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St. Patrick’s Religious Education Curriculum 2006-2007
St. Patrick’s Religious Education curriculum is based on the Archdiocese of Boston Religion Curriculum Guidelines, which is correlated with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We use texts that provide a strong foundation and enhance the books with activities that will help the children develop a deeper relationship with God and their Parish Community.
Click desired Grade below in blue for more information -
Grade Themes
Text Series: Christ Our Life
God Made Me
Preschool
Three-year-olds
God Made Me introduces children to God and his love for everyone. It helps children to realize just how very special they are.
The children will:
- come to know and love the good God who made and loves them
- realize that they are special and respond to their Creator with thanks and praise
God Made the World
Preschool
Four-year-olds
God Made the World focuses on God’s wonderful creations in the world, family and friends. It introduces Church as God’s house and gives them a better sense of belonging to God’s family.
The children will:
- discover the marvels of God’s creation, and wonder at them
- come to know God better through the gifts of creation
God Loves Us
Kindergarten
God Loves Us teaches children that God loves them and that they are to love God and one another. It is an introduction to simple faith concepts; leading the children to the many ways we show love.
The children will:
- delight in creation and see it as a gift from God
- be aware of God’s love for them and desire to show love in return
God is Good
Grade One
God is Good presents God, Jesus, and the church in their goodness and holiness. This class lays the foundation for children’s spiritual growth and development by enhancing their knowledge of the Catholic faith.
The children will:
- become aware of God’s presence and goodness in their lives, in others, in the world, and in his Church
- respond to God’s goodness by loving him and others
God Cares for Us
Grade Two
God Cares for Us prepares second graders for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. The structure and the meaning of the Mass are emphasized throughout the year. The catechesis helps children respond joyfully to God’s call to give themselves in love to God and others.
The children will:
- come to realize God’s loving care for them, especially through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist
- respond to God’s call to give themselves in loving service to him and others
We Believe
Grade Three
We Believe presents the main truths that Catholics believe and express in the Apostles’ Creed. Children are called to the faith community and learn the ways Jesus is present to us during the Mass.
The children will:
- grow in the power to make decisions in the light of God’s revelation and the redemptive acts of Jesus
- come to a knowledge and appreciation of the mysteries of their faith expressed in the Creed
God Guides Us
Grade Four
God Guides Us introduces students to the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes as guides for living. Catechists teach children that as followers of Jesus, we must know these teachings and live them.
The children will:
- grow in understanding and appreciation of God’s call to eternal life and his ever-present and loving guidance
- choose to live the commandments in the spirit of the beatitudes
We Worship
Grade Five
We Worship teaches celebration and worship through the Eucharistic liturgy. The Eucharist is presented as a gift from God through which to share divine life. These lessons will introduce liturgical prayer and guides the children to respond to God’s presence by prayer and loving service to others.
The children will:
- grow in their appreciation of the Church as a worshiping community, and of Christ’s action among us in the Eucharistic liturgy and in the sacraments
- give worship to God by prayer and loving service, and by celebrating the liturgical seasons
God Calls a People
Grade Six
God Calls a People is devoted to studying God’s saving love as revealed in sacred Scripture, particularly in The Old Testament. This study of salvation history helps children gain a deeper appreciation of the person of Jesus Christ and his continued presence in the Church.
The children will:
- come to a deeper appreciation of the person of Christ and of his presence in his Church through the study of salvation history
- grow in their relationship with God and in giving witness to their faith
Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Grade Seven
Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life focuses the students’ attention on the New Testament. The teachings and mission of Jesus, the Paschal Mystery, and the seven sacraments is the core of this program. The students will see Christ as our way to the Father, and grow in understanding and love of Jesus.
The youth will:
- grow in knowledge and love of Jesus, the perfect revelation of the Father and our Savior, through prayer and studying the Gospels
- realize and appreciate that the sacraments enable them to respond to the call to follow Jesus, live by his teachings, and proclaim God’s kingdom in word, worship, witness, and service
The Church Then and Now
Grade Eight
The Church Then and Now helps students grow in an awareness of the mystery of the Church and its mission. Youth are taught to value their union with Christ in the Church and to live according to His teachings.
The youth will:
- come to deeper understanding of the Church and the mystery of God's love by studying its images, history, and members
- grow in love for Catholic beliefs and ritual and strive to become committed members of the Church who respond to God's love through Christian morality, service, prayer, and witness
Confirmation
Text Series: Confirming Faith
Confirming Faith
Confirmation Grades Nine & Ten
Confirming Faith is a faith development program for high school students preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. It presents Confirmation as a sacramental celebration of the process by which Catholics come to accept for themselves the faith that was given to them in Baptism. The aim of the program is to help deepen the student's personal commitment to Jesus and the Church; strengthen their sense of belonging in the parish and the larger church; to become involved in Christian witness and service; and review, clarify and expand their knowledge of Catholic Christianity.
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Thank you for your interest in St. Patrick’s Religious Education Program.
Recognizing that it is through the parents/guardians in which a child’s faith, spirituality and commitment to faith is formed, the role of St. Patrick’s Religious Education Program is designed to enhance the foundation that you as parents/guardians are already giving to your children.
We strive to meet the needs of all children in our parish. If a child has special needs or limitations we will meet with the parent/guardian to find ways to try to accommodate the child as best possible.
In order to be enrolled in our program all students must be registered each year. The registration procedures are as follows:
- Complete the registration form via our parish website, mail a copy of the registration form or deliver it to the Religious Education office at 150 Salem Street or the Parish offices located in the Rectory. You may also register at any of the scheduled registration times highlighted on the calendar.
- A copy of the baptismal certificate must accompany registration forms if the child was not baptized at St. Patrick’s Parish, Lawrence, MA.
- Fees must accompany the registration form. (No child will be turned away for financial reasons. Any requests for fee waiver or special payment arrangements are to be made to the Administrator of Religious Education and will be kept confidential).
A registration fee is charged to help cover some of the expenses of the Religious Education Program. This fee does not cover all of the expenses of the program so we depend on the generosity of those that contribute to St. Patrick’s Parish. The fees are as follows:
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact the Religious Education office at 978-687-9480 or the Parish offices at 978-683-9416. You are always welcome to stop by the office. Throughout the summer the Religious Education office hours will be Monday thru Friday from 8am till 4pm. Evening and weekend appointments are available by request. Please contact the office to schedule an appointment.
God Bless you and your family.
In Christ,
Diane Jarvis
Administrator of Religious Education
Volunteers Needed!
St. Patrick's Parish is very blessed to have dedicated catechists, and religious education volunteers who, in partnership with parents, help develop a child’s faith formation. Religious Education programs cannot exist without its treasury of volunteers. Volunteering your time and talents in religious education is a rewarding experience and a special way to share your faith with our youth. We are in need of catechists, teacher’s aides, hall monitors, office helpers, babysitters, and with “at home” projects. For more information about St. Patrick's Religious Education Program, or how you can help, please call Diane Jarvis, our Parish’s Administrator of Religious Education at 978- 687-9480 or 978-683-9416 or Email at ReligiousEducation@saintpatrickparish.com
Diane Jarvis
Adminstrator of
Religious Education
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