8:    1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png

The Religious Handbook contains the calendar, sacramental preparation dates, prayers a child should know by grade, Diocesan Safe Environment information, catechist contact information, and additional information.

Religious Ed Handbook:    1j3k4zzgl707ngbx1zsz0x3dzal.png

You can also pick up these forms and Handbook in the Parish Office. Have any questions?  Please contact the office.

Past Curriculum

The kindergarten students used Volume 1, "Who Am I?" from the Image of God series, published by Ignatius Press, and students in grades 1-8 used the Faith and Life series, also published by Ignatius Press. It includes the following volumes: For more information about these religious education materials, see the following links:
Image of God series
Faith and Life series