Religious Education for Children

Religious Education Facilitator: Brenda Anton

Brenda Anton
Facilitator, Children's Catechesis

(602) 867-9171 ext. 309

Dear Parents:
Not too long ago, when a Young man showed signs of artistic promise, he would often seek a master to whom he would be apprenticed for a time before going off on his own. He would remain with that master, watching him work and move; getting into his rhythms, often performing mundane tasks before taking up the implements of his new trade. In a similar way, the family (and only by extension, the parish) must become the Master’s workshop for our children, where they have an opportunity to remain with Christ the Master for a time, watching Him and getting into his rhythms, so that He may one day permeate their lives in such a way that they desire nothing more than to be holy as He is holy. This is the goal to which we are called as parents and educators. So before our children are ready to go off into the world, we would do well to gird them with an education that will not only stick for a time, but one that will pervade the whole of their being.

We have been reflecting a great deal lately upon what such an education might look like and how it could be better incorporated into what we are already doing here at St. Joan of Arc. The key to making this apprenticeship model successful depends largely upon parent involvement and the parent’s own willingness to be guided by the Church in forming their children in the faith. With only ninety minutes afforded us each week, our parish RE classes alone cannot provide your children the kind of apprenticeship their hearts yearn for. The reality is that most of that work must be done in the home. Moving now into our fourth year, it is evident how many parents are aware of this and have already begun taking steps to lead their children toward a fuller encounter with Christ. These parents are consistently bringing their children to Holy Mass each week; they are attending our bimonthly Parent Classes; they are frequenting our monthly Evangelization Nights, and, of course, they are making Religious Education classes a priority in the lives of their children. Conversely, there are still those who have been unable or unwilling to submit to the process similarly, and to them I say: There is still time! Please keep enrolling your children in our classes year after year; because in doing so you are helping to keep Christ a priority in your children’s lives and helping them grow into the men and women they were created to be.

This registration packet should be completed in its entirety and submitted to us at Registration Weekend on Saturday/Sunday, August 6th & 7th, 2011. After this date, you may submit your registration packet in the parish office between 1-5pm Monday through Thursday. Please be advised that September 26th is the registration deadline and no applications will be accepted beyond this point.

Finally, please contact Brenda Anton or Yvonne Garcia in the Parish Office during the week with any questions you may have.

Yours, sincerely in Christ,

Michael Garibaldi
Director

Dcn. Jim Springer
Coordinator of Hispanic Evang.

Brenda Anton
Facilitator for Children’s Catechesis

Yvonne Garcia
Administrative Assistant

Note

Sacramental prep students are mainstreamed into our regular catechetical program. We recommend enrollment in Children’s Catechesis as early as three and a half years of age and no later than kindergarten. This provides the best foundation for proper reception of the sacraments at the appropriate ages, and encourages lifelong catechesis.

Four Religious Education Tracks

Please note that we will not register your child unless their registration packets are complete.

Catechesis for Children needing Sacraments
Those who will be approaching the sacred rites this year will be participating in a consolidated class schedule, thereby enabling them to prepare for the sacrament(s) within the context of their weekly Religious Education class.

Track #1: Year 1 – The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Tues. or Wed. at 4:30pm & 6:30pm)

Reconciliation for Children
Children in Grade 2 or above who are baptized Catholic, qualify to begin preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. REGISTRATION MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARISH OFFICE. All must be complete prior to registration weekend on August 6th and 7th.

Track #2: Year 1 – The Sacrament of Confirmation & First Eucharist
(Tues. or Wed. at 4:30pm & 6:30pm)

Confirmation & First Eucharist for Children
Children in Grade 3 or above who have already made their First Reconciliation qualify to prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist. REGISTRATION MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARISH OFFICE. All must be complete prior to registration weekend on August 6th and 7th.

Track #3: Non-Sacramental (Tuesdays only at 4:30pm)

Whether your child is not yet of sacramental age or has already received sacraments, we have a class for him/her. In fact, it is highly encouraged that children begin their religious education early on and continue to have their learning reinforced year after year. Classes are held Tuesdays only from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. REGISTRATION MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARISH OFFICE.

Track #4: High School Confirmation & First Eucharist (Tuesdays only at 4:30pm)
This class is only for those of high school age who have been previously baptized.

Parent Component
The Church is very clear about the importance of parent involvement in the religious formation of children. “Parents are the first and most important educators of their children, and they also possess a fundamental competency in this area: they are educators because they are parents.”

From this, it is apparent that the church recognizes the tremendous influence of parents in the life of their children. Therefore, it is up to parents, with the assistance of the parish community, to introduce your children to the person of Jesus Christ and to help foster an intimacy with Him as they grow and mature in the faith. St. Joan of Arc is dedicated to assisting you in fulfilling this most important task. Therefore, at least one parent of those enrolled in the special joint RE/Sacrament consolidated schedule is required to attend a weekly adult enrichment class. These classes will occur simultaneously with your child’s session and will ultimately help provide you with the tools necessary for successfully passing on the Catholic faith to your children. Though we would like to see both parents in attendance, we do understand that that many of you have younger children at home requiring supervision. Please be advised that this is a parish requirement and that opting out may delay the sacrament process for your child.

Monday Evangelization Nights
One Monday evening a month, our RE/Sacrament families will gather together on campus and participate in an event geared toward helping all grow in their relationship with Christ. These evenings will be evangelistic, communal and a great deal of fun. A schedule for these “E-Nights” will be mailed out upon registration.

Registration Weekend
We will be registering only those with completed registration packets after each of the Masses on Saturday, August 6th and Sunday, August 7th. After that, we will register children during the work day in the parish office until September 26. No registration forms will be accepted after this date.

Fees
Fees are as follows: $90.00 for the first child; $120.00 for two children and $145.00 for three. A $50.00 per child fee will be assessed to those Catholic school children registered for sacrament classes only and $180.00 per child for all out-of-parish families. Fees for weekly classes can be paid in full at the time of registration, or paid by the beginning of classes. Also, please let us know at the time of registration if payment is not possible for your family at this time. We do have a limited number of scholarships available.