Religious Formation Policies And Administrative Regulations
1. Responsibility
The Saint Philip Religious Education Program assumes responsibility for students 15 minutes before the beginning of class and during class. Please be prompt with pick up, as responsibility ends 15 minutes after the end of class. All pick-up and drop-off of students is to be done at the Parish Center. A parent/guardian must physically take their child into the Parish Center and find the student’s teacher (which will be in a designated area by grade) to drop-off and then must come into the Parish Center to pick up their child from their teacher as well. At no time should a parent or child enter or exit a door other than the main doors of the Parish Center, as this poses a safety issue.
2. Attendance
It is the expectation of the Office of Religious Education that every effort is made to attend all scheduled classes and events. If a student must miss a class due to sickness or emergency, parents must call or email the Director’s office prior to class. In the instance of an absence, the student will be responsible for the chapter missed and hand in to his/her teacher the chapter test.
The Saint Philip Religious Education Program assumes responsibility for students 15 minutes before the beginning of class and during class. Please be prompt with pick up, as responsibility ends 15 minutes after the end of class. All pick-up and drop-off of students is to be done at the Parish Center. A parent/guardian must physically take their child into the Parish Center and find the student’s teacher (which will be in a designated area by grade) to drop-off and then must come into the Parish Center to pick up their child from their teacher as well. At no time should a parent or child enter or exit a door other than the main doors of the Parish Center, as this poses a safety issue.
2. Attendance
It is the expectation of the Office of Religious Education that every effort is made to attend all scheduled classes and events. If a student must miss a class due to sickness or emergency, parents must call or email the Director’s office prior to class. In the instance of an absence, the student will be responsible for the chapter missed and hand in to his/her teacher the chapter test.
- If a student misses more than 4 classes, summer school may be required to move on to the next grade level. In an extreme case, the student may be required to repeat the grade.
- Each child who is of age for Religious Education must register and attend each year to maintain sacramental candidacy.
3. Mass Attendance
Participating at Sunday Mass (or Saturday evening Mass) each and every week throughout the year is an awesome privilege and a grave responsibility for every Catholic-Christian.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to His Church. The faithful give witness to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (#2182, Catechism of the Catholic Church).
To be in our Religious Education Program means to commit to the weekly celebration of Holy Mass at Saint Philip’s throughout the year.
4. Assessments
At the end of each year there will be an assessment given to each of the students for grades 3 through 10. These assessments are given to make sure each student has the necessary knowledge to move on to the next grade level. These assessments must be passed in order to move on, this is not only necessary for faith formation, but also because we have a spiral curriculum installed. This means that each year’s religious education builds on the previous year/s. If an assessment is failed, then each student will be allowed to retake it as many times as necessary to pass. The material that the students are required to know for the assessment is clearly stated in this handbook for each grade level.
5. Inclement Weather
Announcements concerning cancellations of classes due to inclement weather or emergencies will be made on the RI Broadcasters, as well as by email, so please be sure that your email information stays up-to-date.
6. Books and Materials
Books and materials will be provided to all students as needed. Please take care of the folders and/or books; if they are lost, the family will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
7. Parental Support for Sacramental Programs
Parents of students preparing to celebrate a sacrament are required to participate in all Parent sessions and shall be involved in preparing their child to celebrate the Sacrament (i.e.- Eucharist, Penance, Confirmation)
8. Food
Gum, food, candy, and soda are NOT TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE BUILDING except during those times when such activities are organized and approved by Director/Catechist. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK in any of the church buildings.
9. Electronics
Students are NOT to bring phones, games, I-Pods, or any type of electronics to class. These are a great disturbance during our short time together and will be taken away. If items are taken, parents will be asked to come in to claim the object.
10. School/Parish Rules
Rules that the public and private schools have for the students in regard to safety and respect for property are to be carried over for Rel. Ed. Classes; please respect our policies and property. If a child destroys or defaces parish or school property, not only will disciplinary action result, but also the cost of replacement or repair will be the responsibility of their parents/guardians.
11. Discipline
Parents/guardians must be the first to foster self-discipline within the child at home. The Religious Education Program provides an environment in which this training can be developed further, enabling all students to have the right to pursue their own religious formation without unnecessary disruption by others. For those students who fail to maintain self-discipline and consequently disrupt the orderly operation of the learning session, appropriate actions shall be taken by catechists and/or Director of Religious Education, in cooperation with parents/guardian to help these students modify their behavior.
12. Payment of Fees
Tuition Cost:
$45.00 per student
$65.00 per student for each Confirmation year (I and II)
Please make checks payable to: Saint Philip Religious Education
***IMPORTANT NOTE:
Money is never a barrier to acceptance of students in our religious education program. If you are a registered member of St. Philip’s and are having difficulty meeting these fees, please contact our Pastor, Fr. Frank or the Director of Religious Education, Dennis Sousa, at 949-0330.
Participating at Sunday Mass (or Saturday evening Mass) each and every week throughout the year is an awesome privilege and a grave responsibility for every Catholic-Christian.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to His Church. The faithful give witness to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (#2182, Catechism of the Catholic Church).
To be in our Religious Education Program means to commit to the weekly celebration of Holy Mass at Saint Philip’s throughout the year.
4. Assessments
At the end of each year there will be an assessment given to each of the students for grades 3 through 10. These assessments are given to make sure each student has the necessary knowledge to move on to the next grade level. These assessments must be passed in order to move on, this is not only necessary for faith formation, but also because we have a spiral curriculum installed. This means that each year’s religious education builds on the previous year/s. If an assessment is failed, then each student will be allowed to retake it as many times as necessary to pass. The material that the students are required to know for the assessment is clearly stated in this handbook for each grade level.
5. Inclement Weather
Announcements concerning cancellations of classes due to inclement weather or emergencies will be made on the RI Broadcasters, as well as by email, so please be sure that your email information stays up-to-date.
6. Books and Materials
Books and materials will be provided to all students as needed. Please take care of the folders and/or books; if they are lost, the family will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
7. Parental Support for Sacramental Programs
Parents of students preparing to celebrate a sacrament are required to participate in all Parent sessions and shall be involved in preparing their child to celebrate the Sacrament (i.e.- Eucharist, Penance, Confirmation)
8. Food
Gum, food, candy, and soda are NOT TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE BUILDING except during those times when such activities are organized and approved by Director/Catechist. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK in any of the church buildings.
9. Electronics
Students are NOT to bring phones, games, I-Pods, or any type of electronics to class. These are a great disturbance during our short time together and will be taken away. If items are taken, parents will be asked to come in to claim the object.
10. School/Parish Rules
Rules that the public and private schools have for the students in regard to safety and respect for property are to be carried over for Rel. Ed. Classes; please respect our policies and property. If a child destroys or defaces parish or school property, not only will disciplinary action result, but also the cost of replacement or repair will be the responsibility of their parents/guardians.
11. Discipline
Parents/guardians must be the first to foster self-discipline within the child at home. The Religious Education Program provides an environment in which this training can be developed further, enabling all students to have the right to pursue their own religious formation without unnecessary disruption by others. For those students who fail to maintain self-discipline and consequently disrupt the orderly operation of the learning session, appropriate actions shall be taken by catechists and/or Director of Religious Education, in cooperation with parents/guardian to help these students modify their behavior.
12. Payment of Fees
Tuition Cost:
$45.00 per student
$65.00 per student for each Confirmation year (I and II)
Please make checks payable to: Saint Philip Religious Education
***IMPORTANT NOTE:
Money is never a barrier to acceptance of students in our religious education program. If you are a registered member of St. Philip’s and are having difficulty meeting these fees, please contact our Pastor, Fr. Frank or the Director of Religious Education, Dennis Sousa, at 949-0330.
Responsibilities of Catholic Parents/Guardians
It is of the utmost importance to remember the sacredness of our parental vocation; our calling from God to raise children who are spiritually, emotionally, and socially healthy responsible Catholics with strong faith.
The home is the center of Christian learning! Parents/guardians are the primary religious educators of their children, which you took on at Baptism. We thank you for allowing us to participate in the formation of your children as Catholic Christians. To be effective in this role, we need your cooperation and help!
We ask that you take an interest in your child’s class work in the following ways:
1. Familiarize yourself with the philosophy, purpose, and goals of St. Philip’s Religious Education Program.
2. Making a priority of attending Mass and religious education classes. The example you set, speaks volumes to your children.
3. Pray and receive the sacraments regularly with your children. It is through the power of prayer and the sacraments that the presence of God is made known in our lives.
4. Foster the development of prayer. Please teach your children the basic Christian Prayers: The sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, the Creeds, and the Act of Contrition. Family observances of the seasons of the Church year; Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost – will make Jesus more alive in your family.
5. Help and supervise the completion and return of take-home religion projects and papers. These provide you with an opportunity to know what your child is studying and will help your child relate this information to the lived Christian life.
6. Communications: Parents are encouraged to develop a familiar relationship with their children’s catechists and Director of Religious Education. Parent letters and notices will be sent home with the children and/or printed in the bulletin. Checking these sources will keep you well informed.
7. Volunteer your services: Our program is completely dependent on the dedicated service of our volunteer catechists. We are always in need of assistance. Training is provided. The experience has been a rewarding and faith-deepening one for many. You can also be of assistance as project helpers, callers, aides, and/or speakers.
8. Continue your own Religious Education: Religious Education is vitally connected to our growth in faith to a personal relationship with Jesus. It is more than the acquisition of knowledge; it is a commitment to live as Jesus did. Continue to learn with your child and you will have fewer problems motivating your child to come to religious education classes. Opportunities for adult religious education classes are offered here through the Office of Religious Education. Don’t hesitate to ask for more information!
The home is the center of Christian learning! Parents/guardians are the primary religious educators of their children, which you took on at Baptism. We thank you for allowing us to participate in the formation of your children as Catholic Christians. To be effective in this role, we need your cooperation and help!
We ask that you take an interest in your child’s class work in the following ways:
1. Familiarize yourself with the philosophy, purpose, and goals of St. Philip’s Religious Education Program.
2. Making a priority of attending Mass and religious education classes. The example you set, speaks volumes to your children.
3. Pray and receive the sacraments regularly with your children. It is through the power of prayer and the sacraments that the presence of God is made known in our lives.
4. Foster the development of prayer. Please teach your children the basic Christian Prayers: The sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, the Creeds, and the Act of Contrition. Family observances of the seasons of the Church year; Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost – will make Jesus more alive in your family.
5. Help and supervise the completion and return of take-home religion projects and papers. These provide you with an opportunity to know what your child is studying and will help your child relate this information to the lived Christian life.
6. Communications: Parents are encouraged to develop a familiar relationship with their children’s catechists and Director of Religious Education. Parent letters and notices will be sent home with the children and/or printed in the bulletin. Checking these sources will keep you well informed.
7. Volunteer your services: Our program is completely dependent on the dedicated service of our volunteer catechists. We are always in need of assistance. Training is provided. The experience has been a rewarding and faith-deepening one for many. You can also be of assistance as project helpers, callers, aides, and/or speakers.
8. Continue your own Religious Education: Religious Education is vitally connected to our growth in faith to a personal relationship with Jesus. It is more than the acquisition of knowledge; it is a commitment to live as Jesus did. Continue to learn with your child and you will have fewer problems motivating your child to come to religious education classes. Opportunities for adult religious education classes are offered here through the Office of Religious Education. Don’t hesitate to ask for more information!
