Coordinator of Elementary CCD is Father Massie

Coordinator of High School CCD is Mrs. Rebecca Ardoin (rardoinccd@gmail.com)



The Formation and Catechesis of all Catholics is a very important and serious duty. We strive to help all of our parishioners in increasing their knowledge of the Catholic Faith in order to more fully live it. We assist especially in the preparation of all who will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Marriage. Opportunities are provided for on-going catechesis and education within the life of the parish through Parish Missions, Adult Education Classes, etc.  

The Religious Education Program (CCD) for our youth at both St. Ann's and Holy Spirit Chapel is comprised of two sections: 1) the elementary program for grades First to Eight and 2) and the Confirmation program for grades Nine to Eleven.



FORMS AND DOWNLOADS

2019-2020 Elementary Grades 1-8 CCD Registration Packet

2019-2020 9th & 10th Grade CCD Registration Packet

2019-2020 11th Grade CCD Registration Packet

2019-2020 Youth Group Retreat Packet 


2019 - 2020 Schedules

2019-2020 Elementary Grades 1-8 CCD Testing Schedule

2019-2020 Elementary Youth Group Meeting Schedule

2019-2020 9th & 10th Grade CCD Life Teen Youth Group Schedule

2019-2020 11th Grade CCD Confirmation Class Meeting Schedule
 

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM 

Our elementary program strives to incorporate the concept of the value of parents being the first and most important teachers of the faith in the lives of their children. Our program is essentially an “at home” program where parents (or another family member) teach children at home using textbooks and study guides provided by the Parish, and the children are interviewed monthly on their knowledge of the material.

St. Ann's will be using the Faith and Life Series books from Ignatius Press. This includes the Faith and Life Series textbooks for the students and a Family Guide for the parents. St. Ann's will also provide a study guide handout for the students to complete at home under the supervision of their parents which follows the chapters in each textbook. The monthly testing at St. Ann's will come directly from the study guide. This way there are no surprises when the students show up to take their tests.

Over the course of approximately 8 months [from September through April], the CCD students meet once a month on Thursday evenings with our CCD team in the Religious Education Building at St. Ann's Church where the students will be tested on their progress in the learning of the material. At the same time, the parents/guardian meet in the church, where they will listen to a brief presentation given by the Pastor or a guest speaker. After the children's testing and a brief activity, the children will join their parents in the church for 15 minutes of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to conclude the evening.  The sessions begin at 5:30 pm and end around 6:30 pm.

This year we are requiring that at least one parent/guardian attend each testing session with your child.

NEW for this year...ELEMENTARY YOUTH GROUP! Additionally, we are supplementing our Elementary CCD at home program for 5th through 8th graders a Youth Group! The elementary youth group meets twice (2) a month on Thursday nights in the Religious Education Building. There will be food, games, catechesis, and age appropriate discussions concerning social issues facing our youngsters. We are asking 5th through 7th gradrers to attend as part of their CCD obligations...8th graders are welcome at either the Elementary Youth Group or the High School Youth Group. 

ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM

Starting with First Grade, the children are taught about how special they are to God, their families and themselves.

Grade 1: Our Heavenly Father

Theme
Introduction to the Holy Trinity through presentations on God the Father, the life of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, God’s plan of salvation and our part in that plan. Acquaints children with Mary, angels, and the saints. Children learn basic prayers.

Aim
To introduce first-grade students to the Church’s faith regarding the Triune God, the life of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the life of prayer, with a special emphasis on growing to know, love, and trust God.

Grade 2: Jesus Our Life

Theme
Preparation for the first reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, with the law of God and salvation history as background. The lesson emphasizes God’s mercy and love. Covers Creation, the Covenant with Moses, the Ten Commandments, Redemption, Forgiveness of Sins, and the Mass.

Aim
To prepare second-grade students for the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion, and to help them appreciate God’s love for them shown in these two sacraments. Students will learn how to receive the Sacrament of Confession, the order of the Mass, and the basics of prayer.

Grade 3: Our Life with Jesus

Theme
God’s plan of salvation, from creation to the Incarnation and Redemption to the birth of the Church at Pentecost and our life in the Church. Special emphasis on the importance of Confession, Communion and the Mass.

Aim
To show third-grade students that they belong to God’s chosen people and that the child’s family is an important part of God’s family, the Church. Also, to encourage prayer and love for God’s law.

Grade 4: Jesus Our Guide

Theme God’s plan to save his people from sin (Salvation History), how we participate in that plan, and the many ways God helps us in our pilgrimage on earth to Heaven through His word, His law, and His Church.

Aim
To help fourth-grade students understand their purpose and goal in life, and to see God’s plan in history and society to lead us all to Heaven, our true, eternal home.

Grade 5: Credo: I Believe

Theme
A thorough study of the articles of the Creed as the basic belief of our Catholic faith, with a special emphasis on careful understanding of definitions through the words of the Gospels, and the prophets, and the prayers of the Church.

Aim
To help fifth-grade students acquire a solid knowledge of God and His Church through the understanding of the Creed we profess, and the distinguished truths of our faith from errors that lead away from the love of God.

Grade 6: Following Christ

Theme
The blueprint for a life of love: the law of God, especially in the Ten Commandments, and the presence of Jesus in the Holy Mass. The interaction of the challenges of God’s law and His gifts of grace that help us fulfill His law.

Aim
To help sixth-grade students learn to love the moral law as Christ did and to cherish and love the Mass as our best prayer to God, and especially to revere and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Grade 7: The Life of Grace

Theme
Grace as our link with God, His gift to us to bring us to Himself and His eternal life, with an emphasis on transmission of grace through the seven sacraments and on God’s loving gifts of revelation, of Himself through the prophets, the Incarnation, and the Church. The role of grace in developing the virtues.

Aim
To help seventh-grade students treasure the sacraments as indispensable to a full Christian life of love and truth. To understand how grace works and its relation to practicing the virtues, and to appreciate our gifts of reason and faith.

Grade 8: Our Life in the Church

Theme
The history of the Church — its founding by Christ, its birth in the Holy Spirit, the marks of the one, true Church, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the saints and the role of the religious and laity up to the present. The structure of the Church Jesus planned, the role of the Magisterium, the clergy, the religious and the laity and our own vocations.

Aim
To help eighth-grade students know and love the Church as Christ’s Body, and respond to the teaching of the Magisterium as the sure voice of Jesus, so that young people may be strengthened through their lives in the Church to face the confusion and secularism of modern-day society.

Our goal is for our students to know the Word of God, the life of Christ Jesus, the Holy Catholic Church and and to grow in the understanding of how important prayer is in our life.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

The Confirmation Program is a three(3) year program and is typically comprised of grades Nine through Eleven.

9th and 10th Grade Students

Over the course of the academic year], 9th and 10th grade students in the Confirmation Program meet weekly on Wednesday nights in the Religious Education Building at St. Ann's. The sessions begin at 6:00 pm and end at 7:30 pm. The Religious Education CCD program will be folded into our Life Teen Youth Group. This means that in addition to catechetical instruction, students will also engage in youth group activities and will discuss many of the social issues facing our teens and our world today from a Catholic perspective.


11th Grade Confirmation Class

Over the course of approximately 8 months [from September through April], 11th grade students in the Confirmation Program meet at least twice a month on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Religious Education Building at St. Ann's. The 11th grade students are also required to attend at least one Youth Group meeting per month, and they are welcome to attend them all!

Service Projects will be required for all Confirmation Candidates for a total of fifteen (15) hours. Four (4) of the fifteen (15) hours must be Adoration hours. 
 

The requirements for receiving the Confirmation in the 11th grade include (each year, 9-11):

1. Regular attendance at the weekend Masses of these parishes (or another Catholic Church).

2. Attendance at all scheduled classes, special events, retreats and ceremonies. Absences must be excused before the scheduled class or event by the Pastor or DRE.

3. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament four hours per year. All candidates must sign in or complete an Adoration form.

***Note: Confirmation Candidates who miss more than two classes, Sunday Masses, or do not complete the other requirements each year without a valid reason (serious illness) determined by the DRE WILL NOT REMAIN IN THE CONFIRMATION PROGRAM.