The purpose of our program is to provide a quality catechetical program that warmly welcomes, carefully educates and fully empowers them as disciples of Jesus.

Children’s Program  As you read in “How Does My Child Learn” each of our students learn in a different way(s).  Our program is structured to provide a variety of types of learning models.  The purpose of our program is to provide a quality catechetical program that warmly welcomes, carefully educates and fully empowers them as disciples of Jesus.  Our program incorporates songs, games, team building, role playing, sports and drama.  Our teachers enhance the classrooms with prayers, journaling, games, projects and story time particularly for our younger students.  Our curriculum includes scripture stories.  We have group craft and outreach activities.   

Curriculum  We are using the Faith First Curriculum by Resources for Christian Living (RCL), which is based on the four pillars of faith:  Creed, Liturgy & Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer.  Each class will study the four pillars at approximately the same time during the year.  In addition, lessons on the liturgical seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent & Easter) are provided at the back of the teacher manual and teachers can choose to incorporate that material in at any time.  The textbooks also have many traditional prayers in the book.  We will incorporate these prayers as opening or closing prayers.  The Curriculum schedule provided allows parents to see what the students are learning each week.   

 CLASSROOM               

Children’s (Sunday morning):

K-6 Teachers/Assistants                                                  8:30-9:50 a.m.

Students in Cafeteria for JAM15 – PK-3rd                     8:40-8:55 a.m.

Students in Cafeteria for WE CARE – 4^th-6^th                           8:40-8:55 a.m.

Students are in class                                                         8:55-9:45 a.m.

                        Students are taken to Dismissal Hallway                         9:45 a.m.

 JAM 15 & WE CARE  JAM stands for Jesus And Me! This element of our morning CRE program is intended to jump start the mornings with some engaging fun activities.  JAM 15 volunteers will coordinate alternating venues each Sunday for PK-3^rd grade students.  We will rotate between music, games and skits in the cafeteria.   One of the teachers will use this time to prepare the classroom while the others remain in the cafeteria to help chaperone students.  

WE CARE is a new initiative to bring community outreach projects to our students in grades 4-6^th.  Students are to report to the cafeteria to work on ongoing outreach projects.  We have had a tremendous response from our parish outreach committees.  We have already scheduled outreach projects for our sister parish in Honduras, activities for the local Center of Hope food bank, prison ministry outreach and our annual Christmas Shoebox program.  We plan on exposing the students to many opportunities in which to serve the parish, community and the world. 

 Craft and Special Event Days  During the year, we will have designated days that all grades will participate in special activities.  A team of volunteers will coordinate crafts and activities for the classes.  On these designated days classes will be assigned a time to be at the craft station in the cafeteria and volunteers will help students with an age-appropriate crafts.  Our annual All Saints Celebration in October will be one you don’t want to miss.  Students are encouraged to dress up as saints.  Our craft team will organize games, food, and story time for the children.  In addition all children will process in mass with Fr. Bob.  We are also excited about our end of year church activity day.  We have scheduled our closing event for a visit of our new building.  The day will provide interactive stations at different locations in the building to help our children tour and learn about our new home.

 Other Planned Events  Each year our parish participates in several outreach projects.  In the early fall we will participate in Operation Shoe Box.  Shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts will be collected and send to children in need.  Our outreach volunteers will show students a video explaining the program.  Information flyers will be sent home with students.  At Easter time we will help fill Easter Baskets for children at the Catholic Charities shelter and Women's Haven.  Students will be asked to donate small items to fill the baskets.   The third annual outreach project is Pennies for Porky.  Classes will collect coins to donate to the local food bank.  A little piggy bank will be provided to the classes for students to fill.     

Our craft team may also incorporate outreach activities as part of their ministry.  In the past students made blankets at Christmas time to give to Cooks Children's Hospital.  These are great opportunities for our young disciples to see faith in action. 

All children will be offered the opportunity to annually attend our safe environment class-Called to Protect for Young Children.   

Communication  We include information about our program in the parish weekly bulletin and quarterly newsletters.    In addition, we will provide periodic handouts to keep parents informed about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and holidays.  If you have any questions please contact our DRE at the parish office 817-441-3500 or at mcollins@holyredeemerepc.org

 Registration Fees  We do not collect registration fees for our program.  Instead we ask for donations.  We will have a second collection this fall to help cover the cost of our program.  If you would like to mail a donation to the parish office, please note in the memo field (FFT donation).  Approximate supply cost for each student is $30.

 First Reconciliation and First Eucharist  This program is offered to children who have been baptized and have reached the age of reason (at least 7 years old).  Children are required to attend regular religious education.  If your child has not participated in religious education in the past year please contact the DRE.  Supplemental instruction may be needed.  Sacramental preparation will be incorporated in the 2nd grade class.  Please inform us if you have a student in grades 3+ who are in need of the sacrament.  It will be necessary for students to make up missed classes at home.  We will also have students attend Sunday afternoon retreats for reviews and special sacrament activities.  Parents will be required to attend four parent sessions held on Sunday mornings during FFT class time.  The First Reconciliation service will be held on March 30, 2009 at 7 p.m. at St. Francis in Willow Park.  The First Communion service will be held in May 2009 in our new building.  Program details will be mailed out this fall.    

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities  One of the wonderful things about the Faith First curriculum is that it can bring the parents back into the education process with their child.  The publisher has a wonderful website that has special features for families, parents and students.  (www.faithfirst.com)  We encourage parents to participate in the online games available for the students.  There are chapter reviews that are fun and engaging.  Our Sunday Bible Study program is an excellent way to enrich your faith.  The bible study group meets during FFT class time.  Our RCIA program is also available to adult Catholics who just want to learn more about our faith.  We have a Wednesday morning bible study at the parish office.  Our Mom’s group has many activities including group outings, evening bible study and coffee gatherings.