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Curriculum

 

St. Mary's Religious Education

Our programs are designed around the idea that  people of all ages and stages of their lives can come together to strengthen the faith of their community.  Listed below are the programs that are currently active and available for you and your family to participate in.

St. Mary's Parish Children's Religious Education Programs are held on Wednesday evenings either at 4:30pm or 6:30pm starting in August and concluding in May.  Sessions are one hour and fifteen minutes long.   Religious Education is held at the St. Mary's School located at 903 W. Mission Ave.

St. Mary's Adult Faith Formation (Adult Bible Study and more) meets at various times throughout the week.  For more information on current programs, times and places please go to the Adult Faith Formation information located at the bottom of this page.  Read more...

Children's Liturgy of the Word

For children ages 4 through grade 4.
  • It is available at the Sunday 9:30AM and 11AM masses for all children 4-years old through 4th grade; it starts after the opening prayers and the children rejoin their family during mass just prior to the presentation of the gifts. 
  • A Catechist leads the children down to our Parish Center, where a special homily, centered on the Gospel Readings, is presented.
  • Children’s Worship Bulletins are distributed to encourage family activity and discussion of the Eucharistic experience they have just shared.

Parish Religious Education Sunday School

Available for all Pre-Kindergarten (4 year old) students who will be attending Kindergarten during the next school year.  Sunday School is offered Sundays at 9:30am or 11:00am in the Parish Center child care center. Sunday School uses Brown Roa "Sharing God's Story", program which includes learning about Jesus our friend, songs, stories, activities, crafts, prayers and parent support for home.  Registration is required.

Parish Religious Education Grades K-6

Grades Kindergarten through 6th grade uses the curriculum from Harcourt Publishers, "Call to Faith" , which is a comprehensive religious program providing a solid foundation of Scripture and Tradition, a rich diversity of prayer, and a sequence of activities that will help tie our faith to every day life. 
Call to Faith is shaped by the following catechetical principles: 

  • Conversion is central to catechesis
  • Catechism is a lifelong process
  • Catechesis is the responsibility of all baptized members of the Church

Call to Faith draws on the following sources of Catholic wisdom and experience: 

  • Scripture: God's word is integrated into the program instruction, reflection, sharing and prayer. 
  • Doctrine: Each lesson draws on Church doctrine in ways that help students, catechists, and families appreciate the Church's teachings as they apply to life today. 
  • Lives of Saints and People of Faith: the importance of models in the faith development of children an adults. 
  • Church Feast and Seasons: Introduce the customs, devotions, and culture of many local communities. 
  • Catholic Social Teachings: "Faith in Action" correlates to key Catholic Social Teachings themes.  

Parish Religious Education Middle School: Grades 7 and 8

This is a program which revolves around three themes:

  • Liturgical/Scriptural study
  • Sacraments
  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church 

We uses "Junior High Thematic" by Harcourt Publications, which offers seven courses through out the two-year period in addition to a Confirmation preparation series in 8th grade.

In Seventh Grade-Year One, we explore the principles and beliefs of the Catholic Faith through the study of the Catechism of the Catholic church, and to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation as a Sacrament of initiation into a life of active Faith and becoming a Disciple of Christ.  Materials used-"Junior High Thematics: "Jesus Christ", "Sacraments", "Morality" and "The Church". 

In Eight Grade-Year Two, we give our students a greater understanding of the Sacraments with the realization that their Sacramental vocation should model the life of Jesus through service to others.  Materials used-"Junior High Thematics: "Revelation" , "The Trinity", "Kingdom of God" and "Confirmation. 

Adult Faith Formation (Adult Bible Study and more)

Adult Faith Formation is ongoing with new topics starting at all times.  We welcome you to join us at any time.  Currently we are offering:

Monday's: 1:30pm-First Corinthians (Dr. Time Gray)- 
                    6:30pm-Women of the Old Testament

Tuesday:  6:30pm- The Gospel of John

Wednesday: 6:30pm- Jeff Cavins Bible Time Line

Thursday: 6:30pm- Catholic 101-answers to questions about our Catholic Faith and traditions- topics vary

All Adult sessions are held in Adult Faith Formation Room located in the Dominican Center

Third Sundays: Sunday Afternoon Topical Study (S.A.T.S.) held the third Sunday of the month- 
December Topic: No S.A.T.S.
January Topic: Chocolate and Jesus

Parish Mission-February 13-18 located in the Church.

Mission Statement

As the People of God called to share in the life of Christ through Baptism, we are continually invited to enter more fully into our relationship with God. We are called to share with one another the great privilege and opportunity of deepening and enriching our faith experience. 

Because our creator reaches out to us and touches us at all stages and levels of our lives, our Parish Religious Education program aims at fostering and enriching the faith life of all, whatever his/her age or stage of development. 

Religious Education is a life-long journey, a process of growing and becoming. We in the ministry of catechetic receive and accept the challenge to:

  • Provide a learning environment where the Gospel of Jesus and the truths of our Catholic faith can find expression. 
  • Provide an environment where all will experience a sense of belonging and caring in the Church community.
  • Provide opportunity for celebration through such forms as prayer service, song, drama and liturgy.
  • Provide an outreach to others of our parish community, the Bellevue community, and the global community through sharing our faith in action, word and deed.
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