Holy Angels Catholic Church - Religious Education

The Education Commission's purpose is to develop and define the policies which govern the operation of the parish's education programs and to promote the implementation of these policies. The commission provides counsel and advice in the operation of the education programs when appropriate and is a coordinating body for all educational programs for Holy Angels Parish. The Education Commission's most important duty is the implementation, at the local level, of policies of the Archdiocese and Archdiocesan Commission on Education.

The commission consists of the pastor (non-voting), director(s) of religious education (non-voting), and nine voting members representing various areas of the parish. Each voting member serves a term of three years, with one third rotating membership annually.

Susan Anderson - Administrator - Elementary PSR and Jr. High PSR
Phone: 498-0433

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION exists for continuing the mission of Jesus, whose teaching has come down to us through the apostles. The PSR Program provides religious education faith formation for the children of Holy Angels Parish. This program incorporates and encompasses the mission statement of Holy Angels Parish.

PARENT ROLE
"Parents are the first and foremost teachers of their children. They teach informally but powerfully by example and instruction. They communicate values and attitudes by showing love for Christ and His church and for each other, by reverently receiving the Eucharist and living in its spirit, and by fostering justice and love in all their relationships. It is the parents' nurturing of faith in their children that show them the richness and beauty of lived faith". (Sharing the Light of Faith #212)

	1. Textbook: The textbook we are using is Faith First Legacy Edition, published by RCL. Students may keep their textbooks at the school, depending on the plan of their teacher. The pages are perforated and will be sent home individually, as well as a parent page. Please take time to read this and review the information with your child/children. If your child does bring home their textbook, please remind them to bring it back for the next class.

		A. Web site: There is a web site (www.faithfirst.com ) that you can access if you are interested in finding out more information on the publisher of the text books. You can also find other topics pertaining to your child's program like ideas for celebrating various liturgical seasons, etc. It is a fun and educational way for all members of the family to connect to their child's faith formation.

	2. Calendars: A copy of the PSR calender is mailed to each family at the beginning of the year. More copies can be obtained in the school office on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings.

	3. Homework: Often times the students do not have homework, however, we encourage you as parents to go over each lesson with your child. This will help your child to see you as part of their religious education program as well as keeping you informed on the subject being taught in class. This time of sharing can be a blessing for both you and your child.

	4. Student Progress Report: Progress reports will be given out in January and also at the end of the year. When they are sent home in January we ask that a parent/guardian sign it and have the child/children return it to their teacher the following week. 5. Protecting Our Children: The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has published a new resource for parents; How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Guide for Parents and Guardians. The guide can be viewed at the PSR or Religious Education Office or go to: http://www.catholiccincinnati.org.

Sacramental preparation for Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation is provided for families attending PSR. These programs are to help assist parents develop a truly Christian family life with their children. As stated in the Declaration On Christian Education (Second Vatican Council, 1967): "Parents must be recognized as the primary and principal religious educators of their children". It is essential that parents provide a family environment that promotes and supports a sacramental life.

1. First Eucharist/Confirmation:
To ensure that all students are well prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Penance, First Eucharist and Confirmation, we have adopted the policy that any student who misses three or more classes during the school year will need to meet with the Sacramental Coordinator and/or the Pastor. Any student who will be making First Reconciliation and First Eucharist must have attended 1 year of PSR or approved religious study.

Special meetings are required for each parent/guardian for each sacrament. Important materials and information will be given out at this time.

1. Registration: New student registration for PSR and JH PSR takes place in early August after the Masses on Saturday and Sunday. Please see the church bulletin for a specific date. You may also contact the coordinator, Susan Anderson, at 498-0433.

A. Certificates: Baptism and Eucharist certificates need to be verified at the office the first week of class. A copy will be made of the original and placed in the school file.

2. Fees: The fee is $30.00 a year per child. These fees cover the cost of the textbooks, supplies and library materials. They can be mailed to Holy Angels Parish Religious Education Office at 121 E. Water St., Sidney, Ohio, 45365, taken to the office on Wednesday evening, or given to Susan Anderson on Sundays.

3. Arrival and Dismissal:

A. GRADES 1 - 6
Students who arrive before 6:55 p.m. are to remain in the connector. They will be dismissed to class by the connector monitor. For safety of the children we will not allow them to play on the playground before or after the PSR program unless they are with their parents. Classes will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Dismissal times are as follows:

GRADES 1st & 2nd	8:05 p.m.
GRADES 3rd & 4th	8:10 p.m.
GRADES 5th & 6th	8:15 p.m.

B. Junior High PSR:
The Junior High Program is held on Sunday mornings from 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Students should be in their classrooms by 10:30 a.m. (unless otherwise specified). There are special events where the time will vary. The student needs to be picked up in the parking lot. Do not pick them up in front of the school because there is too much traffic and it becomes very dangerous. The High School PSR is also being dismissed at the same time.

Our PSR calendar is published for our parishioners in an Adobe Acrobat .pdf format. To view the schedule you must have the Adobe Acrobat reader which is available as a FREE download from www.Adobe.com

This pre-school through kindergarten program is held during the 10:30 a.m. Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from October to April. Children who will be three years of age by September 1 are eligible.

Our Jesus Hour calendar is published for our parishioners in an Adobe Acrobat .pdf format. To view the schedule you must have the Adobe Acrobat reader which is available as a FREE download from www.Adobe.com

Registration for Vacation Bible School begins in May. The program will be held in June for children preschool through 4th grade. Please contact Susan Anderson at 498-0433.

It is our privilege to provide parishioners with an opportunity to purchase quality Catholic literature from our PARISH BOOK RACK, which is located in the connector. Books, magazines, prayer manuals, seasonal literature, and scripture reflections are available for purchase for children, teens, and adults alike. If you find something for yourself or a loved one, simply place your payment in one of the provided envelopes and drop it in the Sunday collection basket.

St. Isidore of Seville (560-636 A.D) tells us that "All spiritual growth comes from reading and reflection. By reading, we learn what we did not know, by reflection we retain what we have learned." Saint Isidore, Pray for us!

The Baptism Preparation Class for Parents is a one-time class that is aimed at helping parents to prepare for their first child's baptism. Our class agenda is derived from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and is supplemented by other sources. Prayer, Catechesis, and Discussion are all vital elements to the class.

Classes are held on the fourth (4th) Mondays of January, April, July and October from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Religious Education Office. Parents are encouraged to attend class and to schedule their child's baptism before their baby's birth. Please call (937) 498-0433 to register for the Baptism Preparation Class in advance.

*Note: Baptisms are held on the second and fourth Sundays of every month after the Noon Mass. Baptisms should be arranged through the Rectory (937-498-2307), and can only be scheduled after the parents have attended the Baptism Preparation Class.

Christ said to His Apostles, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: 'Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.'" Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213

The catechumenate or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) is the process through which the community helps interested adults hear the call of the Spirit and respond in faith. Through the R.C.I.A. the community welcomes adults to full membership in the Church. Sessions begin in late August and continue through Lent until Holy Week, culminating at the Easter Vigil Service on Holy Saturday with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.

R.C.I.A. meets weekly on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Meeting Center at 117 East Water Street. Call the rectory for more information (498-2307).

R.C.I.A. for children is a family-centered religious formation process leading the child to full initiation into the Catholic Church. It is built on faith, prayer, the Scripture, and Tradition of the Catholic Church, and involves young people in grades 2 - 12. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Scriptures are the sources for catechesis, reflection, and discussion.

The process of initiation is marked by the same liturgical rites and periods of formation as the adult R.C.I.A.

The catechetical sessions begin in late autumn, and are held at Holy Angels School on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Please call the Religious Education Office at 498-0433 to register.

Our R.C.I.A. calendar is published for our parishioners in an Adobe Acrobat .pdf format. To view the schedule you must have the Adobe Acrobat reader which is available as a FREE download from www.Adobe.com