Remember that FAITH is nurtured in the home.
As a FAMILY, you have a treasure that surpasses all human expectations. That treasure is waiting to be discovered in your own home.
As a CATHOLIC, you possess a treasured heritage that can transform your life into an experience of peace and joy. That treasure, too, is waiting to be discovered in your home!
As a PARENT, (if you embrace your faith and practice it) you have a treasure to share with your children. That treasure is also waiting to be discovered in your home.
May we assist you in that discovery....
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the Religious Education Program of St. Patrick's Parish. We are glad that you and your family are a part of our program. Our RE Program fosters the religious formation of your child(ren) and works to incorporate Catholic Christian values and traditions into the family's daily life. This Catholic education is looked upon as something to be shared and held sacred.
We have an excellent staff here at St. Patrick's, each member holds true to our philosophy of religious formation and are present to work with you in the process of faith development for your child(ren). In order to achieve this we need your help. We must assume you are doing your part in the home to uphold these same ideals and are fulfilling your own Catholic obligations.
Studies have clearly demonstrated the effect of families on faith expression of children. You have no choice about being a teacher or catechist of your child(ren). You are constantly teaching and catechizing, positively or negatively by your attitudes, actions, values, by the way you encourage prayer or not, by your active participation of worship or your lack of it. You have no choice about being a teacher to your children, your only choice is to be a good teacher or a poor one.
This website is intended to serve as a guide for working toward a better union of parents, catechists, and students. With this in mind, it is important that you read from all links on the Religious Education site. It is our hope that this information will help in bringing the Proclamation of the Lord's Word to all the young people entrusted to us. With your cooperation, your child(ren) will experience a meaningful year of Religious Education and grow in the knowledge and love of God.
God Bless!
The Religious Education Staff
St. Patrick's Parish
We offer the following suggestions which are possible, although sometimes difficult in fulfilling your role as the primary educators of your children in their faith development:
Praying DAILY with your children and/or reminding them to pray. Don't forget to use a little time each day for your own growth in the awareness of God and His great love for you!
Participating at Mass faithfully on Sundays and Holy Days.
Preparing for, receiving (when possible) and cherishing the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Keeping the Bible in a special place of honor in your home. Reading and praying Scriptures together regularly. For example, a family prayer time once a week is a good idea. For many, a Sunday morning or evening is an ideal time.
Practicing KINDNESS and FIDELITY so that the children can absorb the reality of God's love by experiencing the faithful love of parents for each other and the tenderness of parents for their children. They will also learn the healing power of God's love as they experience forgiveness for faults and in turn learn how to forgive others.
Promoting an environment of REVERENCE and RESPECT so that the children can appreciate the importance of right relationships between God and the human person, among family members, neighbors, and all created things.
If any parent would like to help with publicity for Religious Education (taking pictures for the bulletin, writing an article or two for the parish newsletter...) or if you would like to help in any other way (Catechist Helper, Prayer Listener...), please contact Miss Dillenburg at 815-727-4746. We would love to hear from you. Thank you.
