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Paraclete High School > chapter-3-CATHOLIC IDENTITY > section-3-1-Faith Formation (Mass, Prayer, Other Liturgies) > topic-3-1-2-Catholic School Communities

Paraclete High School - Faith Formation

http://handbook.la archdiocese.org/chapter-4/section-4-3/topic-4-3-4

In a Catholic school all students have the privilege and the obligation to participate in religious instruction. Religion 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 the 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.

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. Non-Catholic students 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 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.

http://handbook.la archdiocese.org/chapter-4/section-4-3/topic-4-3-5

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 Mass 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. 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).

Catholic schools are communities of faith and faith formation. They are committed to developing faith-filled, morally aware, and academically strong individuals who are of service to the Church and society.

Catholic schools provide a Catholic education that illuminates academic teaching with Christian principles and prepares students to see Christ in others by the development of their talents. Catholic schools emphasize the importance of faith in the life of the individual and of morality as the life-giving principle that guides students to become self-giving, responsible citizens and leaders.

Jesus Christ gives a transcendent meaning to human existence and this spiritual dimension should inform the intellectual journey of the human person.

With the support of the Department of Catholic Schools, faculty, parents/guardians, alumni, parishioners, consultative boards, and the community, Catholic schools:
- Educate and form the whole person spiritually, academically, socially, and physically
- Promote the dialogue among faith, reason, and culture
- Build community through the celebration of the Church's liturgical life
- Defend the goodness, dignity, value, and freedom of each person
- Foster awareness of moral and social concerns
- Develop leaders for the community
Students from all faith traditions, cultures, and economic backgrounds are welcome and invited to collaborate in fulfilling the mission. All those who quest for truth contribute to and enhance the community.

The goals of the religion program in the Catholic school are to provide an environment for students to encounter Jesus Christ, to form students in the Christian faith, and to provide students with the opportunity to learn about and experience the Church's teachings and practices in an academic setting. Since Christian education and formation is carried out in a community, the entire faculty and staff are responsible for carrying out this goal. Members from all school departments form a faith-based community with students, not only in the classroom and in other school activities but also in planning and implementing the school's various religious activities and events. In this area, the religion department and campus minister together with other faculty, staff and school administrators provide ministerial leadership and support.
6-23-21
Parent-Teacher Organizations

Parent organizations in elementary schools are important: they promote parent/guardian support for the school program, increase mutual understanding between the school and parents/guardians, build a sense of school community, and assist in the financial support of the school. The Department of Catholic Schools encourages the formation of parent (or parent-teacher) organizations that follow archdiocesan policies.

General

Parent organizations:
- Are advisory in nature
- Have no legal status apart from the school and therefore may not be separately incorporated
- Function in accordance with a written constitution and bylaws that comply with archdiocesan policy that govern the structure and operation of such an organization
- Are subject to all Department of Catholic Schools regulations and policies
Membership

The membership of the parent organization shall include the pastor of the parish or his designee, principal, parents/guardians of currently enrolled students, and religious and lay faculty (if the organization is a parent-teacher organization). The pastor and principal shall have the right to approve officers and other members of the executive committee during the nomination process. The pastor or his designee and the principal shall be ex officio members of the executive committee of the organization.

See the Parent-Teacher Organization: Bylaws and the Roles and Responsibilities (sample).
6-29-2022
General Considerations
Under the direction of lawful Church authority, all members of the faithful, in keeping with their proper role, have a concern for catechesis in the Church. [Can. 774 §1] Parents, above all, have the obligation of forming their children by word and example in the faith and in the practice of a Christian life; godparents and those who take the place of parents have an equivalent obligation. [Can. 774 §2] In the parish community, pastors [Can.773] are responsible for supervising catechesis in their parish and coordinating the participation of all members of the parish in the principal catechetical efforts [Can. 776].
In the archdiocese, the archbishop provides for formation, selection and commissioning of other catechetical leaders [Can. 780]. These catechetical leaders are professionals -- working under the guidance of the pastor -- in teaching the mysteries of the Faith and its practice. Whether paid or volunteer, they are often entrusted with administrative responsibilities in organizing and implementating the catechetical plan for the parish. Catechetical leaders are particularly charged with carrying out this ministry on behalf of the Church under the direction of the pastor; therefore, they should make themselves known in the parish and school community and be available to the people they serve.
Together with the pastor [Can. 776], catechetical leaders encourage parishioners to engage in the catechetical efforts of the parish and assist them in being actively involved in the catechesis of the parish. Accordingly, catechetical leaders are expected to familiarize themselves with archdiocesan policies and procedures in conducting their ministries and to adhere to those policies and procedures that apply to their particular assignments. The Office of Religious Education is the primary source of information and guidance for specific catechetical goals and objectives. Program content, for example, should reflect the most up-to-date directives and guidance from the Vatican, the USCCB and the Archdiocese. However, the realities of the parish or school community should also play a significant role in developing catechetical ministries. Collaboration with the pastor, the parish councils, school leadership, and other ministry leaders is indispensable for a successful program.
- Use of Parish and School Facilities
The parish community brings together a diversity of people who form one parish family, all of whom should have access to the parish facilities, including the pastoral center, school classrooms, the hall, the church, etc. Catechetical leaders are required to follow parish and school procedures in coordinating calendars and reserving space. Certain activities that catechetical programs wish to conduct on parish or school grounds are subject to specific rules, such as voter education or fundraising events. Additional guidance is available in the Administrative Handbook, Chapter 7.2.12, FAQs.
Financial Stewardship
Because parish income must take into account the needs of all ministries of the parish (e.g. religious education programs, youth ministry, senior citizens, parish school, etc.), finances must be budgeted. Catechetical leaders must prepare an annual budget with foresight and accurate projections. Past experience, present need, and future vision should guide the development of the budget. The budget should be presented to the person in charge.

The catechetical leader must ensure adherence to archdiocesan policies in Section 6.1 of the Administrative Handbook on internal controls and handling cash and credit cards in all matters of the programs under their direction. Section 6.3 of the Administrative Handbook provides direction on managing expenses and disbursements, including signing authority and banking relationships.
- Relationship with Staff and Volunteers
Depending on the community's resources, catechetical leaders may supervise paid and/or volunteer staff. Archdiocesan personnel policies are described in the Administrative Handbook Section 5.2. Churches and religious institutions, like the Archdiocese, are treated differently than other organizations under certain laws, so it is critically important to review the handbook for guidance. The core values that guide working relationships in the archdiocese are described in Section 5.2.1 of the Administrative Handbook. Many of the other General Policies enumerated in Section 5.2 apply to both employees and volunteers.
Safe Environment
Maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all is vitally important. Catechetical leaders and their team members must adhere to the archdiocesan rules in Chapter 9 on Safe Environment, including but not limited to VIRTUS™ training and fingerprinting.
- Emergency Planning
Catechetical leaders share responsibility with other parish and school leaders for creating, implementing and maintaining an emergency plan. Section 8.5 of the Administrative Handbook provides further information about emergency planning. These plans should be shared with team members, participants, and parents/guardians of participants as appropriate.
Offsite Events
When planning excursions, field trips, or retreats, catechetical leaders must consider the rules in Section 12.3 on field trips and excursions, which include review of retreat center contracts, and the requirements for transportation.
Registration for Faith Formation Programs
Preparation for registration in the parish faith formation programs should be done in a timely manner and include dates, places, and deadlines. Refer to the Registration Guidelines for Parish Faith Formation Programs . A Sample Registration Form for Faith Formation Programs is available to assist catechetical leaders in preparing registration materials for their parish program(s). A parish registration form should include the parish name and program information. To maintain the necessary privacy of medical information, the records must be kept in a restricted-access file along with the Emergency Information Form.

Registration fees vary from parish to parish. The parish should take into consideration economic and family circumstances. No participant should ever be denied enrollment because of inability to pay the fee.
4-1-2022

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