Family Handbook 2013-14 - St. Anna's Catholic Church

LEADERSHIP PERSONNEL FORRELIGIOUS EDUCATIONPastor:Fr. Dan ToofTelephone: 770-267-7637E-Mail: fatherdan@windstream.netDirector of Religious Education:Mrs. Deborah FarabaughTelephone: 770-267-0420E-Mail: deborahf@windstream.netSchool of Religion Advisory Board:Mrs. Dawn Criss, Mrs. Ginny Harlan,Mrs. DeAnna O’Brien, Mr. Chris Penvose,Mrs. Senta Penvose, Mr. Frank Roginski,Mrs. Regina Sobczak, Mr. Marshall Tanner,Mrs. Krista Willis, Mrs. Mary Madani (Parish Councilrepresentative), Fr. Dan ToofProgram Coordinators:Adult Faith Formation: Beverly SabatinoE-Mail: beverlysabatino@windstream.netRCIA: Ed ReinagelE-Mail: misteredd@bellsouth.netYouth Ministry: Doreen Warren & Ace WillisE-Mail: doreenwarren@windstream.netart 9823@windstream.netYouth Group web site: www.st-annas.com/sayg

SCHOOL OF RELIGION MISSION STATEMENTA ministry focused on providing an educational processRooted in the Traditions and Scripture of the Catholic Church.This process includes religious knowledge and encourages participation.This is done through modeling the practical applicationof knowledge and faith. This foundation allows the Good Newsto personally develop in each student and family, with continuousopportunity for growth in knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ.This is provided in a community of believers who responsiblybecome involved in the life and work of the community throughworship, service, message and witness.SCHOOL OF RELIGION CURRICULUMPre-Kindergarten:Grades K—6:Grades 7 & 8:Grade 9:High School:Confirmation:Catechesis of the Good ShepherdWe BelieveSadlier Religion PublishersWe Live Our FaithSadlier Religion PublishersConfirmed in a Faithful CommunitySt.Mary’s PressT3—The Teen TimelineAscension PressConfirmed in a Faithful CommunitySt.Mary’s Press

POLICIES OF ST. ANNA’S SCHOOL OF RELIGIONATTENDANCE POLICYAll students whose parents are registered parishioners of St.Anna’s and who attend grades 1—10 in a public school arerequired to attend the religious education classes in the Schoolof Religion. Parents who home school their children shouldcontact the DRE to learn the home school guidelines of theArchdiocese of Atlanta. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherdprogram and a Kindergarten class are provided for childrenfrom the age of 3 to kindergarten age. A High School class isalso provided for students in grades 11 and 12.It is expected that families will make a commitment to regularattendance at all classes. Good attendance makes it possible tograsp religious concepts and to foster a sense of belonging inthe parish community.NOTE: Religious Education classes are NOT a substitutefor Mass. Regular attendance at Mass is essential to theprogress of forming faith.If a child is absent from class, parents must contact the child’scatechist for any missed assignments. If your child completesthe work missed during an absence and turns the work into theSchool of Religion office, the absence will be excused. Theuse of this option is meant to be limited. In extraordinary circumstancescontact the DRE.When a student is absent from class two weeks in a row, atelephone call or e-mail to the Religious Education office isexpected. If a student missed 3 classes and no contact hasbeen made by the parents, the DRE will contact the parents.Under Archdiocesan guidelines, students must attend 80% ofclasses (no more than 5 unexcused absences) to receive creditfor successfully completing the year. For extraordinary circumstancesplease contact the DRE.

Place) to attend the 12:00 p.m. Mass or to meet their parentsare to use the BRIDGE FARTHEST FROM THE STREETand WALK BEHIND THE FENCE AND NOT IN THEPARKING LOT to come up to the church. Students alsoMUST STAY IN THE CROSSWALKS where they are available.It is strongly advised that parents watch for children inthe crosswalks at dismissal time.ADDITIONAL POLICIESClass begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. Catechists are in theclassrooms by 9:45 a.m. so students may begin to arrive afterthat time. Any student arriving after 10:10 a.m. will be consideredtardy which will be indicated on the attendance sheet.The DRE will contact the parents when a student has beentardy three times.If for some serious reason a student can not attend ReligiousEducation classes, home schooling is permitted. The parentsmust contact the DRE to request the home schooling option.Parents must follow the guidelines outlined by the Archdioceseof Atlanta for the home schooling of their child. This willbe explained to the parents by the DRE.FIRE EMERGENCYEach classroom has an emergency evacuation plan posted insidethe doorway. Catechist will be aware of this steps to takein the event of a fire. Periodic fire drills will take place duringthe Religious Education year.SEVERE WEATHERIn the event of sudden, severe weather & an emergency cancellationof classes, the DRE will contact the catechists.Catechists will then call the children in their class to makethem aware of the cancellation.

SACRAMENTAL POLICIESFIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONFirst grade religious education is required before a child canenter the second grade sacramental preparation year.A child is required to have a consistent* first and second gradereligious education attendance record before he/she can beginpreparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation andFirst Holy Communion. (*As per the Archdiocesan guidelines;a minimum of 80% of classes).CONFIRMATIONYouth seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation must have attendeda Catholic School or Religious Education program andsuccessfully completed the 7th and 8th grade.St. Anna’s has a two year Confirmation preparation programwhich begins in the 9th grade and concludes in the spring ofthe 10th grade. Students must have successfully completedboth 9th and 10th grade to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.ADDITIONAL SACRAMENTAL POLICIESChildren must be baptized prior to receiving the Sacraments ofFirst Reconciliation, First Holy Communion & Confirmation.A copy of the Baptismal certificate must be turned in to theDRE.Parents of children above grade 2 who have not received theSacraments of First Reconciliation and/or First Holy Communionshould contact the DRE.The requirements needing to be met by the Confirmation candidatewill be explained at a parent/candidate meeting prior tothe first Confirmation preparation class.

SCHOOL OF RELIGION CALENDAR 2012-2013Sept. 9 Class16 ClassParent Meeting in Parish Hall.23 Class30 ClassOct. 7 Class - Right to Life Sunday14 NO CLASS - Fall Break21 Class28 ClassNov. 4 Class— All Saints Celebration—Parish Hall11 Class28 Class25 NO CLASS - Thanksgiving breakDec. 2 Class - 1st Sunday of Advent9 Class - 2nd Sunday of Advent16 Class - 3rd Sunday of Advent23 NO CLASS - Christmas break30 NO CLASS - Christmas breakJan. 6 Class12 First Reconciliation Retreat13 Class19 First Reconciliation20 Class26 First Reconciliation27 ClassFeb. 3 Class10 Class17 NO CLASS— Spring Break24 ClassMarch 3 Class10 Class17 Class24 Class31 NO CLASS— Easter SundayApril 7 Class14 Class20 First Holy Communion Retreat21 Class28 Last day of classMay 6 First Holy Communion

St. Anna’s School of Religion Catechists 2012—2013Catechesis of theGood ShepherdKindergarten:Grade 1:Grade 2:Grade 3:Grade 4:Grade 5A:Grade 5B:Grade 6A:Grade 6B:Grade 7Grade 8:Grade 9 :ConfirmationGrade 10 Confirmation:High School:Mrs. Gloria BriscoeMrs. Cathy CravenMrs. Kelly DesOrmeauxMrs. Tamie MalangaMrs. Jenny OliaroMrs. Jennifer DuncanMrs. Ginny HarlanMrs. Mary Lynne ReinagelMr. Frank RoginskiMs. Laura DeVaneMrs. Julie MitchellMrs. Jill WilmoreMrs. Regina SobczakMr. Joseph LaimanaMrs. Jeanette CaseyMrs. Jill CostantinoMrs. Lisa StanalandMr. Marshall TannerMrs. Joy TuschlMr. Antoine BardyMr. Todd CostantinoMr. Chris PenvoseMrs. Amy JenickMrs. Kari ConstantinoMrs. Doreen WarrenMiss Rachel VerdettoMr. Andrew WillisMr. David SmithMs. Betsy MarshallMr. Ace Willis

We Are FamilyLord, God, we thank you for the gift of family.We acknowledge that our image and name asfamily comes from you.We believe that within our family lies a homemade holiness.We affirm that it is in this household of faith that weexperience your presence, your forgiveness,and your love.We are Family.We give thanks to you for the many joys and blessings thathave come to us through family.As a family we sometimes feel pain.And so we offer you our disappointments, frustrations,and hurts.Help us to forgive those members of our family, includingourselves, who have caused pain.We pray for the strength to be a light within our family.May we open our hearts, our eyes, and our ears and carry ourlight to those in need.God, Creator of the earth, and all its people, help us to bemindful that, as members of one global family,we are equal in your eyes.Help us to continue to appreciate the diversity of persons inour homes and in our world.As members equal in human dignity, may we build a betterworld and proclaim our willingness to be theholy people you call us to be.Amen.