Implementing Religious Education Small Program Options Policy
Policy 420 outlines guidelines for religious education small program options, emphasizing combining programs or running alternative models when there are fewer than 6 students in at least 9 grades. Considerations include maintaining parish affiliations, dealing with sacraments, and sharing resources. The policy encourages collaboration among parishes to optimize resources and ensure a vibrant educational experience for students.
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONS Implementing policy 420 Nov., 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 Combining: Considerations Will they go at all? If the parents follow the children what are the consequences to the parish?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONS Combining: Considerations How will you deal with sacraments? Who is available to provide activities to keep families associated with the parish?
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 OPTIONS Planning Future Directions
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains Begin in hope - Pray constantly - Trust that the Spirit is with you Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love!!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING People who know the parish, its history and who will share that information Form a Team (you will need them later) (pray whenever you meet) Skip the parish doers: AND The parish nay-sayers
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING Identify Strengths (you will build on these later) What are the blocks out of which you can build something new? No judging yet: AND SKIP the past bashing!!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING Go Listen to the Community Group Your Ideas (you will change these later) No judging yet AND Skip the parish nay-sayers
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING What experience can we draw on: What is the community hoping for? Re-Gather the Team from listening (See - you needed them later) (still praying) Remember: frustration is hope expressed negatively
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM PLANNING What is the best recipe to match the ingredients you have on hand!! The Community s Experiences The Community s Hopes The Community s Resources These are your ingredients Discussion other considerations
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM OPTIONS Alternative Models Uncovered
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES How will you serve your recipe? A Process in Two Steps STEP 2 STEP 1 First choose the table then the setting
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES 1. CONSIDER YOUR TABLE OPTIONS ...or Which table will best serve your recipe?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAMALTERNATIVES WHO IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL EFFORT? Family Gatherings with classes at parish Family Gatherings with home classes Your own variation on this theme
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES MORE TABLE CHOICES Whole Community Gatherings with age group classes Whole Community Gatherings with at home sessions Whole Community Gatherings without age segregation Your own variation
Is your focus on the families who have school age children? NOW IT IS TIME TO PICK THE PLACE SETTING 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?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES STEP 2 SETTINGS CHOICES .. Textbooks Lectionary Based Fashioning Faith Family Intergenerational Milestones Your own variation on these options What style of curriculum will best fit the structure you chose? Essential Question: Does the table setting work well with the table you have chosen?
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES WHATISNECESSARYFORAN ALTERNATIVETOSUCCEED? 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
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES WHATMIGHTAN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMDOFORYOU? 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
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: SMALL PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES DISCUSSION 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
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
