CONTINUOUS CATECHETICS
FOR CHILDREN NOT SUPPORTED
BY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Dear Parents
The Parish Team are delighted to be available to help and to assist you in your child's religious education and formation.
Your child's preparation for the sacraments started with baptism. This was the moment when you asked the Church for faith and you accepted the responsibility of bringing your child up in this faith. In other words you became the custodian of your child's religious growth. As in every other aspect of life, you teach them by word and example. In the baptismal rite it states, "Parents are the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith; may they also be the best of teachers." Whilst you are the primary teachers of your child in the Christian way of life, the parish catechists are here to assist you. We do encourage you to take full advantage of these sessions which are being provided for you. Your participation in this important work is crucial. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that your child must be attending these sessions for at least the year before being admitted to the First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation programmes.
Please be assured of our prayers in the Parish for you and your children.
May God bless you
Fr
William Davern
Parish Priest
CONTINUOUS CATECHETICS FOR CHILDREN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
Whilst all children as part of the National Curriculum will learn some of the general teachings of Christianity and basic morality, they do not enjoy the advantages that a Catholic School can offer. A team of catechists in the parish gives weekly sessions which go some way to meeting this shortfall. In an informal atmosphere the children will learn about the richness of their Catholic faith - its history, traditions and beliefs, as well as the moral values and responsibilities of being a Christian today. Through these sessions, it is hoped that the children will develop and maintain a deep and long-lasting relationship with God supported, as always, by their family life at home.
The sessions follow the catechetical programme "This is Our Faith" by Silver Burdett and Ginn. This programme, comprising 8 levels, takes the children through a study of basic Catholic beliefs and scripture and is presented in a colourful and fun way.
At times we vary the programme to include preparations for parish events and occasions in order to assist the children and young people to know that they are part of the Parish, and just as the parish has a responsibility towards them, so they have a responsibility towards the parish.
6-7 Years (School Year 2)
The course is laid out in "This is Our Faith" - Silver Burdett 1
The children will be introduced to some of the fundamental teachings of the Catholic church. In order to help children to grow in knowledge and develop an appreciation for the rich tradition that our Church brings to their lives, they need to begin at the beginning.
The participants will cover the following topics:
a) God gives us many gifts
b) Jesus learned about life
c) Jesus teaches us to love
d) We belong to the Catholic Church
e) The Holy Spirit helps us
7-8 Years (School Year 3)
The course is laid out in "This is our Faith" - Silver Burdett 2
The children review Baptism and prepare for the reception of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. The following are covered:
a) God as a loving Father
b) Jesus gives us the gift of Himself
c) The Holy Spirit calls us to serve
d) Sin and its effects
e) Our responsibility to care for others
f) The Church as a Community
8-9 Years (School Year 4)
This course is laid out in "This is our Faith" - Silver Burdett 4
This year the children will focus on a study of morality. This is accomplished through an extension of the materials learned in Book 3 last year plus a study of The Beatitudes. Throughout, moral values are fostered by a look at the lives of people who have exemplified them. The children will see:
a) God as merciful
b) God as forgiving
c) Jesus as the example of Christian life and love
d) The Holy Spirit as our guide
e) Our need to be healed
f) The Church as light and servant to the world
9-10 Years (School Year 5)
This course is laid out in "This is our Faith" - Silver Burdett 5
This year the children will study each of the seven sacraments, which are presented as sacred signs as well as celebrations.
a) Baptism
b) Eucharist
c) Confirmation
d) Marriage
e) Penance
f) Anointing of the Sick
g) Holy Orders
h) The Church as Sacrament
10-12 Years (School Years 6 & 7)
This course is laid out in "This is our Faith" - Silver Burdett 6
The Old Testament is the basis for this year's work. Children will learn that it is in the study of the Hebrew scriptures that we find the roots of our faith and the following are covered:
a) God as creator
b) Jesus as fulfilment of the Old Testament
c) The New Covenant
d) The Church as a continuation of the Kingdom of God
e) The Sacraments traced through the Hebrew scriptures
12-14 Years (School Years 8, 9 & 10)
This course is laid out in "This is our Faith" - Silver Burdett 7 & 8
The theme of book 7 is Jesus. The student studies the life, values and teachings of Jesus Christ. This book aims to challenge the students to live a Christian life. They learn to develop attitudes and ways of acting that identify them as followers of Christ.
The history, character and future of our church community are the central subjects of book 8. This historical background provides the students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage.
The sessions take place at St Joseph's Parish Centre, St Margaret
Drive, on Tuesday evenings during school term time at the following
times:
| Children aged 6/7 Children aged 7/8 |
4.30pm-5.30pm |
| Children aged 8/9 Children aged 9/10 |
5.30pm-6.30pm |
| Children aged 10/12 Children aged 12/14 |
6.30pm-7.30pm |
TERM TIMES
Dates available from the Parish Office.
There is an enrolment fee of £20 for the year for the first child and £15 for each subsequent child (cheques payable to "St Joseph's Church"). This goes towards the cost of books and other materials involved.
If you have any queries please contact Sister Margarite, the Catechetical Co-Ordinator, on Tel: 01372 745297