Joan Sundstrom, Coordinator of
Religious Education
Pamela Ashmankas, Office Assistant
Parish Hall Office (508) 798-0612
namparish@namparish.com
MISSION STATEMENT
Religious Education staff for the North
American Martyrs parish community is
committed to supporting all its members
in their life-long journey of faith.
We seek to
create an atmosphere of formation and
learning – one that is motivated by a
strong desire to be in relationship with
our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The
Religious Education Board
members serve as
advisors to the coordinator as well as
advocates for our parish program.
Their major
tasks are to assist pastoral leadership
in setting goals and objectives and
planning and evaluating programs.
The board
members meet on the third Tuesday of
each month.
We hope to expand
the board membership and invite any
parishioner to join.
There are no
special qualifications required except a
love of God and a desire
to help shape the spiritual growth of
our entire faith community.
The
current members are:
Pamela Ashmankas
Michelle Durocher
Michelle Gallant
Mary Scully
Joan Sundstrom
Gwen White
Our Goals are to:
-
make Jesus Christ come alive in the
hearts and minds of our people and
to teach His message of love and
salvation.
-
assist parents in their role as
primary educators in the faith for
their children.
-
enhance the prayer and worship life
of our parishioners.
-
foster a spirit of outreach and
service to others.
-
provide faith formation
opportunities for all parishioners.
-
provide
training for our catechists.
The parish Religious Education program requires the support of the family to be successful. Parents are the first and primary teachers of their children. The way a family learns and lives out the Gospel teachings, establishes and encourages Christian values, instills prayer and worship practices, and involves itself in the faith community are irreplaceable modeling practices for children.
By registering a child for religious education classes, parents are reaffirming the baptismal commitment to pass on their faith to future generations. Accomplishing this requires the combined effort, belief and support of all — families, catechists, and parish community.
The parish Religious Education program provides systematic learning, sacramental preparation classes, and yearly opportunities for adult education. This enables all members of our faith community to broaden their knowledge of Catholic Christian beliefs, receive life-giving grace through sacramental participation, and enrich their lifelong spiritual growth.
Systematic Learning is that part of the parish program that focuses on intentional learning – the “academic” part of religious education.
The systematic learning for grades 1-6 follows a model drawn up in our diocese and first tested at Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Worcester. This Loreto Model is designed to begin in the parish school of religion during the summer over a one-week full day span (approximately 35 hours) and continues throughout the remainder of the year with Gathering Day sessions. The pastoral staff decides the number and content of the sessions during the remainder of the year.
The core curriculum for the systematic learning for grades 1-6 of the Loreto Model consists of a three-year cycle of repeated themes:
YEAR 1 -
CREED
YEAR 2 -
CHURCH
/TRADITION
YEAR 3 -
SCRIPTURE
Students are grouped in a cluster of three grade levels (1-3, 4-6). After students have completed the Creed, Church Tradition/Worship, and Scripture curriculum on the primary level (1-3), these themes are repeated with content appropriate for the intermediate level (4-6) of learning.
The systematic learning for Grades 7/8 and 9/10 includes Sunday evening classes and an annual retreat. These sessions will cover such topics as Scripture, Creed, Prayer, Morality, and Discipleship. The systematic learning for grades 7-10 are conducted in an assembly style group setting.
The 7/8 program also includes a component called “Exercise Your Faith” designed to develop and nurture a life of prayer and service in our young people. They are asked to choose activities from three categories entitled “Soul-Stretching,” “Parish Pull-Ups,” and “Community Crunches.” The 9/10 program also includes a ministry component designed to encourage the students to commit to a ministry on a monthly basis that helps them to connect the faith they profess with how they live their lives.
If absolutely necessary, a home study option is available for all systematic learning. However, we strongly recommend class attendance for all our children. Learning in a group setting with an adult catechist is optimum for creating community while encouraging and accepting diversity.
Religious
Education
Policies &
Procedures
The effective management of our religious education program relies on knowledge of and cooperation with the following polices and procedures.
Registration: Students must register in order to attend classes. Registration will take place annually in March/April. Dates will be announced through the parish bulletin and home mailings. New parishioners, of course, may register at any time during the year by calling the Religious Education Office.
Attendance: As in any educational process, effectiveness is strengthened by regular attendance. We anticipate the cooperation of parents and students to ensure that absences are minimal. Students are expected to attend all classes except for illness or family emergency. Parents are asked to call the Religious Education office if their child will be absent.
Class Cancellation: If class needs to be cancelled for any reason, you will receive a phone call. Please note that school cancellation DOES NOT necessarily mean evening religious education activities will be cancelled.
Course Completion: Each year’s systematic learning curriculum is based on knowledge acquired in previous years. In order for a student to have adequate knowledge of Catholic teachings, they must participate in and complete each year’s course of study. Students/parents will be notified if work still needs to be made up after each session has ended so that they will have sufficient time to complete the work.
For grades 7-10, any work not done due to absences must be completed in order for the student to receive credit for the course. Home lessons should be returned to the catechist within two (2) weeks of the missed class. If the year has already concluded, the home lesson should be given to Mrs. Sundstrom at the Religious Education office as soon as possible. If a full Home Study was necessary, it should be completed and returned by June 30.
For grades 1-6, if your child is absent during the summer Loreto program, he/she will be given a home lesson. This lesson should be completed and returned to Mrs. Sundstrom at the Religious Education office within two weeks of the end of the summer session. If a full Home Study was necessary, it should be completed and returned as soon as possible or by the next annual registration.
Discipline: Mutual respect within the classroom is necessary in order for successful learning to take place. Should a problem arise, the following procedure will be followed: ·
- The catechist will address the issue in class.
- If the behavior does not change, the student will be sent to the office. The student will be allowed back into the classroom at the discretion of the coordinator and the catechist.
- If the student is sent to the office a second time, the parent will be called and informed of the situation. The student will not be allowed back into class that day and will be responsible for completing any missed class work.
- A parent conference will be required following any subsequent inappropriate behavior.
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