Attendance: Continuity in the learning process is essential! Make every effort to guarantee your child's regular attendance at religious education classes. Check the calendar. Parents/guardians and catechists work in partnership to help the child grow in faith. Good communication is essential to the success of this process. Sometimes misunderstandings or questions arise. Bring these to the attention of the catechist or director before or after class. 1. Preparation for Reconciliation (Penance, Confession) Is open to any child age 7 or older. 2. First Eucharist (First Communion) Is open to any child age 7 or older. 3. Confirmation Preparation In our parish is usually scheduled every other year because of our small class size. Youngsters in grades 8 and 9 and older are invited to participate in the preparation program. Children who are home-schooled and do not attend the parish religious education sessions must register for and participate in the Sacrament Preparation Program with their family. 1. Attend Mass 2. Go to confession
Scripture: Sunday s Gospel is used in class each week for "scripture study" and "prayer". Catechists use the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies for this lesson.
Behavior: Children are expected to respect one another in words and actions. To benefit from a lesson, children should be attentive and cooperative. Time-out will be used if a child disrupts the focus of the class and does not respond to correction.
Calendar: A calendar of classes and holidays for the school year is sent home in September. Additional calendars are available here on the Internet and in the office. The class dates and holidays follow the public school calendar and religious days. The calendar is difficult to plan because our children attend both the year-round schools and the ten-month schools.
Catechists: Volunteer parishioners serve as religious education teachers. These catechists earn certification through the Diocesan Office and keep this current by attending workshops. Their fingerprints are processed and on file as is every Sacred Heart staff member's.
These catechists are dedicated to assisting you in passing on the faith to your children. You are encouraged to chat with them before or after class.
Change of Address/Phone #: Notify the office when there is a change. It is important that our information is accurate.
Classtimes:
Mondays.... 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. for grades EC through grade 5
Monday's longer class time with the younger children allows for music, art, drama, videos or story-telling.
Communication:
Confidentiality:When you register in our program, your family information is added to our catechetical data base. This information will not be released to any group inside or outside the parish.
Curriculum:All grades use the "Gospel Weekly" Program. This program draws doctrine, creed, worship and Christian living from the Scriptures and covers the same content as a textbook series but in a different secquence. We are excited about this Scripture-focused approach and encourage you to use your child's Gospel Weekly at home with your family.
Custody: The catechetical staff wishes to cooperate with special custody arrangements of families to the best of their ability. Verbal requests are not sufficient; a copy of the proper legal documents must be presented to the director to be kept on file. Procedures will then be arranged.
Discipline: One of the catechist's first concerns is to maintain an atmosphere in which the children feel comfortable and accepted so they can share faith and enjoy an optimum learning environment.
Children should behave respectfully and courteously...in words and actions ...towards adults and peers. Children should participate positively and be on task. Children should respect parish property and the property of others.
CONSISTENT SERIOUS MISBEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN TIME- OUT THEN PARENT CONFERENCING.
Dismissal: Catechists walk their class to the parking lot where children wait for their ride. Parents of the little ones are asked to get out of the car and come for them. An adult will be present until the last child is picked up.Children are to remain near the Center; do not go back inside and do not wander off or accept a ride from someone else.
Emergency: Catechists walk their class to the parking lot where children wait for their ride. Parents of the little ones are asked to get out of the car and come for them. An adult will be present until the last child is picked up.
Family: Family and faith growth is important to us at Sacred Heart. Our Family Life Committee coordinates family centered events during the year. Visit the Family Life Ministries Web Page, the Youth Group Web Page , and the LIFE TEEN Web Page for up to date information.
High School: These students are encouraged to join our parish Life Teen Program and attend the Sunday 6:00 p.m. Mass followed by the teen "Life Night" session.
Middle School: These students of grades 6, 7 and 8 are encouraged to join our parish Edge Program and attend the Sunday 6:00 p.m. Mass followed by the "Edge" session.
For information contact Mr. Bo James 505-1355, Youth Group Director for information
E-mail: Bo@SacredHeartFL.org
Homework: After each class children will have papers with activities from their lesson. Use these a springboard for discussing faith with your child.
Human Sexuality: The development of the child's sense of identity and self-worth and respect for the person is woven into the weekly text lessons and corresponds to the Diocese guidelines for education in human sexuality.
Mass: A child's faith foundation comes from the family. Worshiping together as a family is a beautiful way to strengthen your faith and grow together as family. Children do not understand the "Mass" but they do understand it must be special because your family attends faithfully.
Newsletter: A monthly newsletter with calendar will be sent home with the youngest child. Parents are asked to look for this each month and read it.
Parents: Our ministry is to support you in your child's faith formation. If you have questions please speak to the catechist or to the Director.
Parish: It is important that each family is registered as members of our parish family. This is essential for receiving sacraments or being a godparent or sponsor for relatives or friends.. Forms are available in any office.
Pick-up: If you arrive early for dismissal, you are welcome to wait in the Center. If a different person is picking up your child, let us know in advance.
Prayer: In class children pray with "memorized" prayers and prayers in their own words. Each grade learns a new "memorized" prayer during the year so you might be asked to help with this.
Refreshments: Donated refreshments for special days are appreciated. We prefer cookies because they are easier to distribute and not messy. Gum, foods and drink are not allowed in the carpeted rooms.
Registration: Families are asked to re-register each year in order to keep our records accurate. The fee is $20 for one child and $40 for two or more children. Fees are payable to Sacred Heart Church; partial payments are accepted. The fee will be waived for families who cannot afford it.
Sacraments: Preparation Programs for the Sacraments are separate from the religious education classes and involve parents. Church law states that the preparation and reception of sacraments occur in the parish where the family is registered.
The best preparation the family can give the child is frequenting the Sacraments,
Supervision: Children who arrive early for class are not allowed in the classroom until the catechist arrives. They will be supervised in the Center.
Children must remain outside at dismissal time and watch for their ride. If they need to return to the Center, they must talk to Sister Josine first.
Telephone Numbers: If you need to call during class times, call Sister Josine's office,
941-639-9545.
Visitors: Parents/guardians are welcome to visit their child s class at any time. A child may bring a relative or friend to class as a visitor with the approval of the director and catechist.
Weather: Classes will be canceled if weather conditions or predictions are severe and threatening. Please note that we follow the directives from the county disaster officials.
