As We Begin…

By Rita Murdock

Dear Parents,

I remember how “busy” I was raising my children. Pressure to provide and support opportunities for success in the world can overwhelm our primary responsibility to prepare our children and families for “life everlasting”. We were created by and for God. Please take time now to set your priorities. Nothing is more important than providing the spiritual foundation for the soul that lives forever!

You are the primary educators of your children. The job of a religious education teacher is to help with the spiritual foundation so that these children:

1. be good disciples of Christ;

2. understand the faith of their Baptism in the Catholic Church; and

3. make this faith their own.

Children learn what is important by watching us. We want our children to be holy faithful adult Catholics. Our example of time spent in:

1. fervent sacramental life: Sunday Mass

      attendance and regular reception of the

      sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confession;

2. regular family and private prayer: a morning offering, angel prayer Hail Mary, and evening Our Father and Act of Contrition;

3. Study and review of instruction: Holy Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, lives of the saints, parish education programs for

      children and adults;

4. Private devotion: time before Our Lord in the      

      Adoration Chapel and church, the rosary and

      stations of the cross are essential.

Basic truths and prayers of our faith should be memorized. These are the foundation of life and joy in the Catholic Church. Together we learn about our wonderful Catholic faith, evangelizing the world, one soul at a time, fulfilling the purpose for which we exist: to know, love, and serve God on this earth so that we can be happy with Him in heaven

forever.

You are encouraged to pray in the adoration chapel during classes. Ask to attend class with your child and always seek clarification of any issues. Please pray for us in our work too. Remember also this is the Year of the Priest. Special graces are given to those who pray for our priests. But most important, our priests need our prayer, support, and acknowledgement. Without priests, there are no sacraments. Thank you.