RELIGIOUS EDUCATION HANDBOOK
St. James of the Marches Parish
 
1.  Mission Statement
The Religious Education Program of St. James Parish exists to assist parents in fulfilling the vital ministry of catechesis, TEACHING THE TRUTHS OF THE FAITH AND FAITH FORMATION OF THE CHILD/CHILDREN. 
The catechists of our program share their faith with their students.  They pray with them and for them.  They strive to present carefully planned lessons in order to enable the students to grow in their relationship with God and in their knowledge of the Catholic faith.
Our efforts are a means of assisting parents, the first catechists of their children.  We promise our best efforts and our fervent prayers for those entrusted to our care.
 
2.  Religious Ed Staff
Father Yojaneider Garcia - Temporary Administrator
Parish House Phone #:  (973)790-0288
Sr. Margaret Rose Buonaiuto, FMA, Director of Religious Ed.
Gail Monochello, Administrative Asst.
R. E. Office Phone #: (973)790-4860
Email:  stjamesreled@optonline.net

3.  Catechists
We are grateful to those who serve as catechists in our program.  They vary widely in age and experience.  They receive training from the Diocese to help assure the safety of our children.  We are also grateful to those who serve as substitutes and as classroom aides.  We thank all of our volunteers who share their faith, their time and their talent. We welcome your participation and helping out in a variety of ways.
(let us know if you would like to help)
 
4. Schedule
Classes are held every Sunday (from September to April, unless specified on the calendar, in compliance with the Diocese of Paterson, which requires at least 25 sessions), promptly beginning at 9am.  Children should be dropped off at the school between 8:45am and 8:55am.  (door will be locked at 9:15am).  At 10:05am, children will be led to church, where they will sit with their parents for the 10:15am Mass as a family.
 
5.  Attendance
Regular and consistent attendance at class is very important.  We are concerned about your child's safety and welfare:  if your son or daughter is absent, please call the Religious Education Office the day he or she is scheduled to attend class and leave a message.  If a child is absent, Parents will be responsible to pick up their leaflet and teach the lesson to him or her, so that they may follow the next class more comfortably and will not miss any lessons.  Lesson Plans may be found at pflaumweeklies.com/catechists-teachers/ as well as many other resources for parents.
 
6.  Emergency Closing
If Religious Education classes are cancelled for any reason, like bad weather, an emergency alert will be sent to you via phone and/or text message.
 
7.  Mass Attendance
It is our responsibility to attend Mass every Saturday evening or Sunday morning.  The cteachings of the Catholic Church.  This includes the belief that it is a serious sin to deliberately omit Mass on Sunday.  It is important for the children to see their family putting into practice what they are learning in class.  Further, Mass is the greatest prayer we can pray, for it is Christ's own prayer and the offering of Himself to the Father as He did on the Cross.
 
8.  Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of all of our classes.       Catechists use traditional prayers as well as special prayer celebrations and spontaneous prayers.  We encourage, at each grade level, that certain prayers be learned by heart.  Praying the words of the traditional prayers daily is a good way to achieve this goal and builds up a basic habit of prayer in our lives.
 
9.  Preparation
Students are expected to come to class prepared.  Each child needs their own Religion book, folder and any homework assignments.
 
10.  Student Evaluation
Progress Reports will be sent home to make the parents aware of the child's progress along with any needed suggestions for improvement.  Should it become necessary, the needed adjust-ments can be discussed with the director.  For the child's benefit, we will do our best to meet any child's special needs once we are made aware of them.
 
11.  Communication and Parental Involvement
Good communication between parents and our office is a valuable tool.  We encourage genuine communication that facilitates understanding and patience and results in growth.  We ask that parents check the child's folder after each class to review leaflet and see if a memo was sent home.
We feel that parents should show an interest in the religious education of their children.  Encourage them to review the material presented the previous week.  Check to see if homework was assigned and assignments are complete.  We also ask that the children keep their Religion Book in their Religious Ed bag.  Keeping all materials together avoids classroom disruption.

Please visit pflaumweeklies.com for lesson plans and much more Parent information and resources to assist in guiding your child.
 
12.  Behavior in Class
One important aspect of Religious Education is to encourage students to act more like Jesus.  We hope that simple behavior reminders are sufficient.  If a student is disruptive, measures will be discussed with parents and implemented so other students will not be prevented from learning.  We ask your cooperation.
 
13.  Procedures for Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival:  Children may be dropped off in the parking lot and enter by the side door from 8:45 to 8:55am.  Classes begin punctually at 9am.  Please be on time so class time is not disrupted.

Dismissal:  All Children will be led to Church at 10:05am to meet and sit with their parents for Mass.
If, on a rare occasion, a child is not picked up by 10:15 in Church, he or she will sit with the catechists or director during Mass and brought to the Religious Education Office after Mass to wait for parents.  If it is necessary for a parent to pick up a child early, a written note must be provided to the teacher.  For obvious safety reasons, no child will be allowed to leave the building early unless a parent comes to request that the child be excused.
 
14.  Safety
Please be extra careful and courteous dropping off  your children or leaving your parking spaces, for the safety of all, especially our precious children.