Religious Education Info
By Mike Lambrecht
Well, it’s getting to be that time of year again when the stores will soon be putting their school supplies on sale. As such, I thought it would be a good time to write this week’s article about our upcoming CCD School Year.
As you know, CCD at Saint Therese is for all children of parishioners who are not enrolled in the Newman Catholic School system and who are in grades 1-9. We also have an optional (and free) Kindergarten program which begins each January.
Registration is necessary for all students and will take place in the church basement after all Masses on Sundays August 8th and 15th. Please mark your calendars. Additionally, I will be in my office on Tuesdays, August 10th and 17th from Noon-8 pm. If you are unable to make these registration times, please give me a call in the R.E. Office to schedule an alternate time.
The fees for CCD are important as they are used to purchase the necessary materials for the program throughout the school year. The fees will remain the same as last year at $70 for the first child, $60 for the second, and $50 for the third. Any children past the third are free so the maximum family fee is $180 per year. Families are encouraged to pay the fee in full at the time of registration if they are able. If they are unable, payment arrangements can be made. As usual, all families with children attending our program should be registered members of the parish.
I would like to mention some of the biggest changes to this year’s CCD program. First of all, Father Janusz has requested that each class attend Mass together once a month on Sunday. As such, you will find a schedule of the Masses for each grade in the R.E. Handbook that you will each receive at registration. These Masses will be treated as classes for the purpose of attendance. Therefore, if your child will not be able to attend, you will need to call the R.E. Office to let us know why.
Secondly, due to the feedback that I have received over the last year, I have decided to move the class time back to 6:30-7:45 regardless of whether or not it is a Mass night. Because of the shortened class times, it is especially important that students arrive on time each evening.
Lastly, this year’s classes will begin on September 8th. However, instead of beginning with a Mass, parents and students will meet in the church. The students will be dismissed by class to go to their rooms with their catechists while the parents will remain behind for a mandatory informational meeting. This will give parents an opportunity to ask any questions they may have as well as give me an opportunity to go over our religious education policies and procedures.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 359-9006. Thank you.