| Religious education, like all good learning
processes does not just happen in a classroom. It is more likely
to happen more spontaneously and in a variety of settings. St.
Matthew Parish relies on three individual, but complementary,
frameworks in order to provide an effective, worthwhile
religious education program of its members. They are: 1. The
Parish School of Religion
2. The Family
3. The Parish Community
Each of these components has a distinct role in the
educational process and must be nurtured, valued and supported
by all members of the parish.
Within the
Parish School of Religion, we provide
educational curriculum to insure that all members of our parish
learn about our Catholic faith in an age-appropriate manner. The
curriculum for those in grades 1-8 is the
Blest Are We program offered during a two-week summer module or
monthly during the school year. Those in grades
9-12 meet for six classes in the Fall and six in
the Spring/Winter using materials from St.
Mary’s Press. There is also a Youth Ministry component for
grades 6-12.
The Family
is a continuous setting for learning. The way a family
lives out the teachings of the gospel, how it establishes and
encourages Christian values, how it instills prayer practices
and involvement in the faith community models the way of life
for the family members. The role of the Family in the religious
education process is central to the success of either and both
of the other two components.
The Parish Community
plays its part in the religious education triangle by
demonstrating its commitment to community in its liturgical
celebrations, in the vitality of its parish life and in the
acceptance of the ministries to which each of us is called by
our Baptism. The Parish Community calls its members to
Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The Parish
Community celebrates the continuation of our Catholic heritage
and passes these traditions on to its next generations.
Further information may be obtained by calling Ruth Flynn at
229-2429 or emailing her at
reled@stmatthewsb.org
Page last updated September 2006 |