Faith Formation
and
Sacramental Preparation
St. Augustine School
St. Augustine School
educates children from kindergarten through the eighth grade. Operated
as a ministry of St. Augustine Parish and the Diocese of Toledo, the
school contains one class per grade level and primarily serves the children
of the parish. St. Augustine School also accepts children from adjacent
parishes without Catholic schools and non-Catholic children whose parents
want to provide a value based education for their children.
St. Augustine School
emphasizes Catholic values throughout the curriculum with service projects,
local and global mission efforts, and liturgical planning and participation.
The St. Augustine
School philosophy parallels the Diocese of Toledo School district Philosophy:
“St. Augustine
School assists parents in preparing their children to assume their
Christian vocation; in preparing their children to use their God given
abilities to develop their knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes;
in preparing their children to become people of faith inside and outside
the school setting; in preparing their children to integrate their
experience of living and learning at each stage of their development;
in preparing their children to understand we are all part of God’s
community; in preparing their children to work for themselves as well
as the common good of the community of mankind; in preparing their
children to pray. Our ultimate goal is union with Jesus Christ, the
way, the truth and the life.”
Mission of St.
Augustine School: “Since parents are the primary educator of their
children, our mission is to assist parents in fulfilling their right
and duty to educate and to form basic religious attitudes; thus preparing
the child to develop into a mature Christian witness.”
Parish
Religion Program - PRP
Catholic students
not attending St. Augustine School are invited to faith formation classes
held on Sunday mornings. Students in grades kindergarten through grade
eight are welcome. This program runs from September until mid-May following
the school calendar. The curriculum for the Toledo Diocese is followed.
Catechists pursue a Diocesan Religion Certificate through participation
in religion workshops. There are several special liturgical seasonal
activities during the year. Children in each grade perform service activities
to reach out and help in the parish and in the world. The program happily
accepts parishioners (adults and high school students) who would like
to help with this ministry.
Mission of St.
Augustine PRP: “We are called to share our faith with our children.
We are challenged to be Christian witnesses. We acknowledge our own
limitations and failures. We celebrate our life with Jesus.”
Baptismal
Team
The Baptism Preparation
team prepares parents for the celebration of Baptism for their child.
Parents are required to attend a class prior to the Baptism. The class
reviews issues of faith and looks at the Baptism ceremony in order to
prepare the parents for this sacrament and their life-long responsibilities
of raising a baptized child.
First
Reconciliation and Eucharist Sacramental Preparation
Second graders
in St. Augustine Catholic School and the Parish Religion Program prepare
for the reception of Reconciliation and Holy Communion throughout the
year in their religion classes. Parents attend formation meetings to
assist them with their child’s study and understanding of Reconciliation
and Eucharist. Children must have attended grade one religion classes
in order to prepare for sacramental preparation. The celebration of
Reconciliation is in January or February. First Communion is usually
celebrated on the first Sunday in May.
Confirmation
The eighth grade
students in St. Augustine School and the Parish Religion Program study
and prepare together for Confirmation. Parents attend a meeting to discuss
the faith formation and requirements for the Confirmation process in
the Fall. Special Confirmation classes are held outside of their regular
religion class time. Students participate in service projects, attend
at least one retreat, select a sponsor and choose a Confirmation name.
The students are interviewed as a final step in the Confirmation process.
Older
Children Sacrament Preparation
Although there
are some exceptions, this program is for children of catechetical age
(8 years old – 15 years old) who have not received Baptism, Reconciliation,
First Eucharist or Confirmation. This is a process of conversion and
faith formation. This touches the entire family. After an initial interview,
a study plan is discussed and decided upon. These special classes are
scheduled to meet the needs of each family. Children and youth receive
the sacraments of initiation after they have completed their faith formation.
Sacrament celebrations are frequently part of weekend liturgies with
the parish family.
Bible
Study
Bible study offers
a way for parishioners and non-parishioners alike to connect through
small group discussion of our Lord’s Word. A variety of groups
are meeting at various times to accommodate a plethora of schedules.
No prior Bible knowledge is necessary! Join us for fellowship as we
grow in the Spirit of the Lord.
Horizons
This is a flexible
High School program. The curriculum addresses the need for religious
information but also the adolescents’ need for religious formation.
This program adheres to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The courses
engage the youth with active or experiential learning activities. The
curriculum offers a balance of courses that are explicitly religious
and others that focus on the personal and social concerns of adolescents.
Elements of prayer, reflection, Scripture, and faith sharing are important
parts of the Horizons Program. Meetings are held on Wednesday evenings.
Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
This process welcomes
those individuals unbaptized or Christian baptized who wish to explore
and perhaps join the Catholic faith. This initiation process is also
for Roman Catholics wishing to be in full communion with the Church.
This program begins in October and continues throughout the year with
weekly meetings. Various topics are discussed. A text is used as the
basic faith information element. RCIA relies on speakers, videos, presentations,
prayer reflections, retreats, Scripture and faith sharing to study and
experience the Catholic faith. Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
occurs during the Easter Vigil.
Active parishioners
are encouraged to become part of the RCIA team as candidate sponsors,
hospitality or presenters.
Vacation
Bible School
The parish provides
an opportunity for children ages preschool through grades four to attend
a summer vacation bible school. Vacation bible school lasts for one
week during the month of June. Through song, games, skits, crafts, snacks
and other fun activities, children explore Bible stories. Adult volunteers
and student volunteers from grade five through high school work together
to bring this fun-filled educational week to our younger children.
Youth
Group
Our goal is to
provide opportunities for the Junior High and High School students of
the parish to share and grow in their faith through meetings that deal
with their needs, as well as to facilitate their participation in the
faith life of the parish community. We encourage all Junior High and
High School students to join us.
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