Baptism
Toddler Programs
Childrens Liturgy of the Word

 

Christian Formation Program

Important Dates

 

 Policies

Registration

 

Contact Information
Youth Events
Confirmation

 

Sacraments of Initiation as an Adult

 
Adult Education Series
 
 
 
 

 Divine Mercy Parish
Family Model for Religious Education


What is Intergenerational Learning?
Intergenerational learning is a process by which people of all ages gather together to share and learn about heir faith from each other.  Our program is family-based and requires that at least one adult (mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) attend with the enrolled children.  This approach engages all generations within the parish by making participation in parish life the center of their faith formation: Sunday mass, sacramental celebrations, church events, etc.

The intergenerational learning approach allows us to develop a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and to nurture a Catholic way of life in  members of the parish community.  It provides an opportunity for families and parishioners to learn, celebrate, pray and share. 

Family is the basis of learning.  We learn our faith from the previous generation.  If we want our Catholic faith to continue, we need to continually be formed in our faith so we can pass it on to the next generation. 

Intergenerational learning does just that!  It gathers children, parents, grandparents, friends and relatives together to share a common bond- faith-sharing through learning and experiencing our faith traditions.

Learning Environment:
Our classroom environment is set up for children to work with an adult.  Catechists guide the children's  interests by being facilitators.  The children direct their own learning through activities and journaling that relate to their lesson.  The catechist becomes actively involved by modeling and suggesting ideas that bring the child into a deeper understanding of the lesson.


Godly Play Program:
Godly Play is an interpretation of Montessori religious education.  It is an imaginative approach to working with children - an approach that supports, challenges, nourishes and guides their spiritual quest.  It is more akin to a spiritual direction than to what we generally think of as religious education.  In Godly Play, children enter in to parables, silence, sacred stories and sacred liturgy in order to discover God, themselves, one another and the world around them.

First Reconciliation/ First Eucharist Class ( Multi-age: 2nd, 3rd, 4th Grade)
The Sacrament class prepares the children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. After the presentation of the lesson, the children follow their own interests in guided activities, leading them a deeper understanding of the lesson.

3rd/4th Grade: Areas of Focus include -
Sacred Scripture, God the Creator, Jesus Christ, Son of God, The Holy Spirit, Liturgical Year, Sacraments, Advent , Jesus' Work of Healing, The Great Commandment, The Ten Commandments, Lent, The Beatitudes, Nicene and Apostle's Creed, The Lord's Prayer

5th/6th Grade: Areas of Focus include -

Divine Revelation, The Word of God,  Jesus Christ, Song of God, The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, The Mystery of the Holy Trinity, The Creeds of the Church, Mary, Mother of God, Old Testament Prophets, The Gospels, Celebrating the Liturgy, Baptism and Confirmation, Eucharist, Sacraments of Healing, Called to Serve the Whole Church, The Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Called to be Saints, People of Prayer, Gift of Prayer, Jesus, Our Model of Prayer

7th/8th Grade:
Church/ Sacraments and Jesus in the New Testament

High School ( 9th / 10th Grades)
Morality

Confirmation (11th or 12th Grade)
We believe that the youth of today need to have a deeper understanding about the faith.  Faith invites youth to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, opens their hearts and fixes their eyes on Him, inviting them to journey through life with Him.

With our curriculum, the candidate will learn truths and doctrines that are connected to their everyday lives.  It leads them through a process of spiritual formation that will assist them in being more open and ready for the ways that God wishes too transform their lives.

Adult:
We believe that faith formation is a lifelong journey.  Our priests, deacons and pastoral administrator give presentations that guide and spiritually enrich the journey.