St. Mary's Parish - Religious Ed Curriculum

Parish life is the Curriculum! We learn by what we see and experience. At St. Mary's, we strive to provide a variety of religious instructional programs, out-reach to neighbor opportunities and special spiritual experiences for the whole family. As a Christian community, our greatest joy is to come together around the Lord's Table to be fed with His Body and Blood in order to then be able to nourish one another.

Participation in parish life goes hand in hand with the systematic learning provided in religious education classes for children, parents and families.

The schedule of sessions for all of these classes can be found in our church bulletin and also in the calendar pages as well as calendars sent home to parents at the start of each new Religious Education year.

The theme for Kindergarten is ‘God and Me and My Wonderful World’. Classes are on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month (unless holidays force a change) from 11:00 AM – 12:00 noon.

The theme for Grade 1 is “God Loves Us”. Classes are weekly on Saturday mornings at 9:00 - 10:15 AM or at 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM in the Pastoral Center. There they learn about Jesus, the Spirit, the Church and belonging to a Christian community. The Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist are taught as well as the simple prayers for Mass and home.

A first grader must attend religion classes as part of the preparation for Grade 2 and First Communion. Two Sacraments are taught and received in the 2nd grade, so the teacher and children have a lot to cover. Being in the first grade program enables the children to learn the basics needed for Grade 2.

Second graders prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first of many times. Classes are weekly on Saturday mornings, from 9:00 - 10:15 AM or at 11:00 - 12:15 PM in St. Mary's School. The year teaches them all about the Mass: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where Jesus gives Himself to His people in a very special way. They also learn about sin and God's forgiving love in preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The theme for Grade 3 is "We Are the Church". The students learn more about the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Church Year, the names of things in the church, and how the church began. Classes are held on Sunday mornings weekly from 10:15 – 11:30 AM or Wednesday afternoons from 4:15 – 5:30 PM in the school.

Grade 4 students learn more about sin, forgiveness and God's never-ending love for His people through the story of Moses and the 10 Commandments and the 8 Beatitudes. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is revisited in a more mature way. An in-depth introduction to the Bible and how to use it is also taught. Classes are held on Wednesday afternoons from 4:15 - 5:30 PM in the school or on Sunday mornings from 10:15 – 11:30 AM.

Click here for information on Grades 5-8 Registration for the 2010/2011 year.

Grades 5-8 are taught in the Catechist’s home. Classes consist of 8 to 10 students. They meet on a day and time convenient for each Catechist. A few classes meet in the Pastoral Center. Sign-ups for the class/home of choice are in August. Information regarding class sign up dates is included with the yearly registration form mailed to families every Spring.

Catechist Information

Grade 5-8 Catechists will receive class lists, teaching materials and other valuable start up information at teacher’s meetings scheduled in September. Please note the following dates for these important meetings:

GRADE 5 September 20, 2010 at 7PM in the Pastoral Center (John Room)
GRADE 6 September 21, 2010 at 7PM in the Pastoral Center (Luke Room)
GRADE 7 September 23, 2010 at 7PM in the Pastoral Center (Luke Room)
GRADE 8 September 27, 2010 at 7PM in the Pastoral Center (Luke Room)

Fifth graders study the seven sacraments. All seven sacraments have been presented by grade 3, but this year basic concepts are reinforced and new aspects are presented in a more mature way. God gives us the gift of Jesus and Jesus gifts us with the Church and it’s Sacraments. Sacraments are sacred signs as well as celebrations - signs of God's grace and of our faith. Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are Sacraments of Initiation. Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick are Sacraments of Healing. Matrimony and Holy Orders are Sacraments of Service to Others.

In order for us to understand and live Christianity, we need to recognize our roots in Holy Scripture. From the time of Creation, through the experience of the Covenant with Moses and on to the Prophets, we are brought into a world of struggle and yet a world in which God continues to relate to His people. The sixth grade curriculum not only takes students on an exciting journey into our Old Testament history, but it also helps them to see how we continue to be a people whom God loves and for whom God is present. The final lesson of this curriculum, helps sixth graders to see Jesus, the Church and the Sacraments as continual helps to our developing a relationship with God.

This year students continue their journey into Bible History becoming familiar with New Testament Scripture and stories. This journey creates an opportunity for 7th Graders to get to know the “person” of Jesus as they become familiar with different aspects of His life, ministry and teachings. By making connections between Jesus’ story and their own, students begin to realize the importance of centering their lives in God as they become more aware of His invitation to them to respond with loving concern and action to the needs of others and the world.

Christian Morality is built on God’s steadfast call to live in right relationship with God and with others. This year 8th Graders are encouraged to examine the theme of Christian Morality and Justice with the purpose of discovering that following Jesus is at the heart of being Catholic and is a fulfilling and meaningful way to live life. Students explore the moral principles and guidelines embodied in the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. They are challenged to discover the value of applying these Christian values and guidelines to their own real life situations as they are faced with making everyday choices and decisions.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process beginning with Grade 9. It is a compreshensive religious eduation and youth ministry program. Many opportunities will enable the students to experience the full call to discipleship and Confirmation. Please refer to the Religious Education Confirmation page for more information about the high-school program.

Grade 9 meets tiwce a month for a total of 14 mandatory class sessions. In addition, several opportunities for service, shared community experiences and enrighment are available; acitivites are offered on a voluntary basis throughout the year.

The primary goal of adolescent catechesis is to help young people mature in their faith. There is thus a shift in empahsis at this grade level, from learning doctrinal facts and truths, to the living out of one's faith based on what one has learned. Current theory regarding catechesis with teens promotes the idea of using meaningful experiences to aid faith formation - the inductive learning approach. Students uncover the depth of their own relationship with God through meaningful dialogue, shared observations, personal reflection, prayer, study of Scripture, and the person of Jesus Christ.

By the end of this year, students are closer to being able to discern whether or not they want to say 'yes", to accepting for themselves the gift of faith in Confirmation.

Grade 10 meets twice a month for a total of 14 mandatory class sessions. Beginning in January, all students in the program (attending Catholic, public, and private schools) are required to come to classes at St. Mary's. This time is for the immediate preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the fall of their junior year. Sponsors, or in their absence, parents, are required to attend some of these sessions. The goal of catechesis in this second year is to aid the process of truthful discernment and to assist the candidates in coming to a fuller awareness of what it means to be a confirmed Catholic Christian.