Who teaches the kids?

[skyrain30]

I am just starting to learn about the catholic religion. I am set up for RCIA classes but those won’t start for another 2 months. I have gone to Mass only once. My question is who teaches the children? Are there primary classes? We live in Utah and have almost all LDS neighbors. My kids go to church with their friends and mainly enjoy it because of the primary classes. Is there anything like that for catholic children? If not, how do they learn? My girls are 6 and 8.

 

[Rawb]

Your children will probably be enrolled into the Parish Religious Education Program, where they’ll be in a class with other kids their age studying a particular aspect of The Faith each year. These classes will continue up through High School probably, or culminate in Confirmation.

These classes are taught, generally, by volunteers who do receive some extra training through the Diocese. I volunteer to teach Religious Ed. The classes, however, at my parish follow the school year; we’re off during the summer. Your children may attend RCIA with you because of this? Ask at your next RCIA.

 

[KarenElissa]

I am just starting to learn about the catholic religion. I am set up for RCIA classes but those won’t start for another 2 months. I have gone to Mass only once. My question is who teaches the children? Are there primary classes? We live in Utah and have almost all LDS neighbors. My kids go to church with their friends and mainly enjoy it because of the primary classes. Is there anything like that for catholic children? If not, how do they learn? My girls are 6 and 8.

Yes there generally are classes for kids. It is known by many name, Faith Formation, Religious Ed, or CCD are the most common, at least they are the ones I’ve heard. They are a bit more formal than the Sunday School programs in most Protestant churches, I have no idea how formal LDS ones are. They usually have a main theme for the various years. 1st and 2nd grades generally focus on preparing for First Communion. Other years will take a deeper look at the other sacraments, the Ten Commandments, the Church, and various other topics. They often just run during the school year.

How exactly it will work out for your girls as you convert will depend a lot on the resources of your parish. Ideally your oldest should have an RCIA for kids class (if they have this program). It would cover a lot of the basics, who God is, who Jesus is, who Mary is, the sacraments, and other basic Catholic doctrine. It would prepare her for baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at more or less the same time as you. As for your younger daughter, it will just depend on where she is at and if she just turned six or will soon be seven. She might join her sister in RCIA for kids, she might be baptized as an infant and just join her peers, or something else. It will all just depend on how things are done at your local parish.

I would call and ask for the Director of Religious Education (the DRE, what the person in charge of children’s stuff is usually called). That person will be able to help sort out where your daughters would fit into the program at your local parish.

And, for all of your, welcome to this awesome journey!

 

[SMHW]

In addition to what others have said…

It’s more typical for Catholic parishes to have classes for children during the school week than it is to have them on Sundays. Catholic children are expected to attend Mass along with their parents by the time they are six or seven years old so most parishes will not have Sunday classes for children older than pre-school age.

(Some parishes do have instruction on Sundays but that is in addtion to Mass, not instead of it.)

 

[GrowingUpLane]

There are religious education classes for children but I always learned it best from my parents. I wasn’t homeschooled; in fact I went to public school. I did the religious ed thing but it was secondary to just living it at home. The best way your kids will learn to love the Lord and the Faith is seeing that you love the Faith.

My sister and I have a blog about what it meant to us to grow up in a solid, Catholic home. You might find it helpful. Check it out here.

God Bless! Praying for you

 

[Tracy24]

In addition to what others have said…

It’s more typical for Catholic parishes to have classes for children during the school week than it is to have them on Sundays. Catholic children are expected to attend Mass along with their parents by the time they are six or seven years old so most parishes will not have Sunday classes for children older than pre-school age.

(Some parishes do have instruction on Sundays but that is in addtion to Mass, not instead of it.)

This leads me to a somewhat similar question:

Our parish has children’s liturgy every Sunday and my daughter does attend. My question is since she is 7 and now receives Communion is she not fulfilling her Sunday obligation by attending CLOW?

 

[Ali_formerJW]

Who teaches the kids?

Me!

I’m a volunter CCD teacher who does pre & kindy. A fun age, let me tell you!

Some parishes do offer RCIA for kids w/parents, but our parish is small, and RCIA pretty much only caters to adults in terms of lessons and conversations.

Many of the children entering religious ed are hearing Bible stories and prayers for the first time. I see that. I would not worry about your children being behind or not knowing something their classmates may know.

Remember, too, that you can still back up the teachings at home with mid-week readings and nightly prayers, etc.

Blessings for you!!