Religious Education

MINISTRIES AND PRAYER GROUPS

Religious Education (K-8)
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Toddler Time

Religious Education / Formation

Elementary School (Kindergarten - 6th grade)
It is through catechesis, (Religious Education) that we continue to grow in our Catholic faith and to allow our children to broaden their faith and knowledge of Jesus. Children, from Kindergarten through 8th grades, are helped to learn about and deepen their Christian faith and identity through initiation rites, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Sacrament of First Eucharist, and instruction and formation of conscience. Furthermore, catechesis is recognizing the contemporary concern for education in morality and values in the teaching of the Catholic faith and parental guidance. Classes are offered weekly during the school year.

Middle School (7th & 8th grade)
The middle school youth ministry experience was created for early adolescents in the 7th and 8th grades. It is designed to meet the educational, spiritual, emotional and social needs of young adolescents. It offers guidance, reassurance, and Jesus’ love, to a group of people who have so many options and choices before them. Children who have completed two consecutive years (with the second year no sooner than the 8th grade) and have met all of the requirements will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the end of the 2nd program year.

The Middle School program meets on Monday nights, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. during the school year.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
The RCIC program is an adaptation for children from the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program. This program is for children who were not baptized Catholic before the age 7, and for those children who are coming from another faith community and would like to be baptized in the Catholic Church. Classes are offered for 2nd grade through 8th grade.

Teaching our children

Classroom Catechist or Leader
Catechists are women and men who have responded to a
ministerial call that includes a willingness to give an hour and a half a week to assist with the faith formation of our parish children. Curriculum, books and supplies are provided for you. Catechists use their talents that will enrich the lives of these public school children every day. Catechists come from many parts of our faith community; there are senior citizens, singles, high school students and parents of children at our parish school who are involved in Catechetical ministry. Most catechists find the experience very enriching and rewarding. The youth are our future - please share your time to enrich their lives.

Classroom Aide
A Classroom Aide is someone who assists our catechists in the classroom with crafts, copying, Bible story readings and many other important tasks. It only requires an hour and a half a week to share with students.

Parents: The Primary Catechists
Parents are truly the primary catechists of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. On Catechetical Sunday, we not only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and schools, but we also commend parents and guardians and encourage them to take seriously their role of making their Catholic households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation. This is why the rite of blessing of catechists used on Catechetical Sunday includes an optional blessing of parents and guardians.

Children's liturgy of the word

The Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.
~from The Constitution On the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium...14

On Sunday's, during the 12:15 p.m. (English) and 2:15 p.m. (Spanish) Masses, we offer Children's Liturgy Of The Word (CLOW). Just before the first reading, the children are excused to gather in one of our meeting rooms, with Catechists and volunteers, to hear the Sunday readings and recite prayers and songs of the faithful. The children receive an age-appropriate message on how the readings apply to them.

Adults and teens are invited to volunteer in this vibrant ministry for our parish children. Training and support will be provided. Contact our Minister of Religious Education, Nancy Gomez, for details.

Matthew 19:14 "But Jesus said, "let the children come to me, and do not hinder them: for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven".

For Information, please contact:
Minister of Religious Education
Nancy Gomez
Phone: 320-5714
religioused@presentationchurch.net

toddler time

We love to have young children enjoy and participate in Sunday Mass, it is their Baptismal right, after all. However, we offer Toddler Time so that you may attend Mass without them. It provides a safe and nurturing environment for children ages 2-4 (must be potty trained) during the 8:45a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses. Parents are required to assist in the program every couple of months and must remain on the campus while their children are in Toddler Time.

Toddler Time for ages 2-4. Children must be potty trained.
Masses: 8:45 am and 10:30 am
Tiempo de Niños para edades 2-4 años de edad, deben ir solos
al baño.
Misa de 8:45 am y 10:30 am.
Please call Nancy Gomez if you require further information.