Religious Education

We offer the following classes for the school year 2011 to 2012:

•  Kinder/grade 1 (3 to 6 year olds)

•  First Communion (second graders)

•  Grade 3 and 4 (combined class)

•  Grade 4 and 5 (combined class)

•  Grade 6, 7 and 8 (combined class)

enrollment form 2011-2012 as doc-File:

RE calendar 2011-2012 as PDF:

Please drop by the parish office for more information on our religious education program. Some frequently-asked questions are answered below.

CONSIDER JOINING THE RE TEAM. We are always looking for new members who can help us with teaching or who can lend a hand with administrative tasks. Do consider this ministry as a means of thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed on you and as a unique opportunity to deepen your faith. If you are interested, please contact the parish office.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:

.....provides opportunities that enrich mind, body and spirit. We call upon members of the STM Parish, as well as guests outside the Parish, to share their knowledge, skills and talent with the larger STM community. Adult religious education provides opportunities for adults to experience all aspects of growth and development and leads them to appreciate the many gifts God has given them. Events are held on several Sunday mornings throughout the year.  Additional information on these events can be found in our Sunday bulletin. Please contact Father Stephen.

(please scroll down and have a look at some pictures)

Frequently asked questions:

• What is the religious education program?

The Religious Education Program consists of a series of Sunday morning classes taught by church volunteers. Each class lasts an hour, from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. on Sunday morning. Classes are taught in English and the curriculum is based on books approved by the parish priest. Lessons are supplemented by activities that are appropriate to the children's age.

• What costs are involved in enrolling in religious education?

On an exceptional basis, € 50 per child is charged for students of First Communion. A higher fee is required to cover additional books and materials for this sacramental class. Certain expenses relating to candles and photography for First Holy Communion may be incurred in May 2012.

• How can I support the religious education program?

The best way to support the program is by volunteering to be a catechist, assistant teacher or substitute teacher. If you cannot serve as a catechist, assistant catechist or substitute, you can also support the religious education program by volunteering to prepare the classrooms before Mass (e.g., turning the heaters on during the winter), cleaning up after class, or helping us during special occasions (preparing for the Nativity play or the Stations of the Cross).

• What is involved in being a catechist?

Being a catechist means being the lead teacher of the class. This involves a few hours of preparing for each class, preparing the classroom before Mass, teaching the class after Mass, and cleaning up afterwards. Catechists teaching younger children will be given an assistant teacher. On the days when a catechist anticipates that he or she cannot teach, he or she must request in advance that the DREs find a substitute for him or her.

• What does an assistant teacher do?

An assistant teacher steps in when the catechist is unable to teach, assists the catechist during the class, especially with crafts, and attends to the children's other needs (especially going to the toilet) so that the catechist can focus on teaching.

• What is the role of a substitute?

A substitute fills in for a catechist when the catechist in unavailable.