Elementary Religious Education

Religious Education Sessions 2007-2008
Pre-School through Grade 8

Elementary Religious Education News
Parent Update: April 2, 2008

Elementary Relgious Education:
Pre-school (4 year olds) Sunday 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Kindergarten (5 year olds) Sunday 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Limit is 12 students per class; first come, first served.
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - Session A Wed. 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - Session B Wed. 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Grade 6 - Session B only - Wed. 7:00-8:15 p.m.

Youth Ministry:
Grade 7 -Tuesday 7:00-8:15 p.m.

*Grade 8 - (Jan - May) Confirmation -Tuesday 7:00-8:15 p.m.
*Separate Registration Form and $80.-Fee for Confirmation*

Tuition:
Registered Parishioners at SJB: 1 child $75; 2 or more children $120
Non registered Parishioners at SJB: $100 per child
No fee for children of catechists

Please complete both sides of the Registration/Emergency Contact Form below and return it to the Parish Office with payment.

Registration Form

Please send payment with completed registration.

Children’s Liturgies
Elementary Religious Education Calendar 2007-2008
Eucharist Preparation
Ministry of Shepherding
Preschool/Kindergarten Religious Education Schedule 2007-2008
Reconciliation Preparation
Sacramental Programs
Notes

Children’s Liturgies 2008
Saturday 5 p.m. Mass in the Church

April 5 - Easter Season
Coordinator: Elem Rel Ed

May 3 - Ascension
Coordinator: Youth Ministry

Elementary Religious Education Pre K-6

“Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people, and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life.” CT 18

The mission of St. John the Baptist Religious Education Program

The mission of St. John the Baptist Religious Education Program is to bring individuals to a genuine knowledge and love of Jesus Christ; to invite them to a full and active participation in the life of the Church and to help them understand the relationship between faith and life. The Catholic Church recognizes that parents are the primary and principal educators of their children, especially in the task of faith formation.

Parish catechetical programs are to assist parents by providing formal, systematic catechesis and sacramental preparation programs. The themes of God’s love, Jesus, Sacraments, Prayer and Scripture are present throughout St. John’s Religious Education curriculum. Certain grade levels focus on particular topics such as the Ten Commandments, the Church, The Sacraments and the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament.

Sacramental Preparation Programs

Sacramental Preparation Programs for Reconciliation and First Communion are held during the year. These programs involve both the parents and the children. The workshops are in addition to the regular religious education that the children receive at St. John’s School and the Religious Education Program. Pre-Registration is required for both program. Please call the OCF office for more information.

Reconciliation
Jesus began His risen life by giving His apostles power to forgive sins. The Sacrament of Reconciliation continues His work of forgiving and reconciling. It celebrates the prodigal’s return to the eternally merciful Father, renewing the sinners’ union with God - and also with the community inasmuch as our sins harm our brothers and sister. NCD 124:71

Reconciliation at St. John the Baptist Catholic community is a family and parish centered program. The program acknowledges and respects parents as the primary religious educators of their children. St. John the Baptist assumes the role of the Christian community in the process of sacramental preparation.

The Reconciliation Program consists of two sessions for parents and children. The adult sessions focus on how to work with your child at home, a brief history of how we have celebrated reconciliation over the centuries, and an update of current practice and theology, as well as a social justice component.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation workshops are open to all children from Grade 2 through Grade 8 who are enrolled in the religious education program, St. John the Baptist School or another Catholic school. Parents and children meet separately during the workshops. Registration is required and is done by telephone (301-622-1122) or in person at the Office of Christian Formation. A special Reconciliation service for the children is held at the end of the program.

Schedule:
Reconciliation Preparation:
TBD

First Communion
The Holy Eucharist is the Lord’s greatest and most precious gift to His Church. “I myself am the bread of life. No one who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in me shall thirst.” John 6:35. Eucharist is the central sacrament in the life of each Catholic, and the core of our community life. In the Eucharist, we are fed Christ, the Bread of Life, at a communal meal. The meal is also a sign that we accept each other in the cause of unity, peace and love.

First Communion Preparatory Program
In the preparation for the reception of Communion for the first time, both parents and child have important roles. Parents are the primary teachers of their children; therefore, a preparation for parents, as well as children is an integral part of the overall catechetical process. The parish assists the parents by presenting a three-session program two times a year that parents are required to attend with their children.

The First Communion Program at St. John the Baptist is designed to help parents prepare their second and third graders for their first encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. It is a Parish Program. To participate in this program, the children must be participating in a religious education program through the Office of Christian Formation, SJB School other private religious schools, Multi-age or Family Learning Teams.

After they have completed the program and the accompanying book, the parents determine when their child is ready. Arrangements are made through the rectory for individual First Communion celebrations at any of the regularly scheduled Masses.

First Communion Preparation Schedule
First Communion Preparation, Grades 2-3 ONLY
TBD

First Communion Preparation, Grades 4-8 ONLY
April 14, 2008 Session I
April 21, 2008 Session II
April 28, 2008 Session III

All the sessions begin at 7:00 PM. Parents and children attend all three nights. Children must be registered to attend. Registration is by telephone (301-622-1122) or in person at the Office of Christian Formation.

Young people who are grades five through twelve and wish to prepare for First Communion may enroll in a program with their peers using age-appropriate materials.

Celebration of First Communion
When parents and children have completed the preparation program, the parents decide when the child is ready for First Communion, and then make arrangements at the Parish Office for individual celebrations at a Mass of their choice.

Ministry of Shepherding

Shepherding is a ministry of welcoming. Its purpose is to make the young person making First Communion and the family feel comfortable and confident with everything that is happening in the liturgy so the young person has a wonderful experience of meeting Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. Shepherds are contacted by the Parish Center to ask if they can shepherd a particular Mass and then the Shepherd gives the family an introductory call.

The family will arrange to meet the Shepherd in rear of the church or hall fifteen to twenty minutes before Mass begins. The Shepherd introduces the family to the Presider. Anyone (single or couples) interested in this ministry of welcoming should call the Office of Christian Formation at 301-622-1122.

Preschool/Kindergarten Religious Education Schedule 2007-2008
Elementary Religious Education Calendar 2007-2008

*Notes: There are no classes for children on the weeks when Catechist Workshops are scheduled.
If Montgomery County Schools are closed or have early dismissal due to inclement weather, all Religious Education classes and activities will be cancelled for that evening.