|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Religious Education
The General Directory
for Catechesis (GDC), issued by
the Holy See and published in English in January of 1998, states that: “All
the baptized, because they are called by God to maturity of faith, need and
have therefore a right to adequate catechesis.” GDC #167
St. Michael’s Parish strives to welcome each and every person
into our Religious Education Program.
We offer traditional classes for students for grades
1-8, an exciting early adolescent youth ministry based program for grades 6-8,
a unique non-graded high school program in preparation for the Sacrament of
Confirmation, a program for children with special needs, as well as, adult
education, the Rite of Christian Initiation, adult catechesis for the
Sacrament of Confirmation and classes for parents of children preparing to
receive the sacraments of First Penance, First Communion and Confirmation.
"Parents are the primary educators in the faith.
Together with them, especially in certain cultures, all members of the family
play an active part in the education of the younger members." (GDC #255)
St. Michael’s parish seeks to collaborate with parents in providing formal
teaching of doctrine and classroom experiences of prayer and liturgy. Together
we strive for a common goal: faith development and religious education for all
children within our care.
We welcome any questions, comments or suggestions. The
program director is available in person either before or after all scheduled
classes in the Religious Education Office located at the Parish Center. Also,
please feel free to contact us at the office:
Religious Education Office: 978-562-7662
(direct line)
Parish Center: 978-562-2552 ext 309 or
303
Gerry McDonald, Director (ext 309)
smpreligioused@yahoo.com
Pat Conte, Assistant to the Director (ext 303)
smpreligioused2@yahoo.com
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Registration Fees and Procedures
Regarding Class Schedules
Program Policies
Sacramental Preparation
Sacramental Prep -
Catholic School Students
Extended Programs
Special Needs Classes
Home Based Catechesis
Children’s Catechumenate
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Adult Confirmation Classes
Adult Faith Formation
REGISTRATION FORMS
New Students
Grades 1 - 8 (PDF version)
Grades 9 -
12 (PDF version)
Current Students
Grades 1 - 8 (PDF
version)
Grades 9 - 12
(PDF version)
Catholic School Students
Grade 2 (First Communion & Penance)
Grade 2 Schedule
Grade 9 - 12 (Confirmation)
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES - 2011/12
GRADES 1 ~ 8
Sundays and
Tuesdays
GRADES 6 ~ 8
Edge Program
GRADES 9 - 12
Confirmation - Level I
Confirmation - Level II
Confirmation - One Year
Schedule -Levels I & II
FIRST PENANCE AND FIRST COMMUNION
Scheduled Activities for 2011/12
REGISTRATION FEES AND PROCEDURES
TO REGISTER A NEW OR CURRENT STUDENT :
- · print a copy of the appropriate registration form found on this site
- · complete the information on the form
*
· mail or drop off the form and check to the Religious Education Office
at the parish center (address below)
* Note regarding Baptism
information - If the student was baptized at St. Michael’s in Hudson, simply
write "SMP" on the church line. If the student was baptized at another church,
we will need to see a copy of the baptism certificate.
REGISTRATION FEES :
Family with one student: $100
Family with two or more students: $175
· Please make check payable to" St. Michael Parish"
· A $10 discount is offered if the registration form and fee are received
at the parish by July 31 st
· Registration fees are automatically waived for the children of our
catechists
Important note regarding fees: No child will be turned away from our
program. If you are experiencing a hardship and would like to arrange a
schedule for payment over a period of time, we would be happy to help you.
Also if your family cannot pay the fee at all, your child(ren) will still be
welcomed into the program. All students are given textbooks and classroom
materials regardless of fee payment.
SUBMITTING THE REGISTRATION FORM(S) AND PAYMENTS :
Forms and checks can be mailed to us at:
Religious Education Office
St. Michael Parish
20 High Street
Hudson, MA 01748
Forms and checks can also be dropped off to the secretary at the parish
center (same address) any weekday from 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m
Top
REGARDING CLASS SCHEDULES
Parents are reminded that participation in Mass on a weekly basis is
crucial to the faith formation of their children. If your child/ren are
enrolled in a weekday class it is expected that they will participate in
weekend Mass with the parish community as well.
GRADES 1 AND 5 :
Three sessions of classes are available to families with children in grades
1-5:
- 1) Sunday morning, from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. (for those who prefer
the 10:30 a.m. Mass)
- 2) Sunday morning, from 10:15 - 11:15 am. (for those who prefer
the 9:00 a.m. Mass)
- 3) Tuesday evenings from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Since classroom may be restricted at any of these sessions or if we are
unable to find enough catechists for all grades. Availability may be limited
to families who register their children early.
GRADES 6 THRU 8 :
We offer a choice of two different programs for our early adolescents in
these grades.
- 1) The "Edge," program offers youth ministry based catechesis designed
to involve students in lessons, presentations, discussions and activities.
Edge "meetings" take place once a month for each grade on alternating
Mondays. Meetings are held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the parish center. A
schedule of dates for the 2011/12 school year is available on our website.
- 2) For families who prefer the traditional classroom structure, we offer
classes on Sunday mornings, along with grades 1 - 5. The session for these
grades on Sunday mornings (either the 9 - 10 or the 10:15 - 11:15) will be
determined by the number of students who are registered for each. If one
session has five or less students in any of these grades, those students
will be combined with the class of the alternate session.
GRADES 9 THRU 12 : Our ungraded
high school program is very unique in that it allows students to take from one
to four years to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This schedule
makes it possible "leave the door open" to all students to return and pursue
their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for as long as they remain
in high school. Class requirements can be custom fit to meet the needs of each
individual teen.
Top
PROGRAM POLICIES
NEW STUDENTS
All students are welcome to participate in the Religious Education Program
of St. Michael’s parish. Every effort will be made to provide for the
catechetical needs of each individual. Registration forms are available in the
rear of the church, at the parish Religious Education Office and on this web
site.
Children who will be six years of age before September 1st, should be
enrolled in grade one classes. Exceptions can be made upon further discussion
with the program director. Older students who are new or returning to the
program will be placed in classes appropriate to their age or school grade.
Top
REGISTRATION FEES
No student or family will ever be turned away from our program because of
their inability to pay fees . All
students will be given textbooks and will be welcomed into class regardless of
their ability to pay. For those who can afford a fee, the schedule is as
follows:
- One student in a family: $100
- Two or more students in a family: $175
Registration fees are waived for parents who are catechists .
A $10 discount per family is offered for those who register children before
July 31st.
Top
CANCELLATION OF CLASSES DUE TO STORMS
Sunday classes: In the event of a severe snow or ice storm classes will be
canceled to insure the safety of the children and their families.
Announcements of cancellation will be listed on television channels: 4, 5 & 7,
as well as on radio stations WRKO (680 AM) and WBZ (1030 AM)
Weekday classes, including the Edge program for grades 6 - 8 and the high
school Confirmation program are automatically canceled when there is no school
that day due to bad weather. If a storm occurs later in the day, while
students are at school, cancellations will be listed on television channels:
4, 5 & 7, as well as on radio stations WRKO (680 AM) and WBZ (1030 AM).
Note: Please do not call the Parish Center regarding cancellation of
classes. This ties up the phone line and prevents parishioners from contacting
the priest in case of emergency.
POLICIES REGARDING CLASS SIZE AND LACK OF CATECHISTS
- · Following the policies of the archdiocese, we try to place an average
of 12 students in each class. However, due to our space limitation and the
structure of the parish center rooms, class size can range from 6 to 18
students. Most larger classes will have more than one catechist.
- If we are not able to find enough catechists for each class, students
who are registered before classes begin will be assigned to classes
with catechists. Families registering on the first day of classes or later
might have to instruct their children at home until a catechist can be found
for that grade level.
Note: Please understand that we are not referring to registration as
"paying money." Registration means reviewing the form, making any changes or
additions and returning it to the program director. We appreciate when fees
can be paid at that time, but also understand that some families might need to
wait. No student is ever turned away for lack of fees and all students are
given textbooks.
Top
DISCIPLINE
Disrespectful or continuously disruptive behavior should not have to be
tolerated. Catechists deserve respect from students and other students deserve
the chance to learn without constant interruption.
When discipline problems arise, the student will be given three warnings:
- · The catechist will remind the student that they will be sent to the
office if they continue to misbehave.
- · The student will be sent to the office to speak with the program
director.
- · The parents will be notified and asked to meet with the director and
catechist before the student will be permitted to return to class.
Every effort will be made to work with the parents and students to find
solutions to allow the student to remain in the program. However, in extreme
cases, parents will be asked to instruct their child at home under the
guidance of a parish staff member or to participate in classes along with the
child for the remainder of the school year.
Top
ATTENDANCE :
Recognizing the many demands placed on parents today, St. Michael’s Parish
does not adhere to a policy of "permitted absences" or "required number of
classes." Instead, we ask that parent’s make every effort to take seriously
their responsibility to provide sound formal religious education for their
children through participation in as many classes as possible.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
EUCHARIST - FIRST COMMUNION :
First Communion is celebrated in the spring of each year. Two years of
preparation is necessary to properly prepare children for this sacrament.
Therefore, children should be enrolled in the program at the beginning of
grade one to receive First Communion at the end of grade two.
A special program is available for children who have not participated in a
religious education program for grade one. Children are enrolled in this class
with the understanding that parents will cooperate fully in attempting to
prepare the children for First Communion in one year. Enrollment into this
program will be permitted only at the discretion of the program director in
collaboration with the pastor.
Older children (grade three and up) who are in need of First Communion will
be placed in their appropriate grade level and will be prepared in special
classes during the school year. Every effort will be made to help older
children feel comfortable and welcome in preparing for and receiving this most
important sacrament.
Parents of all children in any of the above programs are required to attend
one meeting prior to First Communion.
RECONCILIATION - FIRST PENANCE :
First Penance is celebrated in November or December of each year for grade
two students. Students of any grade level can make First Penance at any time
throughout the school year after being properly prepared by a catechist or
parent.
Parents of children preparing for Reconciliation for the first time are
required to attend one meeting prior to First Penance.
CONFIRMATION :
Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of each year. Since our high school
program is ungraded, preparation for Confirmation can take over a period of
one to four years, depending on the students willingness and ability to make a
serious commitment to the program and to the parish. Candidates work with
their Confirmation catechists, sponsors and parents in determining their
readiness for this sacrament.
Our Confirmation program welcomes all students in grades 9 - 12. Teens who
may have dropped out of the program are encouraged to meet with the program
director or one of the parish priests to discuss a schedule that can take as
little as one year to complete. Older high school students in particular will
be pleased to find that there are other teens of the same age already involved
in the program.
18 years olds and up who wish to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation
are welcome to join a special program with other adults. To enroll in this
class please contact our Pastoral Associate, Carmen Giombetti at 978-562-2552,
x324 or the Religious Education Office.
Top
SACRAMENTAL PREP -
CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
FIRST PENANCE AND FIRST COMMUNION :
Since their school curriculum includes preparation for both sacraments,
Catholic school students are not required to attend parish Religious Education
classes in preparation for First Penance or Eucharist. However, they are
always most welcome to join our Religious Education classes at any time.
For Catholic school families, our parish program offers parent meetings for
each sacrament, a special one-day retreat for all First Communicants in the
parish, as well as, liturgy planning for both sacraments and rehearsals for
First Communion day.
Catholic school students should be enrolled in the parish program in the
fall of grade two. Special registration forms are available in the parish
Religious Education Office for children who would like to celebrate First
Penance and Eucharist at St. Michael’s.
CONFIRMATION :
According to the guidelines of the Boston Archdiocese, students who attend
Catholic high school are expected to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation
within their parish community*. Therefore, the religious studies curriculum in
our Catholic high schools does not include preparation for the Sacrament of
Confirmation. Instead, preparation for Confirmation falls under the
responsibilities of the pastor and parish religious education program and,
most importantly, within the parish community.
Recognizing their religious studies at school, students from St. Michael
Parish who attend Catholic high schools need only to complete the second level
of our Confirmation program. Teens from other parishes will be welcomed into
our Confirmation program with the permission of their our pastor*.
Catholic high school students should be registered in the program at the
beginning of their 10 th
grade to be confirmed the following spring.
Teens from St. Michael Parish who are interested in becoming actively involved
in the parish program after Confirmation, are welcome to pursue our one-year
program in grade 9.
Students in grades 11 and 12 who have not been confirmed are also most
welcome in our non-graded program.
Students who attend eight years of catholic school and are continuing their
high school education in a public school
should enroll in the high school program in
the beginning of grade 9 to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
* For the purpose of defining
one’s "parish community" we are referring to the parish where the family is
registered and where they worship.
Top
EXTENDED PROGRAMS
CLASSES FOR CHILDREN WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS :
Whenever possible, children with special needs will be included in our
regular schedule of classes. If your child has a classroom aid at school,
please let us know in advance, as we will need to be sure that someone is
available to help them in Religious Education classes as well.
We offer a special program for families with special needs children who
cannot participate in our regular schedule of classes. Please contact the
Religious Education Office to enroll your child in this class.
HOME-BASED CATECHESIS :
" Parents who would like to
provide catechesis at home should make themselves known to the local pastor
and consult with him or his delegate to ensure that the catechesis provided in
the home is essential to the complete and authentic catechesis of children in
their homes."
National Directory for Catechesis
St. Michael’s Parish adheres to a policy that children who are preparing
for the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and/or Confirmation should be
included in the parish program for grades 1 and 2 and high school. However,
parents of children in grades 3 - 8 who would like to catechize their children
at home should contact the parish Religious Education office to arrange for an
appointment with the director and/or pastor to discuss plans for home-based
catechesis.
Parents who are home schooling their children in religious education will
need to participate in three meetings, with the parish program director,
throughout the school year. The purpose of these meetings is to give support
and assistance to parents, as well as, to fulfill archdiocesan requirements in
verifying the progress of children in home-based catechesis.
CHILDREN’S CATECHUMENATE :
Children who have reached the age of reason (usually age 8) before baptism
are welcomed into the children’s catechumenate to prepare for the Sacraments
of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The catechumenate process
consists of weekly Sunday Mass, followed by one - two hours of catechesis and
lasts for one to two years before reception all three sacraments at the Easter
Vigil on Holy Saturday night. At least one parent should accompany the child/ren
through the catechumenate process.
To enroll a child in the catechumenate, please contact the Religious
Education office or Sheila Mahoney at 978-562-3148.
Top
R.C.I.A.
St. Michael’s Parish offers "The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults" (R.C.I.A.)
This process welcomes teens and adults who wish to receive the three
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. It involves
discussions on the Liturgy of the Word at weekend Masses along with a series
of catechetical classes to prepare for reception of the sacraments at the
Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. Catechumens receive all three Sacraments
of Initiation, administered by the pastor at the Easter Vigil Mass.
ADULT CONFIRMATION :
Classes for adults begin in the fall of each year for anyone over the age
of 18. Adults who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist are
confirmed in the spring of each year by the bishop. To enroll in this class
please contact Sheila Mahoney at 978-562-3148 or the Religious Education
Office.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION :
We will be offering a number of opportunities each year for adults to
further their understanding of the Catholic faith through adult education
courses. Dates and topics will be announced in the parish bulletin in advance.
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|