| |
Our Lady of Consolation Elementary School |
|
|
Sacramental Guides |
Religious Education
The primary purpose for the existence of Our Lady of Consolation School is teaching students the Gospel values and their practical application in living Christian lives worthy of their calling. In a Catholic school, all learning can take place in an atmosphere of religious ideals while the basic skills are being taught and stressed. All of this, however, needs to be fostered and supported in the home. School is an extension of the home in the life of a child, and learning therefore, can be accomplished only in the union with parents.
Parent Guidelines
As a parent, you are your child's primary teacher of faith. You model for your child the attitudes of reverence, respect, and responsibility that are crucial to faith development. It is important that you and your child faithfully attend Mass every weekend. In this way, you lead your child toward mature, adult participation in the liturgy. We are meant to be excited, active participants in our liturgies, not passive observers. As a parent, you can model this excitement in your enthusiastic participation. Your children imitate you... when you sing, they sing; when you respond, they respond; when you place importance in attending Mass, they come to appreciate its importance. Teach your children that we offer our gifts of time, talent and treasure back to God at each liturgy. Help your child discover the time and talents they have to share. Encourage them to be generous as they put a portion of their personal money into their offering envelope. In this way you teach your children to be active, responsible members of God's family.
Liturgy
As a Catholic community, we acknowledge the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives as a unifying force and a grace-filled experience. Throughout the year, the students of the various grade levels have the opportunity to help plan the weekly liturgy for the entire school. This provides for a greater familiarity with the Mass while increasing its meaningfulness for the students. This also prepares them to be able to participate as active members in the Church when they are adults. Parents and friends are always welcome and encouraged to attend these celebrations. We do ask that parents respect the prayerfulness of school liturgies. School liturgies are planned to be reverent worship experiences, not performances or productions. Flash and video cameras are inappropriate in the worship environment because they distract students and adults from the purpose for which we are gathered...to praise and worship God!
Reconciliation and Eucharist
Children are prepared to receive the Eucharist and Reconciliation beginning in the first grade. Sacramental preparation is the main focus of second grade. According to the Toledo Diocesan Synod Directives (1989), the Catechesis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation must be received before the sacrament of the Eucharist. Parents must attend the scheduled preparation program session (s) to refresh their understanding of these sacraments. Sufficient time must be spent in preparation. Parents can make this a family time of learning and reconciling. Prior to receiving these sacraments, a baptismal certificate must be presented if the child was not baptized at Our Lady of Consolation.
Confirmation
Students at Our Lady of Consolation Parish (OLC students and Parish Religious Education students) are prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during their 8th grade year. They attend three Sunday workshops and an overnight weekend retreat. Parents and sponsors are encouraged to volunteer to help with these sessions. Students also complete service hours as part of their preparation.
Vocations
Passing on the light of faith is the mission given to every baptized person. We at Our Lady of Consolation School will provide opportunities during the course of the year to encourage Church related vocations. We ask that each family make an effort to pray for vocations with their children and to encourage them to follow Christ faithfully in whatever vocation they are called.
|
|
| |
|
| |
Our Lady of Consolation School | 401 Clay Street | Carey, OH 43316 | Phone: 419-396-6166 | Fax: 419-396-3355 |
|