Orientation for Grades 6—9

1. Orientation for Grades 6—9 So you signed up for SSPP Religious Education…now what?

2. Format of the Religious Ed Nights • The format of the Religious Ed teaching nights are… • Gather • Opening Prayer • Preparation/activity geared towards teaching content • Proclaim • The actual content & teaching • Small group discussion • Send • Summation & recap • Closing prayer

3. Classes for the 2012-2013 Year • Grades 6 & 7 • September 9 & 10 • October 14 & 15 • November 18 & 19 • January 6 & 7 • January 27 & 28 • March 3 & 4 • March 17 & 18 • April 14 & 15 • April 28 & 29 • Grades 8 & 9 • September 23 & 24 • October 28 & 29 • December 9 & 10 • January 13 & 14 • February 10 & 11 • March 10 & 11 • March 24 & 25 • April 21 & 22 • May 5 & 6

4. Service Hours • Grades 6, 7, & 8 • Must complete 10 hours of volunteer service • Grade 9 • Must complete 18 hours of volunteer service • What are some good ways to get hours? • Servant for a Day • Friends of the Night • Response to Love Center • Volunteer teach/aide religious education classes for younger grades • Service hour sheets are on the website for you to access and print

5. Consider Volunteer Teaching • Have you thought about wanting to volunteer or be involved with teaching or staying more connected to your child’s religious instruction? • The teachers and office help in the religious education program are dedicated volunteers • This program can not operate without your support • If you want to help in any way, please call the office at 649-0231 or email the office • pnye@sspphamburg.org • msenchyne@sspphamburg.org • mvinti@sspphamburg.org

6. The Religious Education Website • SSPP Religious Education Website • http://www.sspphamburg.org • Click “Program Information” to take you to the main page • The website has the following… • Calendar of the school year • Files/forms for download (registration forms, service hour forms, handbook) • PowerPoint presentations from religious education classes • News & upcoming events in the program • RSS Feed Subscription

7. The Religious Education Blog • SSPP Religious Education Blog • http://ssppreligioused.blogspot.com • The blog has the following… • Calendar of the school year • Articles/posts to educate you on your Catholic faith • Links to the website and other Catholic sites • Additional catechetical resources for both students and parents • A comment board for feedback and sharing ideas • Email & RSS Feed Subscription

8. The Religious Education Facebook Page • SSPP Religious Education Facebook Page: • https://www.facebook.com/SSPPReligiousEducation • The Facebook Page has the following: • Articles/posts that will connect you to everything Catholic • Links to Catholic websites • Links to Homework assignments, SSPP Blog, SSPP Website • Keep you updated on happenings/events going on in the SSPP parish, the diocese, & the universal Church • Comment board for feedback

9. Email Communication • The Religious Education Program will be communicating with parents largely through email • Please be sure to give Peggy your email address(es) to make sure you’re receiving the latest news and updates to the SSPP Religious Ed Program

10. Changes to the 2012—2013 Year • Class Schedule in 2011—2012… • Grades 6 & 7/Grades 8 & 9 • Sundays 6—8pm; Mondays 7—8:45pm • Class Schedule for 2012—2013… • Grades 6 & 7/Grades 8 & 9 • Sundays 6—8pm; Mondays 6:30—8:30pm

11. Q-Pay Tuition Payment

12. Absentee Policy • What happens if my child is absent? • Your child will need to complete a makeup assignment for the class that he/she missed by the next class date • How is he/she going to do that? • The makeup assignment will be posted up on the website, the Facebook page, & the blog • What kind of a makeup assignment will it be? • It will most likely involve a presentation or PowerPoint slides from the night (posted on the website) and answering some questions based on it • These must be turned in to the small group leaders by the next class • If no makeup assignment is handed in, your child will be penalized with an additional absence until the assignment is turned in

13. Absentee Policy • My child will not be able to make class on Sunday/Monday because of ‘excuse X’. Can he/she attend the other class on Sunday/Monday and not be marked absent? • As long as you contact the office by either phone/email before the scheduled class, this can be arranged • DO NOT TELL ME IN PERSON! I WILL FORGET! • If a student has more than 2 unexcused absences, he/she will have to repeat the grade next year • Unexcused absences include: Bills games, Sabres games, family vacations, sports practices/games, music lessons • Excused absences include: death in the family, sickness (w/ note from parent), family emergencies/unforeseen circumstances

14. Weather Cancellations • In the event of bad weather, we will use TV-channels 2 and 4, the website, and radio WBEN 930AM to announce cancellations of classes • Do not call the rectory!

15. Harvest House • We will begin collecting children’s clothes (sizes 0-12) at the beginning of September • If you have any boots, jackets, shirts, jeans, etc. that you no longer use, please consider donating them • Also, we will be collecting Bottles for Babies to help support the financial needs of mothers and their babies

16. Theology of the Body Catechesis • The Theology of the Body refers to the series of 129 lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday audiences in Rome between September 1979 and November 1984 • These lectures were later compiled and published as a single work entitled The Theology of the Body According to John Paul II • Blessed John Paul II discussed topics such as bodily dimension of the human person, the nature of human sexuality, the meaning & purpose of life, the human need for communion, and the nature of marriage

17. Theology of the Body Catechesis • The Theology of the Body for Teens is the first published curriculum which applies the Theology of the Body to the lives of teen and pre-teens • The High School and Middle School Editions specifically address questions relating to chastity and sexuality in the lives of students • It is a multifaceted, segmented program that can be used in a variety of different contexts

18. Theology of the Body Catechesis • On February 6, 2013 @ 7pm we’ll be hosting a walkthrough of the program • Those who attend will receive a free copy of the Parent’s Guide book • The Parent’s Guide serves as an excellent and informative overview of the TOB for Teens: Middle School Edition curriculum • While it has been specifically written for parents of students participating in the program, it will help any parent learn more about the Theology of the Body so that they may pass this life-changing message on to their sons and daughters • If you are interested in receiving a free copy of the Parent’s Guide at the meeting, please sign up on the back table • You have to attend the parent walkthrough meeting to get your free copy

19. Questions/comments/concerns…

20. Closing Prayer: Petitions to Saints Peter & Paul O Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, I choose you this day and forever to be my special patrons and advocates, you, St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, because you are the Rock upon which almighty God has built His Church. You, St. Paul because you were fore chosen by God as the vessel of election and the preacher of truth to the whole world. Obtain for me, I pray you, lively faith, firm hope and burning love.

21. Closing Prayer: Petitions to Saints Peter & Paul Complete detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, attention in prayer, purity of diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life, constancy in my resolutions, resignation to the will of God and perseverance in the grace of God even to death. So that, by means of your intercession and your glorious merits, I may be able to overcome the devil, and may I be made worthy of the Promises of Christ and enjoy His presence and love Him forever. AMEN