RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Education News [from the August 23 bulletin]

Our Religious Education classes for Kindergarten will begin on Sunday September 13th from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. in Holy Cross School.

Evening classes for grades one through eight will begin on Monday September 14th and Tuesday September 15th. Both will start in Holy Cross Church at 5:30 p.m. this is mandatory for each student and a parent. Registration forms and letters were sent home with the oldest child last April. If anyone needs another form you will find it on our website www.ourladyontheriver.net*

We are in need of a few dedicated teacher volunteers for this school year. If you feel the calling to help guide our children in the Catholic faith and could do so one evening a week for 1hour and 15 minutes please call me at 810-765-8300. We have a wonderfully supportive staff who will assist you all the way.

Enjoy the summer!

Mrs. Margie Smith, DRE Our Lady on the River Parish email

2009/2010 Form and Schedule

Here are the *form and schedule for this year's Religious Education Sessions

Registration Form

Schedule

R.C.I.A

Sunday, September 27, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Catherine's Chapel meeting area we wil have a 30 minute inquiry - question and answer session. Come, if you have questions about the Catholic faith. Come, if you are searching for a deeper relationship with God. Come, if you are interested in becoming a member of our Catholic community.

What is the R.C.I.A.?

It is the rite of Christian Initiation for adults, which names the process by which interested persons gradually become members of the Catholic Church.

R.C.I.A. is not a program or a series of classes in Catholicism. It is primarily a journey of faith.

The R.C.I.A., as a rite, marks stages along the path to full communion in the Catholic Church. The RCIA, as a process describes in broad terms what this gradual commitment means.

The R.C.I.A., as formation, looks both to the inner transformation of the individual to God's call as given to each person.

The R.C.I.A. contains five main stages or phases.

The Period of Inquiry (Also known as the time of evangelization or pre-catechumenate) - a time to become acquainted with the Catholic Church
Catechumenate - embodies the first stages of commitment leading to full membership

Period of Purification and Enlightenment/Scrutinies - corresponds to the time known in the Catholic Church as Lent, the six weeks of preparation for Easter
Celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation - celebrated at the Easter Vigil - the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
Mystagogical Catechesis - lasts from Easter Sunday until Pentecost Sunday,

and completes the initiation process.

Each Sunday, those interested gather for the Liturgy of the Word at the 10:00 a.m. morning Eucharist at St. Catherine in Algonac,and are dismissed to another place after the Homily to reflect, pray, discuss and better understand the teachings of the Catholic Church. The sessions, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., are informal and are facilitated by persons who are eager to share faith and Catholic life. Each week provides an opportunity for prayer, questions, discussion, and input on a particular topic involving the Catholic Church, life, and practice.

There is no cost. There is no obligation on participants to become members of the Catholic Church. Anyone seeking information about the Catholic faith or deepening their understanding is welcome to attend. Please contact by email or call Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj 794-4965, or Fr. James Lopez or Fr. Matthew Ellis 765-3568 for more information.

The R.C.I.A. is particularly for:

The non-baptized
Persons baptized in another Christian Church who desire full communion with the Catholic Church
Adult Catholics who have not received First Eucharist and/or Confirmation

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children's Liturgy of the Word takes place during Advent and Lent.

The children are provided Scripture more suited to their age and a reflection and discussion more relevant to their lives as children.

During Sunday Mass, after the Opening Prayer, Father invites the children to follow an adult leader off to a separate area, usually the side chapel or activity center. The Children�s Liturgy of the Word begins with an opening prayer, followed by the first reading and runs through the Prayers of the Faithful.

At the end of each Children's Liturgy of the Word session, the children are provided handouts which discuss the message from the day's readings and often provide activities for the children to do at home to reinforce the message with their families. The children typically return to Mass with the congregation at the Preparation of the Gifts, the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Children's Liturgy of the Word is for children from Kindergarten through Grade Four in order to conduct the session more effectively and so that a single reflection and discussion can have meaningful benefit for those participating.

Julie Schultz leads the Children's Liturgy of the Word at Holy Cross Church on Advent Sundays during the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Stacy Goulette leads the Children's Liturgy of the Word at St. Catherine Church during the 10:00 a.m. Mass, at times with the assistance of Carol Fett and/or Angela Rochon.

If you have any questions, would like more information, or would like to volunteer to help with this ministry, please contact either of the group leaders or Sister Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj at either Holy Cross - 765-3568 or St. Catherine - 794- 3301 or 794-4965.