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CHILDREN'S
FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS
(CCD)
St. John the
Baptist’s Family Faith
Formation programs strive to provide an atmosphere where
families—parents,
children, and youth can experience God’s love and Word so that
faith may become
living, conscious, and active. St. John’s
Community
looks to the family, the “domestic church,” as the most
important Christian
influence since it is in the home that a child learns that faith. Religious formation classes reinforce the
traditions of that faith and each child’s Roman Catholic
identity, while the
parish supports the child in learning to celebrate that faith in
community. St. John’s family faith
formation commits
itself to a close collaboration with the family and the parish
community to
fulfill this mission.
Family
Faith Formation Registrations 2009-10
Welcome
to a new catechetical year! St. John's Family Faith Formation
commits itself to close collaboration with families and the parish
community. St. John's
offers three different programs for Family Faith Formation.
Please click on the link below and you will be able to print and
complete the registration forms or you maybe obtain them from the
Msgr. Morris Parish Center. . If you wish to register your child(ren) for the 2010 Summer
Program, please do not postmark your envelope before March 6th,
and no later than March 19th, 2010. All
registration forms and payments must be mailed. All other
programs registration forms and payments are due NO LATER than May 21st,
2010 to avoid a $25 late fee charge (new families to the parish are the
only exception). If you are a new member of the parish and would
like to register your child(ren) for faith formation or if you have any
questions, contact Kathy Breitenbach, Registrar at the Msgr. Morris
Parish Center, One Valley
St. Hillsdale, NJ 07642
or call 201-666-2707 ext. 211 or email kbreitenbach@stjohnhillsdale.com.
Please click here for Family Faith Formation
Registration forms
FIRST
SACRAMENTS INFORMATION
First Sacraments
(Reconciliation and Eucharist) are celebrated in the spring of 2nd
grade. This is a two year program which begins with enrollment in
1st grade of either the parish Family Faith Formation Program or St.
John's Academy. In 2nd grade, there is a separate immediate
preparation program to which the family is invited to enroll.
This is one program for the children of the parish whether they
are in Family Faith Formation or St. John's Academy.
Preparation includes their regular classroom work in Family Faith
Formation or Catholic school religion classes plus work at home
with parents using a workbook. Parent instruction and guidelines are
provided. In addition, two mandatory workshops are held on
Saturdays during the year.
First Sacraments
2009-10 registration will begin sometime in June. If your child has
completed 1st grade in either Family
Faith Formation Program or St. John's Academy and is enrolled in 2nd
grade for the fall, you may download the First Sacraments Registration
form from the link below. If you have any questions you may
contact Kathy Breitenbach, Registrar at the Msgr. Morris Parish
Center, One Valley St. Hillsdale, NJ 07642 or call 201-666-2707
ext. 211.
When ready, you
will be able to click here for First Sacraments Registration forms
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A Parent Handbook
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Contents
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Mission
Statement of Saint John The Baptist Parish
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We parishioners of Saint John the Baptist Roman
Catholic Church are called by Jesus to be a community of disciples,
growing in faith and worshiping together in Eucharistic celebration.
Nourished by God’s transforming love and
blessed by gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live the
gospel message and to witness it to others.
Thankful for God’s many gifts, as Christian
stewards we commit to share our time, talent and treasure in
Christ-like service within our parish community and beyond..
We seek God’s blessing and guidance to be
faithful to this mission.
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General
Statement on Religious Education
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The overall goal of all catechesis is to prepare
for an adult commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church so that faith
may become living, conscious, and active.
The role of our Religious Education Program is
rooted in the profound truth which lies at the heart of our Catholic
Christian faith: God’s unconditional love for every human being
and His unbounded mercy toward all who seek His forgiveness.
Through the study of the teachings of the Catholic
Church including familiarization with our vocabulary, sacramental
system, and a fostering of prayer, we seek to assist parents to draw
their children into a closer union with God, and a deeper and permanent
commitment to the Catholic Church community.
Parents are the primary educators of their
children. It is through the faith commitment of their parents that
children become aware of the obligations of being a disciple of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
In witnessing their faith commitment, our Family
Faith Formation
parents are expected to accompany their children to the Lord’s
Day and Holy Day Masses.
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Celebration
of the Eucharist
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The Lord’s Day
Saturday - 5 pm
Sunday - 8 am, 10 am (includes Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Sep-June), 12 noon
Monday-Friday - 6:30 am, 8 am; Saturday - 8 am
Holy Days of
Obligation
(See parish bulletin for Mass times)
January 1 - Motherhood of Mary
40 Days after Easter - Ascension of Our Lord
August 15 - Assumption of Mary
November 1 - All Saints’ Day
December 8 - Immaculate Conception of Mary
December 25 - Birth of Our Lord
Schedule of
Family Faith Formation Classes
Sundays, 8:30am to 9:45am*: Grades K - 8
Tuesdays, 4pm to 5:15pm*: Grades K - 5
*Grades K will be dismissed 5 minutes earlier than the other grades.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered to all children of the
parish at services during Advent and Lent. See schedule for dates and
times.
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Offices
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Msgr. Morris Parish Center
One Valley Street, Hillsdale NJ 07642
201-666-2707
Extensions
Co-Directors of Religious Education 213
Registrar 211
Adult Faith Formation 217
Rectory - Parish Secretary 110
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Drop-Off
/ Pick-Up Procedures
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This policy was adopted solely for the protection
of the children in our program.
Children should be dropped off no later than 5
minutes before classes begin.
At the end of the first class, parents are asked
to come into the classroom to meet their child’s catechist.
Children should be picked up promptly at dismissal
time. For safety reasons, all parents are asked to park and come to the
classrooms to pick up their children. This policy will apply to all
grade levels. Children should be picked up no later than 5 minutes
after the end of class.
For the protection of all children, no child is
allowed onto the playground near the school after Family Faith
Formation classes.
Older siblings will NOT be allowed to pick up
younger children.
If someone other than a parent is to pick up a
child, the catechist must be informed in writing. This includes car
pools.
If a child must leave class early for a serious
reason, the catechist must be informed in writing. When the parent
arrives, he or she must sign in at the office in the building in which
classes are held. The parent will then be escorted to the classroom to
pick up the child.
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Attendance
Policy
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Religious education should be a priority. Children
are expected to attend all classes, and parents are asked to call the
Parish Center office to report an absence. Leave a message if no one is
available to answer the phone.
If a child misses more than three classes per year
or is frequently tardy, the child may be asked to come for a review
with the director and/or to repeat that year.
If illness or a family emergency prevents a child
from attending class, parents are responsible for contacting the
catechist for instructions, picking up any homework, and going over the
material that was covered in class so that the child will not fall
behind.
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Inclement
Weather
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In the event of hazardous driving / walking
conditions:
On Sundays, we will try to anticipate any
hazardous weather conditions. Catechists will be notified and will call
the parents of the children in their classes. Do not venture out if
conditions are hazardous.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, if Hillsdale schools are
closed or close early due to hazardous weather conditions, there will
be no Family Faith Formation classes that day. If the weather
deteriorates through the
day, we will try to notify all catechists and have them call the
parents of the children in their classes. Do not venture out if
conditions are hazardous.
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Illness
/ Accidents
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In the event of a physical injury or illness, the
child will be taken to the office to the supervising adult. The parent
will be contacted. An accident report form will be filled out for any
physical injuries that occur during Family Faith Formation classes.
Emergency cards are required for each child and
must be filled out and signed by the child’s parent/guardian at
the beginning of each year. If a parent cannot be contacted and the
situation is serious, the information on this card will be used to
assist the child to the best of our ability.
Allergies / Special Needs:
Parents of children with allergies or special
needs should make the staff and catechists aware of these needs as soon
as possible.
AIDS Virus:
If a child is infected with the AIDS virus, it
should be made known to the Director of Religious Education. The
information will be held in strict confidence.
Medication:
We are not allowed to dispense medication of any
kind. If your child is taking any type of medication, please inform the
Office of Religious Education and indicate the medication(s) on the
Emergency Card.
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Food
/ Refreshment Policy
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NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE will be allowed in any class
at any time. Parents are asked to have their child(ren) have their
snack or meal before bringing them to Family Faith Formation.
Class celebrations should be of a religious nature
(prayer services, Gospel plays, review games, etc.) and should not
include food or beverages of any kind.
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Emergency
Procedures
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Emergency procedures have been developed and will
be followed by all staff and volunteers.
A fire drill will be conducted within the first
few weeks of the beginning of classes.
In case of an emergency evacuation of the school
(fire, smoke, etc.), the children will be taken into the church and
will sit with their catechist and class. We will have a team call all
parents to inform them of the situation and to ask them to pick up
their child(ren).
If an emergency situation occurs (such as occurred
on 9/11/01) during Family Faith Formation classes, the children will
NOT be informed of
any disaster. If parents wish to come to pick up their children before
the end of class, they must first go to the office to notify the staff
of their intentions.
In all situations, concern for our children will
be paramount, and every effort will be made to ensure their well-being
and safety.
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Abuse
Policy
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No child will be allowed to be in an unsupervised,
one-on-one situation with any staff or volunteer in a remote or
unobserved area. If you bring your child to the classroom and the
catechist or aide are not yet present, please remain with your child
until others arrive.
Any parent who suspects any type of abuse should
notify the proper authorities immediately.
The policy on abuse for the Archdiocese of Newark
is available for anyone who wishes to review it. Please visit or phone
our office if you wish to review this policy or to receive a copy.
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Texts
Used
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Kindergarten through Eighth Grade::
Faith First Legacy Edition, copyright 2006
Publisher: RCL (Resources for Christian Living) Benziger
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First
Sacraments Preparation
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First Sacraments
(Reconciliation and Eucharist) are celebrated in the spring of 2nd
grade. This is a two year program which begins with enrollment in
1st grade of either the parish Family Faith Formation Program or St.
John's Academy. In 2nd grade, there is a separate immediate preparation
progarm to which the family is invited to enroll. This is one
program for all the children of the parish whether they are in Family
Faith Formation or St. John's Academy.
Preparation includes their regular classroom work in Family Faith
Formation or Catholic school religion classes plus work at thome with
parents using a workbook. Parent instruction and guidelines are
provided. In addition, two mandatory workshops are held on
Saturdays during the year.
First
Sacraments 2009-10 Registration
has been ongoing since July. If your child has completed 1st
grade in either Family Faith Formation or St. John's Academy and is
enrolled in 2nd grade for the fall, you may download the First
Sacraments Registration forms from the link below. Once the forms
are completed, please return them to the Msgr. Morris Parish Center,
One Valley Street, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 by September 8th. If
you have any questions, you may contact Kathy Breitenbach, Registrar at
201-666-2707 x211 or kbreitenbach@stjohnhillsdale.com.
Texts Used: RCL Benziger
Click here for First
Sacraments Registration forms
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Importance
of Each Year
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All grade levels of religious education are
important, each assisting the child to grow in a deeper knowledge of
God and of their faith, and an increased awareness of their
responsibilities as a disciple of Jesus Christ and as a member of the
Catholic Christian community.
If a child misses a year of Family Faith
Formation, he or she will be
required to make up the work by private tutoring sessions in addition
to their regular Family Faith Formation class.
Completion of grades 6, 7 and 8 Family Faith
Formation or Catholic
school religion classes are required before entering the Confirmation
preparation program in Grade 9.
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Grade Level Overviews
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Kindergarten - God’s Love
Grade 1 - God, Creation
Grade 2 - Jesus, Reconciliation, Eucharist
Grade 3 - The Church
Grade 4 - The Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes
Grade 5 - The Sacraments
Grade 6 - Sacred Scripture
Grade 7 - The Creed, Personal Prayer
Grade 8 - The Moral Life, Catholic Liturgy
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Confirmation Program
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After a child has completed grades 1 through 8 of
Family Faith Formation or Catholic School religious education, he or
she will receive an
invitation to apply for the Confirmation program in grade 9. Children
in grade 9 do NOT register for the Family Faith Formation program.
If you have any questions regarding Confirmation,
please leave a message for the Confirmation Program Coordinator at
201-666-2707, extension 29.
Updates
Please keep up-to-date with the Family Faith
Formation program
notices which may be sent home with your child. You may also refer to
the parish bulletin and web site at www.stjohnhillsdale.com.
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