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St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Community
Southwest Chicago Suburban Ministries Serving the People of God |
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Saint Louis de Montfort Parish Office of Religious Education Building
Faith, Family and Friendship for our Future. Deacon Joseph Cascino, Director of Religious Education Judy Mitchell, Secretary for Religious Education Mailing Address: Phone: 708-599-5781 Ext. 19 E-mail: dj.sldmrel@yahoo.com Web Page: www.sldmchurch.com (Religious Ed.) Parish Staff (708-599-5300) Fr. Mark Canavan Pastor Fr. Daniel Tomich Elaine Watt Parish Secretary William Sullivan Deacon Michael Karnoski Deacon Schedule of Classes Classes meet on Saturday mornings from 9am to 11:00am. A prayer service will be held at the start of
each class at Religious Education Office The Religious Education Office is located on the second floor of the parish school building. Please use the front door of the school. On class days we will be there to welcome you. On non-class days please ring the door bell. Office Hours – By appointment. Statement of Catechetical Purpose WE BELIEVE, as stated in the church document, TO TEACH AS JESUS DID, that the purpose of our catechetical ministry is to proclaim authentically and fully the message of Jesus, to foster an understanding of and build community in all areas of life, and to encourage service to each other for the good of all. WE BELIEVE, that you have entrusted your children to us to deepen the Faith you have given them as parents. WE BELIEVE, that without your cooperation, such as, attending parent meetings, celebrating the Eucharist and the other Sacraments together, and reinforcing Christian values in your homes, we can do very little to help your child grow in their faith as they journey with you. WE BELIEVE, that the goal of religious education through formation is to make us aware of the action of God in our lives, both within us and outside us. That religious formation is faith brought to understanding. THEREFORE, we will work with you to awaken this awareness in your children and encourage them to gradually accept responsibility for their own Christian development, as they are able. Our Saint Louis de Montfort’s Religious Education Program seeks to reach children from first grade through junior high by proclaiming Christ’s message through instruction, prayer experiences, and Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation celebrations. We realize that our ministry is accomplished in partnership with the parents who are the primary catechists. Together we will proclaim Christ’s message, help develop Christian community, lead the students in prayer and worship, and motivate them to do Christian service. Catechetical Staff Catechists are women and men who are faith filled members of our parish family and have been trained to pass on our Faith to their students. Parents are the primary catechists of their children. Catechesis Enrichment-Our catechists participate in The Fostering Faith Program from the Archdiocese of Chicago as a way of developing their understanding and knowledge of our faith. We gather monthly for faith sharing, spiritual enrichment sessions, professional meetings, and session planning. Our catechists are offered many opportunities throughout the area as well for continued spiritual growth and development. Curriculum We have adopted the new enriched “Call to Faith” (2009) series for grades 1-8, published by Harcourt. Each chapter of Call to Faith includes a Family Faith page--a weekly resource that brings the lesson home. The Family Faith page includes lesson content summaries, scripture readings, family prayers, and activities that encourage students to live their faith. “Call to Faith” on the Web the Harcourt Religion Web site (www.harcourtreligion.com) offers a continually growing collection of resources to assist in the process of faith formation while reflecting the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church. Features include online versions of key print materials and an assortment of unique web-based activities. Student Expectations
Bibles are presented in the early part of third grade to the children as well as to all new students entering the program. If your Bible is lost, contact our office and arrange to pay for a replacement. Role of Parents As their primary catechist, it is important to live, model, and talk about your faith with your children. This will enrich them and you. You should: *pray with your children, attend mass each week, and receive the sacraments as a family. Yours is the first model of parish family the children will learn, *review readings and homework with your child, * make arrangements to pick up session work when your child is absent, and see that it is returned at the next session. Please call the office for this information, * read correspondence sent home. The newsletter is distributed to the students monthly. It is one of the primary ways for us to stay in touch. Sacramental Preparation The preparation process for the sacraments is carried out in various ways. The process involves child work, family work, and class work. It is the bringing together of these elements that allow us to celebrate the sacraments in community. If you are interested in preparing to receive a sacrament, you must be a member of Saint Louis de Montfort Parish, be baptized, and enrolled in either the Religious Education Program or the parish school program. You and your child will have the opportunity to participate in classroom work, small group work and family experiences. Each sacrament has requirements that are meant to enrich the family and child experience of receiving and celebrating the sacrament. First Eucharist The Office of Religious Education coordinates a program to help parents prepare their children for First Eucharist. This program provides for the involvement of priests, parents, catechist, children, and faith sharing at home. Reconciliation In accordance with the directives of the Archdiocese of Chicago, students are prepared for Reconciliation in Grade 2. The process begins with an enrollment ceremony with the children and parents. A special Reconciliation celebration takes place in the fall. We also encourage you to participate as a family in Reconciliation services held at our parish throughout the year. Confirmation The Confirmation process at Saint Louis de Montfort is a two-year program involving the seventh and eighth graders. Confirmation candidates, their families, and sponsors study their faith by participating in both small and large group experiences. They participate in Christian service opportunities, an enrollment ceremony, a review of basic information and prayers of our faith, an interview with a member of our catechetical staff, and a Confirmation Retreat. General Policies Absences In the event that your child is going to be absent, please call the Religious Education Office at 708 599-5781 and report your child’s absence (information required: name, the name of your child’s catechist, and when you plan to come in to pick up the missed work). Please note that if you do not report your child’s absence before class that our attendance clerk will call you during the class session on Saturday to verify that you know that your child is not in class. Any child who is absent for a session is to make arrangements to pick up the missed work and return it the next session. Any child that is absent for more than two sessions without making up the missed work will be asked to come in with their parents and meet with the Director of Religious Education to work out a solution. Abused and
Neglected Children The Religious Education personnel are required to conform to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (P.A. 81-1007). Arrival Time and
Time of Dismissal Classes begin promptly at Cell Phones Use of Cell Phones (voice and/or texting) is strictly
prohibited during Religious Education classes.
Cell phones must be turned off before students enter church for our First Offense: The
cell phone will be surrendered to the student’s teacher and turned back
to the student in Quinn Hall after the Second Offense: The
cell phone will be surrendered to the student’s teacher and returned to the
student’s parent in Quinn Hall after the Third Offense: The cell phone will be surrendered to the student’s teacher and returned to the student’s parents at a conference with the DRE. Change of
Information Please notify our office of any changes in address, phone numbers, or medical situations. Classroom Policies Classes in the Saint Louis de Montfort Religious Education Program will be taught in conformity to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and in accordance with the guidelines and policies for Religious Education Program within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Discipline Good behavior, cooperation, attention, and courtesy are expected from every child. There is a close connection between discipline and personal growth. We expect the best from your children and encourage them to act in that spirit in this and every environment they find themselves in. In the event of a rare occurrence of a problem, you will be contacted. 1st offense will have the catechist speak privately with the student. 2nd offense the catechist will inform the DRE and we will contact the parent. 3rd offense the DRE, catechist, parents and child will have a conference about the situation. In the rare event that a child is removed from a classroom, the student will be escorted to the office and the parents will be called to pick up the student. If together we cannot come to a point where the student will improve their behavior, the DRE has the right to help the parents arrange for alternative Religious Education outside the classroom. Divorce/Separation
– Buckley Amendment Pursuant to the provisions of the Buckley amendment divorced or separated parents must file a court certified copy of the custody section of the divorce decree with the Office of Religious Education. We will abide by the provisions of the Amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, we will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the records and to other related information regarding the child. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the Office of Religious Education with an official copy of the court order and to update said copy if necessary. Dress Code All children should be dressed as for their public or private day school. No pajama pants. NO hats of any
style are allowed to be worn inside the building. No tee shirts advertising drugs or alcohol or
containing immoral statements or symbols. Emergency Closing
Information The Office of Religious Education uses the Computerized Emergency Closing Center to relay information about class cancellation. You can hear these announcements on the following stations: AM RADIO FM RADIO TV STATION WMAQ 670 WBBM B96 WGN CH 9 WGN 720 WFYR 103.5 FOX CH 32 When there is a cancellation, the Office of Religious Education will contact the catechists who will in turn contact you, if there is time to do so. Enrollment
Policies Enrollment in the Religious Education Program is open to any child whose family is registered in Saint Louis Parish. The grade level of a child entering the program is left to the discretion of the Director of Religious Education in dialogue with the parents. Fire and Tornado
Safety Instructions for fire and tornado safety are posted in each classroom. There will be at least one drill per year with the catechists and the students. Internet
Connection You can now reach us on the internet at www.sldmchurch.com, once there you click on Religious Ed (Children) and you will arrive at our web page. You can reach us by e-mail at dj.sldmrel@yahoo.com. Keeping in Touch Please look for information sent home for your use in the folder provided for this purpose. You will be kept informed about upcoming events, sport and religious opportunities, and parent meetings through the newsletter. Please take the time to read this important source of information regarding the Religious Education Program. Lost and Found If your child loses an item, please contact our office at 708-599-5781. We will do our best to assist you. Non-Discrimination
Policy The Saint Louis de Montfort Religious Education Program is
operated under the Catholic Bishop of |
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