AN OVERVIEW OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:
NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS
Jay Cuasay, DRE

We will be holding early registration this weekend and next. The earlier you register and offer to help, the better we can plan for the year ahead. As one Religious Education year comes to a close and we prepare for another, it may be helpful to have an overview of the Religious Education program for Grades K-12 to better appreciate the needs and expectations involved in this ministry.

Religious Education for Grades K-12 has English and Spanish speaking components. Sacramental Preparation typically begins in Grade 2 for Reconciliation and Eucharist and in Grade 7 for Confirmation. These meetings are handled separately and in addition to regular Religious Education classes. Students meet weekly for Religious Education classes. Sacramental Preparation meetings follow a different schedule and are directed at enabling parents to prepare their children for these sacraments.

Youth in Grades 9-12 who have already completed Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation meet Sunday nights from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This past year, Grade 9 focused on Christian Morality (good decision making), Grade 10 focused on Social Justice Ministry, and Grades 11-12 focused on Leadership Development. For baptized youth with little or no formal religious education and still preparing for Confirmation, Sunday night also offers the “One Faith, One Lord” program in English and in Spanish. This program presents youths with basic Catholic beliefs in addition to the Confirmation Preparation that is done with their parents.

On Mondays, children in Grades 7 and 8 meet 4:30 to 5:40 or 6:00 to 7:10 in the evening. Grade 7 focuses on Liturgy and Worship (the liturgical year, sacraments, mass); Grade 8 focuses on Jesus and the New Testament (Gospels, historical and cultural background). The “One Faith, One Lord” program is also available on this day for children in Grade 7 and 8 who are preparing for Confirmation in addition to the parent meetings.

Kindergarten through Grade 6 meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, from 4:30 to 5:40 or 6:00 to 7:10 in the evening. Spanish Religious Education for Grades K-6 meets on Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Preparation for sacraments is done separately and in addition to regular religious education. Discounted tuition rates for K-12 are available to families with additional children. Sacramental fees are handled separately.

Religious Education for Grades K-12 is not confined to the classroom alone. Activities have been done outside the classroom in the church and off-site for age-appropriate groups. Outreach activities have been done to benefit various social service agencies such as LINK, Sunrise Living, and area hospitals. Off-site activities for volunteer service, retreats, WorkCamp, musical events, Youth Rally, movies, and other social gatherings have also been done within the safety guidelines of the diocese.

Seeing the overall structure of the Religious Education program also means coming to terms with the fact that none of the basic to most important needs of the children and youth can be met without the necessary help of catechists, hall monitors, guest speakers, substitutes, aides and all the other various volunteers for religious education.

When you come to register your child for Religious Education, you should know that there are so many others on many different days like your child in need of support. We are always in need of catechists and hall monitors. We cannot move beyond our most basic needs and make our plans without knowing both who is registered and who will help. Whatever you can offer, you must come forward and do. It is immeasurable what differences this can make for Religious Education in the coming year.

We will register your child. Will you help us with the rest?