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Ascension
Religious Education is an important part of the ministry of the
Word here at Ascension. We are a dedicated group of catechists,
aides, registrars, class mothers, and others, who are committed
to bringing the Good News of Jesus to our young people. For many
years our work was carried on under the title of Confraternity
of Christian Doctrine (C.C.D), but we now use the more familiar
term, Religious Education.
We
offer religious education sessions for children in grades 1-9
who attend public or non-Catholic private schools (Pre-K and
Kindergarten groups are also available on an optional basis).
Grades 1 through 6 meet for weekly sessions, late September
through mid-May, with a choice of either Sunday mornings or
Tuesdays after school. Seventh and eighth graders meet twice a
month on Monday evenings. The ninth grade Confirmation program
meets on Wednesday evenings. Students generally prepare for the
sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in second grade, and
for the sacrament of Confirmation in ninth grade. However, to be
eligible to prepare for these sacraments students must have
completed all prior grades of religious education from first
grade on, or an equivalent make-up program.
Our
sessions are led by catechists. We call them catechists rather
than teachers, because they do more than just teach about faith,
they catechize. This means they try to help their groups learn
to live their faith, by praying, by recognizing the importance
of worship and by putting love of God and neighbor into practice
in their daily lives. This is a far different activity than
asking children to memorize answers from a catechism, as was
done thirty or more years ago. Although we do ask children to
memorize certain basics, such as prayers, the Law of Love and
the Commandments, much more time is spent reading and talking in
a more relaxed fashion about Bible stories, the sacraments, the
church, morality, and how these things can help us to find
happiness in our everyday lives as God intends.
Consider
helping as one of the over 60 volunteers who keep our program
going as catechists, aides or other helpers. If you have a child
in public school who will be entering grade K or lor who has not
previously attended, call the office for information about
registration (836- 3085) .
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