Catholic Education

Your local Church should have religious education classes starting as early as kindergarten. Communion usually happens in second grade and some Churches expect your child to have completed two years of religious ed.
If you are lucky enough that your parish offers the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, I highly recommend it. Level one is offered for children ages 3 to 6. It is a fantastic progam involving an invitation to wonder and and explore God on a spiritual level. They don't use text books. They introduce the life of Jesus directly from the Bible, not a watered-down version. Miniature versions of the altar, chasuble, baptismal font, etc. are used. Dioramas are used as a teching tool as well as matrials for the child to explore and absorb what they have learned. The program is based on the Montessori method. Also, the instructor's personal views or interpretations are discouraged. You can learn about the program by doing a web search.
C. C.

We lead a children's prayer group, Morning Star at St. M. of the Angels, Olean, NY every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. It's a wonderful way to introduce the child to prayer. The children enjoy the catechism games, too! I homeschool and have access to various catechism programs. You are most welcome to come and join us!

Most Catholic parishes have a CCD or religious education program for children who do not attend Catholic school. Usually classes are after school or on the weekends. Sacrament preparation and age requirements can vary from Parish to Parish. Is this what you are interested in? I suggest you call the parish office or rectory of a church of your choice.

Also heck out http://www.sadlier.com/home.cfm......they are a leading publisher of Catechism textbooks.

K.

most catholic churches i know have them. call the rectory of your local church.

Your parish will most definitely have a program. Another great resource I would suggest considering is the K4J/Kids for Jesus virtue building program, which is put out by Catholic Kids Net (www.k4j.org). This program is a character building program for school aged children (ages pre-K to 4th grade)that focuses on a different virtue each month. This program can be done within the home, within a K4J club, or as a parish program. There is also a Vacation Bible School that has fun characters that represent the sacraments. I have been using the K4J program for the past 5 years and can't say enough good things about it. I am the K4J Local Director in my area (Rochester, NY)and have been using the program for 5 years now. You can contact Catholic Kids Net to see if the program is available in your area. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about the program.
Best wishes!
C. R.

Most parishes DO offer CCD classes. Unfortunately they are sometimes taught by well meaning people who aren't educated enough to teach religion. I taught CCD and knew other teachers who would tell the kids that "this" is what the Church teaches but that it isn't really right or that they can form their own oppinions on the topic. So my advice is BE CAREFUL. The main responsibility is yours to teach your son the Faith. Also make sure that you and your family set a good example. You can't teach what you don't know. So know the Faith if you don't already.

Hi M.:
where are you located? in queens?

Go to your local parish. Every church has a CCD program for children that do not attend the parochial school. GL!

Do you live on the upper west side by any chance? If so, my 2 children go to Holy Trinity at 82nd and Amsterdam and we go ever Sunday 10:30-11:45. It is a very young parish and we are very happy there. Call the church and speak to Colleen as she runs the program there.

As far as I know all Catholic churches have their own religious education offices. I believe they usually start religious ed for kids when they enter 1st grade but there may be some out there that start in Kindergarten. Give your local parish offices a call and they will be able to get your family signed up.

Hi M.,
If you send your child to a Catholic school, they will prepare the Catholic child for their sacraments. You can refer to your church rectory for resources to prep programs as well. If he's not baptized yet, you'll have to arrange that yourself with the church. If so, he'll take communion in the 2nd grade. You'll have more than enough time to get him prepared. I haven't done it, but you could probably google 'catechism program for children'. Good luck & God bless.

St. Anthony's Church in Prospect, CT has a good program. I know the teachers of the children's class. I believe they meet on Saturdays. It may be worth a phone call to see but I'm sure your 5 yr old will have lots of fun and learn a lot. I don't believe Prospect is that far from Orange. Probably about 1/2 hour to 40 min. Hope this helps.

Go to your local parish and ask. Usually starting in kindergarten, if you are a parishoner, they provide CCD classes for those children in public schools. If your child goes to Catholic school, they are getting instruction for the sacraments as part of their curriculum. If you are unsure of the churches in your area, sometimes the local paper and also the phone book will list them. In what town do you live?

Of course there is. Just contact your home parish and they will give you all the info you need.

A.

M.: every Catholic church sponsors a religous ed program for youngsters. Usually formal ed starts with first grade to prepare for reconciliation and communiion in second grade. Before that some churches offer a bible school program. Check withthe reg ed office of your parish!
I am a Catholic Cathetist teaching for 5 years now!
regards
J. from Brick

There is but usually you need to be part of that churches parish to attend. Because they really kind of want the kids to be attending church to receive their sacrements.

Your church should have CCD classes (new term for catechism). You could also send him to catholic school.

please read chapter 3 in the book of John in your bible. It is the 4th book of the New Testament. S.

yes - speak to your local church - they should have a prep program of some kind. Where are you located?

Call your local church and ask the rectory...or check to see if they have a website.