Religious Education

Faith and doctrinal formation is an important part of the life of every parish. It is in response to Our Lord’s mandate to make disciples of all men, and the Holy Father’s call for a “New Evangelization”, that we try to foster and renew the faith and knowledge of people both young and old.

We offer the following Religious Education programs.

Grades 1-7

The beginning years are the formative years in a child’s life.  This is why it is so important that children have religious education from the earliest years.  The first years of Religious Education are also an important part of preparation for the Sacraments of 1st Penance and 1st Holy Communion.

First Penance and First Holy Communion

We prepare the children for First Penance and First Holy Communion beginning in the first grade.  The children are taught the basic prayers and are given the foundation of their faith.  There is recitation of prayers, story telling, arts and crafts, and a lot of hands-on activities that foster their learning.

In the second grade the children review what they’ve learned the previous year and begin a more intensive program to prepare them to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. First Penance usually takes place in late January.  Once the Sacrament of Penance has been received, we begin preparation for First Communion.  Traditionally, First Communion is held the weekend prior to Mother’s Day.  We also involve the children in the May Procession for Mother Mary.

The children in all grades (after First Penance), are required to attend two Penance Services throughout the school year; once during Advent, and once during Lent.  Children are expected to attend Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.  Children are not allowed to miss more than three classes throughout the school year.

Confirmation

Beginning this year, the age for the reception of Confirmation will be changing.

Spring of 1010, Confirmation will be given to both Grades 9 and 10
Spring of 2011, Confirmation will be given to both Grades 8 and 9
Spring of 2012 and following, Confirmation will be received in 8th Grade.

During the next few years, we will be adjusting the program until we come up with the desired curriculum, service hours and Liturgy hours to form our new program.

Grade 8

Grades 9 – 10

Preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation usually follows the successful completion of the Religious Education program in Grades 7 and 8.The program for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two year commitment as specified by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. Candidates must successfully complete the Confirmation I program year which is 13 sessions, including two dates for the reception of the Sacrament of Penance, one in the season of Advent and one in the season of Lent, before continuing on to the second year Confirmation II program. In the Confirmation II year there are 12 sessions, a full day Retreat and two dates for the reception of the Sacrament of Penance, as in the Confirmation I year. The date for Confirmation will be given when it is received from the Bishop’s office!

Confirmation Sponsors

“Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1311)

Like in Baptism, the Confirmation Sponsor is to be a witness, an inspiration, an example of what it means to be a Roman Catholic in today’s world. That means that the person must be a Catholic not only in name but by the life they lead each and every day.

Most people do not know the Church’s requirements for a person who is to undertake the role of Sponsor. In the Code of Canon Law, a book with the laws that governs and guides the life of the Catholic Church, there are specific regulations regarding sponsors (godparents) for the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation.

The requirements for godparents are:

• be, not less than sixteen years of age.
• be a Catholic who has received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
• be registered and active members of their parish.
• be living in conformity with Catholic morals and in good standing with the Catholic Church (if married, married according to the laws of the Church).
• may not be the mother or father of the person to be baptized.

Finally, they must obtain a Sponsor Certificate, attesting to their fulfilling the stated requirements, from the parish in which they are a registered member.
Before asking someone to take on the role of a sponsor, please be sure they fulfill the requirements of the Church. This will save the person from embarrassment and the family from being disappointed. The Priest has a responsibility before God and in justice to be sure these requirements are fulfilled!

For more information on our Confirmation preparation program, please contact Religious Education Office, at (401) 624-3664.

For more information on the Confirmation, please contact the rectory, at (401) 624-8131.

S.P.R.E.D.

SPRED, or Special Religious Education, is a network of services designed to assist persons with developmental disabilities and/or learning problems to become integrated into parish assemblies of worship through the process of education in their faith. SPRED services are sponsored throughout the state by the Diocese of Providence and the fourteen parishes that have set up SPRED centers.  The organizational hub of SPRED in the US is the Archdiocese of Chicago, which provides all the learning materials that are used each year.

Each parish SPRED center has a core team and helpers. The core team is made up of a parish representative to the diocesan SPRED organization, a catechetical leader, and an activity catechist. Additionally, there is a helper/sponsor for each person with disabilities in the community.

Many would never receive the sacraments without the support of the SPRED program.  This year we will witness the confirmation of two SPRED friends who might never have been confirmed if it weren’t for the SPRED program.

We are always looking for people with developmental or learning disabilities of ANY age to join the SPRED community.   There is no requirement to be a registered member of the Holy Ghost parish – or even Catholic for that matter.  Our SPRED friends live both at home with their families and in group homes that have been very cooperative in providing transportation to the bi-weekly SPRED sessions.

And, of course, as we add friends, we also need to recruit helpers or catechists.  The Providence Diocese provides all needed training.  It is difficult to convey the joy and satisfaction gained from knowing that you are bringing people with disabilities – as well as yourselves – closer to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please consider joining the Holy Ghost SPRED community.  There will be members of the community in the church hall immediately following Mass to answer any questions you may have.