Grades 1-6

Curriculum:
Workbook series: Alive in Christ (Our Sunday Visitor) All grade 1-6 programs will be using the series “Alive in Christ”. This series provides a spiraled approach for children to learn their Catholic faith. The truths of our faith are taught each year with new information added as they grow and mature so the children become familiar with doctrine, scripture, and liturgical year celebrations.
  We believe that parents foster faith at home through prayer and scripture, as well as participation in Saturday/Sunday Mass. Parents and children attend our Sunday session together.
This family-centered model of faith formation incorporates both home study and community meetings at St. Catharine. Our Sunday family groups attend either the 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. Mass on seven pre-scheduled Sundays during the year. We will then meet for an hour in the Holmes Rec Building immediately following the Mass where we explore different aspects of our Catholic faith. At home, parents will work with their children using their Alive in Christ workbook and complete a short online quiz at the end of the unit.

Monthly Session Sign-up:
We will send a sign-up a few weeks prior to the session each month for the two Mass times. This helps us to prepare ahead for the class size. Advance planning of attendance is crucial for us to plan our program successfully. Please see session dates listed below.

Attendance:
Class attendance requires active participation and cooperative behavior; body and soul should be present.
Let us be brave and reach an understanding with all of our coaches, directors, dance teachers, and tutors that faith formation is integral to the development of our children.
Monthly attendance is mandatory. Absenteeism, tardiness, and early dismissals have a negative impact on overall class learning. We ask that you consider your family’s schedule before registering for this program.
If you miss a session you will have an alternate assignment that will need to be completed before the next group meeting. If a family attends fewer than five sessions, the Religious Education requirement for the year will be considered not met, and the child may have to complete extra assignments or repeat the grade level.

Hours & Schedule:
Please note: The first meeting in September will be a special teaching Mass, and therefore the times for this one month will be different. This will include a book pickup and treat immediately following the teaching Mass.
September 11, 2022: 1:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. (sign up will go out in August for this first meeting).

For all other months: Families will attend either the 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. Mass and meeting immediately following the Mass on the following dates:
October 9, 2022: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  or 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
November 6, 2022: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  or 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
December 11, 2022:  10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  or 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
January 8, 2023:  10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  or 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
February 12, 2023:  10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  or 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
March 12, 2023:  10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  or 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  Our Monday classroom model-based program is weekly, in-person learning.
Catechists and students will gather weekly during the school year to learn and explore different faith themes using our Alive in Christ workbooks and related activities.

Hours & Requirements
This program requires a weekly time commitment. Classes will meet from 3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on most Mondays from September until April.  

Attendance:
Class attendance requires active participation and cooperative classroom behavior; body and soul should be present.
Let us be brave and reach an understanding with all of our coaches, directors, dance teachers, and tutors that faith formation is integral to the development of our children.
Regular class attendance is mandatory. Absenteeism, tardiness, and early dismissals have a negative impact on overall class learning, particularly in a small group setting. We ask that you consider your family’s schedule before registering for this program.
If your child is sick please notify the Religious Education Office (201-444-5690) before 3:00 p.m. or via email on class days. If your child misses a class, parents are asked to do the lesson the children missed at home. If a child is absent more than four times during the year, the Religious Education requirement for the year will be considered not met and the child may be required to complete extra assignments before moving to the next grade or repeat the grade level

Homework:
Typically there is no homework assigned. For those interested in additional enrichment or information please refer to the “Family + Faith.” section at the end of each lesson. It summarizes what your child learned and gives ideas on how you can reinforce this material. There is also a website: www.aliveinchrist.osv.com/family where there are activities you can do with your children.

Snack: There will be no snack during Religious Education. Please give your child a snack before coming to class. Thank you for your cooperation.
  This program is shared with another local parish. We have partnered with Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood to offer a summer religious education program for children who will be in grades 1-6 during the school year.

The Summer Religious Education program takes place shortly after the school year ends. Children register for the grade they are entering in the fall. The Summer Religious Ed program, combined with 3-4 school year gatherings, fulfills a child’s religious education required for the next school year. Opening Prayer, scripture, art, music, daily class lessons, and activities are all part of our summer program.  

Hours & Requirements:  
The beginning of the summer program is dependent upon the end dates of public schools in Glen Rock, Ridgewood, and a few other surrounding towns. The summer program usually takes place on the campus of St. Catharine parish from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Families must be available and agree to attend all 6 to 7 Summer dates for the entire time. Families will be expected to also attend 3-4 school year dates.

Every child must attend all sessions for the full class daily from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. In addition to summer classes there are 3-4 required mini-retreats during the school year. The retreat days during the year typically take place in the fall, Advent, Lent, and final session in the spring. One parent must attend these sessions with the child. If any classes or group sessions are missed, the Religious Education requirement for the year will be considered not met and the child may be required to complete extra assignments before moving to the next grade or repeat the grade level.

Parents of the children who participate in this program must volunteer for 2 full days per child during the 7-9 summer day program. Parents are given choices as to where they would wish to volunteer, but, ultimately, volunteers are placed where they are most needed. All parents are required to complete the Safe Environment/Protecting God’s Children certification. Sessions will be offered at this parish or nearby to accommodate our families.

Registration for the Summer program will be held in February/March. Please look out for registration information to be released in January. Registration is open for only one week and no one will be accepted for the Summer Program after the final registration date.