Finding God Series, by Loyola Press.

www.findinggod.com – access code = FG-2013 (excellent family resource tool)

3 Lessons are learned each day.

Lesson 1 = class time (1st chapter)
Lesson 2 = prayer/music & craft-time (coincides with lessons)
Lesson 3 = class time (2nd chapter)

Talk to your child/children every day about what they learned.   Reinforcing what your child learns, will ensure that they retain the information and also show the importance of the connection between home and class.

Prayer.  Please establish prayer-time each day with your child/children.  Help them to remember their prayers and to learn to talk with Jesus each day.

Parents are the Primary Educators of the Faith:

As the primary educators of your children and being the role models for their faith, it is important to attend Mass regularly so that what is taught at home and at religious education classes is reinforced in Church.

Together:

We can all make a difference in the life of a child!

Religious Education Summer Curriculum & Program Overview

Grades 1 – 7

Finding God – Our Response to God’s Gifts

By Loyola Press

“The desire for God is written in the human heart.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC27)

We desire to know God in a personal way in order to find meaning and purpose in our lives.  This is the aim of catechesis as expressed in the General Directory for Catechesis:  “to put people, not only in touch, but also in communion with Jesus Christ” (GDC 80).

Curriculum:

The Finding God:  Our Response to God’s Gifts program invites all who experience the program to recognize the presence of God in the sacraments and in their communities of faith, and realize the presence of God in their experiences of God’s creation in their lives as people for others.

Finding God:  Our Response to God’s Gifts is an authentic expression of the Catholic faith, found to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church by the Subcommittee on the Catechism.  The program reflects a vision of our Catholic faith grounded in Scripture and Tradition.  The expression of the vision is based on our Catholic belief that effective catechesis:

• Reflects the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• Centers on the Person of Jesus Christ.
• Proclaims the liberating good news of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
• Leads the Christian into the world in mission and action.
• Addresses the needs of the culture in which it is presented.
• Invites believers to reflect on personal experience as they grow in relationship with God.
• Leads to a full, conscious, active participation in the liturgical life of the Church.
• Fosters a climate of prayer and nurtures a faith that is expressed in prayer

 

Finding God:  Our Response to God’s Gifts helps children and families experience the full and authentic teaching of the Church while entering more deeply into a meaningful, lifelong relationship with God.

Catholicism is more than just an interesting theological proposition-it’s the way you live your life.

Our faith is meant to be lived out in our homes, at school, on our jobs, and in the community. Finding God:  Our Response to God’s Gifts provides an invitation into a way of living in relationship to God, family, parish and neighbor.  This compelling and comprehensive program provides sound and substantial lessons in the faith and delivers those lessons through experiential activities that make these essential lessons part of a lifelong practice.

This program involves the whole child:  mind, and heart, body and soul.

Diversity:

This program helps all children recognize themselves in the story of Salvation History and celebrate the Church’s diversity through:

• Art
• Saints & Holy People
• Music
• Ritual & Tradition

 

Inclusion:

Among the many children in our parish community, some have special needs.  The Finding God:  Our Response to God’s Gifts includes activities in each Catechist Guide that adapt teaching approaches so that all children are included and can enter into the faith experience.

Families:

The continuation of faith formation at home and the ability to monitor progress are key elements of this curriculum.

With My Family has three suggestions that families can work together through each session:  activity; faith on the go; family prayer

Online family resources and newsletters
www.findinggod.com – (access code = FG-2013)