Our Lady of Peace

Religious Education Program CATECHISTS’ GUIDEBOOK

2019-2020

Parish Center 32 Carroll Avenue

Williamstown, NJ 08094 856-629-6142

Reverend Cadmus D. Mazzarella Pastor

Religious Education Office 856-629-0614

reled@olopp.org

Contact Information

Clare Lafferty Coordinator of Religious Education

856-629-6142 Ext 24 clafferty@olopp.org

Donna Bigos

Safe Environment Coordinator 856-816-1806 – cell dbigos@olopp.org

WELCOME CATECHISTS

Welcome back to a new year of religious education. We are looking

forward to having the best year yet. We so appreciate your willingness

to give of your time, talent and treasure to benefit the future of

Catholicism. You are a vital part of each child’s spiritual development

and along with parents, the best examples of what our faith has to offer.

Have a wonderful, blessed school year and may God continue to bless

you and your students.

Father Mazz Clare Lafferty

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Our Lady of Peace Religious Education Program is to build a foundation of faith, in partnership with families, from which our children and families will grow in their knowledge of God and the Roman Catholic Church. INTRODUCTION This Guidebook is written for the benefit of Our Lady of Peace Parish Catechists and will assist you in knowing the responsibilities and expectations as Catechists of Our Lady of Peace Religious Education. A Catechist for the purpose of this guide, includes volunteer classroom teachers, aides, hall monitors and student volunteers who are engaged (directly or indirectly) in the Religious Education of children not enrolled a Catholic school program. It is also intended to serve as a resource of St. Mary’s School and other Catholic schools, for all Religious Education Programs and the administering of Sacraments. This guidebook is grounded on guidelines set forth by the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Faith and Family Life. It will always be available online at the OLOPP Religious Education website for future reference. Understanding that catechists are volunteers, the process of faith formation needs to be as professional as any other educational program. Therefore, it is expected that all catechists will maintain an atmosphere of professionalism based on the information contained in this

guidebook. Please be advised that this may be amended at any time and must be accepted by all those connected to OLOPP Religious Education. Documents Required from all Catechists OLOPP Catechist Personnel Data, Camden Diocese Disclosure Form, Camden Diocese Form/Fingerprinting Religious Education Calendar Can be found online at https://oloppreled.weebly.com/calendar.html / along with other valuable information. Catechist Time Requirements and Expectations Preparation Time for class – at least 1 hour per week Reporting for Class – at least 15 minutes prior to the regular start time of class. Class time – 75 minutes (Weeknights), 60 minutes (Sundays) 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade catechists must not leave the building until all children have been signed out by the responsible parent/guardian, 18 years or older. If 15 minutes after dismissal have passed, and a child has not been picked up, they are to be brought to the attention of the Session Coordinator who will contact the parent/guardian. Catechists of 4th grade and up are to leave the building after all their students have left school building, but, no earlier than 5 minutes after dismissal bell to assure no child is left waiting alone or unmonitored on the premises. Bring any situations to the attention of the Session Coordinator. Additional Meetings – There are program meetings requiring catechists’ attendance. They are: In Service Sessions for Catechist Development, Sacramental Year Catechists (Second & Eight Grade Catechists) will be required to participate and assist in the sacramental preparation of their students/parents at First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Pick up Attendance Sheet as well as any paperwork from your class folder that is in the File Box. Record attendance and return your attendance sheet to the Folder with any information needed to be seen by the R.E. staff

Relevant Teaching Materials Standardized weekly lesson plans have been designed for each grade and need to be strictly instructed in the order given. Catechists must take special care to distinguish the maturity level of our students and their readiness to hear, understand and process related material, stories, or personal experiences intended to support the approved and supplied curriculum for each grade level. Catechists will recognize/respect the role/responsibility of the students’ parents/guardians and need to appreciate the sensitivity of certain subjects. Therefore, all Catechists must be pastoral in planning lessons and the use supplemental material and information. Any experiences shared in proclaiming God’s word, need to reflect the truths of our Catholic beliefs while being appropriate to the age and grade level of the students in our program An example of supplemental material that would be considered to contain sensitive content is the film “The Passion of the Christ”. While this can be a highly beneficial teaching tool, demonstrating the sacrifice of Jesus, its graphic scenes are not recommended for persons younger than the 8th grade, and only with receipt of a Permission Form from a parent/guardian of each student. Topics such as Abortion, Homosexual “Marriage”, Cohabitation without Sacramental Marriage, Divorce and other similar controversial topics should not be discussed during class, without PRIOR consultation and approval from the Coordinator of Religious Education. If questions arise from a student about such topics, Catechist shall ask the student to write down the question, which will be given to the Coordinator of Religious Education for appropriate follow up. Any questions pertaining to materials planned for class presentation are to be submitted to the Coordinator of Religious Education for review. Catechists will abide by the Coordinator of Religious Education’s decision as the final determination on the use of extraneous material. Any violation of this will result in immediate relinquishment of catechetical duties.

Catechists’ Dress Code It is requested that all volunteers, regardless of position wear clothing that is appropriate for class instruction in a Catholic School environment (Business Casual). Outside Guest Speakers/Presenters Notice to the Coordinator of Religious Education for a proposed Guest shall be made no less than three (3) weeks prior to the date of the class. All teachers are to request authorization from the Coordinator of Religious Education prior to invitations being extended to any individual or group not part of the OLOPP Religious Education Program. The request will include a detailed description of the guest’s background and the material to be presented. Communication All catechists shall download the free ReMIND app and access the OLOPP and All Religious Teacher’s group. Copying Requests The office will assist all catechists in providing copies of support materials needed for your lessons. However, in order to serve all catechists effectively, a Copy Order Form (located in back of each Session File Box) must submitted no less than one 1 week prior to date the material is needed. Please be mindful that requests received on short notice may not be possible to fill and we do not have access to a color copier. Catechist need to miss class It is important for all catechists to be present for each week of class. Understandably there may be times when you will not be able to attend and a substitute catechist will need to fill in for you. The Session Coordinator is the first person to be notified if you are unable to report to class, as soon as possible and well in advance if the need is for something scheduled, so please keep your session coordinator’s contact information handy.

If you cannot reach the Session Coordinator or you are prompted to Voice Mail – leave message with your contact information, then call the Religious Education Office (856-629-0614 or 856-629-6142 x24), leave message with your contact information. General Safety Entrance/Exit: Doors will be locked by the session coordinator 5 minutes after session starting time, and unlocked 5 minutes before dismissal. No child or group of children is to be left unsupervised in any area. Parents occasionally request early dismissal for a student. All catechists who receive these requests for early dismissal shall bring them to the Session Coordinator. A Hall Monitor or the Session Coordinator will escort the student to be dismissed early to the office. Requests for visits outside the assigned classrooms are to be in advance, by email, of the date and time of the activity. In case of a fire emergency a. Sound the alarm (not sounding)/evacuate the building by emergency route. b. Check bathrooms and other locations for students on the way out. c. Once outside – account for all students and staff. d. Communicate to Fire Service Personnel of missing persons. e. Do Not re-renter building until cleared by Fire Service Personnel. Classroom Exits K1 Out back classroom side door to playground area

K2 Out gym side classroom door to parking lot

1A Take left out classroom door to exit…proceed to playground area

1B Take right out classroom door to exit… proceed to playground area

2A Take left out classroom door to exit…proceed to parking lot

2B Take right out classroom door to exit…. proceed to parking lot

3A Take left out classroom door to exit… proceed to playground area

3B Take right out classroom door to exit…. proceed to parking lot

H.O.T ROOM Take left out of classroom to hallway- take left to exit to

parking lot

4A Take right out of classroom to hallway - take right to exit - play area

4B Take left out of classroom to hallway - take left to exit to parking lot

5A Take left out classroom – exit out main office door to sidewalk right

5B Take right out classroom-exit out main office door to sidewalk right

6A Take left out classroom to exit…proceed to sidewalk Carroll Ave

6B Take left out classroom to exit…proceed to sidewalk Carroll Ave

7A Take right out classroom to exit… proceed to sidewalk Carroll Ave

7B Take right out classroom to exit…proceed to sidewalk Carroll Ave

8A Take left out classroom to exit ...proceed to Parish Center sidewalk

8B Take left out classroom to exit…proceed to Parish Center sidewalk

Inclement Weather and Emergency Closings Our Lady of Peace Religious Education will be closed when Monroe Township Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather. If there is a closing for any reason, the information will sent through the Religious Education REMIND app and be posted to the Our Lady of Peace Religious Education website: oloppreled.weebly.com/ In addition, please listen to KYW 1060AM. Catechists are advised to have their student rosters with contact information, to ensure notification in cases of emergency. Student Behavior If at any time there arises a situation when a student engages in or contributes to disrespect toward a catechist or other student, the classroom catechist is to immediately correct this behavior, in a patient, pastoral manner within the classroom.

Depending the nature of the behavior, a parent or guardian may be contacted at any time to assist in correcting negative behavior advice and consent of the Coordinator of Religious Education, who shall be informed of the outcome of any family contact. If negative behaviors continue, the Session Coordinator or the Coordinator of Religious Education will assist. Acts of disrespect shall include but not limited to: Class disruptions of any type. Use of any electronic devices. Touching any property of the Saint Mary’s students. Bathroom breaks water fountain breaks should be kept to bare minimum, as the students are only with us for about an hour/week. Classroom Parties The following are the guidelines for such events: 1) Classroom Parties are limited to: Christmas and the last class of the year. 2) Drinks are to be in individual serving containers, i.e. juice boxes or small bottles of water. 3) All snacks need to be compliant with any student’s health and allergy concerns which is the responsibility of the catechist. 4) Individually packages snacks will reduce cleanup. 5) Any utensils and paper goods needed must be provided by the Catechist. 6) No food deliveries are allowed. Catechists must bring food items with them at arrival. 7) All trash is to be collected and placed into a large trash bins made available outside the classrooms. If more trash bags are needed see the Session Coordinator. 8) The activities at any class party must be in line with an in school function, meaning they must not disturb the classroom or other students’ classes.

Sunday Worship Attending Mass regularly can only enhance your students’ experience of religious education. Encourage, pastorally, that students speak with their parent or guardian about regular Mass attendance. The Our Lady of Peace Parish Mass schedule has 6 weekend Masses which allow for meeting the Sunday Mass obligation:

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30AM and 12:00 noon Sunday Evening: 6:00 PM

To fully participate in the Mass, to receive the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance is available:

Saturday: 10:30AM – 11:30AM 3:00PM – 3:45PM

or by appointment with a priest. Youth Ministry For student parishioners, our youth ministry is another way for the Religious Education students to enhance their connection to the faith. Please pass along any Youth Ministry information to your students, or refer to the Youth Ministry page http://www.youthgroupinfo.com/HOME.html