• 2011-2012 Calendar for Religious Education Program Grades 1-8
• Grade-Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning
• Opportunities to Partner with the Traditional Religious Education Program

The Religious Education Program is for students in Grades 1-8 and meets in the classrooms of the Frawley Building. In this program students in grades 1-5 are introduced to the traditions and rituals of our Catholic faith through the sharing of the Scriptures, group prayer, crafts, songs, and other creative activities.

Students in grades 6-8 delve deeper into six specific topic areas of our faith in order to discover what it means to live as a “Catholic” in today’s world.

Grades 1-5 have the option of meeting on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 11 am or Wednesday afternoons from 4 to 5:15 pm. Grades 6-8 meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30 pm.

Students who enroll in our Religious Education Program Grades 1-8 or in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program also receive formation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation at the appropriate age and readiness. The formation for all sacraments includes students and their parents in a multi-generational setting which fosters prayer, formation, and service throughout their preparation process.

Parental involvement is key to the success of this program.

For more information call the Religious Education Office at 708-383-4185 or reled@stgilesparish.org.

2011-2012 Calendar in Adobe Reader (pdf - 160 KB)

See How to Participate in our Faith & Family Liturgy

• 1st Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 42 KB) - Document
• 2nd Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 40 KB) - Document
• 3rd Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 36 KB) - Document
• 4th Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 37 KB) - Document
• 5th Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 38 KB) - Document
• 6th Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 52 KB) - Document
• 7th Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 52 KB) - Document
• 8th Grade - Level Curriculum - Lesson Planning in Adobe Reader (pdf - 63 KB) - Document

PARENTS & PARISH PARTNERING TO HAND ON THE FAITH

The understanding of partnership is vital to the success of “HANDING ON THE FAITH” to the next generation of Catholic Christians. Parents have the MOST influence with regards to their child’s overall education and faith development.

The parish of St Giles provides four distinct programs to assist parents in handing on the faith to their children. While these programs provide a systematic structure of sharing our Catholic faith and traditions, it is the parents who have the greater opportunity to assist their child in living their Catholic faith in the everyday events that families live.

It is not enough to simply drop your child off for Religious Education class each week. You have the added responsibility of mentoring your child in living the faith.

Your active partnering with the Religious Education programs as a parent volunteer is one way in which you the parent may mentor your child in living the faith.

Regularly participating in mass and in the sacraments is another valuable way of mentoring your child in the faith.

If your faith is incorporated into your everyday life then faith will become an important part of your child’s life as well. Our Religious Education pages provides parents with many ways to become active partners with St. Giles parish in order to “hand on the faith”. Each family is to choose one area in which they are able to commit their time, and talent for the coming program year.

PARTNERS IN HANDING ON THE FAITH

Coordinators are in need of committee members to assist them with the tasks described. If the coordinator role is too overwhelming, join one of the committees as a volunteer worker!!!

IMPORTANT: * DENOTES THIS POSITION IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE PARENT COORDINATING BOARD.

R.E. CATECHIST

No teaching experience required as teaching materials and lesson guides will be provided. Each class is equipped with two adult catechists and will also have two junior high school student aides plus a volunteer classroom craft parent. R.E. volunteer catechists are to attend a classroom management and a lesson planning workshops. Participation in continuing adult formation events held in the parish are strongly encouraged. Background check required.

R.E. SUBSTITUTE CATECHIST

Again, no teaching experience is required as lesson plans will be provided. R.E. substitute catechists attend a classroom management workshop and are required to complete a background check. They too are encouraged to participate in continuing adult formation opportunities offered in the parish.

R.E. CLASSROOM AIDE

Given the rate in which our program is growing each family is asked to sign up as a classroom aide for one session during the fall semester and one session during the spring semester to assist the volunteer catechist in the classroom. The children benefit from having more than one adult in the class with them to aide in the lessons presented. NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED ONLY YOUR WILLINGESS TO HELP IN THE CLASSROOM.

R.E. CRAFT COORDINATOR

Adult volunteers who enjoy working with craft projects and have some time to assist catechists with the development and procurement of materials for various crafts that will enhance the lessons presented throughout the year. COMMITTEE MEMBER.

* SERVICE PROJECT COORDINATOR

This volunteer will work with the parish CRE and a committee of volunteer parents on creating a variety of service opportunities for the RE program students & their families to participate in during the year. The goal is to complete two to three projects during the year that will provide catechists, students, and families to put into action the components of faith they are learning. COMMITTEE MEMBER.

* PARISH CHILDREN’S CHOIR COORDINATOR

Works with the parish’s Director of Music and Liturgy in the organizing the Religious Education children’s choir members, and communicating with parents of these members.

* SCOUT COORDINATOR

Works with the parish’s CRE in identifying Religious Education students who are also members of the Boy’s or Girl Scout Programs, communicates parish Scouting events to families, assists with the parish Scout Sunday Mass & Brunch.

* HOSPITALITY COORDINATOR

Organizes parent volunteers for the various hospitality events that occur within the RE program and parish event that Religious Education programs partake in throughout the program year. COMMITTEE MEMBER - Provides baked goods or procures food, beverages, paper products as needed for various events throughout the program year.

* R.E. FAMILY EVENTS COORDINATOR

Organizes parent volunteers for the annual Lenten Soup Supper hosted by the Religious Education programs, the January Celebrate Religious Education event, and the annual Ice Cream Social which follows our Year End Mass. COMMITTEE MEMBER.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Volunteer parents who will visit R.E. classrooms on a regular basis and also Religious Education & Sacrament events in order to chronicle the year on film. Images will be forwarded to our parish webmaster for posting on our parish website.

CALLIGRAPHERS / ARTISTS / MUSICIANS

Volunteer parents share their talents with the Religious Education office by assisting with Sacrament celebrations and program special events.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION BOARD

The board’s main function is to assist the CRE with continued growth of the current Religious Education programs and to develop new elements or programs to fit the needs of the parish families they serve. This board also works with the CRE to create a welcoming and supportive environment throughout all of the Religious Education programs as a means of partnering with parents in handing on the faith to their children.

* PARENT COORDINATING BOARD

This board assists the Religious Education program by organizing and activating the various parent volunteers. This board consults with the parish’s CRE to coordinate upcoming events and needs and communicates that information to the corresponding volunteer committee in order to have events planned and volunteers prepared and in place for a successful event.

OFFICE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer parents who assist with various tasks in the Religious Education office during the week and/or during Religious Education class times.