Programs

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18:16

Co-Cathedral of Saint Thomas More

Religious Education Program

As you know, parents are their child’s first catechist. Therefore, you are a vital part of our catechist team. To help the program run smoothly, we ask our parents to:

1)have your child arrive on time to class,
2) complete weekly homework or missed lessons,
3) reinforce classroom lessons,
4) discuss the Catholic faith on a regular basis,
5) help your child know their prayers,
6) share with the catechist any special needs or situations  that your child may have so accommodations can be made in the classroom,
7) attend parent meetings,
8) speak with your child’s catechist periodically,
9) notify R.E. office with any changes in address, email, phone number or family situation and most important attend weekly Sunday Mass with your child.

Guidelines for the Religious Education Program

REGISTRATION
All students must be registered in the parish and Religious Education program. Registration begins in August for the fall program year. If you miss the initial registration, please contact the Religious Education office 222-9630 ext.111.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION CLASS
Preparation for First Reconciliation/First Communion and Confirmation is a two-year process. First Communion preparation begins in first grade and is completed in second grade. Confirmation preparation begins in eighth grade and is completed in ninth grade.

Children and youth who missed these grade-level preparation classes need to enroll and complete one full year in the Religious Education program. They will prepare to receive Sacraments the following year.

Children/youth enrolled in a Catholic school or Homeschool must register for Sacramental Preparation class with their home parish. Please see Sacramental Policies and Guidelines for Those Who Home School from the Catholic Bishops of Florida.

-All those entering Sacramental Preparation must have a copy of their baptismal certificate on file.

-Sacramental Preparation classes and retreats must be attended.    

-Missing classes without serious reason may delay the reception of the Sacrament.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
This program is for UNBAPTIZED AND/OR UNCATECHIZED CHILDREN seven years of age or older.

Those families interested in having their school-age children enter the Church should contact the Religious Education office.  

Arrival:
Parents of PreK4 to 4th grade students please walk your child to their class. For some reason the catechist is not present, please do not leave your child unattended. Remain with them until the catechist arrives and make the Director of RE aware of this situation.

Parents of 5th grade students and up are to ensure their children go directly to their class.

Dismissal:
 Parents should pick up their child promptly from their class. (Prek-4 to 4th grade) Catechists will only release children to their parents/guardians or authorized adult.

Our older students (5th grade students and up) will be dismissed on their own at the end of class. Parents are responsible for picking up their older children  promptly after RE class dismissal.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING
This training is required once a year for all Religious Education children. The Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People mandates this training. The focus is on how the child can keep themselves safe in this ever changing world. Parents will be notified of the training date. If you do not want your child to participate in the training, you will need to fill out an opt out form that can be obtained from the Religious Education office. Safe Environment resources are shared with parents to keep up-to-date on safety issues.

VOLUNTEERS
All volunteers who work with children and youth have completed the diocesan screening and training process. Please call the Director of Religious Education if you are interested in helping with Religious Education, Children’s Liturgy of the Word and Vacation Bible School.

SICKNESS OR INJURY
If a child gets sick or hurt, the catechist or assistant will bring the child to the Religious Ed. office. Parent/Guardian or authorized persons will be called and asked to pick up their child in the office. If it is an emergency situation, 911 will be called. Otherwise the child will remain in the office until the parent can be contacted.

Please keep your child home if they are ill and notify the DRE of their absence.

WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS
The children receive a textbook which is kept in class and a pocket folder. At the end of each lesson the children will bring home the lesson summary page in the folder to review with their parent/guardian.

Lost books: Parents are responsible for purchasing new textbooks.

WHAT NOT TO BRING TO CLASS 
Ipods, hats/caps, toys, costumes, sports equipment, food or drinks or anything that may be distracting during class time. Cells phones may be brought to class but kept in pockets or purses on silent.

Our catechists maintain a faith-filled learning environment in their class. Therefore, a student will not be allowed to disrupt this learning environment for the rest of the class.

Below are the guidelines for a disruptive situation:

The first time a student will be sent to the RE office to discuss the situation with the DRE. After a few minutes of quiet time, the child will be asked to apologize to the catechist for the disruption and then rejoin the class. Parents/guardians will be informed.

3rd time the child may return to class only if accompanied by parent/guardian.

Should the disruptive behavior continue, the parent/guardian will have to take responsibility for teaching the child at home with the support of the Religious Education team.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (C.L.O.W.)
This is for Pre-K4 to 2nd-grade children during the 10:00 am Mass. The children learn about the Sunday readings on an age-appropriate level. They are escorted from Church to the upstairs Religious Education classrooms before the first reading by CLOW leaders and assistants. They return to Church after the homily which is about a 25 minute time period.

Program Fees
There is a fee for Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation classes. Special arrangements will be made for families that need assistance. No child will be denied participation in the Religious Education program because of financial issues.