1. I’ve never taught my child before. Can I handle it? Yes. The process to help your child learn their faith is easy by using the Faith and Life Series by Ignatius Press. You will receive a textbook and an activity book for your child. You and your child should read and practice the activities together. Then, you will also receive a handy guide, that will give you additional ideas, and things you can say, to help your child learn each lesson. Keep in mind that the material you and your child will be working on is Elementary-school level material.
2.What does the tuition go to pay? Each child’s books, along with the Family Guide, cost nearly $40. Your tuition costs help to run a dynamic program that teaches hundreds of students about our Catholic faith. Staffing, office supplies and necessary technological upgrades are supported by your tuition as well. If Fr. Maurer had his way, everyone would work for free, but in order to run a program with over 1000 students, we must have a paid and competent staff on hand. Guest presenters at the conferences must be compensated for their time. The Religious Ed programs are not money-makers for the parish, so support by the parish is necessary.
3. When are the conferences? Those conferences give the Religious Education Program the opportunity to ensure that you are receiving the tools you need to continue educating your child. It also gives our Catechists an opportunity to, first, review and grade your child’s activity book, and second, hammer home any lessons previously learned within a brief conference setting. Conferences are held 3 times per academic year, which is much easier than attending 30 class sessions as those in the Classroom Program must do.
4. Does the Home Study Program really save time? Yes. Not only will you save time traveling to and from Religious Ed each week, you’ll also be able to complete the Home Study work at a time convenient to you. You will probably quickly notice that you are saving at least an hour each week, and your child will learn the material easier because there won’t be as many distractions.
5. Are there final exams for those in the Home Study Program? No. Your child takes enough tests in school, so we’ve eliminated final exams in the Home Study Program.
6. How does the Religious Ed office know if a child is lagging, or if a child is cheating? The Conferences that you and your child will attend (3 times per year), will give allow a catechist to look at your child’s workbook. That will show if your child is keeping up. If a child is cheating, we trust that either the parent or child will eventually let us know, and the issue will be resolved.
7. What if a child is unable to continue the Home Study Program? The child will be transferred into the classroom program.
8. Will a child that is in the Home Study Program receive Sacraments sooner? Children in the Home Study Program will receive Sacraments at the same time as children in the formal classroom program, which for the Sacrament of Confirmation, based on consistent Mass attendance may be 2 years sooner.
9. I’m worried that my child won’t continue learning after receiving Confirmation, what can I do? Your child is welcome to continue coming to the Junior High School experience. Those sessions are held during the school year on Sunday evenings at the parish hall.
10. What if I can’t make one of the workshops? If you’re going to be away one of the weekends that we’re holding the workshops, you’ll have another chance to attend the session. The workshops will be held on Sunday of one weekend, and Saturday of the next weekend, so if you’re away for one of those weekends, you’ll still have a chance to attend on another weekend. Sorry, no makeups will be available.
11. Is my child required to attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation? It is recommended that we all attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation once per month as Catholics. Students in grades 3-6 will be given a "Reconciliation Card" in their packets and will have to attend confession at any time during the year. The sacrament is offered after each Mass.