Dear Parents or Guardians:

Welcome to St. Theresa's Religious Formation Programs. Our religious formation team looks forward to sharing our faith each week with you and your children.

This handbook is designed to answer some of the questions you may have about St. Theresa's Religious Formation Programs, and to share our policies and expectations. Our aim is to ensure that all young people participating in our religious formation programs have a positive and joyful experience this year.

We look forward to a great year together on our spiritual journey.
Blessings,
Religious Formation Team

RELIGIOUS FORMATION FOUNDATION

Our foundation is that forming our children in faith involves the entire faith community and is on-going. The family, the Sunday Eucharist Celebrations (Masses) and our learning-based religious formation programs are essential components for providing effective faith formation. Learning about our faith is a life-long process unfolding and changing as we grow and walk together as a people of God.

Families
Parents are the child¡¦s primary educators on faith and foundation for their spiritual growth. Parents do this through personal example, sharing their faith, and recognition of the importance of the process. That is why parents are a vital part of our programs. Parent¡¦s are often invited to the children/youth sessions and involved in special celebrations.

Participation at Mass
Gathering as a community in the celebration of Mass is another way to instil in our children a sense of belonging and celebration. Children are surrounded and supported by their family, the faith community as well as the catechist community on their spiritual journey. Involvement at Mass is an integral part of our programs for all ages. Various year levels will occasionally take an active part as a class in Mass Celebrations.

Programs
Our programs are rich in story, ritual, action and community. Each session flows similar to our Sunday Mass; we Come & Gather, Come & Listen, Come & Do and Come & Go. Each year level has a focus and aim and presents in an age-appropriate manner. All of our catechists, assistant catechists and substitutes are dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.

Volunteers are the foundation and glue!
Children, youth, families, our parish community, and catechists giving and sharing make our programs possible. One of the best ways to share your faith with the children of our parish is through volunteering your talents within the church.
Not sure about teaching? Maybe you would like to share your gifts of music, drama, crafts or storytelling. Throughout the year we¡¦ll also need help organizing special activities and celebrations.
The more volunteers we have the less work each individual has to do and the children are more interested in taking part if they see their parents involved in church. So take time to consider volunteering either in the religious formation programs or any other ministry in our parish.


SESSION TIME SCHEDULES

K to Year 5 Sessions are held weekly on Sunday mornings from 10:25am - 11:15am.
Year 6, 7 & 8 Sessions are held weekly on Sunday evenings from 6:30pm - 8pm.
Confirmation Sessions are held monthly on Sunday evenings starting in November.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Preparation for the sacraments is integrated into our Religious Formation programs. Please note that the preparation time for these sacraments is for a short intense period. It is presumed that the children are already part of the regular parish catechetical program and continue to be involved after sacraments are received.

For children/youth, preparing for the sacraments involves attending Mass and the programs regularly in order to understand and to assent to that which they will be participating. There will be a variety of experiences.
For Parents, preparing their children for the sacraments involves participating with your child/children throughout the year. Your involvement and open communication with the catechists is key to a positive experience for all.

**If your son or daughter has missed a sacrament, including baptism, please contact the Parish office and arrangements will be made to prepare your child for the sacrament in an age-appropriate way.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

Year Two children prepare for the sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist along with their families and catechists through catechetical sessions and workshops.

Confirmation
Year Nine young people prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation along with their youth leaders, peers, and families with catechetical sessions, retreats, service projects and Mass involvement.

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

Registration
A registration form per family is to be completed each year in early September.

Attendance
Through making attendance with religious formation programs a priority for your family, we all benefit. (especially the kids!). St. Theresa¡¦s Religious Formation programs do not have a minimum attendance requirement, however, we ask parents to make sure their children attend the program regularly. A child who does not attend regularly will not receive the full benefit from the program. If a prolonged or planned absence occurs, please let the Catechist/Leader know.
**If unable to attend at the session times, contact the parish office for alternatives forms of religious formation.

Safe Arrival/Departure
All Children/Youth- Parent/Guardian must come in to drop off and pick up their children. We want to ensure that all children/youth are properly supervised and that parents are kept up-to-date on activities/events.
Please arrive in plenty of time so we can begin promptly. Our catechists/leaders work very hard to prepare their lessons; time lost for late arrivals hampers your child¡¦s ability to complete all the learning activities of the session. If your child must leave early, please let the catechist know before the session begins.

Discipline
We expect all participants to be respectful towards the catechists and others. If there is a behaviour problem, the catechist will speak to the student and explain why the behaviour is not acceptable. If the child persists in this behaviour pattern, the catechist will refer the child to the coordinator. If the problem continues, the parents and child will meet with the catechist and the coordinator to develop a strategy to address it.

Storm Cancellations
In the event of a storm it is left to the parent/guardian¡¦s discretion whether the roads will permit safe travel to classes. Cancellations will be announced at the 9:30 Mass.

Communication
The main sources of relaying information about our programs will be the bulletin, classroom handouts and the parish website. (www.sttheresaparish.ca).

Our Resource Centres
Our parish and diocesan resource centres contain a lending library with books, videos and other materials including books for children, teens and adults. These centres are available to all: families and catechists included. Come visit anytime. Come visit or call Madelyn Ramier (444-6025) at our diocesan resource centre, 603 Union Street, St. Anthony¡¦s Rectory. Inquiries over the phone are welcome and pick-ups can often be arranged after hours.