Blessed Sacrament Catechism Program Catechism Classes are offered on Saturday mornings for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 from 9:15 to 10:30 AM The Church recognizes that parents are the primary catechists of their children and responds by aiding families to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ through providing opportunities for catechesis, worship, prayer, mission and witness. 204-224-1669 ext. 22 catechism@blessedsacramentwpg.ca
DIOCESAN CATECHETICAL POLICY Ongoing program of Catechesis Definition: An ongoing program of Catechesis is defined as the catechetical sessions for school-aged children, in the form of regular systematic catechesis in a parish, school, or home (homeschooling) setting. These sessions assist in initiating the children into the fullness of Christian life.
Duration: The ongoing program of catechesis consists of a minimum of twenty (20) hours per year.
Setting: The ongoing program of catechesis takes place in a school, parish or home (homeschooling) setting, but must be linked to a parish community through the pastor, the parish life director, the parish coordinator of catechesis or a catechist.
Ongoing catechesis in relation to sacramental preparation Reconciliation and Eucharist: Before receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, the child must complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours in an ongoing program of catechesis. These twenty hours should be completed in the year prior to the reception of the sacrament. That means your child needs to be registered in the Grade 1 program before being invited to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Grade 2 and then attend the Grade 2 program while preparing for Reconciliation. In order for your child to be invited to prepare for First Communion, the Grade 2 program needs to be completed and he/she needs to be registered in the Grade 3 Catechism class. Children who receive Religious Education classes at a Catholic School do not need to attend Catechism in order to prepare for one of the Sacraments. This preparation is to take place in the geographical or adopted parish of the child.
Confirmation: For the sacrament of Confirmation, the child must complete a minimum of forty (40) hours in an ongoing program of catechesis. These forty hours should be completed in the two years prior to the reception of the sacrament. That means your child needs to be registered in the Grade 4 and then the Grade 5 program before being invited to prepare for Confirmation in Grade 6.
Our Pastoral Practices as Recommended by the Diocese When new families arrive requesting the sacraments, how can we verify their previous catechetical formation? When a new family arrives, we can ask for the name of the school or parish where the child has received previous catechetical formation. In rare circumstances, when it is impossible to verify, we should assess the child’s religious development. If we question that the child may not have the necessary development, we should integrate the child in the ongoing catechesis program, at the age-appropriate level and offer, with the help of the parents or another catechist, the additional needed catechesis. We should always try to be sensitive the family’s needs, all the while respecting the guidelines we have given ourselves, so that the child’s catechetical needs are met. Please discuss your family's situation with the Religious Education Coordinator of the Parish before registering for ongoing catechesis or sacramental preparation sesions.
Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts Know Your Faith. Grow in Faith. Go in Faith.
Our faith is meant to be lived out in our homes, at our schools, in our jobs, and in our communities. Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts is a faith formation program that invites children and their parents into a new way of living in relationship with God, family, community, and the world. This comprehensive program provides sound doctrine, scripture, tradition, and prayer through experiential activities that make these lessons part of a lifelong practice of faith.
Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts is based on a spiral curriculum that integrates the fundamental themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church with Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching. This program provides lessons in the faith and delivers those lessons through experiential activities that encourage lifelong practice.
Program description courtesy of Loyola Press, a Jesuit Ministry
Catechism Schedule for 2023/24 Classes are Saturday mornings from 9:15 to 10:30 AM
Adults and youth are invited to become part of the Catechism Ministry to help the children of our Parish to grow in their faith. Training, faith formation and ongoing support will beprovided.