St. Thomas More > Children's Faith Formation > Religious Education Handbook

Dear Parents,

This handbook presents the vision of what the St. Thomas More Parish School of Religion Program can and should be for our students, families and parish community. The procedures are intended to help support our lives as Catholic Christians.
Our religious education philosophy is to provide a strong foundation for the child’s Catholic faith. Parents are the primary providers of that foundation with the religious formation program as their support.

Our lives as Catholics are strengthened by regular participation in the weekly Eucharist and frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our religious formation program (PSR) tries to foster understanding and practice in these areas for the pupils and their families.

Please keep this handbook in a convenient spot for ready reference throughout the school year. If you have any questions, please write or call the religious education office at 753-2548 or email Becky Ready.

May God bless you and your family as we journey together learning and practicing the truths of our faith.
Sincerely,

Becky Ready, DRE

MISSION STATEMENT - The religious formation program at St. Thomas More strives to enable all students to develop a vital, personal relationship with God and to share the Gospel truth in a spirit of faith, hope and love. Through study of the Catholic faith, as it has developed within our rich tradition, catechists help prepare all students to celebrate God’s love, proclaim God’s message and live in accord with this message. Study, reflection and discussion nurture a positive sense of self worth, foster a responsible use of freedom and promote a deepening awareness of our responsibility to serve the needs of all people.

ADMISSION - Our church is universal. There is no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin or handicapping conditions. Instruction of students requiring special education services will be on a case by case basis.

REGISTRATION - Families desiring to use the Parish School of Religion Programs should be registered members of St. Thomas More Parish. Please contact Becky Ready at 752-2080 x114 for registration forms.

TUITION - Fees are renewed annually. The fees are $85 for one child, $145 for two children and $190 for three or more children. It is expected that these fees be paid at the time of registration so as to offset the many expenses incurred to prepare for the new year. Checks may be made payable to St. Thomas More Parish or you can use your credit card.No one will be refused admission to the program due to financial hardship. If unable to pay the fees, call the DRE.

CLASS TIMES, SAFETY & EMERGENCY -

The Pre-School children (ages 3, 4 and 5) meet on Sunday mornings during the 10:00 am Mass, in the school classrooms located in Fr. Heider Hall. Pre-School students must be accompanied to their classrooms and picked up by a parent, grandparent or older sibling grade four and above.
Grades 1 through 3 meet on Sunday mornings in classrooms located in Fr. Heider Hall between 8:30 am and 9:45 am.
Grades 4 and 5 meet in the modular classrooms on Sunday mornings from 8:30 am - 9:45 am.
Grades 6 through 8 meet on Sunday mornings between 8:30 am and 9:45 am in school classrooms under the Church.
The middle and high school Youth Ministry Programs meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00pm. For meeting schedules and upcoming events, call the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Jamie Melish, at 753-2551 for further information.

Classes will begin promptly. The time for PSR classes is very limited. Regular attendance is the expectation. Attendance is taken at each session. If you know your child will be absent, calling the religious education office is appreciated. If you know your child will be absent, call the religious formation office is appreciated. Calls to parents will be made if absences are excessive. It is also expected that children will continue their religious training beyond that of the classroom and sacramental preparation. As Catholics, we continue to live our faith on a daily basis, so formation is a life-long process!

Please be prompt in picking up your child at the end of class.
Students will not be dismissed early without the written request from the parent and permission from the Director.

In case of accident or sickness, the student will be sent to the religious formation office and the parent will be called.

DISCIPLINE - For the most part, the children are well-behaved, which is expected and appreciated. However, if there is a problem, this will be handled on an individual basis between the catechist, the Youth Minister, and the parents.

CURRICULUM - The curriculum for religious education classes is in conformity with the Bishops’ approved list and follows the guidelines established by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in Growing Together; Ministry to Children, Growing Together; Ministry to Youth as well as the archdiocesan policies regarding early childhood education.
Preschool (ages 3-5) classes deal with the main topic of I Am Special and God Made Me Special. The program is designed to lay the foundation for a meaningful and loving relationship with God. The children will learn how God shows his love for them by creating the universe and all the people in it. The children are introduced to the many ways Catholics celebrate their faith in God and love for God. Through group activities and prayers, each child will experience the Christian Community. Based on Vatican II, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is the definitive work combining the riches of the past with a compass for the future. Grades one through eight are using the RCL series called Faith First, which is based squarely on the four pillars of the Catechism. Scripture is integrated both in text and dramatized through videos. A focus is kept on the lively flow of the liturgical year. The holistic scope and sequence is developmentally built on scripture, the liturgical year and doctrine. Each grade level is supported by an interactive web site for pupils, catechists and parents (www.faithfirst.com). Children are confronted with many life situations and helped to make decisions based on their Catholic faith. Our goal is to form religiously literate children who will come to know, love and live their faith.

Students in High School are encouraged to join our Youth Ministry which offers a series of multiple mini-courses on faith themes that respond to the developmental need of adolescents as recommended by diocesan catechetical leaders throughout the country. Also a focus on the liturgical year with an emphasis on scripture study and reflective readings of the lectionary will be incorporated within each session. In addition, students gather for fellowship and service as a way to build community and help others.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION POLICY - Sacraments are essential to what it means to live the life of a Catholic Christian. They are not magic, but expressions of faith. In that sense, Sacraments presuppose faith and strengthen faith. Sacraments praise God as Trinity, build up the Body of Christ, the Church, and sanctify the individual.
At St. Thomas More, we believe the above is essential. For one to request any Sacrament, there needs to be an understanding of the meaning and purpose of that Sacrament and a reasonable preparation so as to be better able to commit to the way of life presupposed by the Sacrament.

In that regard, the teachings, prayers and formation of first grade are essential for a child to have a basic understanding of this Jesus whom he/she plans to approach in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist as presented in grade two.
Continued religious education after First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is also ESSENTIAL if there is to be deepened understanding of the meaning and practice of these Sacraments in the life of the child and family. This is normally done through participatory attendance in the PSR Program at each developmental grade level.
Youth in grades 3 or higher who have not received the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will need to enter the RCIA program for children (RCIY) with the parents’ involvement.

Youth of the eighth grade level who hope to commit themselves to the Catholic Church for life through the Sacrament of confirmation need to have the experience and the understanding of what it means to be a Catholic Christian before they make this request for themselves. If this has not been done through regular attendance in a religious education program, there needs to be special preparation. This will be arranged through the DRE and the Pastor with the parents’ involvement.

VOLUNTEERISM - The involvement of parents over the years has significantly contributed to the strength of the St. Thomas More PSR Program. Active parental involvement is encouraged and needed. As stated in the philosophy, parents are viewed as the primary educators of their children. Numerous opportunities exist to get involved and take part in your child's formation. A form to volunteer for various "help" areas is attached to the registration form and also can be found on the website. For more information, call the DRE.