Religious Education

Mission Statement: we are committed to ensuring that our children can develop a fuller faith life, through our teaching and our example, in coordination with parents. Our goal is for our students to develop a deeper personal spiritual relationship with God.

Parent Responsibilities:

Parents are the primary educators of their children. For our program to be effective, parents must actively participate with catechists.

• Bring your child every week. Be on time and be timely in picking them up.
• Attending mass with your child every week is required. Teach them the order of the mass and encourage their participation.
• Talk with your child about what was discussed in class this week.
• Volunteering in the program is now mandatory. We need one or two parents in every classroom every Sunday.

Catechists Responsibilities:

Catechists follow a calling from God to provide structured teaching in support of the parents’ rising their children in the church.

• Follow an age-appropriate curriculum designed to instill our core beliefs and values as described in the catechism of the Catholic Church.
• Prepare our lessons through prayer, leaving our hearts open to the Holy Spirit.
• Follow the guide provided by Fr. Mike Tobin.
• Prepare class with anticipation.
• Be on time.
• Have communication with the Religious Education Director.

Student Responsibilities:

Luke 10:26-28

Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

As Catholics, we know that the life Jesus is speaking of is eternal. This is what we all want for our children. This one Hebrew law sums up all our expectations of our students.

• Always deport yourself with respect. Respect for our surroundings, respect for fellow students and respect for our teachers.
• Participate in your Catholic education. Ask questions, share ideas and thoughts. Complete your assigned tasks with grace.
• Pray thoughtfully as you open your mind, your heart and your spirit to the teachings of the church.
• Grow your relationship with God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit through the knowledge you acquire from catechists.
• Participate at Mass. The Mass is the greatest gift we have been given by God. There is nowhere we are closer to Him than in Church after receiving the Eucharist.
• Disruptive children won’t be allowed without parents in the classroom.
• The use of cell phones will not be allowed in the classroom.
• Zero tolerance for disrespect to classmates and catechists.
• All children have only 3 opportunities to miss classes and after this they must bring a doctor's note.

Policies for Registration of Sacramental years

This policy applies to minors under 18 years old. If older contact the Parrish Office (502-969-4579) for information on RCIA. Minors on a case-by-case basis may be admitted into the adult RCIA program.

Baptism:

Until age 7, students may be baptized outside of the religious education classes. The parents only must attend pre-baptismal classes with Deacon Aurelio or Deacon Ken Mitchell.

Students in 4th – 12th grade who have not been baptized will be placed in a baptismal preparation class and will be baptized, at the Easter Vigil. The following year, students will join a First Communion preparation class and receive Holy Communion in the spring at one of the Sunday Masses.

First Communion:

Students in 2nd grade who have been baptized will be placed in the first Communion preparation class and receive Holy Communion in the spring.

Students in 2nd – 3rd grade who have not been baptized will be placed in the first communion preparation class and receive Holy Communion in the spring. However, they must be baptized in August or September of this year by Deacon Aurelio Puga. Parents must attend pre-baptismal classes.

Students in 3rd – 5th grade who have not received their first communion will be placed in the regular class corresponding to their grade, however, they will need to attend 6 additional classes from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm to prepare. To receive Holy Communion in the spring.

Students in 6th – 12th grade that have been baptized but have not received First Communion will be placed in the first communion preparation class for Middle and High School students and receive Holy Communion in the Spring.

Confirmation:

Students in 8th – 12th grade who have been baptized and received first communion will be placed in the confirmation preparation class. After grade 12th they must attend RCIA or RCIA in English, which is a program for adults, to receive any of the three sacraments.

Instructions for leaving your children at the Saint Rita School

1. Drop off your children at 8:50 am at the entrance of Santa Rita School.
2. Once at the door please wait for your children to enter school. Doors will open at 8:50 am. And they will close at 9:10 am. Please be punctual.
3. Students will go directly to their seat and wait for class to start.
4. Chairs will not be moved, and students must leave their seats unless escorted by an adult volunteer.
5. Once class is over, students will wait for their parents to pick them up. Students up to 7th grade must wait for their parents and will not be able to go to church alone for their own safety.
6. Make a line to pick up your children, they will leave at 10:45 am.

We all have jobs during the week, and sometimes it's hard to answer. If you need anything please send an email or text and we will respond as soon as possible.