RELIGIOUS    EDUCATION

Dear Parents,

We welcome you and your children to St. Isaac Jogues Religious Education Program.

The goal of our program, in a collaborative effort with you, is to help foster each student's growth in personal holiness through his relationship with God. We thank you for allowing us to work with you in the formation of your child's faith.

Our Religious Education Program includes the participation of both Monsignor Cunningham and Father Paschal Onunwa and approximately forty Catechists, all volunteers, dedicated to advancing the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social development of our children.

Included below is information relating to our program. We would be pleased to speak with you and answer any question you may have. Also, please feel free to stop in at the school anytime. We are located in the rear of the church complex. We may be reached by telephone at 610 687 2481, ext. 2.

                                                                              God bless you!

                                                                              Louis M. Valenti, M. Div.

                                                                              Director of Religious Education, St. Isaac Jogues Parish

 
 

Religious Education Philosophy

St. Isaac Jogues Parish is committed to the religious education of all as taught by Jesus Christ. Through both the message of salvation as established in the teaching of the Church and the adult community, we endeavor to lead all into living productive and purposeful lives.

The religious educational program strives to prepare children to assume their rightful place in society through personal sanctification based on Christian values. This program fosters the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and social development of each child. The religious education program of St. Isaac Jogues Parish is obligated to contribute in its own way to the realization of the three-fold purpose within the total educational ministry: proclaim the Gospel message, develop a faith community, and render service to the People of God.

Our religious educational program proclaims the Gospel message and translates this proclamation into action. This Catholic message is transmitted through volunteer teachers who strive to follow the example of Christ, the Master Teacher.

The message is extended further through the practical lived-out expression of the truths and values within the live of the members of the parish community.

It is our aim to provide experiences through active participation in liturgy and prayer that will develop children who are wise in their faith and committed to service both to their faith and social communities. The child celebrates his/her relationship with God and with the community through the sacramental life of the Church. Parents, as well as volunteer teachers, are involved in preparing the children for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. These celebrations bind us all together as a faith community.

The purpose of the Religious Education Program here at St. Isaac Jogues Parish is to provide children with an environment that will foster growth and participation in the teaching and practices of Jesus Christ.

 

    MAJOR INSTRUCTIONAL THEMES

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)

Liturgy of the Word for Three and Four Year Olds

This is an introductory program for the Christian education of young children. This program creatively encourages children to wonder, explore and celebrate the life and loving God has given them. The children experience a Christian community through sharing prayers, stories, songs, games and art activities. The program also allows the children to discover that God's world is alive and is indeed "something special".

This program takes place during the Sunday 10:30 A.M. Mass. Prior to the First Reading, the children are called from the Altar to line up and proceed with the catechist to the classroom for age appropriate Lectionary Readings, discussions and short projects. The children return to the Church to join their families following the homily.

Kindergarten

This program is designed to make the children aware of God's love through the many good and beautiful persons, events and things He has placed in their lives. It leads the children to appreciate their own uniqueness and to sense God's presence in all the wonderful things around them. It also leads the children to a greater desire to love God in return through their prayers and acts of kindness to others.

Grade 1

Grade 1 focuses on the theme of the Trinity. The children are taught that God, our Creator, made each person special. They learn that Jesus is our friend and brother and He is human - just as we are. They also learn that the Holy Spirit is our source of strength, peace and joy. Morally, the children learn that they are responsible to love and care for all God's gifts of creation

Grade 2

In grade 2, the children review the sacrament of Baptism and begin study of the other sacraments. The students prepare for the reception of the sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion. Both are received during the spring semester.

Grade 3

The Church is the focus of study in grade 3. Students learn about the traditional marks of the Catholic Church by studying the Apostles Creed. All seven sacraments are studied and various ministries within the Church are explored. The Ten Commandments are also studied.

Grade 4

In the 4th grade, the students focus on a study of morality. Moral values are fostered by a look at the lives of people who exemplified them. The students see God as merciful and always ready to forgive and Jesus as the example of Christian love and life. They look at the Holy Spirit as our helper and guide in times of temptation. The sacrament of Reconciliation is emphasized and the content deals with our need to be healed.

Grade 5

Grade 5 centers on a study of all seven sacraments, which are presented as sacred signs as well as celebrations. Students learn that God gave us the ultimate sacrament in Jesus - a visible sign of His Love. The Church is also seen as a sacrament - the sign to the world of God's love for His people. People are seen as the best sign of God's presence and all creation is seen as reflecting His existence. Additional classes for full initiation into the Church in the reception of Confirmation begins in the second semester of fifth grade.

Grade 6 and 7

Confirmation preparation continues in the program for grade 6 and 7. The student studies the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation. Emphasis is also placed on how the Gospels and the Sacraments are presented as links to or memory of, knowledge of, and relationship with Jesus today. During the second half of the semester, the students will become familiar with great people from the Hebrew Scriptures.
 
Over the two year program, the students will focus on the study of Jesus and on the sacraments. They will also look closely at being followers of Jesus and continuing in the Christian way of life. The Commandments and the Beatitudes will be explored in a new light to help guide the young teen in making good moral decisions in his or her life. The program includes the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Grades 8 to 12

These grades are the final segment of a 12 year program. New information will be presented with a strong emphasis on growing (maturing) in our faith and experiencing on a heart level what it means to be a Catholic. The curriculum rotates through a four year cycle and includes Dogma, Scripture, Morality and Church History. The program works closely with the Youth Ministry Program.
 

ADMISSIONS
 
All registered families of St. Isaac Jogues Parish may be admitted to the parish Religious Education Program. Families of neighboring parishes may also be admitted to our program after permission has been granted, in writing, from their parish Pastor.

The Religious Education Office requires a copy of each student's baptismal certificate if he/she was not baptized at St. Isaac Jogues. We also ask to be notified immediately of a change in the address or phone number of our students.

A General Health and Medical History Form must be completed for each child admitted to the program. This form is designed to alert the catechist and the office of any concerns or needs of the student.

Registration of new students is on-going as new families move into the parish or hear of our program. Registration notices are published in the parish bulletin in late summer. Renewal registration forms are mailed to our families in late spring.

Program Fees:

ADULT EDUCATION

Adult Catechism
This program offers an informal opportunity for study and discussion of Roman Catholic doctrine as found in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

Catholic Apologetics 101
This curriculum includes discussion and study of topics of our Catholic Faith in order that we may explain them to family and friends, and explain and defend them from critics of the Church.

Church History
The course provides an overview of the two thousand year history of the Roman Catholic Church.

Lenten Programs
Programs designed to lead us to a fuller understanding, and growth in faith, during this holy time of the year.

Scripture Study
The study of scripture offers an informal forum to learn and discuss the Sacred Scriptures as translated in the Ignatius Study bible.

Pre-Jordan Program
The program prepares parents and God-parents for the baptism of their child and the responsibility and commitment that lie therein.

Way of Christ Program
                 The program seeks to catechize: