Parish Religious Education

Our parish religious education program exists primarily to support parents in their role of primary educators in the faith of their children.

Our religious education program is a continuous process from Kindergarten through 4th grades. It is not just Sacramental preparation.  For information specific to the 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Program click here.

Classes are in session from mid September through April. Our schedule is as follows:

2011-2012 Religious Education Calendar

Sunday 9:45am to 10:45am

or

Monday 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Material for Religious Education

Students in the religious education classes will be using materials published by RCL Benziger, Faith & Word - Blest are We. Their website includes a section for parents and children. Visit Blest Are We

Catechists

The catechists are members of St Charles Parish who have volunteered their time, talents and efforts to help in the religious education of our children. All are dedicated and enthusiastic. For more information on becoming a Catechist click here .

Information for Parents

We the staff here at St. Charles are committed to assisting you in forming your family in the Roman Catholic tradition. We say "assist" because the parents are the primary educators of their children and the parish assists in that endeavor. 

Look closely at the calendar and you will see that there are some sessions exclusively for the adults on Sunday mornings. The topics will include some of the basic understandings and teachings of the Catholic Church. 

You are an important role model for your children, so please continue to include prayer, Mass and our classes in your family life. 

The Advent Narratives, Monday, November 21, 2011: 

You are invited to a spectacular and dramatic presentation of scripture, light, and movement when Michael Reardon prayerfully and powerfully proclaims The Advent Narratives, directed by Patrick Lane. This is a contemporary transition of scripture, proclaimed in the oral tradition of the early church, designed with music, lighting, and costuming. In the tradition of St. Charles, the evening will start with a dinner for the whole family in Borromeo Hall.  The program will be presented in the Church.  Michael has memorized the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as well as the Book of Revelation, and performs them dramatically worldwide.

Forms and Information

The following are forms to be returned: the Registration Form, Permission/Emergency Information, Volunteer Form, Family Participation for Family Mass.  Complete all forms and send them along with the registration fee to the Parish Center.  Some important information is contained in the following documents: Parish Activities, 2011/2012 Calendar, and Fall Festival Flyer.

Volunteers

By our baptismal call, all parents are required to serve the church in some capacity.   We have a very large parish, and the work of the church depends on you. Please fill out the enclosed form and choose a volunteer activity that fits your talent.    You will be offered opportunities in religious education, but you might find other opportunities that might appeal to you more, Music Ministry, Etc.   We are especially looking for someone in Music ministry that might be interested in helping the children to sing and learn songs.

All adult volunteers are required to complete "Safe Environment Training".  To do so, go to Shield the Vulnerable and complete the "The Safe Haven" module.  The certificate of completion should be turned in to the Parish office before starting work with any children.

Baptism & First Communion for older Children, RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children)

If your child has not been baptized, or not baptized in the Catholic Church, please contact me. It is never too late to have your child baptized. Families are often transient in this day and age; as a result children in need of Baptism and/or First Communion can slip through the cracks. This happens more than people realize, so one need not feel shy about approaching the Church to begin the preparation.

Classes 

We hold classes on Sundays 9:45 am-10:45 am and Mondays 3:30 pm-4: 30 pm at the classrooms of St. Charles School. Please select the day, which works best for your schedule. A program calendar is enclosed for you to keep as a reference. We follow the San Carlos School District calendar for most holidays and vacations. Please check the calendar closely. Sometimes children have been dropped off when we have no sessions scheduled. Always check your calendar! Children should be taken to the classroom to be sure the volunteer catechist is present.

Sunday Class 9:45 am to 10:45 am Procedure

Attending 8:30 am Sunday Mass before class or 11:00am after class is encouraged.  Children should walk up to the classrooms. Parents should accompany younger children (grades K, 1, 2, & 3) to their classroom. The parking lot will be busy with parishioners leaving after Mass so everyone will need to be careful. If you are dropping your child off at 9:45 please do so at the main school entrance on Tamarack Avenue and not in the church parking lot. At the end of classes a parent or older sibling must pick up children in (grades K, 1, 2, & 3) in their classrooms. Older children can go to the main school entrance on Tamarack Avenue to wait for their rides.  If your child is not picked up by 11:00am he/she will be brought to the Parish Center and parents will be contacted.

Monday Class 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Procedure

Children can be dropped off in the church parking lot or on Tamarack Ave. A parent or older sibling should accompany younger children in grades K, 1, 2, & 3 to their classroom and also pick them up at the end of class. Children in grade 4 can wait for their rides in the church parking lot or on the benches at Tamarack Ave. By 4:45 any child still here will be brought to the Parish Center and parents will be contacted.

Snack

Each family will be asked to contribute to the children’s weekly snack. Please bring in 3 boxes of cookies to the office in the Parish Center the beginning of the month indicated for your child’s grade.

Sacramental Program

The program at St. Charles is a parish-wide program in which the parents participate in giving instruction. This is known as family-based catechesis and the emphasis is on family participation. Children beginning the Sacramental program for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist must have been baptized in the Catholic Church, completed one full year of Religious Education, and be attending Religious Ed. Classes, or St. Charles School. Families prepare for the sacrament of First Reconciliation (Confession) and celebrate it in January and then proceed to prepare for First Eucharist. Information will be available in September for second, third and fourth grade families regarding our First Reconciliation Program. We will work together with you and your children as they continue on their journey to a fuller life with Jesus through the sacraments.

Online Registration

Use this online form to register up to five students in your family for any of the Religious Education Programs (K - 4, 1st Penance/1st Eucharist, EDGE, Confirmation Level One, Confirmation Level Two):  Religious Education Registration Form

Please take a moment to look at the volunteer activities.  For a little bit of effort, you get the huge reward of feelig part of the community and serving the needs of your children.  You don't have to have a teacher's credential to teach in the Religious Education Program.  Your experience as a parent and a Catholic will help you.  Please consider helping out in some area.  Religious Education Volunteers Form

Religious Education Permission Form.  You may fill out this form online, print it, sign it and return it to the Parish Office at 880 Tamarack Avenue,  San Carlos, CA  94070.  The Parish Office must have a file copy with a parent's signature on it before the first day of religious education classes.