MISSION STATEMENT
The
mission of parish religious education is to assist all people in learning and
living the mystery of Jesus Christ.
To
serve this mission, through the help of God’s grace, we offer formal and
informal instruction and formation whereby each individual may embrace a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ and live as His follower for the
advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Sincere
cooperation between parish staff and member families is necessary to bring
about the formation of children and youth.
Such formation includes their
E growth in understanding and acceptance of Catholic doctrine;
E awareness of, and active
participation in Catholic liturgical and
sacramental life;
E embracing the fundamental
principles of Catholic morality;
E exercising the life of Catholic prayer.
PARENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY
Parents are the
primary educators responsible for the spiritual growth of their children. The goal of the parish staff is to assist
you in this awesome responsibility. As
stated in The Catechism of the Catholic Church #2226:
“Education
in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years...Family
catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in
the faith. Parents have the mission of
teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of
God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical
life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of
children and parents.”
Pope
John Paul II stated in 1979, On Catechesis in Our Time #23: “Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the
whole liturgical and sacramental activity, for it is in the sacraments,
especially in the Eucharist, that Jesus Christ works in fullness for the Transformation
of human beings.”
As
Catholics, we have an obligation to
attend Mass each weekend and teach our children about the Mass by word and
example. It is the parents’
responsibility to insure that their children attend Mass weekly. Religious
education does not take the place of Mass nor does it fulfill the obligation of
participating in the Mass.
PARISH STAFF AND
FAMILY
The
term catechist
is used in a broad sense to designate one who, directed by parish staff,
participates in formal or informal religious education ministry. All members of a community of believers are
called to share in this ministry of witnessing to the faith.
Recognizing
that parents are the primary catechists of their children, the parish staff
understands that the family, as the domestic church, is the place where faith
is planted and nurtured. We are
committed to assist you in the cultivation of the on-going development of faith
already begun in your home. We encourage each individual, adult and child, to
develop his or her personal gifts and to grow, as Jesus did, in wisdom and
grace.
We
wish to offer children opportunities to strengthen their relationship with
Jesus Christ by hearing and experiencing His words within the witnessing parish
community.
To
this end the parish staff strives to:
provide an environment where Gospel values are
fostered.
provide opportunities for prayer, reflection and
liturgical celebrations to stimulate each one’s relationship with Christ.
provide intellectual challenges appropriate for
each level.
invite and encourage parish catechists, as
witnesses of the Good News, to participate in opportunities to update and
deepen their faith.
offer sacramental programs that invite family and
parish participation.
challenge our students to bring the teachings of
Jesus into their lives and, by service to others, into their families and the
larger community.
These
goals are best met in parish community life.
Together as a Christian faith team of parish staff and family, we, by
reason of our Baptism, can profess and bring to fulfillment the values and
promises of the Kingdom of God.
Harassment
Policy for Non-Employment Situations
in
Schools/Centers, Parish Religious Education
and
Parish Youth Ministry Programs
of the
Diocese of St. Petersburg
The
Diocese of St. Petersburg requires
that each parish, Catholic school or early childhood center establish and adopt
this policy that prohibits any form of harassment by any individual.
The
Diocese of St. Petersburg strives for the establishment of a Christian,
professional and supportive educational programs, schools and early childhood
centers, and parish youth ministry programs in non-employment situations. No
parish, school, or early childhood center will be responsible for off campus
harassment, unless it occurs at a parish-, school-, or early childhood
center-sponsored event.
PURPOSE OF THE
POLICY
This policy
intends:
that each individual be free from physical,
psychological or verbal intimidation and harassment in the schools, early
childhood centers, religious education and youth ministry settings;
that
each individual involved in schools, early childhood centers, religious
education and youth ministry programs maintain and further develop attitudes
and behaviors which express respect for others and are reflective of each
person’s God-given dignity;
to encourage a heightened sensitivity toward
behaviors that others may find offensive and intimidating, whether these
behaviors refer to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national
origin, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
This
policy is not intended to otherwise limit the expectation of staff, children,
students, and volunteers to engage fully in the traditions of teaching,
celebration, participating in and being formed by the Catholic faith, including
but not limited to curriculum, catechesis, the Sacraments, other liturgies,
worship services and ministries.
EXPLANATION OF
HARASSMENT
Harassment
can result from a single incident or from a pattern of behavior involving
verbal, written or physical conduct or communication.
Harassment
encompasses a broad range of behaviors which could include, but are not limited
to:
Coercion of religious styles or personal
beliefs upon a participant
Comments or jokes based on issues of modesty
and developing social awareness
Implicit or explicit requests for sexual
favors
Inappropriate media or music use which would
violate this policy
Insults, jokes or derogatory slurs based on
one or more of an individual’s protected status(es)
Intimidation in front of or forced personal
sharing in groups
Physical, mental or verbal abuse
Unwanted forced involvement in any activity
Unwanted sexual comments (serious or
humorous)
Unwanted sexually
suggestive telephone calls, letters, e-mail, etc.
Unwelcome sexual advances or touching
CONFIDENTIALITY
The right to
confidentiality, both of the complainant and of the accused, will be respected
to the extent possible, but will be consistent with legal obligations and with
the necessity to investigate allegations of misconduct and to take corrective
action when this conduct has occurred.
REPORTING AND
INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES
Individuals
involved with the Parish Religious Education programs must report their
concerns to their Catechetical Leader, the Pastor, or the Diocesan Director of
Religious Education. If an individual is uncomfortable reporting to the above
persons, the report should be made to the office of the Executive Director for
the Diocesan Department of Catholic Formation and Education.
Individuals
who engage in behavior which violates this policy are subject to disciplinary
action, up to and including expulsion, dismissal, discharge, and any legal
consequences for this behavior.
Retaliation
against individuals who in good faith file a complaint of harassment or
participate in an investigation is prohibited.
CHILD ABUSE
Parish
staff members and all volunteers are required to report any acknowledgment or
suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the abuse hotline, 1-800-96 ABUSE.
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR ADULTS
The
Catholic Church in west central Florida is blessed with a
great diversity of persons created in the divine image. We respect, honor and celebrate the image of
God revealed in human uniqueness, dignity and diversity, as described in
scripture: “God created man in his image, in the divine image he created him;
male and female he created them” (Genesis
1:27).
We
believe that every child is a gift from God from the moment of conception. We
believe that the children enrolled in our schools, parish religious education
programs and other youth programs must be treated with dignity, respect and
care, as described in A Sacred Trust, The Safety of Our Children
(National Catholic Education Association, 2003).
An
adult involved in any role of a program is defined as a person who is at least
twenty-one years of age, and who has been approved to work with young people by
the pastor, principal, community organization leader or a designate (McCarthy,
2002). We serve all young people without
regard to gender, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital
status, socioeconomic status, political beliefs or disabilities. All adults working with youth in any capacity
must be approved through the proper background checks and screening as required
by the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
This
code is not intended to otherwise limit the expectations of staff, children,
students, and volunteers to engage fully in the traditions of teaching,
celebrating, participating in and being formed by the Catholic faith, including
but not limited to curriculum, catechesis, the sacraments, other liturgies,
worship services, and ministries. This
code is used in conjunction with existing diocesan policies, protocols or other
codes and is not intended to supersede them.
PROFESSIONAL ROLES
1. Adults recognize the dignity of each person
and refrain from behaviors or words that are disrespectful to anyone of any
group.
2. Adults work collaboratively with the pastor,
supervisors and associates in community, ministry, or school programs. These adults distinguish their own private
opinions from those of the Catholic faith or their profession in all publicity,
public announcements or publications.
3. Adults have a responsibility in all
relationships to witness the chastity appropriate to their vocation in life,
whether celibate, married or single.
4. Adult leaders are competent and receive
education and training commensurate with their roles and responsibilities
working with youth. They are to be made
aware of all diocesan policies for working with youth.
5. Adults are aware they have considerable
personal power because of their position or ministry. Therefore, they will sustain respectful
relationships, avoiding manipulation and other abuses of power.
6. Adults maintain appropriate professional
boundaries, e.g., physical, sexual, relational and emotional. Appropriate use of time for working with,
speaking with and engaging with children and youth is an important boundary. Adults are not to be available 24/7, but
rather work within normal expected time frames.
7. Adults model healthy and positive
behaviors with young children, adolescents, and other adults.
8. Adults must never engage in sexual
intimacies or overt sexual behaviors with children and/or youth. This includes consensual and nonconsensual
contact, covert or overt seductive speech or any gesture that sexually abuses,
exploits or harasses another person.
9. Touching should be age-appropriate and
based on the need of the minor and not on the need of the adult. An adult is to avoid physical contact when
alone with a minor. If a minor initiates
physical contact, an appropriate, limited response is proper.
10. Procuring, providing, or using alcohol
and/or any controlled substance for or with youth is
inappropriate and unethical.
11. Adults should never possess or use alcohol
or drugs while supervising and/or participating in a youth activity.
12. Adults always meet with young people in
areas that are visible and accessible.
13. One-on-one meetings with a young person
are best held in a public area, or if that is not possible, then the door to
the room is left open. A parent and/or another
adult is to be notified about the meeting whenever
feasible.
14. It is always a preferred practice to have
two adults present in the area where youth are present.
15. Driving alone with a young person should
be avoided.
16. Adults are not to be alone with minors in
a residence, sleeping facility, locker room, restroom, dressing facility, other
closed room or isolated area that is inappropriate to a ministry relationship.
17. Audiovisual, music and print resources
used in programs must be screened prior to use to ensure their appropriateness
for the participants. It is never
appropriate to use an “R” rated movie without parental consent or without
screening for sexual content, nudity, language, violence and themes or content
which harm the dignity of the human person. Even “PG” movies should be reviewed carefully.
Movies with ratings stronger than “R”
are never appropriate. Music lyrics
should also be reviewed to ensure their appropriateness. Parents should be informed of movies that will
be used in conjunction with any program.
18. The computer and internet are acceptable
and common means of communication and entertainment. Adults must never engage with sexually
explicit and/or pornographic materials or chat rooms with children and youth. They should not use any computer software,
games or any form of internet personal interaction or entertainment that could
not be used comfortably in the presence of parents.
19. Adults are trained to be aware of the
signs of physical, sexual and psychological abuse and neglect.
20. Adults are aware of their limitations with
respect to paraprofessional counseling and will make appropriate referrals.
21. Adults agree to adhere to civil and
ecclesial law, policy and procedure for reporting abuse, suspected abuse or
neglect.
22. Adults are aware of and comply with all
applicable parish, organizational and/or diocesan policies with special
attention to sexual misconduct, harassment, safety, transportation, parental
permission, and medical emergency policies.
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR CHILDREN
The
first premise of this code is that children and youth function best when
behaviors and expectations are clearly defined. It is accepted that parents are the first and
foremost educators of their children in all aspects of their development. This experience aims at developing upright
citizens and good Christians. As Jesus said
to his disciples, “I give you a new commandment: love one another” (John 13:34-35).
In
1Timothy 4:12, we read, “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an
example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.” Timothy is urged to rely on the gifts he has
received from God. This code urges our children and youth to rely on God’s
gifts to them, especially charity, chastity and purity. This calls the young to acknowledge and
promote one’s personal dignity and the rights that go with it.
It
becomes important for children and youth to know the difference between “right”
and “not right” relationships. “Right”
relationships foster personal, spiritual, and emotional growth, e.g., the
ability to communicate, to forgive, to show affection, to be honest,
vulnerable, dependable, etc. “Not right”
relationships become harmful and hurtful, and even abusive. Abuse occurs when someone does not respect
another’s boundaries, uses power, tricks, threats or violence to cross or
change another’s boundaries, or inflicts hurtful or unwanted behavior
(physical, verbal, emotional or sexual) on another person.
This
code is used in conjunction with existing local or diocesan policies, protocols
or other codes and is not intended to supercede them.
When
engaging in formal and informal activities, functions and programs, children
and youth are expected to behave appropriately at all times, respecting the
rights of others.
1. Christian behavior is expected at all
times.
2. Respect is required for individuals, the
community and the facilities being used.
3. Cooperation and self-control are necessary
when participating in programs and activities.
4. Dress must be in accord with the activity
and appropriate for a Christian environment.
5. Unacceptable behavior and lack of
cooperation will not be tolerated, but will be addressed appropriately. Examples of unacceptable behavior are as
follows, though not limited to:
- Cheating
- constant
disturbance of others at work or in an activity
- damaging of
property
- disrespect
for adults and peers
- fighting or
intent to injure others
- use of vulgar
language or gesture
- use of racial
slurs
6. Possession of weapons, possession, sale or
use of alcohol or drugs are forbidden.
7. No child or youth has the right to treat
another in any manner that will cause physical or emotional pain. Therefore, harassment of any kind is un-Christian
and unacceptable.
8. Coercion or threats to do something
physically hurtful or for the purpose of exposing someone or something about
another is unacceptable behavior.
9. Chastity is a virtue to be held in high
esteem and promoted in practice. Sexual abuse of any sort, coercing a person to
engage in sexual acts against her or his will, physically touching the sexual
parts of another’s body or treating a person like a sexual object are
unacceptable and abusive behaviors. Consensual
sex between students or initiated by minors to adults must never occur.
10. Religious education classes are a time for
sharing in God’s Kingdom. This sharing is a privilege and must be treated as
such. Teachers deserve full support and
cooperation. This includes listening,
following directions and participating in the activities of the class. Walkmans, CD players, Nintendo or other
entertainment devices not required for class are not permitted. Students who interfere with other students’
rights and classroom goals by being disrespectful or persistently disruptive
will have their parents called. If,
after parent consultation to resolve the problem, the child’s behavior does not
improve, the student will be dismissed from class and provided with
home-schooling materials.
PROGRAMMING AND
VOLUNTEERING
Availability
of classes is dependent on the generosity of adult volunteers who teach, assist
and support classes of children, and so we encourage you to join our team of
catechists, assistants and others devoted to providing a meaningful community
experience for your child.
To
provide the safest possible environment for our children, all adults who take
on positions of responsibility, and who at times will probably be alone with
those they are serving, are asked to fill out a Volunteer Application Form (for background screening purposes). In addition, they are asked to attend a Safe Environment Workshop, which takes
approximately five hours to complete. No adult may work in positions of
responsibility for children without having completed these two requirements.
The
Volunteer Application Form may be completed at any time, takes only a moment to
fill out, and is processed in a few days.
The Safe Environment Workshop, however, is presented at the parish only
a few times each year. For this reason,
your intention to volunteer with children, for which
the parish is very grateful, must be known as far in advance as
possible. Therefore, if you intend to
make yourself available for any of the following roles of responsibility for
children, at any future time, please
contact the Office of Religious Education as soon as possible. The roles are: CATECHIST, ASSISTANT CATECHIST, PRAYER
WORKER, MSYM SMALL GROUP LEADER, MSYM ACTIVITY LEADER, MSYM CHAPERONE, VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEER
SAFE ARRIVAL AND
DEPARTURE
Your
child’s safety is of primary concern.
Our parking lots are extremely busy; therefore, once students arrive
on the premises, they are asked not to leave the building in which they are
meeting. We encourage you to deliver
your child to his/her meeting place and meet the adults who are leading your
child’s class or event. For pick-up, please
enter the building to escort your child to your vehicle.
EMERGENCY CLASS
CANCELLATION
In
the event of an emergency situation, such as a hurricane or tornado, religious
education classes will generally be cancelled.
Please call the religious education office if you have any questions.
COMMUNICATION
The
parish religious education staff, intending to serve the religious education
needs of our children, youth and adults, will make every effort to communicate
with parishioners. If you have any
questions, comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to initiate contact.
ATTENDANCE
We
ask parents to take seriously the enterprise of parish religious education. Regular attendance demonstrates your
commitment to this aspect of your child’s spiritual development; bringing him
or her to class on time shows how you value the program. If an absence from class is foreseen, please
notify the religious education office. We welcome your child’s friends to class. Please personally introduce your child’s
friend to the catechist before class begins.
SACRAMENTAL
PREPARATION
Sacrament
involves relationship with Jesus and presumes faith. Readiness, not age or grade, is the criterion
for the reception of a sacrament. The
celebration of sacraments is the action of the community. The family has an essential role in the
preparation for and celebration of a sacrament.
Since
the pastor has the canonical right and obligation to administer the sacraments
to his parishioners, preparation and reception of a sacrament is done in and by
the parish to which the family is registered and participating. Whether a student attends a parish religious
education program or a Catholic school, the sacraments are received in the
parish to which the family belongs.
Remote Preparation
is
a period of evangelization and systematic religious education prior to the year
of immediate preparation. There should
be at least one year of religious education prior to the year of immediate
preparation for First Rite of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. This
guideline is met through participation in a Catholic school or parish religious
education program.
Immediate
Preparation
involves preparation separate from and in addition to current and regular
religious education. These meetings
require the participation of the children preparing to receive the sacraments
and their parents. They are intended to
provide parents with the information and skills necessary to determine if their
children are ready to receive the sacraments.
The
calendar for sacramental meetings, distributed at parish religious education
registration, and mailed to Light of Christ parishioners with students enrolled
at a Catholic school, is available on request.
Follow-up: Christian living has to be learned, and a
child’s religious life needs constant nourishment. The goal of the rites of
Christian initiation is a permanent and maturing relationship with Jesus
Christ. On-going participation in the
liturgical/sacramental, catechetical and apostolic life of the parish
strengthens and deepens that relationship.
First
Reconciliation and First Communion records required from the family are:
A copy
of the child’s original Baptismal Certificate
A completed Baptismal form
Confirmation
records required from the family are:
A copy
of the child’s original Baptismal Certificate
Sponsor’s Name/Sponsor’s Certificate
Parents
will be notified of any other required records and/or student assignments.
BOOKS, VIDEOS,
REFERENCES
Student
texts are on loan; we ask that they be returned to the parish at the end of the
religious education season. We encourage
each parent to read the entire text as a useful springboard for discussing
topics of faith with their children.
The
Work Room in the John/Francis Wing of the Parish Center contains a wide
variety of excellent videos for adults as well as children. These may be borrowed at any time. Reference materials (encyclopedias and scriptural
commentaries) may also be viewed on the premises.
RIGHT TO AMEND
This
handbook is meant to provide the parent/guardian with helpful information on
how parish staff and volunteers intend to go about the work of parish religious
education. It is not meant to cover
every situation that may occur. Light of
Christ Parish reserves the right to amend this handbook as necessary. Parents will be notified, in writing, if
changes are made to any procedures or information contained in this handbook.
PARISH
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION HANDBOOK