Catechizing our CCD students' parents

[Hikers5]

I have been assisting in an 8th grade Confirmation class and have a new found appreciation for that age group. I had to teach a few of the classes (very reluctantly, I must say) but now have found their lack of knowledge about God, let alone their Catholic faith, very eye-opening. I have also come to enjoy the classes more than I ever thought I would.
But, I have thought a lot about this, and I really think the key to engaging kids of this age group is to first catechize the parents. Many of these kids NEVER go to Mass at all. We do not have any program other than RCIA at our parish and I think it would be helpful to have a catechesis program for the parents at the same time that the kids are in class. (I think this might interest quite a few since many head to the nearby Target store and simply wander around for an hour while the kids are in class…I know this, because that’s what I used to do)

So my question is: What kinds of guidelines have worked in your parishes? What programs have you used and have they been successful? How would I go about getting something started? Any insights would be helpful.

 

[puzzleannie]

I know the feeling, I have been tempted to ask our neighborhood Walmart to post a sign out front "free babysitting for Walmart Shoppers at St. J— CCD class Saturday am"You hit the nail on the head, we are trying to reach parents through the kids, that is the reason for “mandatory” parent meetings where we try to get across a couple of key points about Mass and sacraments. Have offered all kinds of voluntary bible studies, good videos with discussion groups, small faith sharing groups, no takers, they would rather go to Walmart, or just sit in the hallway and gossip while their kids are in CCD. Father got a lot of angry phone calls today because I told the first communion parents on Sat. that if there child has not been going to Mass every Sunday he is not ready for 1st communion, and they are morally responsible for keeping their child free from mortal sin getting him to Mass.

 

[StuartG]

I have taught that age group for four years now and experience the same thing here. I wish I knew what to do about it. If you find something that works, please let me know. Until then, do your best and persevere.

God Bless
StuartG

 

[mommy]

I have been on both sides of this. For several years we were ‘rare’ mass goers. Just a few times a year MAYBE. But I sent my children to CCD every week. I didn’t discuss much of what they had done in class. Now for the last 3 years we’ve been faithful weekly church goers. My life has really changed from this. I’ve joined RCIA, and I have learned SO MUCH in that time. My daughter and I were discussing something we saw on TV, and I was amazed at the lack of knowledge she had. At first I wanted to blame the CCD classes for not teaching her. Then I thought about it, and realized, what have we been discussing at home? Not much. So now I bring home my materials from my class, and discuss them with the family, and I think I have re-catechized (sp?) my husband, and am supplimenting my children’s sunday class with some good information.

What good is it if we don’t live it? That’s what finally hit me.

 

[Nichevo]

I also teach 8th grade (Confirmation). We require our students to attend mass weekly and to have proof. (That weeks bulletin signed by the celebrant of the mass.) Parents are made aware that this is part of the curriculum and that failure to attend is a bar to Confirmation. I also use current events discussions and spiritual journaling that require my students to interact with their parents. Recent topics have included the separation of Church and state debate, Roe vs. Wade and pro-Life issues, and the importance of the Eucharist. I’ve found that when the student and parent work together on meaningful sacramental preparation, both are brought closer to God, Church, and each other.

 

[kmktexas]

Those sound like great ideas but I am not sure they would work with the little ones. I didn’t originate this post but I have the same dilema. Our big problem is those preparing for First Communion.

Last year, I taught the second graders for the first time. I met with Father over a few details and mentioned that I wanted to go step-by-step through the Mass since many of the kids were not attending regularly. He insisted that they wouldn’t be allowed to received FHC unless they were attending Mass. He wanted me to announce it, send home notice to the parents and take attendance. Since I can’t be at all Masses, I asked the DRE for help and she vetoed the whole thing (don’t get me started on a DRE overriding the pastor ). She said she wouldn’t withhold a Sacrament from a child just because their parents weren’t doing the right thing.

I personally think we aren’t giving these parents an honest opportunity to do the right thing. One of the reasons for my reversion was my son’s (thne) upcoming First Communion. First, I decided that I’d better try going to Sunday Mass or I’d feel like a hypocrite. Then I started using CCE time for prayer, got volunteered to help with the PreK class and was home!!! I believe that a lot of parents would have similar experiences if given the right nudge.

We didn’t even get much cooperation from the parents in helping the kids learn their prayers. Sigh. We have upwards of 40 kids in the First Communion group and usually only about 8-12 in the Third grade class. We don’t see the kids again until Confirmation (it’s 10th and 11th grade here) or Quince (girls) class.

 

[Dawn]

I’ve been in the CCD parents shoes also! I was a hit and miss Mass attender when I hit my mid 20’s. Once the kids came along it was difficult to take them so Mass attendance went down even more. 1st grade came along and it was time for CCD, I was adamant they were going. When they were in 2nd grade, Sac. of Reconciliation, I figured I had better go to confession(hadn’t been in 15yrs.), because if I didn’t I probably would never bring them back to confession. I just didn’t want them going one time only, I wanted them to make it a habit even though I didn’t. God opened my eyes to the beauty of His Church through frequent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Just in time!
Last year I started teaching 2nd grade Reconciliation, and I took my kids out of CCD and my mom his homeschooling them in CCD. They were getting nothing out of CCD, the teachers don’t even attend Mass regularly! I am also frustrated with the parents, but do understand since I was once there, and it is only by the grace of God that I “shaped up”!
Just 3 weeks ago Sister(dre) and a few of us started an adult catechesis class every Wed. evening, 6-7. She put it in the bulletin that it was mandatory for the Sacrament parents, we have TWO people coming the past 3 weeks!!! It is very sad, but we are hopeful that it will catch on, with LOTS of prayer.
This got long, but I just wanted to let you know I feel your “pain”! PARENTS WAKE UP!!!

Dawn

 

[puzzleannie]

second year communion parent meeting tomorrow, pray for them they are trying to do a good job, but especially pray for those who called to say their child can’t come to communion class because of UIL, chess tournament, basketball, tutoring, karate, or host of other reasons. The parents I will see tomorrow – we are in the second of 2 sessions on the Mass – will be those who are attending Mass, are active in the parish, do have a good knowledge of the faith. Those who need to be here the most, will be calling next week to find out the dates for first communion and when is the next meeting, since they don’t come to Mass and get a bulletin.

 

[rwoehmke]

I have two suggestions. First, in our parish parents of kids to be baptized, receive FHC, or first penance are expected to attend at least two or three training sessions before their child is allowed to receive the sacrament. Second, a program from Ohio called Christ Renews His Parish has taken hold here. It attracts mostly folks under 40 and so far those who attend the weekend retreat become fairly committed to their faith and have continued for several years now to reach out to their friends. Those who attend often have young children who are now benifit from the stronger faith of their parents.