St. Helen

Elementary Catechesis
FAITH First (Grades 1-6)
The Faith First Scope and Sequence is divided into three parts: Doctrine, Scripture, and the Liturgical Seasons. These three important elements of Catholic belief, God's Word and liturgical celebrations are interwoven throughout each grade level. They are also taught as separate strands in each grade. This balanced approach ensures that children will come to know, love, and live the rich heritage of the faith we are proud to profess in Christ Jesus.

The Sacred Scriptures are the heart of Christian life. Through the Bible, God's Word nourishes and revitalizes our life of faith. Each unit has core Scripture chapters that include studying the bible background, reading a complete Scripture story, and deepening the children's understanding of the meaning of the story. Through these core Scripture chapters, young people will grow in their knowledge and love of God's Word.

The doctrines taught in Faith First are drawn from the four pillars of faith as presented in Catechism of the Catholic Church. In Faith First the liturgical seasons are taught to their fullest in a separate strand. The lessons within the liturgical seasons provide the opportunity for children, parents to reflect weekly on God's presence with us throughout time and history. For more information in regards to the publisher and books you can go to their internet site - www.FaithFirst.com.

Rites Of Christian Initiation Of Children (RCIC)
This process is for children who are over seven years old and have not received the sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist. The parents are asked to take an active part and be present in some sessions.

Sessions are held separately in English and in Spanish. The sessions are on Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.

These general guidelines and policies are given in the spirit of love for our children and faithfulness to our sublime mission. We desire to carry out fully and effectively the task of forming our children in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Admission
Students must be at least three years of age before September 1, to be enrolled in Pre-K classes.

Generally, students enroll in the same grade they are in at school, unless they are undergoing a special sacramental preparation.

Parents enrolling children in sacramental preparation classes must present a copy of their BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE at registration for classes. The deadline is November 1. If baptismal certificates are not turned in on time, the student WILL NOT be permitted to receive the sacrament.

CCE Registration Fee
The CCE registration fee is $50 per family if they are registered in the parish. Families who are not registered in the parish have a $75 CCE registration fee.

The registration fees collected helps pay for books, class supplies, teacher training, etc.

No child will be refused CCE classes. If parents genuinely cannot pay the tuition, please call the CCE Coordinator or Pastor.

Textbooks
Students have textbooks. Textbooks can be brought home and the students will be responsible for the care of the books. Please be sure the students bring them to each class. The fee for lost textbooks is $10. Bibles are supplemented in most of the grades.

Absence
The religious education program should be given priority by parents and students alike. Students are expected to attend class regularly.

Upon a child's third absence, a written excuse will be required. The note is to be turned in to the teacher who will forward it to the CCE office.

When a student has many absences, the parents will be notified concerning that child's continuation in the CCE program.

Punctuality
Parents are asked to bring their children on time for their religion class. Tardiness is very distracting to a class.

Weather
When the weather is extremely severe, you may pull under the carport and drop off or pick up your child.

We follow the same guidelines for bad weather as Pearland Independent School District.

Address And Telephone Number Change
Please notify the CCE office of any changes of address and/or telephone number.

Communication With CCE Office
Since Christian education is our common mission, parents and guardians are strongly urged to communicate with us on any compliments, complaints or concerns. Your prompt action can mean so much to our children and our ministry.

Penance
We seek forgiveness of our sins through the sacrament of Penance. The church schedule of confession is Saturday's, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Tuesday's, 8:45-9:15 a.m., and by request. Communal Penance is celebrated during Advent and Lent.

First Communion
Christ gives us His Body and Blood as our food and drink to share His eternal life. A year of CCE preparation during the second grade is required for those receiving First Communion. Initiated in the Christian mystery by Baptism, Christians are fully joined to the Body of Christ in the Eucharist. Eucharist or communion is the center and the heart of Christian life.

The child should be attending CCE classes regularly.

Students will be allowed only three absences.

Baptismal certificates must be turned in by November 1.

Children should be in the second grade or older.

Parents must attend two Parent Meetings, as noted in the CCE calendar.

Parents are responsible for teaching children the required traditional prayers and basic beliefs of the Catholic faith. Children must know the Act of Contrition before First Penance.

A Penance Service will be announced at a later date.

A book will be sold at the Parent Meeting for parents to review with students at home.

While extemporaneous prayer is a very significant part of a child's growth in faith, memorized prayer has a definite place in their Christian education. Thus, each year, students in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grades are required to learn certain traditional Catholic prayers that allows them to participate in group prayer. These prayers are included in this handbook. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENTS, NOT THE TEACHER, TO HELP THE CHILD LEARN THESE PRAYERS. It is hoped that these prayers are already (or will become) a part of daily prayer program in the family.

A. Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

B. Angel of God
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

C. Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

D. Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

E. Glory to the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

F. Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of your just punishment. But most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

G. The Ten Commandments

I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.

You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.

Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not kill.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

I. Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead; the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

J. Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us. And after this our exile shown unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O, God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech You, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may learn to imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

K. The Beatitudes

Blest are those lowly who seek God; the reign of God is theirs.

Blest are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.

Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.

Blest are they who hunger and thirst for what is right; they shall have their fill.

Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.

Blest are those who serve God with all their heart; for they shall see God.

Blest are the peacemakers for doing the right things; the reign of God is theirs.

Pre-Kindergarten	A,B
Kindergarten	A,B,C,D,E
First Grade	A,B,C,D,E
Second Grade	A,B,C,D,E,F
Third Grade	A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H
Fourth Grade	A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I
Fifth through Sixth Grades	A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K
RCIC	A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K

A. Sign of the Cross	G. Ten Commandments
B. Angel of God	H. The Rosary
C. Our Father	I. Apostle's Creed
D. Hail Mary	J. Hail Holy Queen
E. Glory to the Father	K. Beatitudes
F. Act of Contrition

St. Helen Continuing Catholic Education