Living the Catholic life is not simply done by going to Mass regularly or attending religious education classes. It is a lifestyle that is to be witnessed every day by what we say and what we do at home, at work, at school and at play.

Mass Attendance - An integral pan of our Religious Education Program is that our students attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and participate rally in an essential part of the sacramental life of the Church. Learning in class can be truly effective only when one meets the Lord sacramentally at the attar.

The parent/guardian has the primary and sacred responsibility to educate their child in the faith. St. Joseph's Parish ReligiouiEducation Program is established to assist them in this responsibility. It is essential to the child's growth and development in the Catholic faith that the parent/guardian lives the life of faith at home. The effectiveness of the religious education process radically depends upon this. The child learns in the religious education classes that celebrating the Eucharist on Sunday in the local parish as a community of faith is essential to being a Catholic. Therefore, the child must attend the weekly Sunday or Saturday evening liturgy supported by his/her parents.

It is obvious that the values of parent/guardian become the values of the child. The child receives a mixed message which causes inner conflict when what is taught by the church is not experienced by the child in his/her family.

The Director should be informed by the custodial parent of the rights of the non-custodial parent as these pertain to the child's participation in the program as well as release from the program.

Medical Condition of Student • The parent/guardian must inform the Director about their child who has a special medical condition which could flare up in a session or which could affect the teaching/learning environment (e.g. allergies, asthma, auditory or visual impairment, possibility of seizures, learning disability, hyperactiviry, attention deficit disorder, etc.). This confidential information should be listed on the registration form and will be communicated to the Catechist by the Director.

C. Role of Student: There are certain obligations that children in our program are expected to observe.

- Participation in the Eucharistic Celebration of the Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation

- Experiencing the Lord's forgiveness by receiving the Sacrament of Penance &. Reconciliation frequently

- Leading a sacramental life, frequently receiving the Eucharist

- Weekly attendance at religious education classes

- Proper preparation for class instruction

- Complete homework

- Participation in class discussions and activities

- Satisfactory completion of special assignments

- Coming to class prepared with pencil, notebook, textbook, and other necessary materials

- Doing the very best work possible. Just "getting by" is not a worthwhile goal.

The Director of the Religious Education Program of St. Joseph's Parish is delegated by the Pastor to be responsible for the development, implementation and administration of the parish catechetical program in accordance with the Guidelines of the Archdiocese of New York.

She has the responsibility of implementing the principles of civil law concerning the safety of students in accordance with the Arcbdiocesan Safety Guidelines.

The Director is also required to provide catechesis/religious education for all students of the parish including those who have physical, emotional, mental or learning disabilities. The Church is responsible to nourish the faith of the baptized person to the degree that the individual is capable of growing. The placement of the student is determined by the Director, after consultation with the parent and Catechist. These programs are developed in accordance with the Archdiocesan Guidelines for students with special needs.

A Catechist is a person of faith, who has the task of creating the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit to bring about growth in faith among believers. They foster "mature faith" through a regular systematic presentation. The primary mission of Catechists is to communicate God's love to those entrusted to their care by proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through the fourfold activities of message, communily, worship and service. The tasks of the Catechist are as follows:

To help others grow in their personal faith & spirituality

To initiate others into the faith community and its life, worship, symbols and practices.

To pass on a world view, a set of shared meanings and values that are Catholic and Christian.

The Catechetical Program complements foundational education in faith already given by the parents. It furthers the child's growth in faith by giving specific religious instruction which builds upon and reinforces the positive faith development fostered by the parents. On entering the parish religious education program the child begins to study in a community much wider than the family.

For those children who lack adequate religious formation in the home, the parish community can play an especially important role:

• by seeking to assist the parents to grow in the understanding of their faith and return to its regular practice,

- by providing the children with initiatory experiences and explanations of their faith. (GDC179-180)

The Sacramental Life of the child begun at Baptism continues with the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation, a process prepared for by the parents and the Religious Education Program working together.

As the child matures, the faith witness of Christians in the wider community becomes increasingly important. The Catechetical Program provides the necessary experience of belonging to and interacting in church community. This prepares the way for participation in liturgy and parish life.

The pre-kindergarten through ninth grade program gives the student the opportunity for a systematic presentation of the faith and at the same time the benefit of a variety of personality and teaching styles through the different Catechists they encounter.

In adolescence when the influence of the peer group increases greatly, catechesis in the parish provides a faith-centered peer experience, a safe place to search for authenticity as a believer and a forum for facing the moral challenges of today's society.

Parish Based Program - Our Religious Education Program offers instruction to students in elementary and junior high school who attend St. Joseph's Parish. It offers an eight year course of study in which all Catholic children attending public school are expected to participate. We also offer a Pre-K and Kindergarten program for those interested. The Religious Education Program offers an ongoing, continuing development of the Christian personality. This program is not a convenience for the reception of the three sacraments of Confirmation, Penance and Eucharist. Just as sacraments are not isolated events but rather an integral part of the Christian life, so too each grade in Religious Education adds to the development of the Christian life. Our aim is to provide a loving and caring Christian atmosphere in which our parish youth can grow in sound Christ-like attitudes and values.

Home Study - A home study catechetical program is one in which the children of the family are instructed in faith at home by their own parent. Any request for a home study program that replaces attendance at the parish catechetical program should be carefully discerned by the Pastor and the Director. Home study should adhere to the following norms:

Textbook & materials used must be approved by the Director.

Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis must be followed and taught in their entirety

Parents in their teaching receive regular direction and guidance from the ORE and should participate in the Archdiocesan Catechist Formation Program.

At least twice a year the ORE holds accountability sessions with those children to evaluate their progress.

Special Religious Education - Special Religious Education is a ministry that responds to the religious and spiritual needs of persons with a physical, mental, or emotional disability which impairs their functioning in a regular classroom. Because of that disability the student may require individualized instruction in a small group, or in a one-on-one setting, or may be mainstreamed into the regular catechetical program if assistance is provided.

The universality of the Christian message: "Go teach all nations.." includes those who are marginalized because of their disability. The Church's responsibility is to nourish the faith of the baptized person to the degree that the individual is capable of growing in that faith.

The Church constantly reaffirms the sacredness of all human life, especially those who are fragile in mind, spirit and body. Catechetical programs reflect this love and concern of Jesus and the Church for persons with disabilities.

In consultation with the parent, the Director will appropriately place each child in a program that will service his/her special needs and further encourage spiritual growth.

Sacramental Preparation - Christian initiation is celebrated in Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist Through these visible actions a young person is incorporated into the Church and shares its mission in the world: full initiation into the church occurs by stages.

Sacramental Catechesis has traditionally been of two kinds: preparation for the initial celebration of the sacraments and continued enrichment following their first reception. Requirements for the reception of First Penance and Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation is determined by Canon Law:

1. Age of reason (to be able to distinguish right from wrong)

2. Proper knowledge of sacraments

3. Emotional and spiritual preparation

4. Approval by parent, pastor, Catechist and Director

The policy of St. Joseph's Parish is that a young person who will prepare for the sacraments (First Penance and Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation) must have completed one full year and is currently enrolled in the second year of the catechetical program.

Reconciliation - Jesus began His work on earth by calling people to repentance and faith: "Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel." (Mark 1, IS) The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation continues His work of forgiving and reconciling. Catechesis of young people for reconciliation must always respect the natural disposition, ability, age and circumstances of individuals. It seeks:

1. to make clear the relationship of the sacrament to the child's life.

2. to help the child recognize moral good and evil, repent of wrong doing, and turn for forgiveness to Christ and the Church.

3. to encourage the child to see that, in this sacrament faith is expressed by being forgiven and forgiving.

4. to encourage the child to approach the sacrament freely and regularly.

Parents should be involved in the preparation of children for this sacrament. Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation starts at the second grade level. It is a joint effort of the parents and Catechists. The following is used in the instruction for this sacrament.

• Second grade curriculum covered weekly in class by the Catechist.

• A special First Penance program that helps children learn what it means to share Jesus' greatest gift of Himself, to know they are forgiven and to understand that they belong to the community of Jesus' friends, the Church.

Responsibilities of Parents - The example set by parents is of utmost importance. Parents: are the primary educators of their children are responsible for initiating their children into the sacramental life serve as models for their children by being moral Christians receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation regularly with their families help children in forming a good conscience and a Christian code of morality

are expected to attend the required meetings and participate in activities and prayer services that are planned to help their child prepare for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

are asked to take time with their child to talk about reconciliation, to read bible stories and to pray together are asked to determine their child's readiness for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

The first reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is usually celebrated in November. All children preparing to receive their First Eucharist must first be instructed and prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Eucharist - Catechesis recognizes the Eucharist as the heart of Christian life. It helps young people understand that celebration of the Eucharist forms and nourishes the faithful with Christ, the Bread of life. Catechesis for children seeks to strengthen their awareness of the Father's love, of the call to participate in Christ's sacrifice, and of the gift of the Spirit. Children are taught that the Holy Eucharist is the real Body and Blood of Christ, and what appears to be bread and wine are actually His living Body. They learn that the Eucharist is both meal and sacrifice and that it is a memorial of the Last Supper.

Parents have a right and duty to be intimately involved in preparing their children for First Communion. Catechesis aims to help parents grow in understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist and participate readily in catechizing their children.

Catechesis for First Communion is conducted separately from introductory Catechesis for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation since each sacrament deserves its own concentrated preparation. Preparation for both sacraments begins in first grade. Catechesis starts at the second grade level. It is a joint effort of the parents and Catechists. The following is the instruction for this sacrament:

Second grade curriculum covered weekly in class by the Catechist

A First Eucharist program that helps explain to young people the Eucharist, familiarize them with the main events of Jesus' life, help them to participate more meaningfully in the action of Mass, and to receive Christ's Body and Blood in communion in an informed and reverent manner. The children learn that they may receive Holy Communion in the hand or on the tongue and under both species. Catechesis includes the requirements for fasting (no food or drink except water or medicine for one hour before receiving Communion).

Responsibilities of Parents - Parents:

are the primary educators of their children

are responsible for initiating their children into the sacramental life

serve as models for their children by being moral Christians

worship regularly with their families

nurture their child in faith

are expected to attend the required meetings and participate in activities and prayer services that are

planned to help their child prepare for this important sacrament of Holy Eucharist

are asked to take time with their first communicants to talk about the Eucharist, to read bible stories and

to pray together

are asked to determine their child's readiness for the Eucharist

The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is celebrated after Easter, usually in the month of May. All children preparing to receive their First Eucharist must have already been prepared and have celebrated the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

Confirmation - As a Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation is intimately related to Baptism and the Eucharist. Christians are reborn in Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation, and sustained by the Food of the Eucharist. In Confirmation young people are signed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and become more perfect images of their Lord. This sacrament renews and strengthens their baptismal call to bear witness to Christ before the world and work eagerly for the building up of his body. The candidate must be baptized.

Parents, as the primary educators of their children along with sponsors, are to be intimately involved in catechesis for Confirmation, This will help them renew and strengthen their own faith, besides enabling them to set a better example for their children or godchildren,

- Weekly attendance at Religious Education classes leading up to the year of Confirmation.

- Proper preparation for class instruction and completed homework assignments

- Necessary materials brought for each class and participation in class discussions and activities

- Confirmation Test (candidate gives sufficient evidence of readiness)

- Confirmation Name (Saint's name) - preferably Baptismal name

- Letter of Intent to Pastor or Bishop requesting a desire to be confirmed

- Christian and other Community Service of at least 20 hours

- Obtain Sponsor's Certificate or letter from Pastor.

- Candidate demonstrates an adequate grasp of the content of the Catholic faith. Participation in immediate preparation day

- Regular attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation

- Periodic participation in the Rite of Reconciliation

- Living a moral life that reflects the values and teachings of Jesus

- Participation in a Confirmation retreat

- Participation in the Mass of Enrollment

• are the primary educators of their children

• are responsible for initiating their children into the sacramental life

• serve as models for their children by being committed Christians

• worship regularly with their families

• share their faith with their children both in word and action

- should encourage their child to reflect on and thoughtfully consider the decision to receive the sacrament of Confirmation

- are expected to attend required meetings and participate in activities and prayer services that are planned to assist their son/daughter prepare for and freely request sacrament of Confirmation

- should assist their child with the immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, through prayer, study, and Christian service

- should stress the initiation aspect of the sacrament of encouraging their son/daughter to continue learning more about their faith

- should help their child in understanding that the confirmation service project is the beginning of a life committed to Christian service

Children 'i Catechumenate - The children who participate in this process are between the ages of seven and thirteen and are placed in a Catechumenate for children which prepares them to celebrate Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. Through this process children are formed and trained in the Christian way of life with other children of the parish community. A parent's involvement in this process is crucial to the child's faith formation.

ArduSocesan Guidelines - The Archdiocese of NY has published Guidelines for Catechesis for Grades 1-6 and Grades 7&8 which will ensure a clear and uniform presentation of the faith for each grade level. The Guidelines are not considered a substitute for the textbook. Rather, they are an assistance to the Catechist in the use of the textbook by identifying the essential content to be taught

Composition of St. Joseph 'i Religious Education Program - Our Religious Education Program offers instruction to students in elementary and junior high school who attend St. Joseph's Parish. It offers an eight year course of study in which all Catholic children attending public school are expected to participate. The Religious Education Program offers an ongoing, continuing development of the Christian personality. This program is not a convenience for the reception of the three Sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and Penance. Just as sacraments are not isolated events, but rather an integral part of Christian life, so, too, our aim is to provide a loving and caring Christian atmosphere in which our parish youth can grow in sound Christ-like attitudes and values. For this reason we also offer classes for Pre-K and Kindergarten.

Catechesis - St. Joseph's Religious Education Program meets all of the requirements of the Catechetical Office of the Archdiocese of New York and adheres to the Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis. Our program ensures for all the children of our parish a clear and uniform presentation of the faith in concepts appropriate to each age level we instruct. The Religious Education Program is designed to assist parents in their sacred responsibility to educate their children in the faith. It complements, but can never replace, parents in carrying out their responsibilities. "Parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children." (National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the United States.)

In addition to enlightening your children in doctrines and tenets of our faith, our Religious Education Program welcomes the opportunity to assist you in teaching your children to walk along the path of faith. This can only be achieved when parents, through word and example, place Jesus Christ and His teachings at the center of their lives through liturgical worship, frequent prayer and communication of Christian values and attitudes. In this way parents make meaningful their professions of belief and nurture faith in their children by showing them the richness and beauty of the lived faith.

Curriculum • The themes, objectives, and appropriate prayers of each grade level are found on the next page Curriculum.