Registration
Grades 1-8
Families wishing to enroll children in religious education must be registered members of St. Raphael Parish. Participants in religious education programs are newly registered each year. Children are registered for religious education in the same grade as they are in public school.
Registration forms have been sent out to families already attending the religious education program. New families can download the forms in the upper right hand corner. Completed registration forms and the program fee must be returned to the Religious Education Office by May 31 to have your children put into the first round of placements. There is a late fee for returning families who register after May 31. Class lists are mailed out in August with the first Religious Education classes beginning the week of September 15, 2013. If you have any questions, please call the Religious Education Office.
Catechist Opportunities
What is a catechist? A catechist is a person who is willing to give their time and talents to a small group of students. Requirements are a desire to share your faith and a commitment of an hour and a half per week from September to May. A decision like this does not come easily. Think about it, talk to your child about it, and then pray about it.
Available Opportunities Include:
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Sundays during the 9:00 a.m. mass
Grades 1-5
Sundays from 4:15-5:30 p.m. or 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Tuesdays from 4:15-5:30 p.m. or 6:30-7:45 p.m.
EDGE Jr. High Program
6th Grade Monday Nights from 6:45-8:15 p.m.
7th & 8th Grades Sunday Nights from 6:45-8:15 p.m.
REACH (Program for Students with Special Needs
Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
If the Holy Spirit is calling you to be a catechist or if you would like more information, contact the St. Raphael Religious Education Department.
St. Raphael Religious Education
Children's Liturgy of the Word (4 years old-Grade 2)
Held on Sundays during the 9:00 a.m. mass, children from 4 years old to Second Grade will have the opportunity to participate in Children's Liturgy of the Word. Children will follow the leader out of the church before the First Reading and return to the church at the Preparation of the Gifts. The kids will hear the readings on their level, hear a homily, pray the Prayers of the Faithful, and pray the Creed. There is no registration necessary. Listen for Father to ask all the children who would like to participate in the Children's Liturgy of the Word to come forward at the 9:00 a.m. mass.
Elementary (Grades 1-5)
Formal religious formation begins in grade one. Children have a textbook, as well as continuing their experience in active participatory learning appropriate to their age level. These children meet according to the following schedule:
Choice of: Sunday…..4:15-5:30 p.m. or 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Tuesday…..4:15-5:30 p.m. or 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Twenty times during the year, the children meet in small groups in the home of a catechist. This experience gives them the opportunity to know and trust one caring adult and to bond comfortably with one small portion of the entire parish community. In this atmosphere of intimacy, the catechist and the children can easily and honestly share their faith in Jesus.
Jr. High EDGE (Grades 6-8)
Jr. High EDGE classes meet 17 times a year at the Church building with large group starting in the church and then breaking off into small groups. EDGE is a fun, safe place to spend time with their Catholic friends. It presents the Catholic faith in a way that Jr. High youth can understand. The meeting times are:
6th Grade meets on Monday nights from 6:45-8:15 p.m.
7th & 8th Grades meet on Sunday nights from 6:45-8:15 p.m.
REACH (Program for Students with Special Needs)
-
Are at least 6 years of age by September 1st.
-
Need a program at a slower pace with simplified lessons and a small student to instructor ratio.
-
Want to feel a part of a faith community.
-
Want to learn more about God's love.
Children are grouped according to age and/or ability. Each group has a Lead Catechist and each student is assigned a Helper Catechist. Classes are held twice a month on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and follow a routine. Each class begins with prayer. Students work on a craft that relates to the day's lesson. The Lead Catechist then conducts a formal lesson and concludes the lesson with prayer. Finally, all the groups come together for snack time, singing, sharing, and socializing. The REACH program also provides sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Take Two
Religious Education's New Family Componet
Raising faith-filled kids is a partnership between the family and the Faith Community of St. Raphael. The church provides the weekly faith formation sessions and the family lives out their faith at home. New this year is a family component to enhance church and family coming together. Families in Grades
1-8 will be able to pick two options from the Service and Parish Life opportunities. After participating in these activities each family will fill out a Take Two Reflection Form and return it to their youngest child's catechist. Download the Take Two flyer, Take Two Reflection Form and Take Two calendar below.
Take Two Flyer & Reflection Form Take Two Calendar