Elementary Faith Development

Parents Handbook – 200/2009

WELCOME

Welcome to Elementary Faith Development at St. Thomas More! Thank you for sharing your children with us and for providing us with the opportunity to help them learn and grow in faith, prayer, and discipleship.

WHO WE ARE

Director of Elementary Faith Development

Jim Hynes 338-15259h 942-6237w 

Jim Hynes was born in England, and lived for some years of his childhood in Canada. After completing a degree in Chemistry at King’s College, London, he trained for the priesthood at Allen Hall Seminary, which is on the site of Thomas More’s house in Chelsea, London. He was ordained a priest in 1984, for the Archdiocese of Westminster. After 12 years Jim left the priesthood, but wanted to continue work in Catholic education, so studied for a Masters degree in Adult Religious Education at St. Mary’s College, also near London. He found the opportunity to put this to good use here at St. Thomas More six years ago. Jim is also Director of Adult Formation for the parish.

Assistant to the Director of Elementary Faith Development

Mollie Berry 942-6236w 

WHAT WE DO

Catechesis is instruction and formation in the Catholic faith, both for those who are preparing to be baptized and for those who are already baptized but in need of continuing instruction and formation according to their age and their level of maturity in the Christian life. The Elementary Faith Development program:

• lays the foundation for developing Christian attitudes, values and behavior in a child's earliest years;
• presents religious concepts in accord with a child's age and capacity for understanding and growth in faith;
• approaches children with reverence for their God-given gifts and assists them in making an increasingly personal response to God;
• assists children in the growth of their personal prayer life and spirituality;
• encourages the process of formation of conscience according to age, understanding and the circumstances of life;
• integrates liturgical and Eucharistic formation with religious education;
• provides an environment for young people to grow, especially through the witness of adults;
• instills a sense of mission and concern for others;
• fosters a sense of community;
• encourages the use of imagination, critical reflection, and memory in age-appropriate ways; and
• reinforces the role of parents as the first and best catechists of their children.