The Religious Education program accepts its responsibility as co-educators with the family and the Church to provide a solid faith formation for children.
During the Second Vatican Council, the Church reaffirmed that parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of the faith. Parents are called to serve as role models of inspiration for their children through their own prayer life, education in faith, and in support of the Church. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. (CCC 2223)
The Religious Education program of a parish is designed to provide support for, not to replace, parental responsibility. The parish, through volunteer catechists, parish staff, and the pastor, works as a team with parents to ensure proper catechesis in the faith. Here at St. Anthony Claret, we provide God’s children with a sound program through the use of the Faith and Life series and the Didache series to help them become true disciples of Jesus Christ.
The program here at St. Anthony Claret has four main goals:
- To present the Catholic Faith accurately, authentically, and completely, consistent with the age and readiness of the students.
- To provide a loving and respectful atmosphere where children can develop their faith.
- To foster a clear sense of Catholic identity and an appreciation of Catholic beliefs, values, prayers, practices, and sacramental celebrations.
- To create an atmosphere of interdependence between administration, catechists, parents, and students that promotes mutual respect, concern, and preserves the integrity of the Catholic faith.
We look forward to working with you to help your children know, love, and serve God.
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Preparation for the Sacraments is an integral and important part of the Religious Education Program. Celebrations of the sacraments provide the immediate family and the faith community an opportunity for reflection and renewal.
Parental involvement in the sacramental preparation of children is of the greatest importance. Parents are required to take an active role in the faith journey of their child.
It is the parent’s responsibility to:
- Nurture the spiritual life of the child
- Encourage an active family prayer life
- Regularly attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation
- Participate in ALL parent meetings and conferences
- Encourage open dialogue and discussion about faith issues and what the child is learning in class
- Read parent letters, religious education handbook, and review take-home materials
- Ensure that the child is completing any homework assignments
- Ensure child has mastered required prayers
