St. John the Baptist Parish

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

FAMILY HANDBOOK

2020-2021 Religious Education Office 130 West LaSalle Street Somonauk, IL 60552 815-498-2627 (RE Office) 815-498-2010 (Main Office)

Pastor: Rev. Father Butler Coordinator of Religious Education: Ms. Judy Kreczmer E-Mail: [email protected] R.E. Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Lisa Short E-Mail: [email protected] www.stjbsom.org 20 Divine Mercy Chaplet (Grade 7 and above) Parents are the primary educators How to recite the Chaplet (on ordinary rosary beads). On the large bead before each decade: of faith to their families. Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our Our mission is to support and equip parents sins and those of the whole world. as well as provide an education in the Catholic On the 10 small beads of each decade: faith that inspires our youth to grow closer to For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy of us and on the whole world. God through prayer, faith, and service. Concluding Doxology: (after five decades)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Three times)

Come Holy Spirit (Grade 7 and above) Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the

fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And

You shall renew the face of the earth.

Jesus said, O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the "I give you a new commandment: faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and Love one another. ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

As I have loved you, Morning Offering (Grade 7 and above) you should love one another. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, This is how all will know works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of that you are my disciples: the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your if you have love for one another." Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion (Jn 13:34-35) of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all members of the Apostleship of Prayer, in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. Amen.

2 19 Act of Faith COVID SAFETY GUIDELINES O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine The safety of children and RE families is of the utmost concern to us, so we are adding the following guidelines until we are notified that it is Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son no longer a safety issue. became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the 1. All students and guests in the building will wear face coverings and keep social distancing recommendations and use hand living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy sanitizer upon entering the Parish Center. Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are 2. For safe social distancing and traffic flow, everyone will enter our eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In building from the east side door facing the church and depart through the front door facing LaSalle Street. this faith I intend to live and die. Amen. 3. All students will meet in the Parish Center main room with their class social distancing. Aides will direct the students. 4. If anyone in your family is sick (fever, cough, sore throat) or shows Act of Hope signs of this illness, then all family members should stay home as O Lord God, well. 5. No food is allowed. You may provide bottled water only for your I hope by your grace for the pardon own children. No sharing is allowed. The water fountains will not of all my sins be used. and after life here to gain eternal happiness 6. No sharing of writing tools or paper materials in classes. Each student will receive or bring their own materials for class each because you have promised it week. who are infinitely powerful, faithful, kind, 7. A reusable, fabric mask will be provided for each student the first day, which will go home each week to be laundered and brought and merciful. back to the next class to use again. You may also provide your own face covering. In this hope I intend to live and die. 8. Classrooms will be sanitized before and after RE classes. Amen. PARISH INFORMATION MASS TIMES: Act of Love Saturday: 5:00pm O Lord God, I love you above all things Sunday: 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am and I love my neighbor for your sake Weekdays: 8:00am because you are the highest, infinite and perfect RECONCILIATION TIMES: Tuesday: 6:00-6:45pm good, worthy of all my love. Thursday: 6:00-6:45pm In this love I intend to live and die. Saturday: 11:00am Amen. Confession also available by appointment. Contact the Parish Office at 815-498-2010 to schedule.

18 3 PARISH MEMBERSHIP Apostles’ Creed (Grade 5 and above)

Families should be registered in our parish for your children to I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, participate in our Religious Education Program. and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the

Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was REGISTRATION crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third

Registration for all grades will be held in the Summer. day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will TUITION come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the

Tuition is charged so that we can cover the expenses of our Religious holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, Education program. Tuition fees are: the Resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. 1 Child: $90

2 Children: $150 Angelus (Grade 6 and above) 3 Children: $200 The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 4 Children and more: $250 maximum fee And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

PAYMENT OF FEES Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother

of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Fees are due by September 20, 2020. In circumstances of true need, please contact the R.E. Director or Father Butler. (All information of this matter will be kept strictly confidential.) Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

CLASS SCHEDULE Hail Mary… Classes meet beginning in September and continue through the first And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. week of May. Due to Covid, the calendar is subject to change. A Hail Mary... complete calendar of classes is available on our parish website. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Pre-School through Grade 7 meet on Sunday mornings from 9:15 -

10:45 am. in the Parish Center. “Enrollment” for First Communicants is February 21 at the 11:00am Mass. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that

we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by Confirmation (Grades 8 and 9) classes are offered on Wednesdays the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to from 7:00pm-8:45pm. Confirmation Formation is a 2 year program. the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Attendance at Sunday Mass is expected. Parent Session is September 16 at 7:00pm. “Enrollment” is October 18th at the 11:00am Mass. Amen. 4 17 Adult Classes will also be offered on Sundays during RE and on Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus) (Grade 4 and above) Wednesdays, focusing on topics of interest to the participants. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name CURRICULUM of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. We have established grade level achievement benchmarks by which we measure the progress of the children through the R.E. Program. These guidelines mirror those established by the diocese and are important to ensure your child's continuing education in our Faith. The Lamb of God (Angus Dei) (Grade 4 and above) program has been formulated to build upon the concepts and prayers Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. learned in prior years. Continual practice and repetition, both at home and in the classroom is crucial to build a solid understanding of the Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Catholic Faith. Our publisher is Our Sunday Visitor for Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grades 6 and 7. Our publisher is St. Mary’s Press Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace. for Grades 1-5 and uses “Discover”. Empowering God’s Children, a program that teach Safe Environment for children, is taught at each grade level. Parents will have an opportunity to opt-out of the Hail, Holy Queen (Grade 4 and above) Empowering God’s Children lessons.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our Pre-School: hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do • Prayer: Sign of the Cross we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. • Knows that prayer is talking to God and listening to Him. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward • Experiences God's goodness in creation. us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your • Develops a sense of the sacred. womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for • Learns God’s love for us and how we are to love each other us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Kindergarten:

• Prayers: Sign of the Cross, Glory Be, Angel of God • Experiences God's love in persons, places, and things

around them.

• Understands that sin is making wrong choices.

Grade 1:

• Prayers: Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Grace before and after meals • Knows how to pray in their own words. • Knows basics of Jesus and Mary’s lives.

16 5 • Knows church posture and behavior. Hail Mary (Grade 1 & Grade 3 and above) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Grade 2: Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, • Prayers: Act of Contrition and Grace before and after Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, meals now and at the hour of our death. Amen. • Knows the mechanics of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and therefore has general knowledge of the commandments and examination of conscience. Our Father (Lord’s Prayer) (Grade 1 and above) • Knows the mechanics of the Sacrament of the Eucharist Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; and therefore has general knowledge of the Mass. thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Grade 3: Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, • Prayers: Hail Mary and all prayers for grades K-2 but deliver us from evil. Amen. • Understands the Creed and Blessed Mother’s Role in the Church. • Understands the Communion of Saints and knows the story Grace Before Meals (Grade 1 and above) of Jesus through the mysteries of the Rosary. Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive

from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Grade 4:

• Prayers: Nicene Creed; Holy, Holy, Holy; Lamb of God; Hail Holy Queen Grace After Meals (Grade 1 and above) • Knows that God is revealed through Scripture and We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest Tradition. and reignest world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful • Knows the Commandments. departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. • General recognition of the Beatitudes (must memorize at least one). • Participates in Stations of the Cross. Act of Contrition (Grade 2 and above) Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my Grade 5: sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they • Prayers: Apostles’ Creed, Rosary, Angelus, Memorare offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Your grace to confess my sins, to do • Knows 4 types of prayer: Adoration, Thanksgiving, Contrition and Petition. penance, and to amend my life. Amen. • Knows the parts of the Mass and its mechanics.

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• Review classroom materials and homework. In the event of an • Knows the Sacraments, the signs of them and who can absence please notify the office and review the missed material administer them. prior to the next session. • Knows the Holy Days of Obligation and the seasons of the • Participate fully in the life of our parish community through worship liturgical year. and service.

• Review any rules or procedures that the catechist has made known Grade 6: to their class. • Prayers: Memorare, Angelus, Act of Faith, Hope, and Love • Evaluate your commitment to this ministry and seek ways that you can become involved. • Knows the Bible Timeline and basic Old and New Testament Bible stories and characters: Adam & Eve, Cain • Support this ministry with personal prayer and volunteering. & Abel, Noah & the Ark, Abraham & Isaac, Jacob & Esau, • Our Sunday Visitor and St. Mary’s Press offer at home resources Joseph & his brothers, David & Goliath, Solomon, Elijah, for parents. For Our Sunday Visitor, go to aliveinchrist.com Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. (student and family tab) for more information. For St. Mary’s Press, contact the RE Office for grade level specific Home Guides. Grade 7:

• Prayer: Divine Mercy, Come Holy Spirit, Morning Offering Parents: please practice these prayers with your children at home. • Knows the life, teachings, parables and miracles of Jesus.

• Knows the precepts of the Church. The Sign of the Cross (PreK, Kind. & Grade 1 and above) • Knows corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. • Review the Commandments & Beatitudes.

• Understands Immaculate Conception, Annunciation and Glory Be to the Father (Doxology) (Kind. & Grade 1 and above) Assumption Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Grades 8 & 9: Amen. • Review the basics of Church doctrine. • Knows the four marks of the church. Guardian Angel Prayer (Kind. and above) • Knows highlights of church history from Pentecost to present. Angel of God, my guardian dear • Knows the general structure, who's who and mission of the To Whom His love commits me here. Church. Ever this day be at my side. • Knows what it means to be a Catholic and identifies more To light and guard, with the Church and its practices. To rule and guide. Amen • Develops a deeper understanding of what it means to be a disciple / follower of Jesus.

14 7 • Becomes more familiar with Jesus in the Gospels and New SUMMER PROGRAMS Testament. • Knows and understands the Catholic stance on moral Vacation Bible School is a one week Summer Program each year, issues including abortion, death penalty, mercy killing, usually in June. Pre-School through 5th grade meet during the day sexuality, war, gambling, drugs, alcohol. from 9am-12pm. Grades 6-12 students can be Group Leaders and • Understands the process of making a moral decision. Assistants. This is a great way to spend a week in the summer! Fun, exciting, and a chance to grow in your relationship with God! • Can define: conscience, informed conscience, sin,

reconciliation, morality and the stages of moral development. Camp WOW is a five day, four night Catholic summer camp for grades 6th-8th held at Dickson Valley Camp in Newark, IL. Camp activities • Has memorized the basis or standards of morality found in include swimming, canoeing, prayer, bible study, campfire, indoor gym the Commandments and the sermon on the mount. and climbing wall, worship, sports, music, skits, and more! High school students also have the opportunity to apply to be a camp counselor. More information and registration are usually available in SACRAMENT PREPARATIONS late fall / early winter. Your child will be prepared for 3 sacraments throughout his/her participation in our program: First Reconciliation, Steubenville Youth Conference is a three day, two night Catholic First Eucharist, and Confirmation. youth conference held throughout the summer at multiple locations. Our parish usually attends one of the conferences in July. This transformational weekend equips and inspires teens to become First Reconciliation is received normally in January of Grade 2. There disciples through dynamic speakers, praise and worship, large and is an assumption made that families enrolled in the sacramental small group sessions, Adoration, Mass and more! Information and preparation are attending Mass weekly. The requirements are: registration is typically available in the winter. • A desire to receive the Sacrament. • At least 1 1/2 years of Religious Education. (For most children, that MASS ATTENDANCE they attended Grade 1 in an R.E. program or in a Catholic School. The Sunday liturgy is the focal point of who we are as Catholics. The • Knows right from wrong (what a sin is). Second Vatican Council calls the Eucharist the “source and summit” of our faith. It is very important that we take seriously our obligation and • Admits he/she has sinned (done wrong). privilege as Catholics of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. While we teach our children about our faith in the • Is sorry and asks the Lord for forgiveness. classroom, it is critical that it is also modeled in our families by our • Knows the mechanics (how to go to Reconciliation). active participation in the Mass. • Knows the basic prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Act of Contrition). PARENTS, please: • Knows the basic laws of Jesus: Love God; Love one another. • Take your family to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation • Has been baptized • Take time to share with your children the need to be respectful, Preparation begins in the Fall and consists of classroom discussion of attentive and cooperative. the commandments and examination of conscience, introduction and practice of the Act of Contrition, videos describing the mechanics of • Make every effort to have them attend sessions promptly and receiving the Sacrament., and a parent session with our Pastor and faithfully. CRE.

8 13 CELL PHONE POLICY First Holy Eucharist is received normally at the beginning of May of Grade 2. There is an assumption made that Use of cell phones are not permitted during class time. If a student is families enrolled in the sacramental preparation are found using a cell phone, the catechist will take it and give it back at the attending Mass weekly. The requirements are: end of class. The second time, the student’s parents will need to come in and pick up the cell phone from the RE office. • A desire to receive the Sacrament. • Knows that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood, Soul DRESS CODE and Divinity of Jesus at Mass. To best ensure a positive learning environment and in keeping with our • Knows who Jesus is (basic life and teachings). Catholic faith, students should be dressed modestly when they come to • Knows how to receive Communion. class. Shoes or sandals are to be worn at all times. Short shorts, low cut tops, spaghetti straps, bare midriffs, shirts with inappropriate • Has been baptized and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. pictures or language, etc. are not appropriate. • Has attended R.E. classes or Catholic school.

Preparation begins following First Reconciliation and consists of VISITORS IN THE BUILDING classroom discussions of the history, parts of and mechanics of the Mass, videos regarding the Mass, a tour of our church and a parent While you are invited to see your child’s class, we do need all visitors to session with our Pastor and CRE. come to the office first. This includes adults, older siblings not registered in the RE program, and friends. This is for safety as we always need to know who is in the building and to ensure we are following social distancing guidelines. Confirmation is celebrated in the Fall after preparation classes are completed. There is an assumption made that families enrolled in the OTHER ACTIVITIES sacramental preparation are attending Mass weekly. In addition to the formal classroom instruction, we currently offer other The requirements are: programs and activities for the children enrolled in the R.E. Program to help inspire and interest them in various aspects of our faith. These • Desire to receive the Sacrament. activities may include: • Attended R.E. classes or Catholic High school for 2 years. • Youth Mass, once per month • Knows the facts of the faith (Sacraments, Commandments, • Communal Penance Service during Advent & Lent Prayers, Liturgical Seasons, Holy days of Obligation, etc.) • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament • Has been baptized and received Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. • Lenten Stations of the Cross • Shows good faith by doing service activities. • Christmas Caroling • Choose a sponsor and a Confirmation name. • Marian Devotions • Writes a “Letter of Intent” to the Pastor. • Priest Visitations These sessions consist of review of the faith, study of the gifts and fruits • Tour of the church of the Holy Spirit, practice in applying their faith in their daily lives and how this Sacrament is the beginning of a new relationship with our Lord • Perfect Attendance Awards Jesus. Students also attend a retreat before receiving Confirmation. • Corpus Christi Procession

12 9 ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE FROM SESSIONS Church website. In cases of closings due to inclement weather, R.E. will not be held when classes are cancelled for Somonauk School Students should not arrive more than 7 minutes before class District. begins. Enter the building at the side door facing the church. We simply do not have the staff to supervise children dropped off earlier. Please be on time to pick up your students .

STUDENT RULES OF CONDUCT

To ensure the safety of your children, the following guidelines have been established: YOUR CHILD is expected to: Pre-School, Kindergarten , Grade 1 & 2: An aide will escort students to their classroom. Upon conclusion of class, the catechist or aide will • Come to each session with an open and positive attitude. escort students from their classroom to the main room and a parent or • Cooperate with the catechist in order to maintain a Christian older sibling should escort the student out of the building. Your child atmosphere of mutual respect. will not be dismissed without an accompanying adult or older sibling. • Participate fully and appropriately in class activities. • Be sure to treat the property of others with respect. Grades 3-7: Parents should see that their children enter the building. • Be sure to give parents any information distributed by the catechist.

Dismissal - Students should exit the building through the front door Catechists will explain any specific rules and expectations for facing LaSalle Street. classroom conduct at the beginning of the school year.

DRIVE CAREFULLY! EXAMPLES of unacceptable behavior: • Failure to follow classroom/program rules. TARDINESS and ABSENCES • Roughhousing • Bullying including cyber bullying It is important that all students arrive at the scheduled class time and Any action disruptive to the classroom teaching process. are escorted from the building promptly following class. Habitual • tardiness will be reported to the office and parents will be contacted to resolve the difficulty. TO REMEDY any of the above situations the following may be used:

• A warning will be given to the student. Please report all absences to the Religious Education office at (815) 498-2627 prior to the class. If you are unable to reach a staff • Student will be sent to the office. member and a message must be left, please be sure to identify the student, the grade and the reason for the absence in your message. • Catechists will call the parent. • Set up a Parent meeting with Catechist and DRE. EMERGENCY CLOSURES • Invite the Parent to attend a class with student. In the event of an emergency closure, parents will be notified by email or text no later than 8:00am on Sundays and 6:00pm on Wednesdays. Closure information will also be on the St. John the Baptist

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