To live out our Parish Mission Statement, we at Church of the Holy Spirit look upon Religious Education as a total parish experience involving not just the child, but also the parents, Catechists, and Clergy that form our community of faith. Beginning with Baptism, God's freely given Gift of the Faith is nurtured and develpoed through Religious Education in a life-long process mutually shared with parent and catechist, accepting, welcoming and sharing the responsibility of educating our children.
As children grow through our Religious Education Programs, we seek:
* To lead families to develop a deeper and more personal relationship with Jesus.
* To lead families to participate in the Parish Faith Community and its Sacramental life.
* To help families form a moral conscience rooted in Gospel discipleship while discerning their vocation in life.
To raise awareness and create opportunities for Gospel service to those in need.
* To support parents in their primary Faith responsibilities as Catechist to their children.
Learning Mass for ALL
Elementary students and their parents on Monday, February 6th @ 6:45.
This mass takes the place of all Elementary classes for the week
Education Commission meets on Thursday, Feb. 16th at 6:45
All parents are welcome to attend.
Pre-school:
Sunday 9:00 and 11:00
Elementary Classes :
Monday 4:50 - 6:00
Monday 6:30 - 7:40
Tuesday 4:50 - 6:00
Wednesday 4:50 - 6:00
Middle School
Tuesday 6:30 - 8:30
Wednesday 6:30 - 8:30
(Fall and Winter sessions)
No child will be denied religious education due to inability to pay.
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Education Commission
The commission for religious education is committed to on-going review and analysis of programs and practices related to Catholic education, religious formation and vocational discernment within the Holy Spirit parish family. This activity involves working collaboratively with parishioners and other parish ministries to provide information and recommendations based on Archdiocean objectives and sound educational principles to the decision making agencies of the parish.
Next meeting is February 16th @ 6:45 in the education conference room
Twice a month, we explain the Sunday reading to the children on their level. The children are given a chance to ask questions about the readings and give evidence of God's presence in their lives. CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD is usually celebrated on the second and third Sundays of each month for students in grades 1 - 5. The children are dismissed from Mass and process into the hall where the liturgy of the word is celebrated appropriately for their age. If we can get some interested adults to lead the session, we will consider offering it at the 5:00 Mass also. Registration is not necessary.
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The Education Office offers formal classes for children in preschool through eighth grade. Preschool Classes are on Sundays during 9:00 and 11:00 AM Masses. Children who are four years old by December 1st may enter the 4-year-old class and those who are 5 years old by Dec. 1st may enter the 5-year-old class.
Classes are offered 4 different times and days for grades 1 - 5. Children are prepared for the reception of their First Communion in first and second grade. Children are prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in second grade.
The Middle School Program "FAITHWAYS" (6 - 8th grades) meets on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and students have the choice of attending either fall or winter session. Students are prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation throughout the middle school program with immediate preparation beginning in the spring of eighth grade. The Sacrament is celebrated in the fall of 9th grade.
F.I.R.E.
Family- centered, Intergenerational, Religious, Education
As an alternative to our traditional after-school religious education program, we are pleased to offer the F.I.R.E. program for our 6th year!
F.I.R.E.: A Way of Being Church is designed to bring families if all ages and backgrounds together in a supportive atmosphere of faith-sharing. Helping today's changing families and Christian communities witness what it means to be church, F.I.R.E. explores and explains the main truths of our faith and offers a veritable gold mine of experiences, discussions, games and simulations to guide families and groups through the faithsharing experience.
RCIA/C It is for children in grades 3 - 8 who have not been baptized and sometimes for those who have been baptized but have not received any formal religious education. Classes my also be appropriate for those who have missed several years of religious education. Students are enrolled in regular Religious Education classes for one year, then in the second year they prepare for missed Sacraments. At least one parent must participate in RCIA.
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If we can help you in any way or if you have any questions concerning Religious Education, please call us at 887-1634.
Religious Education Staff:
Jillian Peck- Director of Religious Education
Laura Piwko - Pre-School
Gloria Konarzewski -Youth Minister
Pam Glover- Secretary
Joey Segedy - Section Head Grades 1-5