FAITH FORMATION
In a Catholic school all students have the privilege and the obligation to participate in religious instruction. Teachers have the privilege and responsibility to provide all students with an encounter with Christ and instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice. This whole process calls for witness to the way of Christ as found in Scripture and Catholic Church teaching. As teachers promote knowledge of Scripture and sacred tradition, they seek to create an environment conducive to Christ on campus and in the classroom, and to impart what will form the students' foundational understanding of doctrine, moral decision-making, discernment of vocation, forms of worship and service, and involvement in the Christian community of faith. In elementary schools, teachers are required to become certified catechists. Schools, especially junior high schools and high schools, may also designate certain members of the faculty to become more specialized religion teachers.
All students whether Catholic or non-Catholic are required to be enrolled in a religion course for a grade/credit each semester. As appropriate, schools may offer an introductory preparation class for students who have no experience with formal religious structures or vocabulary. Students who are not Roman Catholic participate in liturgies and other sacramental programs in a manner that respects their religious traditions and recognizes that they are not Roman Catholic. Should students from a non-Catholic background or who have no formal religious background express an interest in joining the Roman Catholic faith, their parents/guardians must participate directly in the discussion and, as a general matter, any decision would be postponed until adulthood and after high school graduation.
The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (Lumen Gentium, 11).
"The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324).
Liturgy celebrated properly in the school setting prepares students to participate in the liturgical life of their parish. The School Mas s Guidelines and Planning Sheet for school liturgies aids campus ministers and students involved in liturgy preparation.
The administration, faculty, and students are to share in a school celebration of the Eucharist at least monthly in high schools and weekly in elementary schools. In addition, school communities are expected to offer the celebration of Mass as a school community on Holy Days of Obligation when those fall on a school day. To the extent possible, staff members are invited to participate in these celebrations.
Liturgical preparation should involve cooperative planning by the celebrant and representatives of the school community. Faculty and students are to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation periodically and in particular during Advent and Lent. Although preparation for the sacrament of confirmation is specifically a parish program, the school is to make every effort to encourage and support students and their parents/guardians to participate in their parish confirmation program (see "Confirmation Program" under Faith Formation and Youth Ministry for High School-Age Students ).6-23-21, 11-1-22, 9-12-2024
ADDITIONAL PRACTICES (MASS, PRAYER, OTHER LITURGIES)
LITURGIES
The official archdiocesan policy expects parents to attend Mass weekly with their children and to see that their children receive sacraments on a regular basis. Part of the school schedule is the regular attendance at weekly Mass for all grades. Occasionally, we will have Mass for the whole school. All students are required to attend.
Other liturgies may include: penance services for individual reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross during lent, and other special devotions held at various times of the year.
SACRAMENTS (FIRST RECONCILIATION, FIRST COMMUNION, CONFIRMATION)
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion at St. Maria Goretti Parish is a two-year process. There is a small materials fee per year for each child enrolled. Sacramental preparation also requires family involvement. Children work in student books during the second year under parent supervision. Attendance at meetings (two during the first year and five during the second year) and special celebrations
Confirmation preparation at St. Maria Goretti Parish and throughout the United States begins in 9th grade and the sacrament is received during the sophomore year. It is not included in the Religion Curriculum at St. Maria Goretti School. At the end of 8th grade, students should register for the Parish Faith Formation Program to begin formation classes in the fall.
