Sunday School

[Korbin]

I’m in RCIA right now and very much enjoy the Catholic faith. One question I have is, why is there no Sunday school? I’ve been given the impression that in the catholic faith we shouldn’t read the bible and figure it out for ourselves. If this is the case, why don’t we have Sunday school as Protestants do?

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

 

[Korbin]

Sorry, for those who aren’t familiar with it, sunday school is basically a weekly bible study held before the main church service.

 

[1ke]

Adult Education may or may not be on Sundays (it might be on weeknights, weekends, or various different times that meet the needs of the local congregation) and may include bible study, seminars, book studies, or other things. How much adult education is offered by a parish may depend upon their financial resources, size, and availability of staff and volunteers.

Childrens’ Education-- called CCD, CCE, Religious Education or other assorted names-- may or may not be held on Sundays. In our parish it is on Wednesdays.

If you do not find enough opportunities to meet your needs, then discuss it with your pastor and prepare to roll up your sleeves as a volunteer or bible study leader.

 

[Korbin]

Manpower… Good point. There are 3 catholic churches here vs 30 baptist. I’ll talk to my pastor about it.

 

[Corki]

We have Sunday school for the children. As a small parish, it takes a good portion of our active adults to teach and run the program for the children so Bible study is on Tuesdays.

 

[Rolltide]

In the vast majority of Catholic parishes I’ve been to across the US, most educational classes having to do with Catholicism, whether they be CCD, RCIA, Bible study, etc., have been on Wednesday night.

 

[Korbin]

Hey Rolltide, I’ll be rooting for you if there is an LSU rematch.

 

[TimothyH]

I’m in RCIA right now and very much enjoy the Catholic faith. One question I have is, why is there no Sunday school? I’ve been given the impression that in the catholic faith we shouldn’t read the bible and figure it out for ourselves. If this is the case, why don’t we have Sunday school as Protestants do?

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

My children went to Catholic School. They were taught religion by Dominican Sisters.

Now that my oldest is in public high school, she is required to go to PSR. We drop her off at Chuch for an hour of religion class every Sunday before the noon Mass, just as you describe. This is a requirement in most diocese - kids have to go to Parish School of Religion (PSR) if they want to recieve the sacrament of Confirmation.

The parents go for coffee in the school gym and hear a lecture from a deacon or other knowledgeable person about Church history or Old Testament religious practices, or a book review, or some apolgetic talk.

So yea, Catholic Churches abosolutely have Sunday School. We just call it a different name.

-Tim-

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m in RCIA right now and very much enjoy the Catholic faith. One question I have is, why is there no Sunday school

If you mean Sunday school for children and youth, we do, grades pre-K through 12 in most parishes, only often is at another time than Sunday, for reasons of logistics and available resources in space, people to teach, parking, family schedules etc., although it is on Sunday in many places because that works best for those parishioners.

I’ve been given the impression that in the catholic faith we shouldn’t read the bible and figure it out for ourselves.

If somebody told you this they flat out lied. challenge them to prove their malicious and erroneous claim.

We do have Sunday school for adults, RCIA for instance. We also have bible studies, adult formation, catechist training, classes and other informal sessions for returning Catholics, book studies, many groups that meet for spiritual formation such as prayer groups and small faith sharing communities, and other groups that meet primarily for service.

At our last parish appreciation night there were posters for over 40 organizations, ministries, apostolates, study groups and other ways for Catholic adults to learn more about the faith, grow spiritually, and serve the parish and community.

Maybe you need to ask your RCIA director what is going on in your parish, and where you can help. Becoming involved in parish life is one of the most important reasons you have a sponsor, by the way.

and a hearty welcome home from all of us.

the primary teaching on the Sunday scripture readings is the homily, and it is properly delivered by the priest and is an essential part of the liturgy. Mass comes first, celebrating Christ’s presence among us and the communion he forms with us in our remembrance of his sacrifice on our behalf. Nothing trumps that, and no other parish functions can be allowed to supercede attendance at Mass. That being said, many such groups, including bible studies, or more often faith sharing groups that focus on the readings, do meet on Sunday for convenience, but more often at other times and places during the weeks, including homes. All you need to do is ask.

 

[Ruprecht]

In many Orthodox parishes, we have “Sunday” Sunday School, with the children coming early, during orthros (matins). They then join the main congregation for the Divine Liturgy, so that the classwork is followed up with with the best instruction available: the Liturgy itself.
BTW, Rolltide, that was quite an Iron Bowl on Saturday; the Tide really plucked the War Eagle and roasted it for dinner!! (I am a lonely Crimson Tide fan up here in frozen Massachusetts…)