Vision

To grow discipleship throughout life, all believers need and are called to build vibrant parish and diocesan communities of faith and service. Such communities cannot exist without a strong, complete and systematic catechesis for all its members. By “complete and systematic” we mean a catechesis that nurtures a profound, lifelong conversion of the whole person, and sets forth a comprehensive synthesis of faith. Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, #3, 4

Mission

St. Columbkille Faith Formation believes in Word, celebrates through Worship, comes together in Community, and offers Service to Others. Our religious education and faith formation programs, which are rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, strive for the growth of the whole human person. Our mission is to educate and form our members so that all can live as Christ for others in the contemporary world.

Philosophy/Religious Education Goal

The St. Columbkille Religious Education Program incorporates that knowledge of Catholic faith in which the student should acquire upon completion of the program with the knowledge of Catholic values and models in our society and culture, utilizing teaching methods appropriate for our students.

Spiritual Program: Catholic Dimension & Uniqueness

The spiritual program of the RE program recognizes that “to provide a sound academic program which includes emphasis on Catholic teachings within the atmosphere of Christian living” cannot be gained in the formal classroom only. The formal classroom learning is only the beginning. *Parents/guardians are encouraged to become aware of and encourage their child(ren) in their faith life.*Liturgical Celebration: Please attend Sunday Mass every weekend with your child(ren).
 
*Sacramental Preparation:Preparation for the first reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion are part of a family based program and parents/guardians are directly involved in the religious education of their child(ren). Meetings are held to inform and assist parents/guardians in the sacramental preparation for their child(ren).

Prayers, Beliefs, and Practices

A list of basic prayers, beliefs, practices which includes gestures and faith expressions for students has been developed. We encourage you to practice and pray them with your child(ren) at home regularly.

Student Progress Forms

These forms will be sent home to keep you informed on your child(ren) attitude, behavior, knowledge and understanding of material.

Student Expectations

1.) Students are to be respectful to others
2.) Students are to always be on their best behavior
3.) Students need to have a good attitude
4.) Students need to participate in class activities
5.) Students need to be respectful of the school and parish property and the property of others
6.) Students need to follow the rules set by their classroom teacher(cell phones off during class time)
7.) No food, drink, gum, drugs, weapons, or smoking is allowed in the school or Church or on outside property.
8.) In event of a problem, the discipline policy will be followed as stated in the Religious Education Handbook (Handbook is available anytime to you upon request).

Discipline Policy

Ordinarily, discipline problems will be handled by the classroom catechist. For major or recurring discipline problems, a catechist may dismiss a student from the classroom. The following guidelines are in place for such situations.

1) The student will talk with the CRE before being allowed to return to class
2) A second offense, the parent will be notified and will receive a Discipline Slip stating reason for disciplinary action
3) A third offense, can result in dismissal from the program, or other consequences agreed upon by DFF, CRE, Catechist, and Parent/Guardian. Parents will be contacted immediately and asked to pick up their child.

Proper Dress

Students are to dress in clean, dignified and modest fashion. Out of respect for the learning environment, hats are not to be worn during class time.

Communication with Parents/Guardians:

The Catechetical Staff seeks to maintain ongoing communication with families. A newsletter will be sent to parents/guardians. Individual Catechists will send home with students information updates as needed. Parents/Guardians are always welcome to visit the RE classes. Please contact the DFF or the CRE in advance before you visit, or for any other questions or concerns you may have in regards to the Faith Formation Program.

Class Time

Religious Education Classes meet on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm.

Cancellation of Classes

Weather cancellations will be announced on the local radio and TV in Dubuque. If school, city wide is dismissed early or canceled for the day, it is an automatic cancellation of our RE evening classes.

Arrival & Dismissal

Students may be dropped off at the Rush Street doors no earlier than 5:55 pm.Students will be dismissed promptly at 7:30pm. For the safety of our students, those in K-3 will remain in the classroom until a parent or older sibling comes in to get them. Doors will be locked during class time. Persons arriving after 6:00pm should come to the main entrance.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend classes and other activities scheduled throughout the year. If a student will be absent due to illness or family emergency, please contact the Faith Formation Office at (583-8573) Extension 236. Unexcused absences will be followed up with a phone call.

Illness or Injury

If a student becomes ill during RE class, parents will be called. If parents/guardians cannot be reached, the emergency contact given on the annual registration form will be contacted.

Curriculum and Textbooks:

St. Columbkille RE program follows the Faith Formation Directives: We Believe, We Belong, We Respond approved by the Archdiocese of Dubuque Catechetical Office, as well as the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies by Pflaum and Walking By Faith by Harcourt Religion. The PflaumWeeklies also provide instruction in Catholic sacraments, commandments, and prayer–with lessons keyed to the Catechism. Walking By Faith is a religious education program rooted in Catechism and centered on the Gospel. Catholic prayers, resources, and a glossary. A copy of the curriculum for specific grade levels is available upon request. Students are immersed in the study of Scripture, Liturgy, Prayer and Social Justice. The aim of catechesis is to encourage a living, explicit, and fruitful expression of faith. The task of catechesis promotes knowledge of faith, educating for liturgical participation, forming people to live moral lives, teaching prayer, educating for community life and missionary activity realized within the context of culture and faith expression of the local Christian community.

Program Fees

K-8- To be announced/participant
9-12-To be announced

St. Columbkille Board of Education Policy states that a child(ren) will be denied enrollment for the new year if the previous year’s account if not cleared. A confidential scholarship fund exists for those families for whom program fees would be a hardship.

*All participants should be registered members of the parish. Families who are new to the program will also be asked to provide a valid baptismal certificate for each participant.