WELCOME TO
The Parish of Saint Anne
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
2008-2009
A brief summary of what our program is all about.
The mission of the church is to bring people into a living relationship with Jesus Christ—where life at all ages is transformed by actively and consciously living according to Gospel values. Saint Anne’s Religious Education program is designed to provide the two components required to accomplish this mission in conformity with the documents of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the catechetical policies of the Archdiocese of Newark:
Education: Teaching information in an educational setting. We try to support the family in its role as the principal educator, by teaching the Christian Doctrine through the Good News of Jesus and the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
We use a spiral approach to catechesis which incorporates doctrine, Scripture and liturgy in the curriculum. In addition, weekly booklets, geared to each age group, contain the readings heard at mass each Sunday, as well as stories and activities designed to help the children and their families relate the Gospel values to ’real life’. Depending on the students’ ages, different activities in each lesson help them to learn:
* The Bible
* Catholic Teaching and Doctrine
* Sunday Worship
* Real-Life Moral Choices
* Social Justice and Service based on Catholic Social Teaching
Formation: Providing opportunities that allow the children to become formed in the faith with the spiritual and moral values necessary to actively live, and continue to learn and practice the faith of the Catholic Church with zeal. The Catechetical Formation of the child is the primary responsibility of the Parents and the Religious Education program (Catechetical Formation) in no way replaces the work of the family. However, we try to guide the development of Christian values and spiritual growth in young people and their families, who in turn touch the Parish Community and beyond.
Our Religious Formation Program provides students in Grades K through 9with opportunities to engage in various prayer experiences, as well as hands-on service activities. As the students enter 6th grade, and begin to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation, Christian Service, in line with Catholic Social Teaching and faith sharing, becomes an even larger part of their faith development in our program. During our 10 am Mass, children ages 4 to 12 are invited to attend Liturgy of the Word for Children in our Lower Church and participate in the Offertory of the Mass upon returning to the sanctuary to rejoin their families.
We adhere closely to Archdiocesan guidelines and make every effort to consistently evaluate and revise our program as needed. Parents and Guardians are strongly encouraged to review lessons and class materials with their child. In doing so, you will convey the message that religious education is an important part of your child’s life as well as yours.
Each family of an enrolled student is required to attend the General Parent Meeting in September and receives a Handbook and Program Calendar. Families are encouraged to discuss it with their child to help them understand the expectations and responsibilities of both students and parents in our program. The handbook is a resource containing program information, guidelines, policies and procedures and important calendar dates and telephone numbers.
Please call the Religious Education Office any time between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or visit the Religious Education Center building Sunday mornings between 8:30 am and 1 pm if we may be of assistance.
-12/08
Church of Saint Anne
First Reconciliation & First Eucharist Celebration
2008-2009
The Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are celebrated in the second grade. Following the Guidelines set by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, Saint Anne’s policy for sacramental preparation is that each child must complete at least two (2) years of formal religious formation in either a religious education or catholic school setting before being admitted into the formation process for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Because parents are the primary educators of their children in faith (The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2225, 2226), these sacramental programs are taught at home by their parents or guardians who receive appropriate text and guidelines to help them with this process. Of course, the Pastoral Associate for Catechetic is always available for support and assistance.
The children are required to attend two ‘mini’ Retreats: Forgiving Day and Jesus Day, the last preparation before receiving the sacraments. The purpose of these retreats is to help the children and their families develop a deeper understanding of the importance of these spiritual events in their daily lives and in the life of the entire Catholic Church. We encourage all the children to regularly participate in the Mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
Children and families also participate in Catholic Social Teaching service activities, retreats, special prayer services and rehearsals, as well as four (4) mandatory Celebration Sunday masses.
-12/08