Welcome to St. Francis Xavier P arish R eligious E ducation P rogram Religious Ed for Elementary Grades 1 thru 5 (Includes Sacramental Preparation) (Note…If your child is above the 5 th grade, is baptized, but has not yet made their First Holy Communion, please see RCIA on our parish website at ) Class meets Wednesday’s 3:45-5:00 P.M. in the Lower School Building Additional Meeting days apply to those making their Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. All families are encouraged to attend our 10:30 A.M. Family Mass on Sundays where your child can participate in our Children’s Liturgy of the Word program.

Dear Parents, Congratulations in taking this important step with your child in their faith formation! We are so glad you are here and excited for the opportunity to get to know you and your child. Some of you may be enrolling your child because they are at the age to prepare for First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion (Eucharist), and we are very happy that your child is joining us…. However religious education (faith formation) is so much more than preparation for sacraments….

It is an amazing opportunity to share our catholic faith… …to help children understand “Jesus, the person” and that Jesus loves them, no matter what. However, for faith formation to be successful, it requires the commitment of parents as well as catechists. We believe it is within the Christian family that children are taught to know and worship God and to love their neighbor. Our teachers strive to support the faith life of families, knowing that it is in the home that faith blossoms and is nourished. Because faith is more “caught” than “taught,” family involvement is essential to the success of our program.

Note: Religious Grade level standards are set by the Los Angeles Archdiocese. At age appropriate times students are introduced to the truths of our faith woven into the Creed; the sacramental life of the Church; life in Christ; and prayer.

Catechists (religious education leaders) focus on six main tasks of Catechesis: Knowledge of Faith through Scripture and Tradition Knowledge of the meaning of the liturgy (The Mass) and the sacraments. Promote a moral formation in Jesus Christ – to live the commandments and the spirit of the Beatitudes. Prayer Life Community Life – What is happening in our parish. Promotes a missionary spirit – teaches children to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through simple acts of love and caring.

Children LEARN about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith through scripture and catholic traditions

We recognize the Bible as the story of God’s people. (Moses and the burning bush.)

We practice finding passages in the Bible. …and talk about the difference between the Old and New Testament. The Old Testament lays the foundation for, and was meant to prepare the Israelites for, the coming of the Messiah who would sacrifice Himself for the sins of the whole world. The New Testament shares the life of Jesus Christ

We talk about the differences between Gospels and Parables. Gospel - true event that happened in ministry of Jesus. Parables – stories Jesus used to teach lessons within the gospels. For example…to paraphrase the parable, the mustard seed is an incredibly small seed yet it grows into a huge plant. The word of God is like a Mustard seed, it starts out a small word, that grows into a larger faith. Learning through scripture and tradition.

Jesus loved to teach using stories! The reason for Teaching With Stories (Mark 4:33,34) Jesus used stories when he spoke to the people. In fact he did not tell them anything without using stories. So God’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said: “I will use stories to speak my message and to explain things that have been hidden since the creation of the world”. Learning through scripture and tradition.

We connect scripture stories to life issues. Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:21-22 Learning through scripture and tradition.

Children learn about the life of Jesus and what he has sacrificed for us.

We encourage children to use the Bible as a source for daily prayer.

We refer to the Liturgical Calendar, the Seasons of the Church Year, their meanings and their colors... LITURGICAL CALENDAR Just as a typical calendar has four seasons, twelve months, fifty-two weeks, and 365 days that include holidays, solemn days, commemorative days, and days that are just "average," the Liturgical Year Calendar of the Church uses similar terms and measurements. The Liturgical Year is also marked by special seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, The Triduum or Three Days, Easter, and Ordinary Time. The Liturgical Year begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which usually occurs around the beginning of December or the end of November, and ends on the feast of Christ the King.

. We celebrate the season of Advent – concluding with a Christmas Prayer Service.

During Lent, we prepare for the passion, death and resurrection, which is the source of our salvation. At the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, we gather for a short family prayer service in church.

Each Wednesday during lent (immediately following class) families are invited to gather in church with us for Stations of the Cross at 5:15 P.M., followed by soup supper at 5:30 P.M. in Cabrini Hall.

Palm Sun. is the start of Holy Week. It signifies when Jesus arrives into Jerusalem. Crowds of people gathered in the streets waiving palm branches to welcome Him. The cross on the buns represent the crucifixion of Jesus. Good Friday - remembrance of Jesus' death on the cross Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil – a time for unbaptized adults to enter the faith. Holy Thursday– Remembers the last supper. Holy Week

We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday together as a parish family at Mass.

Children celebrate our faith by learning about and participating in the liturgy (the Mass) …

…and experience prayer as listening and talking to God.

We learn our prayers… Sign of the CrossHail Mary Morning Prayer Glory BeAct of Contrition Grace before/after meals Our FatherThe Apostles CreedEvening Prayer We pray together at Mass, with our class, with our family, and by ourselves. Our children in the 3-5 th grade class also actively participate in the planning of prayer services.

Baptism Children Recognize the Sacraments as special signs of God’s Love. Freed from sin and given grace.

Children understand Reconciliation as forgiveness and healing. Sacrament of Healing: Reconciliation Children Recognize the Sacraments as special signs of God’s Love.

Sacrament of Healing: Anointing the Sick Children Recognize the Sacraments as special signs of God’s Love.

Recognizes the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Children Recognize the Sacraments as special signs of God’s Love. First Holy Communion

Sacrament of Confirmation (full initiation into the church) typically made in the 9 th & 10 th Grades Children Recognize the Sacraments as special signs of God’s Love.

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony Children Recognize the Sacraments as special signs of God’s Love.

Sacrament of Holy Orders Children Recognize the Sacraments as special signs of God’s Love.

Children learn about the ten Commandments and the spirit of the Beatitudes. We teach children to follow Jesus’ example by being loving, kind, forgiving, and helpful at home, school, Church, and in the community. Explaining that one’s actions have consequences. Morality/Social Justice The Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes help explain God's will to us. The 10 commandments are laws handed down to the Israelites by God through the prophet Moses. When Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, he gave us the eight Beatitudes

Children learn to take care of God’s creation… Social Justice

Margaret Aylward Center, Pico Rivera (Our own Sr. Vickey organizing the canned food). Through our prayer services children donate canned goods and unwrapped toys to the poor. …and understand ways in which individuals are called to be in God’s service. Other activities include letters to the elderly and discussing ways to take care of our earth thru recycling and conserving water/energy. Families, please refer to our parish calendar for Sandwich making Sundays (sandwiches donated to Burbank Temporary Aid Center).

Christian Faith and Practice “Preach the gospel everyday; if necessary, use words.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector - Luke 19 We describe Jesus as the model of forgiveness, And talk about the ways the Church tries to do the things Jesus did. We Teach our children to live our faith by giving witness to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ through words and deeds.

We teach about saints… Saints show us how to follow Jesus. St. Francis XavierSt. Elizebeth SetenSt. AnthonySt. Christopher

We recognize Mary as the Mother of Jesus

We appreciate the Holy Spirit as helper and guide in making good choices.

Parents, Your child is important to us. We love them and we love to teach them. So much so that our teachers do this for free. But you are just as loved and important to us. We are here to support you as being the primary educators in your child’s religious life. Please do not hesitate to call or visit with any questions concerning our program or class materials. God Bless

Peac e