Faith formation classes after first communion?

[Joannm]

It’s not just “knowledge”, it’s education. The acutal requirement is that Catholic parents provide a Catholic **education **for thier children. A Catholic education includes lots of things that families do together but is more systematic. It can be provided by Catholic schools, parish CCE/CCD programs or parent-taught (homeschool) programs. If you choose to use a parent-taught program, you aren’t breaking any Church law but be prepared to provide proof when it comes time to enroll her for Confirmation prep. It will be more challenging (but not impossible) to do that if you aren’t using a curriculum.

In most parishes there is a basic structure to each year. For example grade 5 focuses on Sacraments and Liturgy, Grade 6 is all Old Testament.

I also have any homeschool children come in for an evaluation of what they are doing at home several times a year to make sure they are getting adequate formation.

 

[maryjk]

There is nothing we can do if a parent decides not to enroll their child in the program. However when it comes time to register for Confirmation prep, which is a two year program, if they have not attended in the previous years after First Communion they are put in a catch up class, meaning that they receive Confirmation not in the year they were supposed to but the following year. There are always exceptions but we test the child before admitting them into Confirmation prep if the parents insist that their child has been well prepared at home.

So, as long as they have been doing something at home, they are fine. And if the parent has any concerns, they could start their child one year earlier in the “catch up” class.

If they did that here, a child going to Mass and doing nothing else, would be able to pass any test a child in class could pass. Yes, our classes are really that bad.

 

[Corki]

In most parishes there is a basic structure to each year. For example grade 5 focuses on Sacraments and Liturgy, Grade 6 is all Old Testament.

I also have any homeschool children come in for an evaluation of what they are doing at home several times a year to make sure they are getting adequate formation.

Yes, I mentioned the structured aspect in my post. But there is nothing that says a family must follow the **same **structure that the parish does. A family following a different sequence at home would be in esentially the same place as a family who moved into the area or whose kids used to be in Catholic school.

 

[Joannm]

Yes, I mentioned the structured aspect in my post. But there is nothing that says a family must follow the **same **structure that the parish does. A family following a different sequence at home would be in esentially the same place as a family who moved into the area or whose kids used to be in Catholic school.

In our diocese the rule is that people who decide to teach their own child religion must use the text books the parish uses.

 

[maryjk]

In our diocese the rule is that people who decide to teach their own child religion must use the text books the parish uses.

Wow, so the parents are the first teachers of their children, but only if they do it your way.

Sorry, this sounds just a bit controlling. No, let me honest. This sounds very controlling. And I thought the public school system was bad.

 

[Corki]

In our diocese the rule is that people who decide to teach their own child religion must use the text books the parish uses.

That’s a completely unenforceable rule. It might work if the parents are using the parish as a “sponsor” for the religious ed program. But a diocese can’t even dictate the texts used in a private Catholic school - let alone by parents. How could they ever monitor what texts a family uses? Most dioceses have a list of approved texts for CCE programs. Are you saying that a family is prohibited from using a text series that is approved by the diocese if it is not the same one that thier particular parish uses at some point in time?

 

[Corki]

Wow, so the parents are the first teachers of their children, but only if they do it your way.

Sorry, this sounds just a bit controlling. No, let me honest. This sounds very controlling. And I thought the public school system was bad.

The public schools can’t dictate what texts homeschoolers use for Math, Science, English, etc. This make the diocese even more of an offender of the primacy of parents in their children’s education than public schools.

 

[Joannm]

The problem we have discovered is that many in our parish who say they are teaching their child religion are actually doing nothing. Our parish has over 150 parents teaching their own child. Most of them I never see at Mass. Many of them haven’t come to parent meetings. Many of the kids, when we do get them up to the parish for something demonstrate quite clearly that they are not being taught by their parents. It is very sad but a good number of parents are misusing the option so we have taken it away except for extraordinary circumstances.

 

[maryjk]

The problem we have discovered is that many in our parish who say they are teaching their child religion are actually doing nothing. Our parish has over 150 parents teaching their own child. Most of them I never see at Mass. Many of them haven’t come to parent meetings. Many of the kids, when we do get them up to the parish for something demonstrate quite clearly that they are not being taught by their parents. It is very sad but a good number of parents are misusing the option so we have taken it away except for extraordinary circumstances.

Seriously???

Parents are misusing the fact that THEY are their child’s first teacher? By not coming to a meeting? By not going to the same Mass as you?

Sorry, but I wouldn’t show up at a meeting either. I am under no obligation to meet with the local DRE, to give her information about what I am/was teaching or to check in with her when we attend Mass.

As the parent, I am responsible for my child.

 

[Joannm]

Seriously???

Parents are misusing the fact that THEY are their child’s first teacher? By not coming to a meeting? By not going to the same Mass as you?

Sorry, but I wouldn’t show up at a meeting either. I am under no obligation to meet with the local DRE, to give her information about what I am/was teaching or to check in with her when we attend Mass.

As the parent, I am responsible for my child.

The diocese requires attendance at parent meetings, any group activities and liturgical events. When I have a parent call up and ask what reconciliation is when I send them the dates for reconciliation, then I know they are not teaching their child. When a child who is asked who Jesus is and doesn’t know, then you know parents aren’t teaching them. When you ask a child when the last time they were at Mass and they can’t remember then something is wrong with their faith formation. We are in a crisis of catechesis. Many parents don’t know their faith and that is obvious. How do we know they are teaching what the Church teaches?

The parent is the primary teacher, but what happens when that parent fails in that responsibility? Do we just say, we’ll you have the right to educate you child in the faith and we don’t care what you teach them, how often you take them to mass, or even if you are teaching them?

 

[PJM]

=D0UBTFIRE;10663545]My DD did her 1st communion last year and is continuing to take faith formation classes this year because it appears the expectation is that if the child doesn’t go to Catholic school that they go to these religious education classes all throughout their school years. For different reasons, I find this annoying (don’t feel like she’s getting much out of it, it interferes with bedtime, it’s a drive that is inconveniant since I don’t drive now that I’m pregnant due to dizzy spells and when I’m not pregnant I have other small children to tend to and taking them out at night sucks, and my husband works nights so he can’t do it so I’ve been having to inconvenience grandma to leave work early enough to get my DD there on time). SO my question is, is this even REQUIRED??? She’s going into 4th grade next school year and I don’t even know when they do confirmaton but I’m sure it isn’t any time soon - I understand that she’ll have to attend sacrament prep and faith formation for that, but if we can drop out of the classes for now I’m VERY interested in that option. Since I’m an adult convert, I’m not sure how it’s supposed to be and I tried googleing a little but can’t seem to find information other than most people don’t keep going after 1st communion, but I don’t really care what most people do I just want to know if it’s required and I’m hoping it’s not. Thanks in advance!

So MY Friend

Congradulatuion on the forthcomming baby.

As Busy as you NO doubt are can you explain our Catholic Faith to her?

Can you explain the Eucharist? Transubstanuation?

The authority of Peter and Infallibility?

Sin and the Sacrament of Confession?

The Mass?

And so-on?

A SOUL is at great risk in the times WE live. Only the well informed; FULLY practicing will be able to stand up to what we all encounter on TV, videos and Peer-Pressure.

Take Up your Cross and Follow Me
Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross Luke.9 :23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

1Pet.4: 13 ” But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1Pet.5: 1, 9 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.”

Phil.1: 29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, “

2Thes.1: 5 “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering “

PLEASE understand

I’m NOT being cute or trying to be difficult. ye=our seeking advice and that IS a VERY good thing.

When we permit God to be FIRST in ALL that We do and choose; God WILL PROVIDE for ours and your needs.

Do what is right:thumbsup: Trust God. And Know that I WILL pray for you.

God Bless you!

Pat /PJM

 

[1ke]

It is very sad but a good number of parents are misusing the option so we have taken it away except for extraordinary circumstances.

How sad that you do not realize it is not yours to take away. It is an absolute right of the parents.

 

[Joannm]

How sad that you do not realize it is not yours to take away. It is an absolute right of the parents.

Then it is my pastors right to delay sacraments.

 

[maryjk]

Then it is my pastors right to delay sacraments.

And if it isn’t a sacramental year?

The OP’s daughter has already made her 1st Communion and 1st Reconciliation. She is in 4th grade. So unless the pastor refuses to hear her Confession or refuses to give her Communion, while at Mass, what can he do?

 

[Corki]

The diocese requires attendance at parent meetings, any group activities and liturgical events. When I have a parent call up and ask what reconciliation is when I send them the dates for reconciliation, then I know they are not teaching their child. When a child who is asked who Jesus is and doesn’t know, then you know parents aren’t teaching them. When you ask a child when the last time they were at Mass and they can’t remember then something is wrong with their faith formation. We are in a crisis of catechesis. Many parents don’t know their faith and that is obvious. How do we know they are teaching what the Church teaches?

The parent is the primary teacher, but what happens when that parent fails in that responsibility? Do we just say, we’ll you have the right to educate you child in the faith and we don’t care what you teach them, how often you take them to mass, or even if you are teaching them?

Every parish has families that shirk thier duty to raise and educate thier children in the Church. But insisting on particular texts doesn’t solve anything. You can tell with a simple interview whether the child has been taught the material necessary for reception of the Sacraments.

BTW, you will probably find kids who have been warming the seats in CCE who are also not attending Mass, whose parents aren’t sharing the faith at home and who can’t answer basic questions. You haven’t fixed anything by forcing them into YOUR clases and to use YOUR texts. You have only excused the parents of the responsibility.

 

[maryjk]

BTW, you will probably find kids who have been warming the seats in CCE who are also not attending Mass, whose parents aren’t sharing the faith at home and who can’t answer basic questions. You haven’t fixed anything by forcing them into YOUR classes and to use YOUR texts. You have only excused the parents of the responsibility.

I’ve taught classes. In our parish, theteachers are all volunteers. I am betting most parishes are the same way. A parent is teaching the classes. And I have had plenty of students that never go to Mass. That haven’t been to Confession since 2nd grade. That haven’t ever prayed at home.

I was forced to send my child to classes for Confirmation prep. I realized about half way through the first year that he wasn’t learning anything. So, I started back up with the books I had been using for the 4 previous years. I wonder if the other parents realized that their children were not being adequately taught? I wonder how many were sending their child because their pastor threatened to withhold the sacrament.

So my son ended up having to go to class to get his check mark AND have class with me so I would know he knew something about Confirmation. What a waste of his time.

 

[Usige]

I have to be accountable to the pastor that homeschool kids are on par with those who come to class. So I am now severely cutting back on homeschool.I know there are some who do a great job but if I let one homeschool the others say I am not being fair if I don’ let them homeschool too.

I’ll be quite honest, but a DRE that said they were responsible for my children’s religious education and would not allow us to home school would be a DRE looking at my back as I walked out the door. It infuriates me that Catholic home schoolers are treated as if they are not receiving prep, but those that attend the local prep school… err “catholic” school are exempt for RE classes.

There is nothing we can do if a parent decides not to enroll their child in the program. However when it comes time to register for Confirmation prepm, which is a two year program, if they have not attended in the previous years after First Communion they are put in a catch up class, meaning that they receive Confirmation not in the year they were supposed to but the following year. There are always exceptions but we test the child before admitting them into Confirmation prep if the parents insist that their child has been well prepared at home.

So you test all the children right? Attendance is not understanding and understanding not attendence is the goal. You also test your catechists every year, right? You must since they are obviously more qualified to teach children then their parents.

In our diocese the rule is that people who decide to teach their own child religion must use the text books the parish uses.

We use the book given. To prop open the door, fill up space, fund the RE office. Isn’t it about learning spefic things, not the format? In other words why require a specific text instead of saying a child needs to know X, Y, Z? Three years as a catechist at various ages and we used the text a handful of times. Why is RE $100 per year? It covers the books (carechists are volunteers). Okay we don’t need the books, our daughter just went through last year. So how much now that we don’t need the books? $100 (to cover the books we won’t use or need I guess). BTW, that’s $100 for each of your 5 kids. “Sorry honey, need to sell another kidney so the kids can punch the clock learning stuff they’ve known for 3 years.”

I am not trying to be a pain, but it drives me insane that the preference in religious ed now is Catholic school, parish RE, parents. Parents are the primary educators, but everyone else can do it better? If its about understanding then all children should be evaluated, not just those that are suspect because their parent took their responsibilities seriously and didn’t pawn it off to “professionals.” Hate to tell you, but if their parents aren’t taking it seriously then it won’t matter if they are hearing it in RE. Restricting homeschooling just punishes those that are trying to do their job as parents.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Why is everyone so opposed to using the parish’s selected curriculum and what is wrong with teaching what the parish expects of the children in RE? It’s not as though you are restricted to only that book, you are welcome to add to it and emphasize anything you wish. Quite frankly I was grateful beyond description for the books, guidance and support I received from our DRE during a difficult high risk pregnancy 2/3 of which was spent on bed rest.

The bishops are the teaching authority of the Church, as parents we are the primary educators of our children but we are to look to the bishops to guide us in what we teach. At least that’s what my parents taught me.

 

[Usige]

Why is everyone so opposed to using the parish’s selected curriculum and whais wrong with teaching what the parish expects of the children in RE? It’s not as though you are restricted to only that book, you are welcome to add to it and emphasize anything you wish. Quite frankly I was grateful beyond description for the books, guidance and support I received from our DRE during a difficult high risk pregnancy 2/3 of which was spent on bed rest.

The bishops are the teaching authority of the Church, as parents we are the primary educators of our children but we are to look to the bishops to guide us in what we teach. At least that’s what my parents taught me.

The issue is many programs are watered down and gloss over some teachings. The other issue is that in many diocese it is the parish DREs that select the curriculum, not the bishop, not the pastor. You also have to buy the curriculum from the parish. Doesn’t matter if you already have it or can get it cheaper elsewhere the RE office is the sole supplier. Cost is the same even if you supply hour own books. So now I have to pay for sub par materials at 2 - 3 times the cost and if I don’t they’ll withhold the sacraments? Seems like a racket.

My issue is not with having guidelines, but the insinuation that home schooled kids are less prepared than their counterparts so will be put in catch up classes and delayed or have morer rigorous testing simply because they aren’t under their watchful eyes. That is what I find offensive.

 

[zaffiroborant]

The issue is many programs are watered down and gloss over some teachings. The other issue is that in many diocese it is the parish DREs that select the curriculum, not the bishop, not the pastor. You also have to buy the curriculum from the parish. Doesn’t matter if you already have it or can get it cheaper elsewhere the RE office is the sole supplier. Cost is the same even if you supply hour own books. So now I have to pay for sub par materials at 2 - 3 times the cost and if I don’t they’ll withhold the sacraments? Seems like a racket.

My issue is not with having guidelines, but the insinuation that home schooled kids are less prepared than their counterparts so will be put in catch up classes and delayed or have morer rigorous testing simply because they aren’t under their watchful eyes. That is what I find offensive.

Watered down and glossed over are non-issues, there is no reason one can’t take the books provided by the parish and add to the material. The material provided is a base for you to work off of, this is what I did when I went this route. Cost is also something that shouldn’t be an issue, if you can’t afford to pay for it you won’t have to (if I’m not mistaken canon law forbids it in the case of Sacraments) if you can afford to pay why shouldn’t you, particularly if it helps pay for those who can’t?

As to home schooling families, I doubt they are treated differently than families whose children are enrolled in public schools and thus have to go through the parish RE and may want to do home RE.