Alternative Religious Education Program

About 5 years ago my parish began an alternative Religious Ed. Program.  It offers an intensive two week session that is 3 and a half hours a day.  This year we have 275 registered.  Granted there are pro’s and con’s to having an intensive summer program, but there are also many advantages.

This year I’ve worked hard to make sure the classes are covering the same amount of material as the school year.  I’ve outlined the chapters for each grade (1st, 3rd – 6th) in order to help the catechists be prepared and ready to execute in such an intense time frame.  Our program also has crafts, music, a church tour, time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross and a closing Mass, a service project and a food drive.  It’s an exciting program!  I’ll share more soon on the pro’s and con’s of this type of program.  I will leave you with one thought…it is a program that meets a rising need of parents: to make sure their children receive good religious formation in an environment that puts so many demands on parents and kids.

 

New Models and Systems in Catechesis

In a previous post I had spoken of the National Directory for Catechesis articulating that in the modern world there is a need to “investigate new possibilities offered by the existence of the new technologies and imagine whole new models and systems if the Gospel message is to penetrate the culture, make sense to the next generation of Catholics, and bring about a response of faith” (from the Introduction under “challenges in the Ministry of Catechesis).

What will this look like in Religious Education?  How can we bring this New Evangelization into the classroom and engage the next generation of Catholics and most importantly “bring about a response of faith”?

I’ll share three things I think we as catechetical leaders must do:

1) These new models and systems must involve parents.   We must give back what education has often taken away – their role as the primary educators.  We cannot have the success we desire if the parents are mostly on the outside looking in.  We must find better ways to involve them and empower them as the one who is primary in the faith formation of their child.  

2) These models must involve a greater engagement of those being taught through what I would call “movement”  in a classroom setting.  Presentations from the Catechist that last most of the class will no longer reach the children and youth of today.  Classrooms must move around, go to the church or some location that one can teach from but our method of teaching must go beyond staying in the classroom and merely presenting the topic to the students present.    

3) We need to use more of the tools at our disposal – technology.  Media, movies, power-point, video clips, art, and other props to help engage the attention of students.  

These three means are not exhaustive or intended to limit the other possibilities, but are to begin to move toward models of teaching and passing on the Faith that will help bring about a response of faith from those we are teaching.  May the Holy Spirit lead us and speak to the hearts of those we are seeking to pass the Faith onto.

 

First Communion

Our parish has 200 children receiving their First Communion in the next two weeks.  We will have three Masses for the First Communicants.  Here are a few ways that catechists and parents can help their child prepare for one of the most special days of their life!  

1) Take the opportunity to live in the moment

Yes, there is lots to prepare for…dress clothes, gifts, invites to the party, groceries, a clean house, etc, etc…  But don’t forget that is all secondary to helping your child be prepared and excited about receiving Jesus Christ body, blood, soul and divinity!  As you share how wonderful Jesus is to receive and to always be close to Him the child in turn will be excited and seek to focus on being close to Jesus.  Take many moments during the final days and share with excitement your love for Jesus and how Jesus helps you be holy, to be loving, to be patient.  As they see how important Jesus is to you they will continue to grow as they receive Jesus every Sunday. 

2. Make a Novena or pray a Rosary everyday for the one preparing for First Communion.        

Prayer is powerful and full of God’s abundance.  Take the time to pray and seek the floodgates of God’s life to be poured out to the child(ren) receiving First Communion.  

3) Continue a life of Grace

It’s not about one special day in the 2nd or 3rd Grade.  It’s the beginning of a marvelous friendship and abundant graces in ones life.  It’s sad that so many who receive Jesus in 2nd or 3rd grade don’t go to Mass very often after their First Communion – if they only knew the treasure of graces.  God knows how much we need Him and He wants to give Himself to us.  He wants to form a constant foundation and give us a wellspring of grace and strength to draw from in our daily life.  We need Jesus in the Eucharist so much – it’s our lifeline!  

4. Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation – i.e., Confession

Go to the font of mercy and have children receive the sacrament.  Go to Confession so they can be cleansed of sins, even if it is just venial sin so they can be open to all the graces Jesus Christ has for them at their First Communion.  Going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation opens one up to a more profound reception of Jesus in the Eucharist.

 

For God so loved the world…He gave

The Heart of the Gospel Message – love and heroic sacrifice go together.  This past Sunday’s Gospel from John Chapter 3 reminds me of a truth that is sometimes forgotten in Religious Education Circles.  Love is the obvious foundation to the Gospel message, but love it not isolated from suffering, sacrifice and demands.  God the Father not only sent His Son, who is also God, to take on human flesh so He could raise us up to new life, but he also planned in the fullness of time to redeem the world, more specifically you and I so that we could have life and not die but have eternal life.  Without this love, love incarnate dying and suffering we could not have life with God.  Wow.  Now that’s Amazing Love!

Sometimes in our Religious Education Programs we hear parents and catechists talk about how we should show our students only love and reveal to them the depths of God’s love.  When we are labeled as requiring too much when we expect more than the minimum.  When we seek to discuss why a child is not doing any of the necessary activities/homework the Religious Education program is labeled as demanding.  Even catechists share that they focus more on the kindness, joy and love of Jesus but don’t really like to discuss the strong teachings of Jesus like taking up your cross to follow Jesus. 

The greatest, St. Paul says, “is love”.  However, love this deep requires something; it demands a response that is not lukewarm or divided – it requires sacrifice and a committed response.  Without that Jesus would have not been able to make it to the end – to Calvary and be sacrificed, disgraced, beaten, naked and nailed on the cross.  

Our Religious Education efforts have requirements and our message in the classroom should as well so that the Gospel may not only be conveyed as a nice, pleasant and comforting story.  It must also help us be liberated from mediocrity, from expecting only a teddy bear Jesus to be encountered.  

May the heroic love and sacrifice of Christ compel us to respond to God’s invitation to commit our whole lives to Christ and His will for the students we teach and all those handing on the deposit of faith.

 

5 Ways for Families to Grow this Lent

 Here are some ways I suggested tofamilies in our parish to grow in their faith this Lenten Season. 

Get your Lent off to a great start by making plans for the upcoming 40 days.  These 40 days can be a great way to grow as a family and slow down a little bit in order to take more time to grow in your love for God and neighbor.  The three primary areas of focus during Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Lent is often seen only from the fasting lens where adults and kids “give up” something.  This may be the best thing for your child to do but if they do not grow closer to Jesus as a result then it might not be the best idea.  I would like to share with you 5 ways to make this Lent a great opportunity to grow in holiness. 

5 ideas

1.         Family Focus Discuss as a family what you will do this Lent. 

        Take the time to talk about what you will do to grow closer to Christ this Lent.  This year try doing something as a family as well as something that each person in the family does individually. 

2.         Consider doing something different each week. 

        No, it might not be as challenging, but it might help keep the focus on making many  sacrifices in order to grow closer to Jesus constantly during Lent.  Keeping it fresh can be a way to keep your child and family    engaged during the weeks of Lent.

3.         Make Sunday Special

        This Lent go to Mass 15 minutes early so you can really prepare for the Holy Mass.  You might want to stay after Mass and have a time of thanksgiving for receiving Jesus in the Eucharist and for this time of prayer and worship with your family.  Also, consider doing a special devotional (Rosary, Bible reading, Stations of the Cross) at home. 

4.         Attend A Parish Event 

        This Lent Ascension will have many opportunities to grow in your faith.  Consider coming to Stations of the Cross at 7pm (Fish Fry at 5pm) on Fridays or an adult faith enrichment event. Also, the parish has a theme this year called “Lent and beyond”. See the bulletin each week for more details.

5.         Pray, Fast, Give

        Take the opportunity to be prayerful this Lent.  Fast from extras to help remind you of the Sacrifice Christ made for you and me.    Finally, seek to give through the operation rice bowl (given in SOR class), possibly performing some service outreach with your family.  Support a need  in our community (Catholic Charities, homeless shelter, kid organizations). And don’t forget to give your love and help to your family members.

God bless your Lent!!!

 

 

Pope Benedict XVI’s Lenten Message 2009

Here is our Holy Father’s Lenten Message:

Here is the Link to his papal-message-for-lent-2009:

 

The Essential Role of Parents in Passing on the Faith

The other day I was talking with a fellow DRE and we were discussing an interesting and very sad mindset of some parents today. We’ve both had parents tell us “why do I have to do this activity at home regarding religion at home with my child” that it why I send him/her to your program?”. It cannot be understated that parents are the most important formers/educators of their children. They know their child best emotionally, physically and spiritually than any other person. Weather a child attends Catholic School or not, parents have the primary responsibility of helping their children grow in faith.

Check out what the Church Documents say: the-churchs-teaching-on-the-role-of-parents-in-the-education-of-the-faith

It is clear that Religious Education Programs and Catholic Schools must reengage parents in their primary role as educators of the Christian Life. Parishes and schools are partnering/collaborating with parents. It is true that parents are very busy and their time and energy is admirable to send their child to grow and learn about the Faith in the many programs provided by parishes and schools, but they are secondary to what parents should be fostering and doing in the home. May the Holy Spirit lead and guide parents to be authentic and equipped witnesses of the Faith.

3 Ways to Equip Parents

1. Always communicate with parents how important their role in passing on the faith is.

2. Continually provide ideas on how families can live the Faith at home.

3. Require parent involvement in sacramental preparation and faith assignments and activities.

 

Involving Parents in First Communion Preparations

Parishes throughout the country are preparing children to receive their First Communion in the next few months. Here are some suggestions on how parents can help connect and prepare their child who will be receiving the greatest of gifts.

1. Go to Mass as a family. Make the next few months special by helping your child see how important Sunday Mass is to your family. Spend time on Sundays talking about the Scripture readings.

2. Have parents go over the lessons they are covering related to the Sacrament of the Eucharist (and the Mass). At my parish parents receive a book (this year we are using Loyola Press’ First Euchairst Book) which consists of 7 chapters and a handout with each chapter. Parents are instructed to sit down with their child and cover the chapters and complete the worksheet. We encourage them to make it a special time for their child and to show enthusiasm as they cover the material.

3. Make visits to the Blessed Sacrament. It is very important to foster your love for the Eucharist by taking the time to visit Jesus who is really present in the tabernacle. If your parish has Eucharistic Adoration, be sure to take your child their for some time of prayer and help him/her come to know Jesus and love being in His presence.

4 . Parents – share how God is working in your life. Show your child that you have a personal relationship/friendship with Jesus that affects your whole life.

5. Pray. Gather as a family to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Pray with your child for a open heart as they prepare for their First Communion. Show your child that your prayer life is an important part of following Jesus.

 

Making Sunday Special

I was recently watching the program “Sunday Morning” where they were celebrating their 30th year on the air. I found it interesting to see what has changed in the last 30 years. One thing interesting to me a as religious educator is how American’s live Sunday, the first day of the week. In 1979 almost everything was closed on Sunday’s. Families gathered at grandmother’s house. Today, we sit at our computer or blackberry and email family instead of seeing them as often as they use to. The CBS show reported that 24% of American’s go to church and noted the same amount shop on Sunday.

Yes, much has changed in just 30 years – our means of communication, our weekly schedule, our use of words, and so much more, but one thing that is consistent for a Catholic is Sunday Mass. This time to gather to celebrate our faith and worship Christ. I find it troubling that so many parents today find Sunday Mass optional. The busyness of life contributes to so many missing Mass.

God’s commandments do not change, even when circumstances and society does. Sunday Mass is our lifeline to God through him communicating to us in His Word (Sacred Scripture) and giving himself to us in the Eucharist. This is the greatest gift of our lives. Let us pray that parents and religious educators may continue to seek the source of their salvation and strength – Christ.

Here are 3 ways to make Sunday a special family day:

1) Go to Mass as a family. In a busy world if families go to Mass they can sometimes struggle to go together. It is important to go together sharing this holy hour as a family.

2) Read the Mass readings together before Mass or sometime on Sunday and reflect on how your family can live the Scriptures out in your everyday life.

3) Eat a meal together and do something that allows your family to spend some quality time with one another. This allows everyone to reconnect and enjoy the most important people in their lives.

 

What I’m Learning

The ministry of catechesis has many challenges in the Third Millennium. Some of the challenges going on in my ministry of Directing a School of Religion (Religious Ed.) Program is the fact that we only have the students once a week for an hour and 15 minutes (grades 1-6) to pass on the faith. The middle schoolers meet for an hour an a half. Most of the time students struggle to remember what they learned the week before due to the length of time between lessons (sometimes it is longer than a week). Most parents are so busy and over committed that they do not have the time to follow up and discuss with their child what they are learning. I’m not speaking about all parents but most of of the parents I’ve ever worked with this is the case. This poses a huge challenge to passing on the faith. One thing I’m doing is improving the lessons and equipping the catechists at our parish. Also, I’m trying to find ways to communicate with parents and encourage parents to grow in their faith and share it with their children.

There is a lot of work to be done and progress to be made but I’m continuing to learn the need to engage parents in their primary role of educating their children in the faith. Our program has a collaborative role, we are not the primary educators. Yes, we probably have more resources at our disposal and have catechists who maybe know the faith to a greater degree than parents who have not taken the time that an average catechist does to grow in the faith,but that does not change our role.

It would be great to hear from anyone who has insights regarding these challenges. Come Holy Spirit!