Program Information

Rel. Ed Contacts & Hours

Registration 

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life!  It is our goal to educate the mind with true understanding of the faith, to fill the heart with God’s peace, love, and compassion, and to prompt young Catholics into fruitful action.  In this way, they may learn to imitate Christ’s Way, know and believe in the Lord’s objective Truth, and share in the fullness of a Life as intended by our Heavenly Father.

We will provide catechistic education of authentic Catholic doctrine on matters of faith and morals and help students cultivate a personal relationship with God through prayers, sacraments, and reflection.  We will encourage adherence to God’s commandments of love and promote awareness and opportunities for serving God through the community and daily good acts.

Our programs uses the Blest Are We Faith & Word series for grades 1-5 and the Faith in Life series for grades 6-8.

Adult RCIA: Contact the Rectory.

Parents As Primary Educators

Our Catholic Faith teaches us that parents are the educators of their children; your  participation and support of religious education classes is vital.   It is essential that you bring your child to Mass on Sundays, take them to Confession regularly, and pray with them each day.  Discuss with your child what he/she learned in class each Sunday.  Follow-up with additional reading and help your child relate what they have learned to their own lives. When possible, try to participate in parish activities.  This not only supports the parish but gives children a sense of belonging to our Parish Family. You are the greatest influence in your child's life. They will follow your example.

St. Christopher's Church is committed to ensuring that every child receives a comprehensive religious education and is fully prepared to receive the Sacraments of the Church.  Religious Education, just like secular education, is a building processes designed to prepare children for life.  If a child has missed a year or two of religious instruction then they need to be brought up to speed before moving forward. 

Students who have missed receiving a sacrament or who have missed a year/several of religious education may need to attend our Catch-up class. This provides one-on-one education tailored to meet a student's specific needs. Contact the Coordinator of Religious Education for further information at 410-643-8489.

Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage all require special preparation.

For Baptismal preparation, parents should contact the rectory before the baby is born to arrange for class.

Reconciliation and First Communion preparation are integrated into the second grade curriculum. Please check pre-requisites. An additional time commitment is necessary during the preparation year for retreats, meetings and special events. It is strongly encouraged to attend Mass weekly.  Keep this mind when planning your child's extra-curricular activities that year.

Confirmation binds us more closely to our faith, strengthens our gifts of the Holy Spirit, and makes us full members of our Church. Students may enter the Confirmation Program starting in 8th grade.  They must have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Communion.  Students must complete 6th, 7th and 8th grade religious education before entering our preparation program. Students who have not completed these classes at St. Christopher's Church should provide record of attending these classes and take a Student Survey to demonstrate proficient knowledge of their faith. Because a firm understanding of the Catholic faith is essential to making the Confirmation commitment, we highly recommend 7 years of religious education. Students must make a dedicated time commitment for this Confirmation program. Faithful attendance at Mass weekly is a MANDATORY requirement. Failure to attend Mass without a good reason will result in not being Confirmed. The full cooperation of every family is essential and will be greatly appreciated.

Students must know basic prayers, the 7 Sacraments, the 10 Commandments, and the Precepts of the Church. If several years of religious education have been missed, students are required to take a survey to determine if knowledge of their faith is sufficient to begin Confirmation Preparation. The Catch-up class may be appropriate before beginning preparation. Contact the Coordinator of Religious Education with any questions/concerns regarding the Confirmation program.

Home Schooling

If you choose to home school your child in Religious Education, a curriculum plan must be submitted for approval by the Pastor. We will make every effort to support you by providing books and other needed materials. Home-schooling curriculum must meet the same educational standards set for the parish enrolled students.  We will meet with you and your child(ren) at the end each year to review the curriculum plan and assess its successful completion.

It is important that your child be well prepared to received the sacraments.  To ensure this readiness, please contact the Religious Education Office before the start of the sacramental preparation years for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. We will provide you with the criteria required to receive these sacraments.  

Because of the communal nature of Confirmation, we strongly recommend that parents enroll their children in the church’s Confirmation Program.  Your child MUST meet the same requirements as other candidates for confirmation; including the completion of 3 community service projects. Class attendance is the ONLY exception. Students who have not completed these classes at St. Christopher's will be required to take a Student Survey to demonstrate proficient knowledge of their faith. Contact us if we can help in any other way. For more details, click the link below.

Home School Requirements for Confirmation

Student Responsibilities, Behavior, and Discipline Policy

We are dedicated to making our classes interesting as well as educational.  It is important that students read their materials and do their assignments. Students should come to class prepared, ready to learn, and willing to participate.  The more they contribute the more they will get out of class.  Questions are encouraged.

Students are expected to behave respectfully in the classroom toward their teachers and fellow students.  Disruptive behavior will result in disciplinary action such as verbal warnings, written assignments, or a meeting with the Religious Education Coordinator.  Parents will be notified of disruptive behavior.  In extreme cases where behavior is repeatedly unacceptable or severely inappropriate, a meeting with the parents will be held.

Attendance Policy 

Please ensure that your child regularly attends classes, arrives on time and remains until class is dismissed.  Students are expected to attend classes weekly, committing the time to learn their faith. Family obligations, vacations, or illnesses are to be expected during the school year.  Please send a note with your child explaining the absence.  Ask your child's teacher for make-up work.  Too many absences may result in repeating the school year.

Special Needs

St. Christopher’s has limited space for special needs students who are taught by a certified special education teacher. Please contact the Coordinator of Religious Education to determine if your child would benefit from this class.

Pick-up/Drop-off

All children must be picked-up inside the building by their parents. Please pick up your children through the back doors of the hall, using the rear parking lot. If you wish to have another adult pick-up your child please send a note.  This is necessary to ensure the safety of our children.   

Inclement Weather

To find the latest information regarding the cancellation of any classes and or scheduled meetings, please check the parish website at www.stchristopherski.org  or call the Religious Education Office at  410-643-8489.

Allergies & Treatments   

Please inform us of any allergies that your child may have on the registration form.

Students are not required to give any kind of gifts to any teachers/aides however may do so if they wish. Classroom gift exchanges are left to the teacher's discretion.

Dress Code

Students are expected to dress appropriately for Sunday School.  Torn or ripped clothing, exposed midriff, low cut blouses, mini-skirts, and bare feet are not permitted.   

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