Handbook for Religious Education

Table of Contents

1.   Our Mission
2    Criteria for an Effective Religious Education Program
3.   Child Protection Lessons
4.   Safety for Our Students
5.   Attendance
6. Behavior
7. Dress Code
8. Summary of Sacramental Guidelines




1. Our Mission 

As catechist, we realize that the primary responsibility of religious education is with the parents
and godparents of our students. Our mission is to support parents in that endeavor and to 
supplement their teaching with catechesis that teaches students about the Catholic Church and
Christian living. We seek to accomplish this mission through an articulated curriculum using 
materials approved by the Church and by example.

2. Criteria for an Effective Religious Education Program

Our goal is to meet the standards set by the Diocese of Baton Rouge for an effective religious 
education program. These criteria are reviewed annually to help us set specific objectives for the 
year.

• A positive relationship between the pastor and director of religious education
• Training for volunteer catechists
• Use of parish liturgical events as rich catechetical experience
• Inclusion of strong social justice and human service components into the program 
• Creative, competent, and caring teachers
• Ability to engage youth in meaningful reflection on the relationship between faith and life
• Careful, planned, and deliberate recruitment of catechist
• A strong sense of community and camaraderie among catechists
• Inclusion on the staff of at least one person competent in theology
• Responsibility for checking student attendance and contacting parents
• A bonding among families whose children are in the program
• A positive relationship between the director of religious education and youth minister

                                                          

                                               
3.   Child Protection Lessons

Each year ALL students K -11 will receive one Child Protection lesson - this is mandated
by the Bishop.

                                                   
4. Safety for our Students

Each Student will be given a name tag that is to be worn while in class.

Once a year the students will be instructed for a Fire Drill, Lock down, and for 
severe weather while on St. John campus. (School or Church)

                                ****Your Children are very important to us****  

5. Attendance
                        

• Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, Penance services, practices, retreat, and programs. A schedule of classes has been provided for the convenience of parents and students.
• From time to time, a change in the schedule may be necessary. Notification of the change will be sent home with the students.
• Students are asked to bring a note from the parents when they have missed a class and wish to have the absence excuse. Material missed due to absence should be made up at home with the assistance of the parents.
• No Student will be allowed to leave class early without prior written permission from a parent or guardian. Students should deliver permission slips to the office before the beginning of class. 
• Regular attendance is a requirement for success in any educational process.

        
6. Behavior 

Tardiness -Excessive tardiness (three or more incidents) will constitute an absence. Parents
will be notified if a student is repeatedly tardy.

A Elementary student having more than five absences(20%) may be asked to repeat a grade or
may not be allowed to participate in the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Communion, or 
Confirmation Arrangements may be made for special circumstances.

Our catechists are volunteers who have committed themselves to our parish children. It is important that the children show proper respect and appreciation for this gift of time and talent and reverence to the presence of God in Church. Please work with us in establishing an atmosphere of respect for both teachers and students and proper behavior in the church. 

If a student is disrupting a class or shows disrespect to a teacher or another student, he/ she will be sent to the DRE for counseling and a “time out”. A letter of apology is required to go back to class. 

On the second time - the parents will be notified of the behavior and asked for assistance. 
Parents will be asked to come to class with their child until problem is resolved.

On the 3nd time - student and parent will meet with the Pastor.
Parents will be called to pick up the student. It may be necessary at this time to evaluate the situation and make a decision on future attendance.

It is never our choice to exclude a student from the religious education program. However,
expulsion may be the consequence if a student is not willing to participate actively and appropriately in the classroom. This expulsion may be permanent or temporary depending on the circumstances. Parents will be informed immediately of any problem serious enough to warrant     such action. 

7. Dress Code 
Humility is the proper attitude toward greatness, and modesty is humility of the body. The standard of dress for SJB members is high. Members of SJB are committed to dress as chaste young men and women. Clothing should be in good taste and appropriate for all Church activities.

• No pants including jeans should contain holes or rips.
• Leggings may be worn, but your behind must be completely covered by a t-shirt/sweatshirt/jacket.
• Shorts and skirts should be no shorter than 5 inches from the top of the knee. Biker shorts may not be worn as pants.
• T-shirts may not be longer than shorts.
• No sleeveless shirts including tank tops and spaghetti straps, low-cut tops, cut outs, cut offs, crop tops, or inappropriate slogans; this includes but is not limited to Lululemon Align tank tops and Outdoor Voices exercise dresses and similar styles.
• Boys shorts must have a 5in. inseam or longer.
• Undergarments may not be visible at any time.
• SJB chaperones reserve the right to ask a student dressed inappropriately to change.

8. Summary of Sacramental Guideline - Diocese of Baton Rouge General 

• The primary responsibility for preparation for a sacrament and the celebration of that sacrament belong to the parish church in which the candidate worships. This includes attending Parochial Schools.
• Catechesis is to be provided prior to the celebration of the sacraments and is primarily directed to the adult/parents of children preparing for the sacrament. This includes adult education for parents and parental programs and involvement. Parents are requested to attend all meetings scheduled by the parish in preparation for the sacrament.
• As sacraments are more than individual celebrations and are special moments in the faith of the entire faith community, the preparation for sacraments should involve many members of the parish community who will assist in instruction, prayer, and support.     

                                                 Reconciliation

• Opportunity for Reconciliation should be made available to all children approaching the Eucharist for the first time.
• Parent preparation meeting to achieve effective understanding of the sacrament of Reconciliation are to be provided. The content of this preparation should include the moral development of children and the theology, history, doctrine, and ritual of the sacrament.  
• A communal celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation is the most appropriate means to celebrate the sacrament with children.
• Parishes should schedule for all the faithful celebrations of the sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Advent and Lent.
• Preparation for First Reconciliation should take place in the fall and completed during advent.

                                                    First Eucharist

• Parents, having chosen to begin the process of Christian initiation in the lives of their children through Baptism, are the primary teachers in the preparation for the celebration of First Eucharist.
• Every parish has the responsibility of assisting the parents in this role by providing parish programs that include both the theological understanding of the Eucharist and the practical ways of preparing children to participate in the celebration of it.
• Preparation of full participation in the Eucharist Should include:
  • A deepening awareness of the activity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives;
  • the gifts of Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection.
  • An understanding of the Church’s faith in Christ’s continued presence in the Eucharist, as well as in the Christian assembly and his word.
  • Familiarity with and opportunities to participate in the whole Eucharistic rite as the central act of worship and primary sacrament of Reconciliation of the Catholic community.
• Programs of specific preparation for each sacrament and their celebration should be separated by a significant interval of time. This will help to avoid the misconception that Reconciliation is always a prerequisite for Eucharist.   
• Determination of the readiness of candidates belongs to the parents in consultation with the parish priest and those involved in the preparation process. The minimal requirements for First Eucharist is the Child’s expression of desire for the Eucharist and his/her ability to distinguish it from ordinary bread.
• Family-centered celebration of First Eucharist at a regular parish liturgy emphasizes that it is in the family that the child receives nourishment in the process of initiation. Parish celebration witness the communal aspect of sacramental life.
• First Eucharist should not be celebrated during Lent or on Holy Thursday. The post-Easter readings support the celebration of First Eucharist during the Easter season.    

                    

                                                          Confirmation                   

• Confirmation preparation should include components separate from and in addition to      catechesis in the Catholic School and Parish School of Religion (PSR)
• Adequate preparation for parents, sponsors, and candidates must be provided.
• Confirmation preparation and celebration must take place in the candidates own parish.
• In order to be confirmed, there must be evidence that the candidate is a regular participant in the Eucharist. 
• Candidates, parents, sponsors, along with catechetical leaders and parish priest should  discern the readiness of a candidate for the celebration of the sacrament, Confirmation must   be freely chosen by the candidate. 
• There must be an indication before the celebration of the sacrament that the candidate expects to live the commitment called for by the sacrament.    
• Several years of formation in the Catholic School or Parish of Religion should precede the     request to be admitted to the confirmation preparation process.
• Parishes should have in place specific guidelines regarding preparation, retreat, service  projects, interviews, parents/sponsor meeting in keeping with Diocesan guidelines. Specifically,
  • Students must be enrolled in the three-year Confirmation preparation class prior to receiving the Sacrament.
  • Students are expected to attend the Diocesan Youth Conference or World Youth Day. They are required to attend one confirmation retreat scheduled by the parish. The Confirmation student and sponsor/parent are to have six hours of preparation/retreat time together during the three year process.
  • Candidates are expected to participate in service in service projects such as the decoration of the church for Christmas, visitation to nursing homes, volunteer work at Bishop Ott, or St. Vincent DePaul Center, Food Bank, etc. 
  • Interviews will be conducted with Father, the Director of Religious Education and the Confirmation staff.
  • Parents must attend a meeting to assist them in the preparation of candidates.
  • Students must participate in the Rite of Choice and Rite of Enrollment as Scheduled     during the parish celebration of the Eucharist.