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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.