Program Description
The Religious Education Program is a ministry at the service of the children and their families. It offers the children in our community the opportunity to study and deepen their knowledge of the Catholic Faith and to prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Communion and Confirmation) as well as First Reconciliation.
Each child is seen as created in the image and likeness of God as a reflection of His goodness. We recognize that each human being is endowed with different capacities; therefore, we welcome, receive, and work towards the development of the faith in children who have special learning needs. Furthermore, as we understand that God has created all things for His glory and our benefit, we recognize that the call to be a living witness to the Gospel is central to the development of each student.
The core elements listed below form the foundation and strength of our Religious Education Program. With these elements, we seek to cultivate the hearts, minds, and souls of our students to their fullest potential:
- We recognize and respect parents as the primary educators of their children.
- We present the doctrine of the Catholic faith in its fullness and entirety as both knowledge to be learned and a life to be lived.
- The Sacramental Life is central to develop and sustain the Catholic Faith.
- The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith.
- We promote frequent reception of the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.
- We teach the Gospel values which reveal the moral life as expressed in the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes.
- We profess, cultivate, and practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
- We revere the Word of God.
- We look to the example of Our Blessed Mother—Mary, the first disciple of Jesus—as our model in the faith.
- We read about and study the lives of the saints as an example for our lives.
- We stress the importance of prayer as a source for growth in our spiritual lives. Holy Hours, Rosaries, Novenas, personal prayers, and Mass attendance are encouraged.
