THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 

Religious Education at SPP

The primary focus of the Religious Education aspect of the Faith Formation Program must be the formation in our Catholic Faith, of those children and young adults preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. This is first and foremost, and our resources, Catechists, and schedule of instruction are directed towards that goal.

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The Church has historically and consistently taught that parents/guardians are the first and primary teachers of their children. In the Rite of Baptism for Children, the response given to the parents who bring their babies to Church asking for them to receive the Sacrament, is this: “You have asked to have your child Baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training them in the practice of the Faith. It will be your duty to bring them up to keep God’s Commandments, as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” And, later on in the Ritual, while calling upon God’s Blessing of the parents, the following is said of the parents: “…they will be the first teachers of their children in the ways of Faith. May they be also the best of teachers, bearing witness to the Faith by what they say and do…”.

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What is presented in any Religious Education classroom must be supported and further expanded upon at Home. Otherwise, any time or resources spent at the Parish are for naught. Although classroom teaching time will be increased, it can never be ample enough with those precious few hours alone. A necessary support is the Family priority placed on not only bringing, but accompanying your children to Mass each Weekend, and ensuring that a priority is placed on the classroom and formation requirements.

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An additional, necessary support of Faith Formation is including an atmosphere of prayer and further study at Home. These Days there are numerous valid, Catholic resources available, either via the internet’s various Catholic websites or ‘apps,’ (such as the Catholic Bible/Sacred Scriptures, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Sacraments, etc., and commentaries on all). These can make home-study and support easy, and a helpful Family activity.