Parent Handbook

2018 – 2019 Catechetical Year

Parent Handbook

+ Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church St. Bartholomew Catholic Church 252 Granada Avenue Long Beach, California 90803 252 Granada Ave  562.438.3826 Fax 562.438.2227 Long Beach, CA 90803 www.stbartholomewcclb.org Phone: 562-438-3826

Director of Faith Formation Dear Parents, Kellie De Leo Email: [email protected] Congratulations on carrying out the gift of faith sharing with your child(ren). This gift you promised to them on the day you Middle/High School/Youth Ministry Coordinator brought them to the Church for the Sacrament of Baptism. Steve Tetreault We pray that you will continue to be the best of teachers of Email: [email protected] the Catholic Faith, for and with your child. It is a privilege for Faith Formation Assistant all of us here at St. Bartholomew Catholic Community to be Louis Lemen part of your faith sharing. We thank you for your trust and Email: [email protected] love in what we do. May the celebration of the Eucharist each th Sunday, strengthen you and your family as we pray and 4 Street Faith Formation Bldg. worship our God with the community of faith. (Only call this number during Faith Formation times. Phone is not monitored other times.) In your daily prayer, remember our catechist as they, like you, 562-433-3970 share in the formation of your child(ren) bringing them up in Masses: Saturday 5:00 pm the Catholic faith. Sunday 8:00 am Through the intercession of Mary our Blessed Mother and St. 9:30 am Bartholomew our patron saint, may God bless you and your 11:00 am family. 12:30 pm 5:30 pm

Sincerely, Weekday 8:00 am

Holy Days Eve 7:00 pm Day 8:00 am Father Michael Reardon, Pastor 12:15 pm 7:00 pm

Confessions: Saturday 3:45 pm – 4:45pm First Fridays of the month after 8:00 am Mass Or call the Parish Office for an appointment PARENT PARTICIPATION PHILOSOPHY As parents or guardians, you are expected to be actively Faith Formation is a lifelong journey toward intimacy with God. It is involved in your child’s faith formation. That you have chosen an ongoing process to develop a living, active, conscious faith, not to enroll them in a faith formation program demonstrates the just for an individual but for our families and community as well. As importance you place on their faith formation. We our faith becomes living, active and conscious, we are brought to a understand and appreciate the responsibility you have oneness with God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the entrusted to us. Remember though, we only have your child fullness of the Holy Spirit. for seventy-five minutes and can only provide a basic foundation on which you can build and expand upon. Faith is multifaceted involving

our head with truth and facts,

our heart with trust and love,

and our hands and feet

with our actions of care and service to others

GOALS Formation of your child’s faith began when you brought your child to be baptized. At that time, you promised to nourish and guide your child in the Catholic Faith. This faith formation is rooted in The most valuable gift you can give your child is both the your home and family life. In the National Catechetical Directory easiest and most important; weekly Mass attendance. Our our Bishops say, “Parents are the first and primary religious liturgical celebrations have great educational and formative educators for the children”. Therefore, we want to encourage you value and the graces bestowed cannot be duplicated in a to remain active in your child’s faith formation by enabling you to: classroom. Liturgy, from the Greek, literally means, “the work  help your child develop a living, growing faith that of the people”. According to the Catechism of the Catholic permeates daily life; Church, “The liturgy is…the privileged place for catechizing  foster a clear sense of Catholic identity with an the People of God. Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the appreciation of Catholic beliefs, values, prayers and whole of liturgical and sacramental activity” (CCC, 1075). practices; The Second Vatican Council states that the Eucharistic  incorporate our Catholic Christian traditions to life celebration is the “source and summit” of Christian life. experiences; Everything we do as Catholic Christians stems from our  open your child to God’s Word and respond willingly to greatest communal prayer, the Mass. His call as revealed in their life and our tradition.

Another area requiring your involvement is family prayer. PROGRAM INFORMATION Please share with and teach your child the prayers every REGISTRATION Catholic should know ie: Registration is held in the spring. Registration forms will Sign of the Cross be either mailed our handed out to your child for you to fill Our Father out. Registrations can be turned back in either in person or by mailing them back to us. Please return back to us Hail Mary asap. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for Glory Be the year. Act of Contrition TUITION There are many wonderful devotionals available and if you Tuition mainly defrays, but does not cover, the cost of want any copies, please feel free to call the Faith classroom materials, reference materials, audio-visuals, Formation office and ask. retreats, utilities, insurance and catechist in-services and workshops. We are generously supported and PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH supplemented by St. Bartholomew parishioners as a Precepts are principles or expectations. The purpose of the precepts of the church is to assist the faith community whole. in understanding what a minimum participation would be SCHEDULE for one to be considered an active member of the Catholic Pre-k & K meet Sundays from 9:30 – 10:30am in the Faith Faith. This indispensable minimum is a must so that we Formation Office are able to grow in our love of God and neighbor. The precepts of the Church are: 1st – 5th Grade grades meet Mondays from 3:45 – 5:00 pm or Thursday’s from 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm at the 4th Street 1) Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Formation Bldg. Until construction is completed we will Obligation. (This involves refraining from work or meet in the parish hall. activities that hinder the worship due to God.) Edge - 6th 7th & 8th grades meet the 1st & 3rd Tuesday’s of 2) Receive Communion at least once a year during the month from 6:30 – 8:30pm at the 4th Street Formation Easter Season. (Ideally, Catholics should receive Bldg. Until construction is completed we will meet in the Communion each time they attend Mass.) parish hall.

3) Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least COMMUNICATION once a year. Please read any letters or flyers that are mailed, e-mailed, (Look for the dates of the Parish Penance Services texted or sent home with your child. offered during Advent and Lent) We have update our website more user friendly so you will 4) Remember to fast and abstain from meat on days be able to have all information regarding faith formation at specified by the liturgical calendar (usually Fridays your fingertips. They are working on it. I am hoping it will during Lent). not be much longer. Another way we will communicate is through our Facebook page. Please go to St. BartholomewLB and like us and you will be connected to what is happening. Catechists will send information on what they have covered in adventure! You can access resources at http://www.smp.org/. their session via e-mail. The addresses and e-mails of our families shall be strictly confidential and used only for official CHILD SAFETY For your child' safety, please be aware that the Director and any faith formation business. volunteer with the faith formation program are mandated Parents are always welcome and encourag ed to speak with reporters of child abuse and harassment. We are required, by their child’s catechists. If a lengthy meeting is required, please law, to report any instance of abuse to the proper authorities. make an appointment at the Faith Formation Office: (562) 438-3826 To ensure all children are safe, no children will be released without a parent, or designated adult. If you would like to meet with the Director other than when classes are in session, please feel free to call the office MASS SERVERS number shown above and set a time that is convenient for you Any boy or girl who is in the 5th grade or above and has already to meet made their first communion are encouraged to become Mass Servers. A firm commitment must be made by the child and the STUDENT INSURANCE family to follow through on this vital service to our parish Children are insured in case of injury while attending faith community. If your child feels called to be an altar server, formation sessions and any related activities. This insurance please contact: Deacon Miguel and Sonia Torrado (707) 322- is included in the registration fee. 4120. CURRICULUM PROPERTY AND FACILITIES Our faith formation programs provide a gradual faith formation Each child is responsible for equipment and supplies he/she through the lessons shared week to week. These lessons receives and uses. If damage occurs, parents will be asked to build upon levels of understanding which, over time, provide pay for repairs or replacement. an ongoing presentation of our Catholic faith. This foundation will help guide your child in his/her life-long journey of faith. LOST AND FOUND Presently, for first, fourth and fifth grades we are using the Books, articles of clothing, backpacks, and any other personal Alive in Christ by Our Sunday Visitor. Alive in Christ features a items left in the rooms, the catechist will place the item on their unique spiral scope and sequence based on seven essential shelf and hold it to give to the child the following week. Please doctrinal themes. Age-appropriate content for each theme is have your child check with their catechist if he/she has lost presented at every grade level as the child grows and anything. develops. There is online support and review for parents at http://aliveinchrist.osv.com.

For those preparing for first communion, our second and third graders will be using the Go, Seek, Find, Discover God’s Treasure by St. Mary’s Press. This one-of-a-kind sacrament prep program will help children discover how preparing for the sacraments is an exciting PROGRAM DIRECTIVES CLASS ABSENCES Our catechists give generously of their time and talents BRINGING CHILDREN TO FAITH FORMATION to prepare for their classes and to share their Catholic Early Childhood (Sunday preschool sessions): Please sign your faith with your child. Each class is a building block child in and out on the sheets provided. designed to create the foundation for future faith Elementary Faith Formation: (Monday sessions): Children may formation. In order for our philosophy and goals to be begin arriving 15 minutes prior to class time. Please do not realized, children must attend classes on a regular drop your child off across the street from the Faith Formation basis. Bldg on Fourth Street or Tremont Avenue. Do not double-park Only five (5) absences are allowed during the year. on Fourth Street, LBPD will ticket you. When driving onto the Youth Center parking lot, please enter from Tremont Avenue If special circumstances occur, please contact the office. and exit onto Fourth Street (right turn only). Parking in the lot will be for our volunteer catechists only. Do not park in the TARDINESS / LEAVING EARLY driveway as it blocks other parents coming through. If a child is late or leaves early, it is very disruptive to the catechist and the entire class. A cohesive PICKING CHILDREN UP FROM FAITH FORMATION presentation of the lesson can only be made if the child Early Childhood (Sunday preschool sessions): Please sign your is present for the entire session. child out on the sheets provided. If your child needs to leave early, the adult picking Please pick your child up promptly. Remember, everyone him/her up must come into the office to have the wants to get home when sessions are finished! If there is an appropriate form filled out for the catechist prior to the emergency situation and/or you are going to be late (stuck in session beginning. Only the Director will get the child traffic), please call the Director as soon as possible. out of class. This will help us keep our classroom Catechists will bring all children to the front of the faith formation records organized and accurate. building for dismissal. Children will only be released when they VISITORS see a parent or designated adult. Children are welcome to have a friend attend class with Never have children run across Fourth St. or Tremont Ave. to them. For our records, we ask that you fill out a visitor be picked up and please do not double park on Fourth or in our admittance form. As the parent or guardian, you are one way driveway. (enter via Tremont exit onto Fourth) invited to sit in on your child’s class at anytime. Children will not be allowed to walk home from the Parish Hall. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES A current Major Disaster form must be on file for every If someone else is authorized to pick up your child, (carpool, family in participating in faith formation. Because we are babysitter, etc.) please let the Director know so that your child responsible for the safety and well being of your children will be released to the responsible adult. Children cannot walk while they are attending our program, we ask for your home alone. cooperation in filling out this form. Children cannot be admitted into class until we have the form returned. A child who is asked repeatedly to stop inappropriate Earthquake and fire drills will be conducted during the behavior and disregards a catechist’s request will be asked year to ensure children familiarity with proper emergency to leave the session and report to the Director. The action. Director will speak both to the child and the catechist and decide whether to send the child back to their session or

keep him/her in the office until dismissal. Depending on the

behavior, the Director will decide whether to call the parent at this time or allow the child to demonstrate improved behavior and apologize to the catechist.

If a child does not improve his/her behavior, then the REFRESHMENTS Director will call the parent and take appropriate action. Refreshments are not typically part of the session. However, Catechists will also sometimes bring snacks to SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION their class on a celebratory occasion or as positive The sacramental process is an important part of faith behavior reinforcement. formation and the life of the entire church community. Jesus gave us the Sacraments as signs of grace that are BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES experiences when we know, love and serve the Lord. The following guidelines are based upon pastoral needs and concerns for the individual child, the family of the There are three types of sacraments: child and the well being of the faith formation community. These guidelines allow for community building as well as  Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation faith formation. Child and family cooperation is essential.  Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick  Commitment: Marriage, Holy Orders Child cooperation includes, but is not limited to;  active listening to the catechist Preparation for the Sacraments are offered to families who  following instructions have a firm commitment to continuous religious practice  having a respectful attitude toward everyone and formation. Receiving a Sacrament should never be present. seen as a “graduation” from faith formation. Rather, they are milestones on the lifelong journey of faith. Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to;  disrupting class INITIATION  interrupting the catechist A child who has not been baptized or who has been  speaking out of turn baptized but is in the 3rd grade or above and not received  being rude Reconciliation or Eucharist must go through the initiation  standing or walking around room when it is time to process. The child will attend one full year of faith be seated formation at his/her grade level and in the second year  or misusing another’s property. attend initiation sessions with his/her parent(s). This is in addition to attending regular classes.

RECONCILIATION VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES This process is offered to a family after a child has completed Except for the Director, the Faith Formation program is one full year of religious education. Children are usually at made up of volunteers who fulfill a variety of needs: nd the 2 grade level. Preparation for the sacrament is done at  CATECHIST: The greatest involvement home with the family. Parents are asked to attend four (4) is becoming a catechist. There is always parent meetings to receive and share information and a need for responsible, confirmed adults materials necessary to make the process successful. to answer the call of the Holy Spirit and share their faith with the young people of EUCHARIST our parish community. Training is offered This process is offered to a family after a child has completed at the parish, Regional and Archdiocesan two full years of faith formation. Children are usually at the levels. 2nd grade level. Preparation for the sacrament is done in class and at home with the family. Parents are asked to  AIDE: The aide position is open to high school students on up and is someone attend one (1) parent meetings to receive and share who is available to help out in the information and materials necessary to make the process classroom with whatever activities are successful and 4 parent/candidate work sessions. needed by the catechist. CONFIRMATION  CLERICAL: The Director does not have This process for is for high school students and is comprised any support staff at this time and so of a discernment year and sacrament preparation year. It is could use help periodically throughout modeled after small church communities where groups of 8- the year for such items as large mailings, 10 candidates meet together for discussion. Topics of bulletin announcements, supplies, etc. discussion are aimed at getting the candidates to think about and apply their faith to their everyday lives as mandated by the Archdiocesan guidelines. Service projects are required for our candidates and their sponsors. Candidates attend a retreat each year and participate in special liturgical rites in accordance with their preparation for reception of the sacrament. Catholic high schools do not prepare students for this sacrament. Their preparation is the responsibility of their home parish as mandated by the Archdiocesan guidelines.

Opportunities for Adult Faith Formation: Family and God Connections Faith Comes Alive - Beginning in October, every second By: Pam Hurwitz Tuesday of the month, we will be bringing in speakers to talk To Begin the Day: Prayer Spot – about our faith. You are encouraged to attend at least two or three of them for your own spiritual needs. I know all of us would love to pray with our children to start each school day – but somehow life can get in the way. And before Welcome Back Catholics – In November and during Lent you know it the children are jumping out of the car and we are we will be welcoming back any returning Catholics. This will plunging into our day without our eyes on Him. run for six weeks. This give those returning to ask …How about choosing a “prayer spot” somewhere between your questions, and help them feel welcome and comfortable home and school that you pass daily. Could be a certain tree, a returning back to the Catholic faith. building, sign, etc. that you pass each and every day. Let the kids decide what this landmark will be and have them remind you Bible Studies: We two different bible Studies. 50+ each time you pass by the “spot” that it is time to pray. This will Thursday morning which meets every other Thursday be your spot for the year. Each day as you pass by – start with “in morning from 8:30 am and Wednesday Night which meets the name of the Father, it will not be long for this to be part of every other Wednesday from 6:30 pm – 8 pm. your routine – and the kids will be looking out for the spot. Use those prayer moments to pray for things for the upcoming day, Intergenerational & Informal Faith Formation pray for teachers and friend, people that are sick, suffering, etc….Put Jesus at the start of your day! Opportunities: End of day wrap-up: A Rose and a Thorn – October 4, 2018 - Blessing of the Pets in front of the church Each person shares one thing that went well that day (their at 6:30 pm. rose) and a struggle from the day (their thorn). This reminds our children that both perspectives make up our daily life. And – children November 4, 2018 - All Saints Day Celebration by the way – scientists speculate that roses have thorns to are invited to come dressed as their favorite Saint at the 9:30 protect them from harm. This reminds us also to be very am Mass. After, there will be crafts and games in the hall. careful with those we love. December 15, 2018 - Night in Bethlehem – A way for families to find the true meaning of the season. Dinner and Night time Blessing – activities. The day is done and our bodies begin to slowly wind down. This time for children is very important. Reading in bed with – A way for families to April 6, 2009 - Lenten Family Activity them, snuggling close, creates family intimacy – that can fill have an on-hands experience journeying to the Cross. the void of connection – from the whirlwind day. Our parental touch is a strong sensation that we can couple with a blessing. To end the day with a parent’s hands over a child’s small head praying them to sleep is a gift we can pass on to our children, and then their children, etc… Decide on a tradition to end your day that incorporates intimacy and blessing. Maybe it is a recited prayer or a few words (sleep tonight with the angels, etc. ….)

Family and God Connections - continued Add to Your Routine: Sabbath, Even God Rested! Ten Good Reasons to Stay Six days of creating the earth and then God took intentional time to rest. Involved in your Parish We need to actually plan “rest time” into our family calendars as well. Unplanned – (but very planned) time together. Pope Francis encourages

families to “waste time together”. Time to laugh, to linger, to pause, to 1. You will make friends with people who share reflect. We need it and so do our children. If we model it they will see it your values. as important. Try being in the same space together, without having something to do. Just be present to each other without thinking about the 2. You are putting yourself in the pathway of next thing you have to do. Read books, listen to music, play board grace. games, etc. Write it down, clear the time and be “off” together. 3. You will have a community to help Family Mantra – you counter a powerful temptation of What is something you would like your children to be reminded of each our society: extreme individualism. day. Let that be your mantra for the upcoming year. As they walk out the front door, the car door, etc.. leave them with a few words that ring in 4. It is a way to welcome God into your daily their head (even if only for a few short seconds). I remember when my living. son was in high school – I talked to him about the fact that God sees all – that he could hide from me, but never from God. There is a passage 5. At Mass you receive the Body and Blood of in Galatians that speaks : “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked” Christ. These were my parting words to him as a high school sophomore remind him that God sees, and God knows. Maybe it is: What would 6. Your parish is a place where forgiveness Jesus Do? Be what you want to attract in life; forgive often; seek justice, happens. love mercy, walk humbly with your God, You are the most valuable thing in my life. Please take care of yourself when you are not with me. 7. You wouldn’t starve your body, why would Speak Virtue – you starve your soul? It is who our children are, not what they do that should always be our focus as parents. Noticing kindness, compassion, humility, patience in 8. You desire a grown-up faith. our children is to notice God in them. Personality is divine! Claim God’s presence and notice it. Our children are more than good soccer players 9. You can do a world of good with your fellow and students, they are made in the image and likeness of their creator. parishioners. His fingerprints are all over them.

Celebrating Sunday – Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ – 10. Our Church is a storehouse of 2000 years of Come be on Jesus’ Team wisdom. Every family in the program will receive Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families. We encourage you to keep this in your car. On the way to church look at the reflection, and then discuss with the family the “On the Way to Mass” question. Then after Mass on the way home discuss the “On the Way Home From Mass” question. Post some of the points of your discussion on the St. BartholomewLB page. This will give you an opportunity for you to learn and be witnesses from each other.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COORPERATION AS WE CONTINUE OUR FAITH JOURNEY TOGETHER.

Family Prayer

Heavenly Father, Lord of Love, With the help of your grace, we commit ourselves to a life of holiness: to living out our baptismal promises by following your will every day, practicing forgiveness, and loving you, ourselves, and one another.

Help us to trust in your gift of the Holy Spirit, to rely on his help, to and follow him even when we feel sick, tired, or overwhelmed.

We entrust ourselves to you and to one another: Our lives, our dignity, our fears, our dreams, and our hopes. In all that we are and do, may we be more like your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God.

We commit ourselves to make the Word of God a living part of our home by reading the Scriptures together as a family, treating each other with dignity and respect, and keeping the name of Jesus on our lips and in our hearts. Amen.