30 Ward Ave. Rumson, N.J. 07760
Mrs. Sallie Kabash, Coordinator
(732) 842-0348, X 218
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to offer everyone a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. To this end we are committed to promoting strong Catholic Families by assisting parents in their God-given role of educating their children in the faith, fostering and nurturing the faith of parents and their children and encouraging family participation at weekly Mass and the faith life of the parish.
ENROLLMENT
In keeping with the guidelines established by the Diocese of Trenton, students are required to attend religious education classes continuously from first through eighth grade. Faith formation takes place in developmental sequences and skipping years does not allow for adequate faith formation. Children who miss a grade level of their formation will be required to make-up that formation year before moving to the next grade level.
REGISTRATION
Families must be registered members of Holy Cross to participate in the Religious Education Program. Families new to the parish and /or families who wish to enroll children in the program for the first time should contact the Office of Religious Education.
We will need a copy of your child(ren)’s baptismal certificate, as well as documentation of the last level of catechetical instruction completed from your former parish.
Re-registration information and materials for currently enrolled students will be mailed home to parents at the end of the school year.
For families new to our program, additional information or questions, please call the Office of Religious Education: 732-842-0348, X 218.
CATECHETICAL SESSIONS
SACRAMENT PREPARATION: Students grades 1, 2, 7 & 8 will meet in-person. Attendance at ALL sessions are required. Please take great consideration in planning activities around your child’s class times.
GRADES 1 & 2: Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Grades 1 & 2 Classes will meet in-person on a weekly basis. Enrollment for Grades 1 & 2, for Sunday/Tuesday classes are on a first come, first served basis. Once a class or session fills up, we will place students wherever there is room as well as the classroom staff needed.
Grades 1 & 2 Sundays (weekly) 9:00 – 10:15 AM.
Grades 1 & 2 Tuesdays (weekly) 4:00 – 5:15 PM
Grades 7 & 8: Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation
Attendance at ALL sessions is required.
Please take great consideration in planning activities around your child’s class times.
Grade 7 will meet two Mondays a month from 6:30 to 8:15 pm.
Grade 8 will meet once a month, twice in January from 4:15 to 8:00 pm.
GRADES 3 to 6 - Home Based Family Faith Program
Parishes around the country are moving toward Family Home Based Programs. This approach has been proven to ease the stress of busy family schedules, while empowering parents as the primary catechists of their children to learn, share, and grow in the faith together. Countless studies show that those important lessons that carry us through our lives are learned at home, including faith and the spiritual life.
Parents will learn along with their children as they work together to complete weekly lessons in the religion book and Family Online Portal. To nurture faith and community, families will come together for Family Faith and Parish Events. Our faith Formation Kickoff Meeting for Parents will be scheduled in September. Instructions and expectations for the program will be presented. Books and materials will be distributed.
Please see the Parent Handbook for Program Information
SACRAMENTS
The Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are unquestionably the most joyous and important events of a Catholic Christian’s life. The following policies are adopted for the purpose of communicating this importance, and ensuring appropriate preparation and formation for the reception of these sacraments in accordance with the current diocesan norms.
WHAT DOES THE CHURCH ASK OF PARENTS?
The church views the role of parents in the religious formation of their children as both a privilege and an obligation. When parents present their child to the Church for Baptism, they are distinctly reminded that they had the responsibility “to bring (their child) up in the practice of the faith” (Rite of Baptism of children 56). This obligation and privilege extend to sacrament preparation. It is important for parents to remember that it has been within their family setting that their child has come to faith. And it is within their family setting that their child will continue to practice faith and witness the daily example of Catholic believers.
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist in the second grade is a two-year formation process. Students are required to have completed the level one year of religious education in preparation to receive Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time the following year.
Confirmation
The formation process to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church is a six-year formation process that begins in the third grade and culminates with the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of the eighth grade year. Parents will receive specific dates, expectations and requirements regarding each of the two formation years.
In keeping with the guidelines established by the Diocese of Trenton, students are required to have attended religious education classes continuously from first through eighth grade to be considered for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
All grade levels of religious education are important, each assisting the child to grow in deeper knowledge of God, an awareness of the responsibilities as a disciple of Jesus and member of the Catholic parish community and Church.
Religious Ed Volunteer Opportunities
“God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called!”
The success of our religious education program depends on the dedicated individuals in our parish willing to share their time, talents and faith with the future Church, our parish children.
We encourage our parishioners, as well as parents of children in our program to help out in some way. We are always in need of catechists, classroom aides and substitute teachers as well support staff in the hallway or at family events.
You do not need to know every detail of your faith to teach or to help.. All you need is a deep love of Christ, the Church and your faith. All catechist positions will be supported with training and resources.
VIRTUS training and fingerprinting are mandated by the Diocese as well as teacher training.
For more information and to volunteer, call the Office of Religious Education: 732-842-0348, X 218
