OFFICE OF FAITH FORMATION
Telephone: 732-269-2208
Coordinator: Mary Britanak Ext. 128
Religious Education Office Ext. 129
Office Location: Fr. Rucki Hall
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday,
1pm-8pm
The mission of Faith Formation is Life Long Catechesis. We are always in the process of learning about our faith and our God. Thus our Religious Education program is designed to assist parents, as the first and foremost teachers of the Faith, in bringing their children into full membership in the community. We view the formation of faith and conscience as a lifelong process that continues in the heart and home long after formal religion classes end. We encourage familes to journey together toward a deeper relationship with God, and ask them to call on us to assist them on the journey.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CENTER
Located in Rucki Hall
Religious Education Office Open
Mon. - Thurs. 1pm-8pm
Assistant:
Stephanie DeCrescenzo, ext. 126
GENERAL PROGRAM POLICIES
We ask that families making use of Religious Education programs at St. Barnabas be registered in the Parish.
The Bishop of Trenton requires all persons desiring reception of Sacraments to have two consecutive years of preparation, and other classes in remote preparation, in order to receive. This means that in order for a child to receive Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, he or she must attend First Grade through at least Eighth to be eligible to receive the Sacraments.
Just as in any school system, children need to attend each grade consecutively in order to receive their sacraments. Our Diocese does not allow skipping grades. Also, the Diocese requires at least twenty-nine class hours per year at each grade level each year to insure adequate time for instruction, therefore, any child who misses a significant number of classes may be retained in the grade, and/or sacramental reception may be delayed.
There is a fee for use of the programs for Religious Education. However, no one will be denied entry due to finacial reasons.
Registration will take place at the end of each year during class hours and at least two times over the summer months. All new students, and students entering confirmation preparation must provide us with a copy of their Baptismal Record, and if applicable, a transfer from a previous program, or the most recent Report Card from catholic school.
ST. BARNABAS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
As members of Saint Barnabas Parish our love extends to all persons. This love calls us to proclaim the Kingdom of God in a special way to the children and families that our program embraces. The Church clearly teaches that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the source and summit of all we do, thus there is a strong empasis on and connection to Sunday Mass in all our classes. Please see the section below about Whole Community Catechesis, the Question of the Week and Mass Journals.
Reverence for persons motivates us to create an environment which promotes the development of a community of faith. Inspired by this reverence and supported by faith, we work with others in search of what is true, meaningful, and just.
Within our learning environment, we teach a curriculum, which emphasizes the values of the Gospel; we foster a spirit, which encourages daily prayer, Mass attendance and an appreciation for the Liturgy. Parents are most welcome to join their children during class time. We will be offering Adult Catechesis throughout the year. Since parents are the FIRST teachers in the way of the faith, we strongly encourage parents to attend and enjoy these sesssions and assemblies. There will also be Parish Retreats offered throughout the year which are designed and given by fellow parishioners to enhance our relationship with Christ and one another. More information about these retreats will be forthcoming.
We believe our program leads all persons involved to a deeper conversion to the Gospel message, to love and commitment to the Church, and to active participation in the transformation of our world.
AIMS and OBJECTIVES
1. To provide opportunities to pray together, to participate at Mass and provide Whole Community Catechesis.. (see the end of this section for more on Whole Community Catechesis and Mass Journals)
2. To foster sensitivity to the human needs of one another.
3. To develop a sense of parish community.
4. To teach Catholic faith to all students through doctrine.
5. To model gospel values in our contact with teachers, children, and parents.
6. To directly involve the parents in the Catholic formation of their children through special programs.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Our program is gradual and continuous. It begins with Pre-school and continues throughout life, thus we are now calling it "LIFELONG CATECHESIS.".
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
FIRST PENANCE (SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION) AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
Children usually receive the sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) and First Holy Communion in the second grade.
All students in our program (grades 3 through 6) receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) once during the school term. We encourage the children to celebrate God's forgiveness at other times also.
Likewise, all children who have made First Communion are strongly encouraged to receive the Eucharist every Sunday and Holyday of Obligation.
Mass Journals - Each child is asked to keep a journal in which they write the Question of the Week which comes from the Gospel which is read at Sunday Mass. We ask that the children have these journals stamped or signed each week as they leave Mass. (See below for more inforation on this topic.)
The two year preparation for Confirmation is based on a Youth Ministry program. Usually, children will celebrate Confirmation in junior high. Regular attendance and participation continuing through the school years is a pre-requisite. Special classes, liturgies and parent sessions are a part of the program. Our Confirmation Program takes place in 7th and 8th grades consecutively. It is now intricately joined to our Youth Ministry (BATS and Jr BATS programs).
The following requirements are expected to receive the Sacrament of Confirmaiton:
- regular attendance and participation in programs and liturgies and retreats.
- parental involvement and attendance
- Mass Attendance and a Mass Journa
- An Interview with a catechist
- A Letter to the Pastor requesting the Sacrament
- A Final Test required by the Diocese
- Between 15-20 Service Hours in the community (see program guidelines for details)
TEACHERS (CATECHISTS)
The Catechists are registered members of St. Barnabas Parish who have volunteered their time and talents to help in the religious education of the children of the parish. They are enthusiastic and dedicated to the work of the Church. (New teachers and workers are always needed. Should you wish to be a teacher, aide, etc., please call the office).
CATECHIST REQUIREMENTS
-All our catechists are faith-filled volunteers who combine a love of the Church, God and children and a desire to serve in order to witness God's love to the world.
-Our teachers (catechists) and all volunteers who work with children, are required to obtain a Criminal Background check including fingerprinting and have it on record in the office of the pastor.
-A Catechist must be 18 years old (16 with adult supervision)
-Catechist trainig and Diocesan Certification will be offered each summer within the parish.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Sundays
Mini Sunday School -10:00 - 11:00 AM for 4, 5, & 6 year olds& Cradle Roll- infant to 3 yrs Whole Family/Community Catechesis in Rucki Hall 9:30-11:30ammeets twice a month all grades except Confirmation Mondays & Tuesdays- Whole Family/Community Catechesis 5-7pmWednesday & Thursday Afternoons-Grades 1-6, 5pm-6:15pm Wednesday Nights- Grades 1-6 - 6:45- - 8:00 PM
No classes on Friday and Saturday - Religious Ed Office Closed POLICIES & PROCEDURES
REGISTRATION:
Registration in the parish is required before admission to St. Barnabas Religious Education program.
First time registrants are asked to bring a copy of the baptismal certificate at the time of registration. This is required even if the child was baptized at St. Barnabas.
There are several times for registration:
(Times and places will be published in the Church Bulletin).
May
June
Early September
Note: While there is space for every child, if you wish to make sure your child will attend on a certain afternoon or night, you must register in Mid-May.
COST:
A fee of $45 for first child, $80 for two, $105 for three or more is charged at the time of registration. This provides for the text books and other materials needed for classes. However, the program is mainly subsidized from Parish funds. Inability to meet payment should not deter anyone from being enrolled in our Religious Education Program. Fee payment may be made in installments according to your family's financial situation. If any problems exist, please contact the Religious Education office.
ABSENCE:
Since our total program comprises about 27 sessions, students missing an excessive amount of classes may be required to repeat the class the following year. Should a problem arise concerning absences (sickness, family problems, death in family) we ask you to contact the Religious Education Office immediately. If a child does miss a class, please send a note to the Catechist at the next class. An excused absence is recorded for students who participate in the local schools program to Stokes State Forest and for the Christmas concert programs. These two activities comprise at least fifty per cent of students registered in certain classes.
LATENESS:
Punctuality is vital. Habitual lateness takes time away from other students. Students are asked to be in their classrooms five minutes before class is scheduled to begin.
LEAVING CLASS PRIOR TO DISMISSAL:
If a child must leave class early, the parent or person picking up the child must come inside Father Rucki Hall and speak to the Session Supervisor or the Classroom Teacher. No child will be allowed to leave the building to wait outside.
DISMISSAL:
The dismissal procedure would be enhanced if parents arranged a designated place to meet their child outside the building. We suggest you have your child remain the chained off area until you come and get them. For the purpose of safety, please do not park alongside the chains.
We wish to avoid having children darting in and out between parked cars, please be careful in the parking lot!
CANCELLATIONS:
If the school districts are off because of bad weather or send students home early, we will not have classes that afternoon/evening. Announcements for weather closings will be made on WOBM-FM Radio.
TEXTBOOKS and ASSIGNMENTS:
The books in our program are recommended by the Office of Religious Education for the diocese. The cost is included in the fee. Students are expected to come to class each week with their book and their home assignments completed. Parents are asked to help the Catechist by reviewing the Question of the Week with their child; and by ensuring the student takes proper care of his/her textbook. Other supplies, such as crayons, scissors, drawing paper are provided for the class.
MOVING:
If you move within the Parish, please notify the Religious Education Office of your new address and telephone number.
If you move out of the Parish, please register immediately with your new Parish. A Letter of Transfer will be sent by the CCD Office to the New Parish upon your request.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE
Telephone Number 732-269-2208 ext. 126
Monday - Thursday 1pm-8pm
MINI SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Heightens the child's awareness about the wonder of creation as expressed in nature, in the presence of God in others and in the experiences of his or her own life.
A Note on Whole Community Catechesis and Mass Journals:
Whole community catechesis is a relatively new movement in the Church, that, like the RCIA, is actually returning to a practice of the early church. When Jesus taught, and when he sent the disciples out, they went to where people lived, and converted them by sharing faith with stories that related to their everyday lives.. The people began to develop an intimate friendship with Jesus, which they in turn shared with their families and friends. Faith sharing has proven to be the most effective means to the growth and nurturing of faith. More then teachers or books, the sharing of our faith with family and friends has the most long-lasting effect in one's life. The entire focus on Whole Community Catechesis is to share faith at home and here in the parish setting at each and every parish function, including Religious Ed classes.We are a people of the table. We come together at the Sunday Eucharistic table to be fed by the Body and Blood of Christ and "every word that comes from the mouth of God." We then should be developing households of faith, where we nurture the faith life of our children, creating the domestic church at our dinner tables. (from Pope John Paul II)Whole Community Catechesis is an ambitious undertaking, as it changes the way we will be community. The implementation will be a step by step process. The first step is the Question of the Week. The question is taken from the readings proclaimed at Sunday Mass. The Question will be discussed at every parish meeting. This is a chance for us to really think about how the Word forms us wherever we are in our lives right now. It is our hope that families will in turn dicuss the questions at home. There are no right or wrong answers to the question. We are asking the children enrolled in our Religious Education Program to keep a Mass Journal. This journal is an opportunity for them to write the question and their own reflections on the question each week. We ask them to take the QUESTION STICKER from a priest, deacon or Eucharistic Minister or usher as they leave Mass each Sunday. The Catholic Church has always taught that we have an obligation to attend Mass each week. This is a precept of the faith, as well as the Third Commandment, all of which is taught to the children in religious education. We are simply asking them to live this out to the best of their ability given their particular family circumstances. We realize that not all parents can get their children to church each week for many personal reasons, and thus we will not prevent a child from progressing in the program for such reasons if discussed and agred to by the director of Religious Education or the Pastor. We are responsible to report to the Bishop that our children are suitably prepared and practicing the faith when the receive First Eucharist and Confirmation. There is no way of knowing if 1,500 children are doing this, and this is not our attempt at “tracking” the children, only to enlighten families of the obligation that is set forth once parents ask for a child to be enrolled in Religious Education, and once a child asks to Confirm his or her faith. They are Confirming that they want to be a fully initiated Catholic, thus we need some kind of program to help us see if they are taking it as seriously. We are trying to provide a program that we feel gives the best possible faith formation we can provide to our children given our limited resources and time.
Your children will not be asked to publically display their Mass Journals. It is between the child and the teacher. Conversations will take place between parents and our director or the pastor to determine individual circumstances surrounding a particular child’s Mass attendance.
If a child is herded through Religious Ed and never asked to go to Mass are we doing our job? This is only giving a child half of what we are asked to give. One analogy can be taking a child to soccer practice for years but never allowing her to play the game. The Mass is the Source and Summit of all that we do as Catholics. The Mass journal directly links what takes place in the classroom to the celebration of God’s Word and Sacrament at Mass.
We strongly feel that when families discuss the Question of the Week together, it can enhance your entire family’s life and relationship with the Lord.
Our faith is nurtured, strengthened and made firm through the Eucharist. We have no greater access to our God than through the Eucharist.
Our attempt here is to share as fully as possible the greatest gift we have ever been given by God-: Jesus Christ. This is is an opportunity for all of us.
We pray the Lord bless each and every one of you with an open heart as well as the gift of acceptance and understanding.
Please be assured of our prayers and support to all of you. Fr. Kevin Keelen, Pastor
