Our K-6 Faith and Life Program
Our Religious Education classes are for children in grades K-6. We are pleased to be using the Faith and Life curriculum by Ignatius Press. The series offers a comprehensive, age-appropriate formation in the Catholic Faith. As they say on their website, “The Faith and Life Third Edition series presents Catholic teaching using the time-tested ecclesial methodology and spiral development of catechesis, in a beautiful, student-friendly, comprehensive format.” Classes are one hour 15 minutes long, on Tues. evening at 5:15 pm, or Wed. evening at 6:15 pm; and run from September to May.
To register, please call us at the office at (817) 431-3857.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Would you like to help your young child enjoy a deeper relationship with God? The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in Sacred Scripture, Liturgy, and respect for the child’s rich relationship with God.
We are happy to be offering Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 for 3-6 year old children this fall. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an experiential approach to the spiritual formation of children.
Developed by Hebrew scholar and theologian, Dr. Sofia Cavaletti, and Montessori trainer, Gianna Gobbi, the Catechesis recognizes the existing relationship between God and the child, and aims to nurture this relationship by helping the child “come close to God all by myself.”
Based on the Montessori principles of education, the Catechesis introduces the child to the Scripture and the Liturgy through hands-on materials. These materials free the child to contemplate his/her own relationship with God and the Church. The catechist and the child are co-learners, seeking together the mystery of God and God’s Kingdom.
The catechists who work with the children will participate in nearly 100 hours of formation and are preparing a special environment for the children, which is called the Atrium.
The Atrium
What is a “prepared environment”? The prepared environment is a Montessori concept that the environment can be designed to facilitate independent learning by the child. In a prepared environment, children work with materials of their own choice and at their own pace. They experience a combination of freedom and self-discipline in a place especially prepared to meet their developmental and spiritual needs.
Why is it called “Atrium” anyway? The word “atrium” actually means “portico, or porch entrance to a large house.” The Atrium was a term given to this space by Maria Montessori. It was chosen because in the ancient church, the atrium was a gathering space between the Church Proper and the street. It was the place where the catechumens, those preparing for initiation to the Church, would receive instruction. The Atrium has a similar purpose for our children, as it is a place to help them enter into full, conscious and active participation in the liturgical and communal life of the Church.
We offer atrium sessions five times a week, Sept 14- May 12.
Click HERE to View the 2021-2022 Calendar
Tuesday mornings 10:00- 11:30 AM
Tuesday evenings 5:00- 6:30 PM
Wednesday mornings 10:00- 11:30 AM
Wednesday evenings 5:00-6:30 PM
Thursday mornings 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
The evening classes are on the same evenings as regular religious education classes for K-6th grades.
Please contact us if you are interested in being an aide for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
For questions, please call us at the office at (817) 431-3857.
Volunteer for K-6 Classes and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PASSING ON OUR CATHOLIC FAITH TO OTHERS?
We are looking for volunteers to teach our Catholic Faith to all ages. If you would like to explore the opportunities, take a minute to fill out our Catechist/ Aide Volunteer Form. We'll contact you to discuss how you'd like to help, and answer any questions! You can also call us in the Religious Education Office at (817) 623-2409.
Please click here to volunteer!
OUR VOLUNTEER NEEDS FOR K-6:
You teach in a classroom setting, assisted by an aide. You will be using a catechist guide (book) to work from and use to plan your lessons in advance.
Classes are one hour 15 minutes long, on a Tues. at 5:15 pm or Wed. evening at 6:15 pm, from Sept. to May. Child care for preschool children of volunteers is available.
Requirements:
You must be willing to take on the responsibility of teaching children in the Catholic Faith through the use of the provided curriculum, and being a model of Christ to them.
You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and sign an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.
You assist the catechist in the classroom.
Classes are one hour 15 minutes long, on a Tues. or Wed. evening, and run from Sept. to May.
Child care for preschool children of volunteers is available.
Requirements:
You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and sign an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.
You must complete the Keeping Children Safe class.
Substituting for a catechist or classroom aide who is absent. You are not obligated to be available all the time. You will just be on a call list and sub if you can.
Requirements:
You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and sign an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.
You must complete the Keeping Children Safe class.
Tender Lambs of Christ
Tender Lambs of Christ (TLC) is an adaptive religious education class for students with special needs. We utilize one-on-one and group instruction to help our students come closer to Christ and prepare them to receive their sacraments. We meet Sunday mornings from 10:50a-12:10p during the academic year in the PCC.
We are currently in need of volunteers for the Tender Lambs of Christ 2021-2022 school year. If you have experience with special needs or would like to learn, please contact the Religious Education office (817) 623-2409.
Nursery
To allow parents to focus and participate more fully in the Mass, we provide an onsite safe and caring environment for little ones ranging in age from 1 year (or walking) through age 3 at the 9:00 and 11:00 Masses on Sunday mornings, and the 9:00 Mass on Wednesday mornings during the school year when it is attended by students at SEAS School. Children generally attend Mass with their parents when they are age 4 or older.
The SEAS nursery is located in the Parish Hall (the brick building located right next to the church). Enter through the doors that face Willis Lane, and the nursery is on the immediate right before entering the main room of the Parish Hall. Ring the bell and a nursery staff member will come to open the door for you and assist you in signing your child in.
We are required to have Emergency Information and Waiver of Liability Forms on hand for each child, to be completed the first time you drop your child off.
- Extra diapers/training pants/underwear, wipes, and a complete change of clothing for those “oops” times. Please have everything together in one bag that is clearly labeled with your child’s name. Be sure all jackets, sweaters, etc. are also labeled.
- Label all plastic bottles/water bottles/sippy cups. If your child needs formula, please have it either already prepared or measured and ready to mix when needed.
- If you wish for your child to have a snack, be sure to include that in their bag.
- Be sure that nursery attendants are aware if your child has any food allergies.
- DO NOT BRING ANY SNACKS THAT CONTAIN PEANUTS/PEANUT BUTTER.
For the protection of all children and adults, do not bring your children to the nursery if they exhibit any of the following:
- Fever of 99.6 or above, either currently or within the last 24 hours.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea within last 24 hours.
- Recent exposure to, or symptoms of, any disease (chicken pox, strep throat, etc.)
- Common cold, from onset through one week
Sore throat or ear infection (should be off medication) - Any discharge from nose that is not clear
- Any cough not related to seasonal allergies (do not bring a child with a cough that produces phlegm)
- Any skin infection or unexplained rash
- Any discharge from the eyes (pink eye or eye infection)
- Head lice
- Unusual fatigue or irritability
Please note: Nursery staff cannot dispense any medication.
VBS
Each summer, we have a joyful week of Vacation Bible School for children ages Pre-K -5th grades. We have had over 350 children participate, and over 100 adult and teen volunteers leading them in song and dance, Bible study, crafts, and outdoor games.
While we are unable to have VBS this summer, because of Covid-19, we are hoping to gather again in the summer of 2022. VBS usually takes place in the 2nd or 3rd week of June. The week before, the volunteers work together preparing, doing fun decorating, and getting to know each other. We hope to see you this summer for great fun and fellowship!
Watch here for updates for VBS 2022!
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
We recognize that not everyone's faith journey looks the same. So whatever the situation, we're here to assist each family on their unique journey. If you have questions or concerns about the process, just let us know.
