ST. PAUL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM 978-468-3617/ email: jeanne.abbott@verizon.net TO SEE PREP Schedules click CALENDAR then SCHEDULES TO SEE YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULES AND NEWS CLICK CALENDAR THEN SCHEDULES Our Mission St. Paul’s parish aims as much as sharing and nurturing faith as at giving knowledge about God. We feel very strongly that parents are the primary educators of their children; therefore, our program is designed to enhance the foundation that you as parents are already giving to your children. Our four basic objectives are interwoven in the curriculum of each grade: • To bring every student closer to Jesus through the message of the gospels, • To guide our children in forming values and a moral code in harmony with our Christian beliefs, • To develop lives of prayer and worship through the Liturgy and tradition, • To encourage and foster a spirit of service to others in our own community and beyond. We are preparing children for discipleship and citizenship. It is our hope that the parents and parish of St. Paul can work together in partnership to give children the knowledge and example they need to become people who give witness to their Catholic Christian faith. Participation in weekly Mass and prayer in the home are integral to the spiritual growth of children and adults. We hope that the information and teaching they receive from our program supplement what they see and do within the family. This is our mission and it is an awesome responsibility. Please pray that together we can accomplish our objectives. SCHEDULE Grades 2 through 5 classes begin Sunday, September 20th at 9:00am. Grades 2 through 5 will meet at St. Paul’s Church for the first class. One parent must attend with their child/children. Immediately following this class, we encourage all families to attend the 10:15 Mass when we will install our new Catechists (teachers) for the coming year. We will also welcome and pray for our PREP students and all those partnering in their faith formation: parents, priests, deacons, and especially PREP teachers. Coffee/donuts and a chance to meet Prep teachers will follow Mass. CLASSES 1 - 5 Most of our classes are held on Sunday mornings from 9 am to 9:55 am at the Miles River Middle School. This year our first 3 classes, beginning on Sept.20th,will be held at Church. We also have some classes on Monday and Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 to 4:15pm in the Church hall. These classes fill up quickly and can only be accommodated if we have volunteers to teach these classes. We also offer Home Study for those families that cannot attend classes. Home study is a parent taking the responsibility of teaching his/her child at home with Grade textbook and support offered by the parish when questions arise. Our Grade 6 Students meets on Wednesday nights from 7 to 8pm in Church Hall GRADE 1 Grade 1 classes begin Sunday, October 18th. All Grade 1 parents will receive a letter in September with more information. The grade 1 program lays the foundation for First Communion preparation and is therefore REQUIRED before any student can enter the First Communion and Reconciliation classes held for second graders. In accordance with Archdiocesan guidelines, preparation for First Communion is a two-year program. VOLUNTEERS St. Paul’s is blessed with many positive role models - faith witnesses who serve as examples of what it truly means to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. We ask you to step forward to share your faith journey through the Religious Education Program. We have rewarding volunteer opportunities as teachers or co-teachers, substitutes and hall monitors. Please contact me if you feel you can help. On-going teacher training and support will be offered. All volunteers must fill out a “cori” form and take “Protecting God’s children” mini workshop. Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement to this Ministry and to St. Paul Parish. Sincerely in Christ, Jeanne Abbott Director of Religious Education Programs Grade 1 child or new student to PREP Name________________________________________________ Address___________________________ Town_______________________ Phone_____________________Email____________________________ Grade entering in Sept._____________ I would like to teach or co-teach________________________________ Please send to: St. Paul Religious Education Program 50 Union Street Hamilton, MA 01982 Or email information to jeanne.abbott@verizon.net