Mission... At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, "the only son of the Father... full of grace and truth," who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising, is living with us for ever".
We must therefore say that, in catechesis, it is Christ, the Incarnate Word and Son of God, who was taught -- everything else is taught with reference to him -- and it is Christ alone, who teaches... (Apostolic Exhortation Catechesis Tradendae, p. 8-10)
What is our Religious Education Program about?
Each of us working in Catholic schools is called to be Christ's spokesperson, enabling Him to be present through us! The role of the Religious Education Consultant is to support all the stakeholders in our school division to fulfill this mission. In Catholic schools we work together with the family and parish to help young people mature into disciples of Christ.
For someone who is new to the Catholic school system, an understandable question is what makes the schools Catholic? There is much that distinguishes Catholic schools, which students and their families can readily observe. The Religion Handbook below will provide you with answers.
Religion Handbook
- Religion classes
- Prayer services (liturgies of the word and mass) at key points in the school year
- Liturgical Calendar
- Religious symbols, posters, icons, and art work etc.
- School names, that tie into our faith, tradition and understanding.
- Prayer at key times and events - over the intercom or in the classroom.
- One-day or overnight retreats that supplement what is taught in religion classes.
- Faith-related professional development days, which may be district wide or school-based.
- Chaplains and chapels - we have teaching, lay chaplains and we have a chapel in two of our high schools.
- A full-time Religious Education Consultant
- A well-funded faith formation program for all staff to take courses, focused mostly Catholic theology, scripture, and morality.
