| Office of Religious Education Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-6) 1st - 8th Grades Classroom/Home Study Programs Home On-Line Programs for Grades 3 - 7 Sacramental Preparation for First Penance First Holy Communion Confirmation |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| St. Joseph Parish and SS. John & Bernard Parish |
| The Religious Education program for St. Joseph Parish is combined with SS. John & Bernard Parish, and is offered from mid-September through the end of April each year. Elementary school classes (1st through 5th grade) are held on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 PM at Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School (3165 Washington Avenue, St. Joseph). Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3 - 6, includes Kindergarten) is also held on Monday evenings from 5:45 to 7:15 and on Tuesday mornings from 8:45 to 10:15, both at Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School (3165 Washington Avenue, St. Joseph). Middle school classes (6th, 7th and 8th grades) are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 PM at Lake Michigan Catholic High School (915 Pleasant Street, St. Joseph). Registration packets are mailed to all previously registered families in July. New parishioners should contact Peggy Hanley, Director of Religious Education at 983-1575, ext. 10 or email at religioused2@att.net to obtain registration information. Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion: Preparation for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion occurs in 2nd grade, and includes work outside of the classroom and attendance at several meetings, in addition to class attendance. Sacrament of Confirmation: Students in 8th grade prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is conferred in the fall of their 9th grade year. In addition to classroom attendance and proficient mastery of material, preparation for the Sacrament includes 20 hours of Christian Service, selecting and researching a saint, writing a letter to the Bishop, attending a Confirmation retreat, and meeting with their sponsor. Older students who have not received the Sacraments may contact their pastor or the Religious Education Office for guidance and information on programs available to them. |
July 5, 2011 Office of Religious Education CCD Year 2011 - 2012 LETTER TO PARENTS Welcome to a new year of Religious Education! We have several changes in store for the upcoming year, so please read the following information carefully before filling out your registration form. Program choices Class: The classroom option is open to grades 1 through 8. We will meet from 6 to 7:15 on Monday evenings at LMC Elementary School for Kindergarten through 5th grades; the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders meet Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7:15 at LMC High School. All 2nd graders wishing to make their First Penance/First Communion must select this option. Good Shepherd Program: This option is open to 3 through 6 year olds, regardless of grade level. It uses a hands-on, Montessori approach that teaches reverence and helps develop a relationship with our Lord. If you are interested in this option, please check the appropriate box. Class times and locations will be announced at a later date, but we hope to offer a choice of a week night or a week day morning class time. We will contact you with class time options when our planning is complete. Home Study On-line: Ignatius Press has an exciting on-line learning option that we will be offering to our home study students. The benefits of the on-line course are: -chapter is read aloud to student, so reading ability does not interfere with learning. -on-line learning allows students with busy schedules to still participate in religious education -each chapter begins and ends with a short quiz, and all results are sent directly to the Religious Ed office, so no need to mail anything. A training session will be offered to acquaint interested families with how to use this option. This option is open only for 3rd through 7th grade. Home Study: For those students who do not have access to a computer, but still wish to pursue their religious studies at home, we will offer the text book and activity book for you to complete on your own. If you chose this option, you will need to come to the Religious Ed office for periodic testing. This option is open to grades K, 1, and 3 through 8. Students enrolled in either home study option will be invited to attend a gathering during Advent and again at the end of the year, at which time their activity books will be reviewed. Other things you should know We will be replacing our current textbook series with a textbook and activity book from the Faith & Life series, published by Ignatius Press. I think you will find this series to be very solid Catholic teaching. This will happen in grades 1 through 7. Grade 8 will also continue to use the same materials as last year. There will be no Pre-K classroom option offered on Monday evenings. A certificate of completion will be issued to all students who attend regularly and/or complete their activity books. Our class time will be extended. We will still begin class at 6:00 p.m.; however our end time will be at 7:15 p.m. Our dismissal procedure will be different. Children will still be brought to the cafeteria by their catechist at the end of class, but once they are at the table, you may take them home. Final prayers will be done in the classroom with the catechist before they return to the cafeteria. Please note the price break for registering early! We would love to hear from you as soon as possible so we may adequately prepare for our coming school year. If you have any questions about our Religious Education programs, please call our office between 9 a.m. and noon during the summer months. Laura and I will be happy to help you. Sincerely yours in Christ, Peggy Hanley Director of Religious Education Saint Joseph and Saints John & Bernard Parishes (269)983-1575, ext. 10 (Peggy); ext. 15 (Laura) |
| RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012 |
| Holy Family Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Joseph Church |
Rosary Garden at
St. Joseph South
St. Joseph South
| Holy Family at St. Bernard Church |
Tabernacle at St. John Church
| News & Upcoming Events/Meetings CCD
CONFIRMATION
FIRST PENANCE AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
2012, both at 2:30 PM @ St. Joseph Church Downtown
St. Bernard Church For more dates and information, click here. |
| Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School |
| Lake Michigan Catholic Middle/High School |
