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st. norbert RELIGIOUS EDUCATION |
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DOCTRINAL FOCUS BY GRADE LEVEL |
Grades K thru 8 use the "Blest Are We Series" by Silver Burdett Ginn. These textbooks have been approved by the Ad hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism, National Council of Bishops. In addition, Grade 2 uses "The Gift of Eucharist" by Silver Burdett and Grade 8 uses "Confirmation" by the Bensinger Publishing Company.
All grade levels study the fundamentals of Catholic teaching and Catholic traditions, the seasons of the Church year, prayers, saints, scripture, sacraments, mass Catholic commitment to service, etc.
The following is the theological background for the textbook lessons: |
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Kindergarten - Theme: God Loves Us |
God created everything out of love. We love ourselves because God made us. God(s love enables us to love others. We love Jesus who comes from God(s love as a caring friend and teacher. We respond to God(s love by reaching out to help others and reaching out to God in prayer. |
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| First Grade - Theme: Trinity |
| God is the Creator who made us in His image and watches over all things. Jesus is the Son of God who teaches us to love one another and to care for God(s gift of creation. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God who helps us to live good lives. We celebrate God(s life in us through our membership in the community of Catholic Christians which worships together at Sunday mass. |
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| Second Grade - Theme: Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist |
We participate in the life of the Church through the sacraments. God is presented as a loving father who forgives us; Jesus as One who gives us the gift of Himself; and the Holy Spirit as One who calls us to serve others. At mass we hear the word of God and receive Jesus, who is truly present in the Eucharist. Preparation for First Eucharist and the foundation for Reconciliation stresses that God is part of our lives. |
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| Third Grade - Theme: The Church and the Mass |
| An appreciation of the Church and the Mass is developed by exploring how the Church community worships together at Mass and carries on the mission of Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. All seven sacraments are studied. |
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| Fourth Grade - Theme: Morality and the Beatitudes |
Our moral teaching is based on our learning about goodness from God. God is compassionate and forgiving and calls us to healing through Reconciliation. Jesus Christ shows us divine goodness and human potential for good as described in the Beatitudes. The Holy Spirit is our guide and source of strength as we proclaim the Kingdom of God. Preparation for individual Reconciliation stresses God"s mercy. |
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| Fifth Grade - Theme: Seven Sacraments as Sign and Celebration |
God has gifted us in many ways. God(s finest gift is Jesus who shows us the presence of God in all good things. His presence is made real for us in the celebration of the sacraments. The Church is the sacrament of Christ(s presence, a visible sign of God(s love at work in the world. The seven sacraments are ritual celebrations of God(s loving presence.
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| Sixth Grade - Theme: Old Testament |
The roots of our faith are found in the Hebrew Scriptures. God is our Creator who cares deeply for us and interacts in our lives. Jesus is the fulfillment of God(s promise who brings a new covenant and proclaims the coming of the kingdom of God, which continues in the Church. Our relationship with God leads us to live moral lives. |
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| Confirmation I - Theme: Jesus |
| Students begin their preparation for Confirmation by studying the fundamentals of the Catholic faith. Study of scripture focuses on discussions of who Jesus is and how he challenges us to live a Christian lifestyle. Sacraments are seen as signs of God acting in our lives. The Mass is studied as our central worship. |
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| Confirmation II - Theme: Confirmation |
Confirmation preparation stresses that the Holy Spirit helps us to live as members of the Catholic Church. Students are encouraged to examine their lives to see if they reflect the beliefs and commitment of the Church community. Jesus calls His followers to live lives of compassion, care and concern for their fellow human beings, and especially to seek out those in need. Review of the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, formation of our Church and other basic Church teachings and traditions helps prepare the student to live a Catholic life. |
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| RESPECT CURRICULUM |
| The RESPECT Curriculum identifies specific behaviors that we would like the children to display when they are in church. Habits such as making the Sign of the Cross with holy water when they enter church, or the correct way to receive the Eucharist, are taught at the appropriate grade level, and reinforced in the upper grades. Instruction in these customs includes why we do them so that the children can appreciate their significance. |
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| SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION |
Sacramental preparation is an important process where parents and catechists, with the whole parish community, help children see God acting in their lives. Parent meetings are held to help families understand their part in the catechetical process for the sacraments. It is very important that at least one parent attend. The schedule of meetings for each sacrament will be mailed home at the beginning of the school year and are listed in the "Special Dates/Meetings" section of the calendar.
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| Reconciliation |
Preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation begins in second grade. Parents and children participate in a celebration of First Reconciliation. The focus of the catechesis is the healing and reconciliation offered to us by God's abundant love and forgiveness. This theme of love and forgiveness continues in Third Grade with a Penance Service for children and parents.
The children have a concentrated review of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in fourth grade. In early spring families celebrate this sacrament together in a communal penitential service with individual confessions. Parents are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to receive the sacrament themselves at this time to provide a role model for their children. |
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| First Eucharist |
Instruction for First Eucharist begins in First Grade. Reception of this sacrament takes place the first weekend in May of the Second Grade year.
In addition to the initial parent meeting, children, families and catechists participate in two para-liturgies intended to promote a more active and conscious participation in the liturgy. These services focus on major themes of the mass: Belonging and The Word and Sharing a Meal.
Parents are asked to study with their children at home using "The Gift of Eucharist" book and family guide. Children will be asked to bring their Eucharist book to class several times for review.
The best way for children to appreciate the significance of Holy Eucharist is to attend Sunday mass regularly with their families. |
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| Confirmation |
Confirmation preparation is a two year program which usually begins in Seventh Grade. The Confirmation I curriculum focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus, the sacraments and our communal worship in the Mass.
In Confirmation II the students prepare to affirm for themselves their faith in Jesus and His Church. The Confirmandi accept the responsibility to witness that faith in their daily lives. |
Preparation for Confirmation includes participation in the following activities:
- Regular attendance at Sunday Mass
- Regular attendance at Religious Education classes
- Attendance at the Parent/Confirmandi Open Meeting
- Attendance at the "Kick Off" event
- Interview with a parish staff member
- Confirmation Retreat
- Minimum of ten hours of community service
- Examination on Confirmation material
- Renewal of Baptismal Promises/Rehearsal
Confirmation is scheduled by the Bishop. |
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