The St. Mary's Classroom

Religious Education

Children receive religious instruction daily. Religious education for five-year-olds helps the children to celebrate the wonders of God and his/her uniqueness as a child of God. The child begins to see the beauty of the seasons and love of family as gifts of a loving God.

Religious education in grades 1-8 is taught with a focus on doctrine, Scripture, and the liturgical year. It is taught in a developmentally-appropriate manner using a “spiraling” approach. That means that the topics reoccur regularly, but at a deeper level of understanding. Doctrine is presented to help students recognize that what we believe, how we worship, how we live, and how we pray combine to make a difference on the quality of our lives. The Scriptures are the heart of Christian life. Students will study the background of the Bible as well as of Bible stories. They will read complete Scripture stories and learn the deeper meaning of them. At St. Mary’s we live the liturgical year through morning prayer, in Religion class, and in weekly Masses. Learning about and celebrating the cycle of the liturgical year helps children to see the “rhythm of life” and to see that God is present in each season of life. Through this immersion, children learn to appreciate and to take part in the different seasons more fully.

Our pastor is also a crucial part in our students' religious education, as he is very often present in our community and his example is a worthy one for the children.

Sacramental Preparation

Grades 1, 2, 7, and 8 are sacramental preparation years. The religion curriculum in each of these grades serves as a foundation to prepare the students for these sacraments. Intense preparation for reception of the specific sacraments is determined by the Religious Education department in coordination with the pastor.  In grade 2, children will prepare for reception of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Reconciliation is celebrated for the first time in grade 2 at St. Mary’s Parish.

Preparation for Confirmation is a two-year process. It begins in grade 7, and culminates with the reception of the sacrament in grade 8. Mandatory parent meetings are held to assist the parents in preparing their child for the reception of these sacraments. Sacramental preparation is carried out under the direction of Mrs. Mary Beth Blum, Director of Religious Education, in conjunction with the teacher, parents, and students.

Mass

Each grade, with the exception of Preschool and Kindergarten, attends Mass weekly. Special all-school liturgies are held on Holy Days and during Lent and Advent. Participation in Mass includes preparing by studying the scripture readings, writing and delivering the general intercessions, carrying the gifts, singing, and sacred dance. Kindergarten students attend special all-school liturgies. Preschool students usually do not attend Mass.

Altar Servers

Students may train to become parish altar servers. Personal characteristics are a more important factor than grades in the selection of altar server candidates. Mrs. Margie Bernia, parish worship coordinator, is responsible for this program. Altar servers are excused from class for extra duties only with teacher approval. Upon return to class, altar servers are responsible to make up all missed school work.

Choristers, Honors, and Bell Choirs

Students in grades 2-4 are eligible to participate in Choristers and Bells. Students in grades 5-8 are eligible to participate in Honors Choir and Honors Bells. The parish music minister, Mr. Paul Shafer, directs these groups. These groups enhance the liturgy through their gift of music.

Community Outreach

The school participates in charitable outreach. Areas where students reach out to others include a Thanksgiving food collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Christmas gift-sharing with the needy, a Lenten sacrificial collection, and monthly bake sales to help those in need. Prayers and financial support for the missions are also carried out.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The First Friday of the month is Adoration Day in our Parish. Each grade has the opportunity to spend a half-hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in Church.

Marian Devotion

May Crowning and Marian Devotions are held on a Tuesday in May. Since the school is under the patronage of Our Blessed Lady, all children are expected to attend and participate in this event. All eighth grade students of the parish are eligible to crown the image of our Blessed Mother. They are chosen by an impartial panel of judges who evaluate essays written by the students entitled "What the Blessed Mother Means to Me.” Other Marian activities include May altars in the classrooms and recitation of the rosary.

Stations of the Cross

During the Fridays of Lent, the student body in grades 1-8 prays the Stations of the Cross. Stations are followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Students do not pray the Stations of the Cross on the First Fridays during Lent because of Eucharistic Adoration.

Reconciliation

Students who have celebrated first Reconciliation will have the opportunity to participate in both Advent and Lenten Reconciliation services in the Church.