ST. BRIGID

CHURCH

PROGRAMS

OF

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

2012-2013

Catechetical Sunday 2012

Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization"−2012 Theme This

year, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 16, 2012, and will

focus on the theme "Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization."

Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to

be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to

reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith

and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to

rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

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Mission of St. BrigidMission of St. Brigid

Department of Religious EducationDepartment of Religious Education

The primary focus of the Religious Education Program at St. Brigid Church is the enrichment of faith for not only our children but for young adults, seniors and families. With varied programs such as Sunday School, Youth Group, RCIA, Family Liturgies and parish events and activities our goal is to meet the understanding of and communication with our loving Lord. Promotion of prayer, community service and family practice of spirituality is emphasized. Combining all of these aspects of faith enables us all to grow in the love of Jesus and practice His teachings.

We extend a warm welcome to all who wish to experience and share the grace of God. We celebrate our parish families, our volunteers and staff who preserve our goals and lead our faith.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Fr. Joseph Bochenek………..….Pastor/Moderator

Bette Brocato.......………..Director of Religious Ed.

Jo Ellen Shorb…........Coordinator of Religious EE

Director of Youth Group

Shannon Rozzi……………….….…..…….Secretary

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RELIGIOUS CURRICULUM

PRE-KINDERGARTEN (3/4 YEAR OLD)

TEXT – DISCOVERING GOD’S WORLD

The Discovering God’s World books are specially designed for pre-school. Each les-son utilizes story and a small activity geared towards tiny hands and big imaginations. Also, there are At Home With Your Family activities that work to reinforce the weekly lesson.

KINDERGARTEN (5 YEAR OLD)

TEXT - THIS IS OUR FAITH

The This is Our Faith kindergarten edition consists of four-page leaflets for each chap-ter. Along with learning about God’s love the children are provided with material to help celebrate the feast and seasons of the year

GRADES ONE THRU SIX - BLEST ARE WE

Blest Are We Catechetical Principle:

Catechesis is an essential moment in the process of evangelization. It is a gradual process through which the catechist leads children to a greater understanding of and identification with the Catholic community. This journey brings the child into communion and intimacy with the living presence of Christ in the believing and worshiping church community.

General Directory for Catechesis 48, 63, 146, 156

GRADE ONE:

God is present in our lives and our community. Blest Are We helps children at this level come to know God as our Father, Son and Holy spirit. Children become aware of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in the Church Community. They learn to praise and thank Him through prayer, song and creative expression.

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GRADE TWO:

We come together to celebrate God’s forgiveness and to be nourished in Christ. Blest Are We encourages children of this age

to enter into the community of the Church to celebrate God in the Word and in the Sac-rament of Communion.

GRADE THREE:

We are called to spread the Good News to others. Blest Are We helps children recog-nize the mission of the Catholic church by giving them the opportunity to learn about their faith and to grow by service to others.

GRADE FOUR:

We are called to live God’s law of love. Jesus teaches us to love, forgive and live in service. Blest Are We outlines God’s laws and His desire for us to imitate Christ. Chil-dren learn that a moral Christian life is one of prayer lived in love and forgiveness guided by the grace of the sacraments.

GRADE FIVE:

Through the sacraments we receive God’s sanctifying grace and are enabled to see Je-sus in others and in ourselves. Blest Are We guides children to an understanding of the gifts of the seven sacraments and the Christian call to live a life of virtue.

UPPER GRADES:

Blest Are We places the Word of God in our children’s lives. It emphasizes Old Testa-ment roots with Bible stories, visuals and background information. These activities and curriculum help the Bible come alive & enable the student to hear the Word and live it.

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

FIRST SEMESTER CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 9 Confirmation meeting – 9:00 am

16 Catechetical Sunday -10:30 am Mass

Registration Fair, Parish Ctr. – 11:30am

23 Session 1

30 Session 2

Feast St. Francis

Blessing of Animals – 1pm

OCTOBER 7 Home Study 1 – All Saints

14 Session 3

Reconciliation Mtg,9:15am

21 Session 4

28 Session 5

31 All Saint’s Mass 4 pm

NOVEMBER 4 Home Study 2 - Giving Thanks

11 Session 6

18 Session 7

25 NO CLASS

THANKSGIVING

DECEMBER 2 Session 8

1st Sunday of Advent

Parish Communion Brunch-11:30

9 Session 9

15 Religious Ed. Party 5-7PM

16 Children’s Christmas Party

23 Home Study 3 – Christmas Gifts

24 Family Christmas Eve Mass 4 PM

30 NO CLASS – Happy New Year

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES SECOND SEMESTER CALENDAR

JANUARY 6 Session 10

Three Kings Celebration

13 Session 11

(1stComm Mtg – 9:15)

20 Home Study 4

27 Session 12

29 Session 13

FEBRUARY 3 Session 14 - Feast of St. Brigid

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

10 Home Study 5 - Lent

17 Session 15

Ashes/Lent

24 Session 16

MARCH 3 Home Study 6 – New Life

10 Session 17

17 Seder Meal 9:30 am (St. Brigid Hall)

24 Palm Sunday

Blessing of Palms 9 am (O’Donnell Sq)

31 NO CLASS - Easter

Mass of New Life 10:30 am

APRIL 7 Session 18

14 Session 19

21 Home Study 6 – Summer Blessings

28 Session 20

MAY 5 NO CLASS First Communion 10:30am

Closing/Awards Celebration 8:30 am

12 May Procession 10 am

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IN JUNE 2013

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SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM SCHEDULE

RECONCILIATION

Text: We Celebrate Reconciliation

Two programs, “The Good Shepherd” and “The Lord Forgives” completely pre-pare students to understand the Sacrament of Reconciliation in terms of their own ex-periences.

Oct. 14 Parent Meeting: History & Theology of Reconciliation, Readiness

Oct. 21 Students presented at 10:30 am Mass

Nov. 4-18 Parent/Child Reviews &

viewing of Confessionals

Advent/Lent Sacramental Reception

EUCHARIST

Text: We Celebrate the Eucharist

This program introduces students to the Eucharist in the context of the Mass. It brings the liturgy to life, and includes Scripture stories for every theme.

Jan. 13 Parent Meeting: History, Theology of

Eucharist, Readiness

Jan. 20 Students presented at 10:30 am Mass

Apr. 14 Banner Kits – Mac Room 9:30 am

May 4 Practice in Church 10 am

May 5 Reception of Sacrament 10:30am mass

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CONFIRMATION

Text: Giver of Life

Gifted with the Spirit provides a comprehensive preparation for the sacrament, as well as, an opportunity for personal reflection and discussions. Other resources will be util-ized.

**Teacher: Charlene McConnell

The Program begins on Friday, September 28th

, 2012 at 6 pm in the Youth Room. This meeting will allow students and teacher to meet, get to know a little about each other, and learn about expectations for the upcoming year. Students will be given a schedule of future classes and events at this meeting. Student

attendance at this meeting is mandatory.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 10 am in St. Casimir’s Church. The parishes of St. Brigid, St. Casimir, Holy Rosary, St. Elizabeth, Our Lady of Pompei and St. Leo will celebrate the sacra-ment together. While each parish is responsible for the religious education and preparation for the sacrament, the actual Celebration of the Sacrament will be held as one, allowing each parish the opportunity to the host in future years.

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THE CATECHISTS PRAYER

Father of all families, you have called me to serve the family in truth and love as a cate-chist. May I be faithful to this call, rooted in your Word, and open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

May I use these gifts, especially the gifts of faith, hope, and love, to serve the family as a witness to you, who are love and life and the source and destiny of all families.

Let your Spirit enlighten my mind and strengthen my heart so that I can be a path of Christ’s love to families, especially those in need, the homebound and aged, the disabled and disheartened.

Through the intercession of Mary and Joseph, I pray for the Church, the Bride of Christ, whose mission to build a civilization of love passes through the family.

Amen.

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A Prayer for Family Commitment

Dear God our Father, you have called all

Christian families to be a sign of your love to the world.

Help us to be generous with the gifts of life and love that you have showered on our

family.

May we share them so that our homes become true signs of unified and fruitful love.

Let us never forget to thank you each day for all that sustains us and to look to Christ,

who comes to us in the events of family life, in the sacraments of the Church, and in

service to the poor.

In all of this, our family becomes a living expression of your Church, a hallowed home of

life and love. By the power of the Holy Spirit,

may all of us—spouses, parents, and children—

share, as members of his Body, in Jesus’ mission

to build a civilization of love.

Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name in union

with the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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St. Brigid Youth GroupSt. Brigid Youth Group

The LITE: LThe LITE: Leadership, IIntegrity, TTeamwork, EExcellence

The St. Brigid youth group, known as the “The LITE”, was founded in February 2004. The LITE seeks to foster an environment where graduates of the Confirmation Program could continue to practice their faith among their peers as well as parishion-ers.

The Youth Group does this by way of retreats and social activities, parish and neighborhood events, fundraisers and community service. Meeting agenda focuses on world and social consciousness and the impact of youth on our society.

Meetings take place on designated Sunday mornings from 10:30 to noon in ac-cordance with the Sunday School schedule. Activities and events are planned and the calendar is updated throughout the year and is available to youth members and their families.

LITE is open to youth from Middle to High school age. Certain activities segre-gate the group by age appropriateness. We welcome all students to spend a Sunday morning with us or join us for a Youth Group Event or activity.

Ø Activities calendar distributed on a monthly basis.

Program Director: Jo Ellen Shorb

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RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

This parish program is provided primarily for adults wishing to enter the Catholic Church. It is also for those who wish to enrich their faith life or have questions regarding change since Vati-can II. Candidates & their sponsors share on a weekly basis with members of the parish com-munity. Classes consist of resource texts, presentation, filmstrips, prayer services & experien-tial discussions geared for growth in faith.

TEXT - WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CATHOLIC by Fr. Joe Champlin

Understanding Catholicism by Fr. John Honner, SJ

PRE-CATECHUMENATE (Inquiry)

October 28

November 4 & 11

RITE OF BECOMING A CATECHUMENATE

Sunday, Dec. 2 - 10:30 am

CATECHUMENATE (Formation)

December 9, 16

Parish Reconciliation Srv.-Dec. 19

January 6, 13, 20, 27

February 3, 10, 17, 24 (Ash Wednesday Feb. 13)

Mar. 3, 10

RITE OF ELECTION

Sunday, Feb. 17th 10:30 am Mass

LENT/ILLUMINATION

Feb. 17th, 23rd, Mar. 3

SCRUNTINIES

Feb. 17th Sun – 10:30 am

Feb. 23rd Sat – 4 pm

Mar. 3rd Sun – 10:30 am

HOLY WEEK

Blessing of Palm - Sunday, Mar. 24th 9:15 am, (O’Donnell Sq.)

Mass of Chrism - Monday, Mar. 25th 7:30 pm (Cathedral)

Parish Rec. Svc.-Wednesday, Mar. 27th 7 pm

Holy Thursday – Svc. Mar. 28st 7 pm

Good Friday – Svc. Mar. 29th 3 pm

Easter Vigil - Saturday, Mar. 30th 7 pm

MYSTAGOGIA (Reflection)

April 7th & 14th

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St. Brigid Sunday School Policies

2012- 2013

REGISTRATION FEE ..............................................$55.00 per family

BOOK FEES (Grades Pre-K to Upper Grades)...........$25.00 per student

SACRAMENTAL FEES (costs of materials):

RECONCILIATION................................................$30.00 per student

EUCHARIST....................................................…....$30.00 per student

CONFIRMATION...................................................$30.00 per student

CLASS TIMES: Sessions are held on Sunday mornings from 9:00am to 10:20 am. This time allows families to attend the 10:30 am Mass.

CHURCH: For those parents who wish their children to attend 10:30am mass but are unable to attend themselves we have a system for teachers to escort and supervise these students to mass. Please see the DRE for arrangements. Your child will be seated at Mass with other stu-dents. You will be expected to pick your child up from Church promptly at 11:30.

TEXTBOOKS: As a general rule, textbooks are to remain in the classrooms. If a parent wishes to work with the child at home for any reason, the parent may consult with the teacher. The parent must see that the books are returned with the child for each class.

SNOW DAYS: The administrative staff will make a decision about school closing on Satur-days before school. Please call the Parish Office at 563-1717 after 6P.M. on Saturday for a re-corded message about closings.

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OPEN HOUSE: Parents are invited to observe their child in the class environment. However, the date must first be arranged with the teacher.

PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS: We encourage parents to communicate with teachers about their children’s progress in class. If a parent would like to meet with a teacher, an appointment may be arranged for before or after class. However for emergency situa-tions, the DRE is available on Sunday from 8:30 to 10:30 AM.

ABSENTEEISM: If you know your child will be absent on Sunday, please call (410) 563-1717 and leave a message. We will call the homes of children who are absent with-out prior notification to insure that all of our children are arriving safely to Sunday school.

DISMISSAL: Children will be dismissed and meet their parent/guardian in the foyer on the first floor by 10:20.

TEACHERS’ IN-SERVICE: Teachers’ meetings will be held during the year. Dates will be announced.

PARENT PARTICIPATION: Throughout this year of the families, we highly encourage parents to participate as often as possible.

ST BRIGID WEB PAGE: Please check the web page (www.saintbrigid-canton.com) for copies of the weekly bulletin, as well as, other useful information. The web page con-tains information on parish activities, organizations and numerous useful and interesting links.

OFFICE HOURS: The Religious Education Office is open by appointment only during the week and on Sundays from 8:30 to 10:30 am. For additional informa-

tion, please call (410) 563-1717.

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TEACHERS /ASSISTANTS

Gail Bochniak 618 S. Belnord Av. 522-2148

Brittney Craig 618 S. Belnord Av. 522-2148

Charlene McConnell 250 S. East Ave 522-6677

Toni Sheridan 7909 Trappe Rd (443) 399-8210

April Thomas 928 S. East Ave 558-1725

Telephone exchanges are (410)

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MEMOS

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A Caring Christian Community

St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church

900 S. East Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21224

410-563-1717

www.saintbrigid-canton.com