THE ELEMENTARY FAITH DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM

LITURGICAL CATECHESIS and FAITH FIRST “LEGACY”

Liturgical, or lectionary-based, catechesis uses the sacraments, the rhythms of the liturgical year, and the cycle of Sunday readings as the foundation upon which we grow in relationship with God and in understanding of our faith.  When we hear the Word proclaimed in a prayerful setting, when we celebrate at Christmas and at Easter, and when we acknowledge the sacraments as the means by which our faith is expressed and strengthened, we develop a sense of the person of Christ and an understanding of Catholic teachings and traditions. We learn that we live, worship, and treat other people in a certain way because this is what Christ taught us and what our tradition requires of us.

Because this inspiring vision needs practical expression, and because it is not easy to present to children all aspects of the Catholic tradition in a way that is rich and full and at the same time accessible to them at different ages and levels of understanding, we rely on the “Faith First Legacy” program.

“Faith First Legacy”, published by Resources for Christian Living, is a revised version of the Faith First program we have used for several years. It encourages liturgical catechesis and incorporates the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church -- creed, sacraments, prayer, and morality -- at every grade level. The program also integrates the Lives of the Saints, Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Principles for Sexuality into regular lessons. Each child receives a Faith First Legacy textbook, which is kept and used in the classroom until the end of the year, when the book will be given to students to take home. There is a tear-out page every week, containing a summary of the lesson and family prayers, for students to take home and share with their families.

The Faith First website contains excellent resources for catechists, parents and children, and we encourage you to explore it.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist normally takes place in the Second Grade for children who have been baptized in the Catholic faith. It is essential to preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist that families are committed to:

• weekly worship together at Mass
• participation in Faith Development
• life-long worship and faith formation after the First Eucharist celebration.

An important component of Sacramental Preparation is the family Retreats, for Reconciliation (in November) and Eucharist (in March).
 
Baptized Catholic Children older that Second Grade may prepare for the Sacraments through the special Sacramental Preparation program, and unbaptized children aged seven or more may prepare to become Catholics, through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, with their parents’ permission, through the RCIA Adapted For Children program.

MUSIC

The purpose of Elementary Faith Development music is to enrich learning during the Elementary Faith Development class. Music is selected to correspond to the lesson being taught, the liturgical season or the reading from that Sunday's mass. Music is also used to reinforce prayers that the children are learning such as the Our Father and Hail Mary. Children are also taught songs to prepare them for participation in the Advent Program and Stations of the Cross. Additionally, children are invited to suggest religious songs that they may know and would like to sing in class.