PARISH Religious Education Program
for Children and Youth
IF WE DON'T TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO FOLLOW CHRIST,
THE WORLD WILL TEACH THEM NOT TO.
THE WORLD WILL TEACH THEM NOT TO.
2024-2025 CALENDAR | RESOURCES | NEW! FACEBOOK | CONTACT DRE
Attention families who are new to SVDP with children in grades Kindergarten through High School:
ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
IS NOW OPEN!
Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church offers a solid religious education program for children which is true to the teachings of Jesus and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We joyfully welcome you and your child(ren), and thank you for selecting us to assist you in giving your child(ren) a strong foundation in faith which will help them live an authentically Catholic lifestyle while on their journey toward heaven. First Day of Classes for SY 2025-2026: Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025
Enrollment Requirements
Children entering Kindergarten must be 5 years of age by June 30 of the current school year. Children entering First Grade must be 6 years of age by June 30 of the current school year. (Our program follows the same entrance guidelines established by Morgan County Public Schools.) A baptismal certificate of each child entering our program for the first time must be presented at time of enrollment, or be on file in the Parish Office no later than September 30 of the current school year..
If you are enrolling a child who needs the sacrament of Baptism, please speak with our pastor, Fr. Steve Vallelonga, or our head of Religious Education, Amy Taylor. Either will be very happy to assist in preparing you and your child for this important sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church. There is no prior instruction requirement for Baptism.
If you are enrolling a child who needs the sacrament of Baptism, please speak with our pastor, Fr. Steve Vallelonga, or our head of Religious Education, Amy Taylor. Either will be very happy to assist in preparing you and your child for this important sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church. There is no prior instruction requirement for Baptism.
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Children seeking to make their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion must attend a minimum of two (2) consecutive school years in our program and achieve no less than 90% attendance in the second year of preparation in order to receive these sacraments of initiation into the Church. In cases where a family has moved from another area where their child(ren) has attended a Catholic school or a Catholic religious education program, credit for that instruction may be given if a letter verifying enrollment and attendance from the previous parish pastor, Director for Religious Education, or Catholic school principal can be presented at time of enrollment or before the first day of classes. Instruction received outside of the Catholic faith will not be recognized.
Preparation for Confirmation
Catholic youth seeking to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation must attend a minimum of two (2) consecutive school years in our program and achieve no less than 90% attendance in the second year of preparation in order to be confirmed in the Church. In the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, children may be confirmed no earlier than 9th grade; therefore, it is ideal that a candidate for Confirmation prepare to receive the sacrament during their 8th and 9th grades of education.
In cases where a family has moved from another area where their child(ren) has attended a Catholic school or a Catholic religious education program, credit for that instruction may be given if a letter verifying enrollment and attendance from the previous parish pastor, Director for Religious Education, or Catholic school principal can be presented at time of enrollment or before the first day of classes (September 15, 2024). Instruction received outside of the Catholic faith will not be recognized.
In cases where a family has moved from another area where their child(ren) has attended a Catholic school or a Catholic religious education program, credit for that instruction may be given if a letter verifying enrollment and attendance from the previous parish pastor, Director for Religious Education, or Catholic school principal can be presented at time of enrollment or before the first day of classes (September 15, 2024). Instruction received outside of the Catholic faith will not be recognized.
Tuition and Fees
By the graciousness of our pastor, at this time no money is charged to take part in our parish Religious Education Program. However, donations towards snacks and materials are always greatly appreciated. Please contact the Parish Office to make a donation to our program, and be assured of our prayers of thanksgiving for your generosity!
Curriculum
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To build upon the Baltimore Catechism (which was used as a foundation during SY 2022-2023 in Grades 2 through 9+) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, all students in grades K through 8 will be catechized in 2025-2026 and beyond using The Word of Life program developed by The Augustine Institute. Click the image to read an overview of the materials.
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Level 1
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In addition to The Word of Life materials for students in grades K through 9, young disciples in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade (2nd Yr. Preparation for First Holy Communion) will also be introduced to the Liturgy and Scripture through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based method of helping youngsters fall in love with Jesus and the Catholic Church which was developed by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi.
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Monthly CGS lessons will be selected and presented by a nationally-certified CGS catechist after which the children will be allowed to contemplate what they heard and experienced using the beautiful materials available to them in the CGS Atrium. Click here to read about the history of CGS for more information.
More information may be obtained by contacting Amy Taylor, Head of Religious Education, at [email protected] or the parish office at 304-258-1311.
God bless you, and we look forward to working with you in helping your child(ren) develop a true and lasting love for Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.
God bless you, and we look forward to working with you in helping your child(ren) develop a true and lasting love for Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.
The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism:
Just as relevant today as it was when you were a child.
Grades 2 through 6
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During SY 2022-2023, students in grades two through six received instruction from The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 1 which introduced them to the most basic tenets and terminology of the Church. Students were also introduced to Scripture and its relationship to the lessons about the Catholic faith. Click on the image to view a complete online version of the Catechism No. 1.
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First Communion Preparation
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Children were prepared for their First Reconciliation and and First Holy Communion using The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism during the 2022-2023 school year. The parish has consistently used this catechism over the past several years to ensure First Communicants are properly formed in mind and heart to receive Our Lord in the miracle of the Eucharist. Click the book image to view an online version of the entire catechism.
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Grades 7+
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Students in grades 7 and above, including those preparing for Confirmation, were instructed during the 2022-2023 school year using The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2. This version of the Catechism is the same as No. 1, but ventures deeper into the meaning and reasoning behind the teachings of the Church. Click on the book image to view an online version of the entire catechism.
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