RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONSImplementing policy 420Nov., 2014
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONS
Policy 420
What Does It Say? There must be 6 or more students in at least 9 grades
Below that: 1) Combine with a neighboring program
• A) Pastor contacts regional Vicar to inform him• B) Pastor contacts neighboring pastor(s) to inform them
(negotiate catechist sharing and cost sharing)• C) Pastor and staff plan to keep children affiliated to
parish 2) Run an alternative model program
• Note: Homeschooling is not considered an alternative program for the parish to employ
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONS
Will they
go at all?
If the parents follow the children – what are the consequences to the parish?
Combining:Considerations
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONS
How will youdeal with sacraments?
Who is availableto provide activitiesto keep familiesassociated withthe parish?
Combining:Considerations
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING
An accurate reading of the revision of Policy 420 would suggest that it is Bishop’s Persico’s desire that parishes combine and share resources when possible.
Discussion – other considerations
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONSPlanning Future Directions
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING
Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains…
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love!!
Begin in hope -Pray constantly-Trust that the Spirit is with you
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING
Form a Team(you will need them later)
(pray whenever you meet)
Skip the parish doers: AND The parish nay-sayers
People who know the parish, its history and who will share that information
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING
What are the “blocks” out of which you can build
something new?
No judging yet: AND SKIP the past bashing!!
Identify Strengths(you will build on these
later)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING
Go Listento theCommunity
Group Your Ideas(you will change these
later)
No judging yet AND Skip the parish nay-sayers
then
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING
What experience canwe draw on:
What is the community hoping for?
Remember: frustration is
hope expressed negatively
Re-Gather the Team
from listening(See - you needed them later)
(still praying)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING
These are your ingredients
What is the best recipe to match the ingredients you have on hand!!
The Community’sExperiences
The Community’s
Hopes
The Community’s
Resources
Discussion – other considerations
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONSAlternative Models Uncovered
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
First – choose the table…
…then the setting
STEP 1 STEP 2
How will you serve your recipe? A Process in Two Steps
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
...or
1. CONSIDER YOUR TABLE OPTIONS
Which table will best serve your recipe?
Simple/Stra
ight
Forw
ard
Enough room
for everyone
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
Family Gatherings with classes at parish
Family Gatherings with home classes
Your own variation on this theme
WHO IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL EFFORT?
or
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
Whole Community Gatherings with age group classes
Whole Community Gatherings with at home sessions
Whole Community Gatherings without age segregation
Your own variation
MORE TABLE CHOICES
WHO IS THE FOCUS O
F YOUR
EDUCATIONAL EFFORT?
NOW IT IS TIME TO PICK THE PLACE SETTING
Is your focus on the families who have school age children?
Are you considering the educational needs of all the people of the parish?
Which FOCUS bests matches the CURRENT needs and resources of your parish?
Make this choice and…
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
.. Textbooks Lectionary Based Fashioning Faith Family Intergenerational Milestones Your own variation on
these options
STEP 2 SETTINGS CHOICES
Essential Question: Does the table setting work well with the table you have chosen?
What style of curriculum will best fit the structure you chose?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
A pastor who has the time and the interest to be totally involved
A pastor and staff who are willing to be open to making mistakes with the patience to correct them
A staff person with considerable time and good organizational skills
A staff person interested and with the time to learn new approaches and resources
The ability and interest to weather the challenges of change for 3 to 5 years
There must be a recognized team of people who will support the change
WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUCCEED?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
It can rejuvenate the entire parish because discipleship of adults becomes a prime focus (not only children)
Children will learn the faith where they have always learned it best, in households of faith
You can work to keep youth and young adults connected to the faith because faith is not just another class – it is something we all do forever
Vibrant parishes grow
WHAT MIGHT AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM DO FOR YOU?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
Some resource samples are available on the table for your review
This material will be added to the website with all the appropriate links
Coming in March: A meeting featuring leaders from around the Diocese who are doing alternative models
Remember – pray now – pray often - for wisdom in discernment
DISCUSSION
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES
WWW.ERIERCD.ORG/RE_SMALLPROGRAMS.HTML
Can be accessed from the main Religious Education Office webpage:
Look under “Religious Education Leaders”“Small Programs”
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