Religious Education Program

Renaeleen Ricasata

Religious Education Coordinator

Email CCD: olphreoffice@gmail.com

Select Saturdays: 10:00AM to 11:30AM

Registration

Register Online: form.jotform.com/240598578118469

Tuition Payment Online: www.osvhub.com/olphparishdc/giving/funds/ccd-enrollment-fee

Download Application and submit to Parish Office:

OLPH Religious Education Program Enrollment Form

Please Email CCD at olphreoffice@gmail.com If you have any questions.

Basic information

Registration Procedures

Registration: All students must register for class each year.

Fees: May vary each year

*Financial Assistance is available to families who qualify

Baptismal Information: A baptismal certificate is required for all children who are preparing to celebrate First Reconciliation and First Communion, or who are being registered for the first time.

Change of Address/Phone: Please notify the office of any change of address or telephone number (home or cell) immediately so that the staff will be able to contact you in the event of an emergency involving your child.

Arrival: Children should report to their classroom at 9:25 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

Pick-up: Students should be picked up promptly after classes at 11:30 a.m.

Philosophy

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish believes that the Religious Education Ministry is sharing in Jesus’ own mission of evangelization; a mission of proclaiming the Reign of God. It is an activity which enables faith to become alive, conscious and active through the light of instruction – especially sharing God’s Word in Scripture and sharing the traditions of the Catholic Church. Faith formation is a life-long process for each individual, as well as, the work of the whole Catholic Christian community.

The Church teaches that the primary responsibility for the spiritual growth and development of the children rests first and foremost with the parents. Parents may share this responsibility with others, but they do not relinquish it.

The Church assists the parents in passing on their faith through the religious education ministry. Catechists echo the Catholic faith in a way that those being catechized (children, youth, and adults) can understand. They help children/youth build and strengthen their relationship with Jesus and the Church. Catechists do this by proclaiming the Word, building a sense of community, leading to prayer and worship, encouraging loving service to others, and through the example of their own lives.

Our catechists are volunteers. They are people who have answered the call to minister to our children/youth and who have prepared themselves in different ways to serve as catechists. Above all, they are people for whom faith is important enough to share.

In conclusion, the religious education seeks to open the children/youth to the discovery of the love, goodness and beauty of God as reflected in their world, and help them to experience this world within the Catholic Christian community. It seeks to help them grow further in their faith, their understanding of our Catholic tradition, our unity in Christ and the many gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Goals

The goals of the Religious Education Ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish are:

Ongoing conversion to Jesus Christ and the Gospel
To give basic catechetical instructions, Catholic teachings of the Church, forms of prayer and awareness to the devotion to the Blessed Mother such as prayer the rosary and others.
Full participation in the life of the Catholic Church
To foster community among the children, their families, and the parish community.

Parent's Role

Parents are the primary educators of their children. They serve as models for their children. From the earliest years of a child’s life, a parent’s values are more caught than taught. Our staff is eager to work with the parents to help them fulfill this responsibility. We encourage parents’ participation and cooperation in the following ways:

Celebrate Sunday Mass regularly with your children. Talk about the Sunday readings and homily and what they mean to you.
Participate actively in the sacramental and community life of the parish.
Establish family rituals and celebrations. Bless your child/children. Pray with them. Help them to memorize the traditional prayers of the Church.
Attend parents meetings and activities.
Familiarize yourself with scheduled religious educations sessions and events for children/youth in the parish.
Assure your child/children's punctual and regular attendance at all religious education sessions.
Read and act promptly on all communications from the Religious Education Program Office.

Child's Role

Children have the responsibility to cooperate in order to benefit fully from the Religious Education sessions. They are expected to:

Be respectful of the catechist and aides and other children.
Actively participate in classroom activities and discussions.Attend class regularly and complete any homework that is given.
Complete other required activities related to the Religious Education Program.
- Grades 3-6: Children's Choir
- Grades 7-8: Altar Serving
- Grade 9: Lector, Commentator, Projector and Ushers.
Follow discipline policies, emergency and safety procedures.
Share what they have learned and experienced in their religious education sessions with their parents and families.
Celebrate Sunday Mass regularly

Sacramental Preparations

The first step in the sacramental preparation process for new families is a meeting with the Coordinator or a member of the Religious Education Staff.

FIRST COMMUNION: Preparation is a two-year process beginning in first grade. Sessions are also available for older children who would like to prepare for First Communion and First Reconciliation (Confession).

FIRST RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION): Children are prepared to celebrate this sacrament before they receive their First Communion. All parents are expected to assist in the sacramental preparation of their children and to attend the parent meetings for this purpose.

CONFIRMATION: This is a two-year program. This sacrament is celebrated at a time when young people can make a personal commitment to take an active part in the growth of their faith. The student must make a free and personal decision. Teens are expected to fully participate in the program to make sure they have sufficient knowledge and understanding of Catholic beliefs, traditions and practices.