Saint Denis Church

Ashburnham

MA

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Religious Education Handbook

- Religious Education

Philosophy

Our true "religion" is not something that can be taught in a classroom. Rather, it is most effectively passed on from one generation to another through the family itself. Christian parents, by sharing their own faith, their reverence for God and for the Church, their values and their love for all God's people, are the primary educators of their children. By registering a child for Religious Education classes, parents are re-affirming the commitment made at their child's Baptism, to pass on our faith. It is presumed that parents will make every effort to bring their children to weekly Mass and Holy Days of Obligation (listed in Calendar).

The Religious Education Process supports parents in their efforts to:
¨ Teach the message of Jesus Christ
¨ Reflect and build a community of believers
¨ Support and develop lives of prayer and worship
¨ Foster a spirit of service to others

To accomplish all of this requires the combined effort, support, and belief of ALL- Families, catechists, parish community, and most of all, the grace of God.
Safe Environment

To ensure the safety of our children, all staff and volunteers are required to:
· complete a C.O.R.I. background investigation form
· read and sign a Ministerial Code of Conduct
· Participate in a safe environment training class

Parents may request additional curriculum materials, which are also available for examination by visiting the Diocesan website at worcesterdiocese.org.
Attendance

As in any other educational process, our effectiveness is strengthened by regular attendance. We anticipate the cooperation of parents to ensure that absences are minimal. If a student has been absent one quarter of the scheduled class times and the lessons have not been made up, the student may be asked to repeat the year. In the event of sickness or emergency, please call the Religious Education Office prior to class.

We follow the Ashburnham-Westminster school calendar, which means we have no classes during school vacations, holidays, and staff-development days. On HALF-DAYS, there will be no classes for Atrium and grades K-5. Grades 6-8 will meet as usual unless otherwise noted.
Weather Reminder

If the Ashburnham-Westminster Schools are cancelled due to inclement weather, Religious Education classes are automatically cancelled for the rest of the day and evening. Cancellations will also be announced through “Flocknotes”. If weather conditions worsen while the public schools are in session, or in the case of early-dismissal from school, the parish hall will remain open for all children until they have been picked up by their parents. We will respect the decision of any parents who wish to pick their children up early on bad weather days.
Curriculum

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3-6)
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a religious experience where children have the opportunity for contemplation and enjoyment of God. The experience is shared in a sacred place for children called the Atrium. God and children have a unique relationship with one another, particularly before the age of six. The Atrium is a place for them to foster growth in that relationship.

Maria Montessori said, “The child becomes a person through work.” One of the first things our very young children learn in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is caring for their environment through Practical Life. By working with their hands in a concentrated and meaningful way children internalize the ability to listen and respond to the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd. We spend ample time at the beginning of the year helping children acclimate to life in the atrium. We start with helping them learn how to control their body in space by working on simple activities such as walking on a line, sorting, sweeping and dusting and then gradually build on that by teaching them activities such as pouring, polishing, flower arranging and weaving. We work on both fine and gross motor skills. They practice having a quiet voice and a quiet body by observing beautiful objects from nature as well carrying and working with fragile objects. The result is children who have developed self-control, an ability to focus, and an appreciation for beauty.

We present to the children the Land of Israel as the particular place which God favored and chose. He chose this place out of all the countries in the whole world, to be the homeland of Jesus. For the younger children we introduce a globe, a raised surface map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem, and a puzzle of the Holy Land. This allows the children to locate the Land of Israel and also orient them to Israel in relation to their own home in the United States. The purpose of offering geography for the three- to six-year-old child is (1) to see Jesus as historical, i.e., real person, (2) to see salvation as realized in time and space, and (3) to nourish the child's sense of order, that there is a place for everything.

We introduce the children to the liturgical year firstly by looking at the colors of the liturgical seasons. Children are introduced to the colors of the year—Purple for Preparation, getting ready for a feast; The time of celebration is white, focusing on the feasts of Christmas and Easter; green is the color of Ordinary time, introduced as the growing time, a time to allow the “food of the feast” to nurture our growing relationship with God; the color red is for the Holy Spirit and the feast of Pentecost.

As children progress through the atrium we look at a circular liturgical calendar. This highlights the cyclical nature of the liturgical year, providing time for the children to reflect and notice different elements of our liturgical cycle. Gathering a deeper understanding of our Liturgical Year help the children more deeply participate in Mass and a liturgical life.

In the Atrium children learn that Jesus was a real person who lived in a real place and time. They begin to contemplate the great mysteries of our Lord: the Incarnation, the Visitation, the Nativity of our Lord, and the Paschal Mystery, the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. They linger over questions such as “Who is this Child?”, “Who is this mother?” As the children enter more deeply into these mysteries it stirs wonder within them and enables them to become fuller participants in the celebrations of the Church and the Liturgical year.

The 3-6-year-old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to make the mystery of God concrete for the child. The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus announces that he is the Good Shepherd who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him. They also learn other parables, such as the Precious Pearl, the Mustard Seed, the Hidden Treasure, and the Leaven. When teaching the parables, the children are taught to listen carefully for the mystery hidden inside. We can ponder what it is Jesus wants us to know about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Grades K through 8 follow the “Blest Are We” series published by RCL Benziger (www.blestarewe.com)(www.blestarewe.com)(www.blestarewe.com)

Wednesdays 3:00-4:30
Kindergarten and Grade one focuses on the theme of the Trinity. The children are taught that God made each person special, and that we are all responsible to love and care for all God’s gifts of creation.

Tuesdays 3:00-4:30
In grades two and three, the children learn about the sacramental life of the Church. Their understanding of the Trinity grows as they see God presented as a loving father who forgives them, Jesus as one who gives the gift of himself, and the Holy Spirit who calls us to serve others. Students embark on the study of the Church, and some of the beliefs held by Catholics. Knowledge of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit grows through a study of the Apostles’ Creed, not just as a prayer, but as a belief to be understood.

Mondays 3:00-4:30
Fourth and fifth graders study morality through an extension of the lessons learned in grade 3, as well as a study of the Beatitudes. The students see God as merciful and always ready to forgive. They see Jesus as the example of Christian life and love, and the Holy Spirit as our helper and guide in times of temptation. Students study all seven sacraments, which are presented as sacred signs as well as celebrations. They learn that God gave us the ultimate sacrament in Jesus — a visible sign of God’s love. They learn that love continues through us to the world in the Spirit of God. Their understanding of morality is strengthened as they learn what it means to live as faithful followers of Jesus.
Mondays 6:30-8:00
Our Middle School students, grades 6-8, learn that it is in the study of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that we find the roots of our faith. God is taught as the Creator who cares deeply for people and interacts in their lives. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures. A study of morality is woven throughout. It is seen as the relationship of God and the people that can grow stronger or weaker. Study continues with focus on the story of Jesus. Students deepen and extend their knowledge of Jesus, his life and his teachings. They will develop a deeper understanding of our relationship with God and what it means to live a Christian life. Study continues with focus on the story of our Church, where students will learn more about the Church from her early beginnings, through the Medieval Age and the Renaissance, and how the Church today meets the challenges of contemporary life.

GRADES 9 & 10 meet once a month on Sunday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.
(*occasional extended class time—check calendar)

Our ninth and tenth grade program is adapted from the Decision Point Series by Dynamic Catholic, Catholic Essentials by Ave Maria Press, as well as study of Theology of the Body through Ruah Woods materials. The focus is on Jesus, Prayer, the Bible, Sacraments as well as themes of Christian Morality and Social Justice. As part of our goal to develop in students a spirit of service, we do require our High School students to complete a minimum of 12 community service hours each year. While they may choose their own service projects, we do ask that at least 4 hours are completed in service to St. Denis. We will notify students of opportunities available to them through out the year.

The process of religious education includes both information and formation, that is, something for the "head" and something for the "heart". Besides acquiring knowledge about our faith, some of our middle school and high school students will also receive opportunities to participate in "retreat-days" throughout the year. Please note and reserve these dates. They are a
vital part of their faith experience.
Sacramental Programs

Sacraments are a central part of the life of our parish community, and therefore we take seriously our responsibility to prepare parishioners for these celebrations. Baptismal records are required. For children who have not yet been baptized, parents are asked to call the pastor at 978-827-5806. Parents who enroll their children in sacramental programs are expected to attend all required preparation sessions where questions can be answered, and student/adult education takes place. Children must be accompanied by at least one parent.
Reconciliation
Diocesan policy mandates that “...the first communion of children is always preceded by sacramental confession and absolution.” Reconciliation Preparation Sessions are scheduled once a month in October and November. A Reconciliation Retreat will take place in December where children will receive their First Reconciliation. We make a continued effort to provide yearly opportunities to repeat the sacrament during scheduled class-time and update their comprehension at an age-appropriate level.

First Holy Communion
Preparation for First Holy Communion begins with three monthly parent/child sessions from January to March, followed by participation in our "Parent/Child Retreat" in April. First Holy Communion will take place in May.

Confirmation
Confirmation is a regional celebration which is celebrated in the spring along with surrounding parishes. High School students, in tenth grade or higher, who participate regularly at Mass and have a desire to confirm their faith may request this sacrament by scheduling an interview with the pastor or Rel Ed coordinator. Preparation classes begin at the beginning of tenth grade program, scheduled monthly beginning with Mass and continues in the parish hall. (These classes are separate from and in addition to the high school classes.) Students will choose a sponsor and will have a special day of formation to share with their sponsor. Participation in the Confirmation Retreat is also required, typically scheduled in March. An information meeting for students/parents is scheduled at the beginning of the first class to share details of requirements and responsibilities of candidates.