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Religious Education
Registration materials for enrolling in Religious Education classes and Sunday School are mailed to families who have participated the previous year. Contact the parish business office if you want to enroll for Religious Education classes or for Sunday School. Contacts Parish Business Office - 331-1955 Sunday School and Grades 1-6 - Mr. Witt - 331-1955 Level I and Level II Confirmation Students - Grades 7- 8 - Mrs. Kensinger - 331-1955 Teachers Over 300 students are enrolled in St. Gerald Religious Education programs. The programs need volunteer teachers each year, most of whom are parents of children who are enrolled in the programs. Parent-teacher volunteers are given lesson plans and guidelines to help them teach Textbooks The St. Gerald Religious Education Program (Grades 1-8) uses a textbook series published by William H. Sadlier Company, a company that has been producing catechetical and educational publications for more than 150 years. Sadlier textbooks are developed according to the established criteria for Catholic catechetical materials; the content of each book is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Parents can be assured that classes present Catholic beliefs accurately and completely in a way consistent with the age and readiness of the student. Mass, Reconciliation, and Stations of the Cross Fr. Gary, the Pastor of St. Gerald Parish, celebrates Mass with the students at the beginning of the program in the Fall and at the end in the Spring; parents are welcome to attend these liturgies. Fr. Gary also has a Reconciliation service twice a year during which students have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation -- once in the Fall, shortly before the Advent and Christmas seasons; the other in the Spring during the season of Lent. Besides these liturgies, the students pray the Stations of the Cross at the beginning of the season of Lent. Sunday School Program For children 4 years or older who are not yet in Grade 1, the parish offers a Sunday School program that meets during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Gerald Church at 96th and Q Streets. Sunday School Calendar 2008-2009 Please study this calendar carefully. Because there are many other parish activities that require the use of the Fellowship Hall on Sundays, Sunday School will not meet every Sunday. It will meet on the following Sundays. First Semester Week 1 (Sept 21) – Sunday School begins Week 2 (Sept 28) Week 3 (Oct 5) Week 4 (Oct 12) Week 5 (Nov 9) Week 6 (Nov 16) Week 7 (Nov 30) Week 8 (Dec 7) Week 9 (Dec 14) Second Semester Week 1 (Jan 11) – Sunday School resumes Week 2 (Jan 18) Week 3 (Jan 25) Week 4 (Feb 1) Week 5 (Feb 15) Week 6 (Mar 1) Week 7 (Mar 8) Week 8 (Mar 29) Week 9 (Apr 5) Week 10 (Apr 19) Week 11 (Apr 26) – Last class Program for Students Grades 1-8 For parents who send their children to a public school rather than to St. Gerald Catholic School, the parish offers their children an opportunity to learn about their Catholic faith in Religious Education classes (also known as CCD). Classes for students in Grades 1-8 are taught at St. Gerald School on Wednesday afternoon (5:00-6:00) and Wednesday evenings (6:30-7:30 p.m.). Students attend class once a week. Children in Grade 2 receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. Students receive the sacrament of Confirmation at the end of Grade 8, after completing a two-year preparation program (Level I and Level II). Students in Grade 7 are in the first year of the Confirmation program while students in Grade 8 are in second year of the program (Level II). Children who have not received the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion during Grade 2 are placed in the RCIC program (The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children). Call the parish office (331-1955) for information about the RCIC program. Calendar for Students Grades 1-8 2008-2009 First Semester Week 1 - Sept 3 -- Classes begin Week 2 - Sept 10 Week 3 - Sept 17 -- Opening Mass Week 4 - Sept 24 Week 5 - Oct 1 Week 6 - Oct 8 Week 7 - Oct 15 Week 8 - Oct 22 No class Oct 29 -- Halloween and All Saints Week 9 - Nov 5 Week 10 - Nov 12 - Confessions, Grades 3-6 Week 11 - Nov 19 - Confessions, Grades 7-8 No class Nov 26 -- Thanksgiving Week 12 - Dec 3 Week 13 - Dec 10 – Last class before Christmas Second Semester Week 1 - Jan 7 – Classes resume Week 2 - Jan 14 Week 3 - Jan 21 Week 4 - Jan 28 Week 5 - Feb 4 Week 6 - Feb 11 Week 7 - Feb 18 No class - Feb 25 -- Ash Wednesday Week 8 - Mar 4 -- Stations of the Cross Week 9 - Mar 11 No class Mar 18 -- Parish Mission Week 10 - Mar 25 -- Confessions, Grades 2-6 Week 11 - Apr 1 -- Confessions, Grade 7-8 Week 12 - Apr 8 No class Apr 15 - Easter Week Week 13 - Apr 22 Week 14 - Apr 29 -- Mass; Final class Curriculum for Students Grades 1-8 Topics studied in Grade 1 Basic Catholic prayers The story of Creation The story of the First Sin The Blessed Trinity The life of Jesus The followers of Jesus The Easter Story Living in a Parish The Sacraments Forgiveness Learning about the Last Supper The celebration of the Eucharist The Season of Lent A Child's Way of the Cross Learning about the Church Year The Feast of All Saints Mary and the Saints; St. Francis of Assisi; St. Patrick Prayers in Grade 1 The Sign of the Cross The Glory Be The Hail Mary The Our Father The Apostles' Creed Angel of God Act of Contrition Morning Offering Evening Prayer Grade Before Meals Grace After Meals Catholic practices and devotions in Grade 1 The Seven Sacraments An Understanding of the order of the Mass Reverence in Church The tabernacle Genuflection Holy Water The Ten Commandments Sorrow and Forgiveness Stations of the Cross Mary, the Mother of God The Rosary Topics studied in Grade 2 A review of prayers learned in Grade 1 Reviewing the Ten Commandments Following the Ten Commandments Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation Learning the Act of Contrition Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation Learning about the Last Supper Gathering for the Celebration of the Eucharist Learning about the Liturgy of the Word Learning about the Liturgy of the Eucharist Receiving First Communion Preparing for the Season of Lent Celebrating the Stations of the Cross Reviewing Bible stories: Creation to Moses Reviewing stories about Jesus: the Nativity; the Kingdom of God; the miracles of Jesus; the story of the Prodigal Son; the story of Zacchaeus; the Last Supper, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Prayers in Grade 2 The Sign of the Cross The Glory Be The Hail Mary The Our Father The Apostles' Creed Angel of God Act of Contrition Morning Offering Evening Prayer Grade Before Meals Grace After Meals Catholic practices and devotions in Grade 2 The Seven Sacraments An understanding of the order of the Mass The Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Eucharist Reverence in church The tabernacle Genuflection Holy Water The Ten Commandments Penance and Reconciliation Examination of Conscience The Liturgical Year Stations of the Cross The Rosary Mysteries of the Rosary Topics studied in Grade 3 A review of prayers learned in Grade 1 and Grade 2 How the Church began The Four Marks of the Church How the Church Prays The Parish, Our home The Sacraments Celebrating the Eucharist: The Mass Celebrating Penance and Reconciliation Celebrating the Stations of the Cross Mary, the rosary, and the Communion of Saints Scripture stories from the New Testament: The Christmas and Easter stories; Jesus' Baptism; Jesus' teaching and healing (Jesus calms the waters; the feeding of 5,000; the story of the Good Samaritan; the parables of the Sower; the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son; Jesus meets Bartimaeous and Zacchaeus). Prayers in Grade 3 The Sign of the Cross The Glory Be The Hail Mary The Our Father The Apostles' Creed Angel of God Act of Contrition Morning Offering Evening Prayer Grade Before Meals Grace After Meals Catholic practices and devotions in Grade 3 The Seven Sacraments An understanding of the order of the Mass The Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Eucharist Reverence in church The tabernacle Genuflection Holy Water Holy Days of Obligation The Ten Commandments Penance and Reconciliation Examination of Conscience The Liturgical Year Topics studied in Grade 4 A review of basic Catholic prayers The story of the Good Samaritan and Spiritual Works of Mercy Sin in our world: venial sin, mortal sin and social sin Our conscience, our guide Reviewing how to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation Learning and studying the 10 Commandments How we grow in holiness: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Seven Sacraments Reviewing the stories of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Prayers in Grade 4 The Sign of the Cross The Glory Be The Hail Mary The Our Father The Apostles' Creed Angel of God Act of Contrition Morning Offering Evening Prayer Grade Before Meals Grace After Meals Catholic practices and devotions in Grade 4 The Seven Sacraments An understanding of the order of the Mass The Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Eucharist Reverence in church The tabernacle Genuflection Holy Water Holy Days of Obligation The Ten Commandments Penance and Reconciliation Examination of Conscience The Liturgical Year Stations of the Cross The Rosary Mysteries of the Rosary Topics studied in Grade 5 A review of basic Catholic prayers A review of the Ten Commandments Studying the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist Studying the Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick Studying the Sacraments of Service: Matrimony and Holy Orders The Priesthood of the Laity: How we are called to Live as Jesus' Disciples The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Learning about Mother Teresa of Calcutta Understanding the Liturgical Year: Ordinary Time; Advent; Christmas; Lent; The Easter Triduum Prayers in Grade 5 The Sign of the Cross The Glory Be The Hail Mary The Our Father The Apostles' Creed Angel of God Act of Contrition Morning Offering Evening Prayer Grade Before Meals Grace After Meals The Memorare Hail, Holy Queen Catholic practices and devotions in Grade 5 The Seven Sacraments An understanding of the order of the Mass The Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Eucharist Reverence in church The tabernacle Genuflection Holy Water The Precepts of the Church Holy Days of Obligation The Ten Commandments Penance and Reconciliation Examination of Conscience The Liturgical Year Stations of the Cross Topics studied in Grade 6 A review of basic Catholic prayers A review of the Seven Sacraments A review of the Ten Commandments Learning the Precepts of the Church Learning what the Bible is The Creation and Fall: Original Sin Our Longing for God, God's Revelation to us, and God's covenants Old Testament background to the New Testament The mystery of the Incarnation Learning how the New Testament was written Jesus and John the Baptist The Dead Sea Scrolls Jesus in the Desert Jesus' Message: God's Reign is here Jesus and His ministry in Galilee Biblical archeology The Paschal Mystery: Jesus' death and resurrection The Liturgical Year: Ordinary Time; Advent, Christmas; Lent; the Easter Triduum Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday The Resurrection, Christian funerals and Life Everlasting The Preaching of St. Peter The ministry of St. Paul Martyrs in the Church: St. Valentine and Father Maximilian Kolbe Prayers in Grade 6 The Sign of the Cross The Glory Be The Hail Mary The Our Father The Apostles' Creed Angel of God Act of Contrition Morning Offering Evening Prayer Grade Before Meals Grace After Meals The Memorare Hail, Holy Queen Catholic practices and devotions in Grade 6 The Seven Sacraments An understanding of the order of the Mass The Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Eucharist Reverence in church The tabernacle Genuflection Holy Water The Precepts of the Church Holy Days of Obligation The Ten Commandments Penance and Reconciliation Examination of Conscience The Liturgical Year Stations of the Cross The Rosary Mysteries of the Rosary Grade 7 -- Level I Confirmation -- A study of basic Catholic belief Grade 8 -- Level II Confirmation -- Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation Rules for Students Grades 1-8 Discipline Policy St. Gerald Religious Education program provides a strong, Catholic, faith-based environment where students learn about the Catholic faith. Students are asked to follow five simple rules: Rule 1 -- Show respect by speaking, listening and acting courteously to everyone. Rule 2 -- Follow all directions given by religious education personnel and adult supervisors. Rule 3 -- Keep hands, feet and objects to oneself. Rule 4 -- Respect school and personal property and equipment. Rule 5 -- Follow the dress code. Consequences for not following the rules: First Infraction -- verbal warning Second infraction -- written warning sent to parents and returned, signed by parents Third infraction -- Parents will be required to attend the next class with student Fourth infraction -- Suspension: conference and administrative action Rules for students in Grades 1-8 Dress Code -- Students should dress neatly, Socks should be worn at all times. Students may not have hair dyed, bleached, or streaked. Only girls may wear earrings; these should be small rather than long and dangling. Other jewelry for girls, as well as for boys, is not permitted. Hats and bandanas are not to be worn in class. Classroom behavior -- Since students attend Religious Education classes to learn, they are expected to pay attention during class and show respect to teachers and other adult personnel. Church behavior -- When students are in church for Mass or for class, they are expected to be especially respectful and quiet. There should be absolutely no talking when students are in church to receive the Sacrament of Penance or during Mass, especially while students receive the Eucharist. Electronic devices -- All electronic devices such as cell phones, CD players, headphones, pagers, games and so on are not permitted. If a parent wants a student to have a cell phone, the parent must request permission from the Director of Religious Education. The cell phone must be turned off during class. Food and Drink -- Eating candy or other food, drinking pop, and chewing gum is not permitted. |
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God, source of creation and love, you invite each of us to serve you through the gift of our lives. May your grace encourage men and women to serve the church as priests, sisters, brothers, and lay ministers. Make us an instrument to encourage others to give of themselves and challenge us to do the same. Amen.
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By purchasing gift certificates to various local vendors at no additional cost to you,
you support our educational programs including 5 Day School, CCD, Youth Ministry, Adult Education, and the Parish Library.