Religious Education Program Handbook for Families
2010-2011
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This booklet is intended to give all the necessary information concerning our Religious Education program's policies and procedures as mandated by Archdiocese of Chicago.
Please be aware that I am here to serve you and to make you feel welcome in our Religious Education program, and in our Faith community at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. I will do my utmost best in that regard.
According to our policy we firmly stress the importance of consistency in children's faith Formation. We do believe the Sacraments are very important, but their faith formation is equally important. We require each child to be in the program for eight years, so that he/she can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 8th grade. We hope it will be a positive step in the faith formation of your child and a blessing for your family.
This year we plan to have the Sacrament of Confirmation in March, just to separate the idea of graduation from the religious education program. Once the young person has received the Sacrament, it is not the end, but the beginning of Jesus' mission in one's life. We strongly encourage the young Confirmed to get involved in the Parish Mass and community services.
Should you have any questions or need clarification on any of the information contained within, do not hesitate to contact the Religious Education Office or me, personally.
May the God of our Journey lead us to build His kingdom here and now.
Peace,
Razia S. Khokhar
MISSION STATEMENT
Called by the Father and gifted by the Holy Spirit, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish is a diverse Catholic community of Faith in East Lakeview. In union with the local and universal Church, we seek to glorify God by responding to the Gospel and promoting the human person through the celebration of the Eucharist, religious education and formation, and service programs. We care for and empower people to grow as individuals and as a community in the life and love of Jesus Christ.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this booklet is to inform families about the policies and procedures of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Religious Education Program. Our children need to grow in faith year after year. Their spiritual growth is as important as their physical, mental, emotional, and psychological growth.
Along with policies regarding non-discrimination, abused/neglected children, behavior, parent's rights to their child's records, attendance and absence, health and safety, emergencies, this book will also outline our expectations of children and teens who are in the Religious Education Program.
POLICY OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Religious Education program is operated under the auspices of the Catholic Bishop of Chicago, a corporation sole, in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Religious Education program admits participants of any sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin and persons with disabilities to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to participants of this Catechetical program.
ABUSED/NEGLECTED CHILDREN
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Religious Education personnel are required by law to conform to the Abused and neglected Child Reporting Act (P.A. 81-1007). All catechists have a responsibility to study and understand the Illinois Department of children and Family Services reporting services.
BEHAVIOR
Participants of the programs will behave appropriately, showing respect for other participants and catechists, as well as for the regulations established for the program. Repeated failure to show respect or to observe policies, procedures or regulations of the program will result in disciplinary action.
1. The catechist will first attempt to work for change with the young person.
2. If this is not successful the catechist will contact the DRE, who will talk with young person to change his/her behavior.
3. If the situation is still not remedied, the parent/guardian and young person will meet with the DRE and the catechist.
4. If all of the above fails, a recommendation for withdrawal from the program will be made.
CELL PHONE POLICY
If your child carries a cell phone, it must be turned off during class time and be kept in a jacket pocket or purse. Students who text message or make/receive calls during class time will be told to turn their phone off. If it happens a second time, that child will have their phone taken away until class is over.
ACCESS TO RECORDS
The Religious Education program abides by the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act with regard to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, the administrator of the program will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the catechetical records and other program related information regarding the young person. If there is a court order specifying that there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent (or guardian) to provide an official copy of the court order.
TUITION AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
Enrollment for the upcoming school year begins in the spring. Registration and a deposit are due by July 30.
REGULAR TUTION FEE
One Child: $ 100.00
Two Children: $ 150.00
Three Children: $ 200.00
Four Children: $ 250.00
Sacramental Students: $ 150.00
Registration forms and an Emergency Medical Release Form are available from the Religious Education Office and online. Parents must also provide a copy of their child's Baptismal Certificate if the child was baptized at another parish. In addition parents should have a record of any additional Sacraments that their child may have received.
A family is never turned away because of an inability to pay for Religious Education. If you have a need for tuition assistance, please contact the Religious Education Office or the pastor.
NOTE: The participants of the Religious Education program are required to be registered members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel church and participate at weekly Sunday Mass.
ABSENCES
We ask that you contact the Religious Education Office as soon as possible prior to a young person's absence from a session. Call 773-525-0453 Ext 14.
Your child's attendance at his or her Religious Education classes is important. If a child misses more than 2 classes, the parents/guardian will be called, and may need to meet with the Director of Religious Education to discuss the reasons for absences. Just as a child is responsible for making up material when classes are missed at school, the child needs to make up material that is missed when absent from the Religious Education class.
EARLY DISMISSAL
If it becomes necessary to remove your child from a session early, please observe the following:
1. Notify the office or catechist ahead of time, if possible.
2. Come into the building and sign your child out in the office
CUSTODY ISSUES
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church's Religious Education program presumes that both parents of a young person have equal access to the young person, even if the parents are separated or divorced. Unless informed in writing, and with adequate documented evidence that a parent is not permitted to have unqualified access to the young person, the catechetical program will permit either to have access to the young person while at the catechetical site and will release the young person from the site to either parent.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
MEDICATIONS: Except in extraordinary circumstances, which must be pre-approved by the catechetical leader or program administrator, catechetical personnel will not maintain, supervise the taking of or administer medication.
SUPERVISION
In order that we might provide adequate supervision for the health and safety of each program participant, we ask the following:
1. Do not drop off a participant earlier than 15 minutes prior to the session.
2. Please be prompt in picking up your child at the conclusion of the session.
3. If a child is left at school beyond 15 minutes after the session has been dismissed - the following will occur;
* A call be made to your home
* If there is no response the call will be made to the emergency number you listed on your registration form.
Please note that we cannot release your child to anyone but you or your emergency contact. Please be prompt to pick up your child shortly after our session is dismissed.
4. AREA OF LIMITATIONS: The catechetical program can only be responsible for participants within the confines of Our Lady of Mount Carmel academy during the Thursday sessions.
EMERGENCIES
- Each family must have emergency release information on file with the program.
- In the time of an emergency closing the class catechist will call you to inform
- In the event that a participant becomes ill or is injured during a session the parent / guardian will be contacted.
PARENT/GUARDIAN RIGHTS
The Archdiocese of Chicago, Office for Religious Education, has established guidelines for catechetical records. These guidelines describe your rights with regards to the records of your child/youth that are maintained by your parish catechetical program. These rules include:
RIGHT TO INSPECT:
Following the local catechetical program procedures, you have the right to look at your entire child's/youth's records maintained in his/her permanent catechetical records
RIGHT TO PREVENT DISCLOSURE:
The catechetical program will not disclose anything to third parties unless you consent in writing prior to the disclosure, or the request for information meets one of the limited circumstances described in the Federal Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act.
RIGHT TO REQUEST CORRECTION:
You have the right to present evidence that the catechetical program should amend any part of your child's/youth's record that you believe to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the child's/youth's rights. If the catechetical program decides not to change the record, you may insert an explanation into the record.
INSPECTION POLICY
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church catechetical program reserves the right to inspect all desks, lockers, and other parish-supplied enclosures. In addition, we reserve the right to inspect all personal property when there is a reasonable belief that the participant is violating the rules, regulations and policies of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Religious Education program.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Religious Education program specifically retains the right to and will search and seize drugs, weapons and other contraband when there is reasonable belief that such contraband is in the possession of a participant.
PROGRAM STAFF
All program staff 18 years of age and above - in both teaching and non-teaching positions has undergone a criminal background check. In addition, all program staff 18 years of age and above - in both teaching and non-teaching positions has completed the required Archdiocesan training in the awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse.
CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVIITES
The Religious Education Program will be using FINDING GOD for grades 1-8 by Loyola Press. In addition we will use Sacramental Preparation books for First Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation by Loyola Press. Just as children are expected to attend their Religious Education classes, children are also expected to be present in the Church community, through attendance at Mass and service opportunities.
4th to 8th grade children are expected to become altar servers - training will be provided. Call Mr. Stephen Palanca @ 773 - 525 - 0453 Ext. 22
Eighth graders are asked to contact Deacon Richard Johnson 773-525-0453 Ext.55 to participate in outreach opportunities. Following each service activity, children will complete a reflection form, and discuss how they felt about completing the service activity.
SERVICE:
Grade level appropriate activities for service will be offered. Also, each grade level will have an expectation of service hours to complete each year. Children can do service at Church, at home, at school, and through outreach ministries. The goal of Service is that children develop a spirit of helping and serving others.
1st and 2nd Grades: Complete a minimum of 4 Hours of Service each year.
3rd and 4th Graders: Complete a minimum of 6 Hours of Service each year.
5th and 6th Graders: Complete a minimum of 8Hours of Service each year.
7th and 8th Graders: Complete a minimum of 15 Hours of Service each year.
We will offer service activities that children can participate as a group, as well as service activities that children can participate in together with their family.
EXAMPLES:
LAKEVIEW PANTRY: (food drive)
All Religious Education families are asked to take a grocery bag and fill it with non-perishable food for the poor. Bags are to be brought to Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
ADVENT / CHRISTMAS
GIVING TREE:
This is a great opportunity for the students and their families to participate in the reach out to others at this happy occasion. The names and age of the recipient will be on the bulletin board during Advent. You can pick a name and pray for the person and their family during this Holy season and bring your gift on the 3rd Sunday of Advent.
LENT AND EASTER
RICE BOWL:
Each family is invited and expected to pick up a rice bowl on Ash Wednesday. Put it on you dinner table, so you can pray for the cause you are saving and contributing. It is our effort to reach out to our global family to make their lives little easier with our little sacrifice.
RETREAT AND TIME FOR REFLECTION
In today's world, our lives are so busy. Even children and teens feel the stress of school, work and sports. That is why it is important that we build in time of quiet and reflection into our lives. In the Religious Education Program, every grade will have the opportunity to have a few minutes of quiet, guided reflection and prayer.
SACRAMENTAL CLASSES
The following are the requirements for reception of the Sacraments:
The child must be Baptized Catholic
The copy of the Baptismal certificate
Regular attendance at the Sunday Mass
Parental involvement in the preparation to receive Sacrament
All children must be in the program from the 1st grade OR provide proof of attendance in another parish program (Religious education for 7 years)
Regular attendance for Religious education program
Parents must attend the meetings and participate at the planed retreats
If a 8th grade candidate has a conflict with the date of the retreat, the candidate must call another parish in the Archdiocese and participate in their retreat. (it is an absolute must)
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation is the sign of love and life. God has given us countless signs of His love. For us as Catholics, a prime symbol is the sacrament of Baptism, a sign that we have a place in God's family, the church. We believe God's love is always with us but we know that our response in not always consistent. We fall short of faithfulness and sometimes inflict hurt and harm, or omit good deeds. We sin but we are never left alone, as the church holds another sign of God's unending love - the Sacrament of Penance / Reconciliation. From a very early age, God begins to unfold this beautiful mystery.
How can parents tell when their child is ready for his/her experience of confession? There is no foolproof age or stage of development that can answer this question, because we are dealing with a mystery of the human person.
Children of all ages feel alienated from their family and friends at times. It is at these precise moments of grace that parents can help their children to reflect upon their actions, change their ways, and relate to their children how our loving God reaches out to us in total love and forgiveness. It is in the family setting where our young are introduced to the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation by being forgiven when they hurt others, or fail to reach out to others. This preparation is continued in a more structured way by the catechist in the Religious Education program at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Parents, pastor and religious educators work together to prepare your child for the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation. Parents need to model for their children the value of individual confession, but even more important is to give witness in word and deed, to the sacramental value in their daily life. NOTE: Students and their Parents will participate in a morning of reflection before receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
"The Eucharist is the center and heart of Catholic life for the universal church and for every Christian. All that belongs to Christian life leads to Eucharist or flows from it." (Sharing the Light of Faith) In our Religious Education program, the catechist strives to support the faith which you are nurturing within your own family surroundings. The formal religious education takes place in the parish program. The informal preparation and guidance takes place within the home. The following are the guidelines and requirements:NOTE: Students and parents will participate in a morning of reflection before receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion
CONFIRMATION
"The grace conferred by the Sacrament of Confirmation is more specifically a gift of strength. This gift corresponds to the need for greater zeal in facing the spiritual battle of faith and charity in order to resist temptation and give witness of Christian word and deed to the world with courage, fervor, and perseverance. This zeal is conferred by the Holy Spirit." John Paul the Great
A SPONSOR
Since the earliest centuries of the church, people wishing to be initiated into Christianity have had sponsors - guides and mentors who guide them in the Christian faith. To be a sponsor, one must be:
* A Baptized and practicing Catholic
* At least 16 years old
* Not the candidate's parent or adoptive parent; the sponsor may be a grandparent or sibling
A LETTER TO THE PASTOR
In the first few centuries of the Christian church, the local bishop would meet each person preparing for baptism and would ask questions of the individual, making sure the person was well prepared. The local bishop is still considered ordinary minister of Confirmation. (Sometimes certain pastors are given faculties to confirm.) Each candidate is asked to write a letter to the pastor requesting the sacrament of Confirmation and his or her reasons for doing so. This is an Archdiocesan requirement. The letter is to be one page, typed, dated, and signed. The main point of the letter is to state the candidate's request to be confirmed and his or her reasons for wanting to be confirmed.
INTERVIEW
While the local bishop cannot meet with each candidate individually, contact with each candidate is done on the parish level. The pastor or associate priest will visit your class and ask you questions/ or any question you might have. No preparation is necessary for the interview as focus is on the candidate's relationship with God and the church.
PREPARATION SESSIONS
The Catholic Church asks that those who celebrate and receive Sacraments be adequately prepared. The goal of our Confirmation program is to pass on the Catholic faith to our candidates in a personal way, in which each candidate has a chance to ask questions and are treated with dignity and respect, so that they can begin to reach full potential that God has for them. They learn prayerfully to discern the direction God has for their life.
The sessions are meant to be a combination of formation and information, preparation of the head as well as preparation of the heart. It is important that all participants attend all the sessions and fulfill all the requirements.
NOTE: The formation sessions are meant to be immediate preparation for the Sacrament, not a make - up of several years of missing instruction in the faith from grades one to eight.
SERVICE
Jesus served others, and Christians are commissioned to serve as well. The purpose of requiring Christian service for Confirmation is to help develop in the candidate a lifestyle of being of service to people in need. It is important to understand this service as "Christian service" as opposed to "community service." Community service is sometimes performed by someone as a requirement or sometimes as punishment. It is important that candidates should understand their service through Christian eyes, it is a service done within the context of a relationship with Jesus Christ and the church. While counting a certain number of hours is certainly not the ultimate goal of Christian service, a set number of hours helps ensure a sense of accountability. Candidates for Confirmation are therefore asked to complete 15 hours of Christian service. Candidates are responsible for coordinating their own service experiences. Accepting money for a particular service negates the concept that the action being done is service. Service is only when it is done to help those in need.
A CONFIRMATION RETREAT
Christians have been going on retreat ever since Jesus "went off to pray," which he did several times throughout the Gospels. Retreats are common before receiving the other Sacraments as well. As Catholics we strive to know, love and serve God. A Confirmation retreat not only helps us to know God more but to truly learn to love Him by recognizing Him in our everyday life and by learning to communicate with Him through prayer. We also learn to serve Him by being aware of our actions as we learn to avoid evil and pursue good and say "Yes" to God as we discover the purpose of our lives.The Archdiocese of Chicago requires a Confirmation Retreat before a candidate is confirmed.
NOTE: Candidates and their parents participate in a retreat prior to Confirmation. Information will be given to parents and teens at their Sacramental Preparation Meeting.
If a candidate has a conflict with the date of the retreat, the candidate must call another parish in the Archdiocese and participate in their retreat. (it is an absolute must)
Dear Parents/Guardians:
After you have read through the handbook with your children, please sign below and return this page to your child's catechist by September 16, 2010
I have reviewed the material in the handbook with my child/children. We have discussed the expectations of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Religious Education Program
Parent/Guardian Signature_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature_____________________________________
Child Name/ Signature _______________________________________
Child Name/ Signature _______________________________________
Child Name/ Signature _______________________________________
Child Name/ Signature _______________________________________
Child Name/ Signature _______________________________________
If you have any questions regarding the material in this handbook, please feel free to call the Religious Education Office @ 773 - 525 - 0453 Ext. 14 so that we can discuss your concerns. God Bless you for all you do for your children's faith formation.