Saint Michael Parish - Religious Education

Religious Education

Nicole Walsh. Director K - 8
Jean Haumann, Director 7 - 11
Administrative Staff:
Barbara Bond

21 Sixth St., Lowell, MA 01850
978-458-1617

Religious Education Program - Classes are held in St. Michael School, beginning at the end of September and concluding each year, usually, by the end of April. Registration is held in early April and is announced via mailings to families already enrolled and through bulletin notices.

Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 - The Religious Education Office of St. Michael Parish offers a comprehensive religious education for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 who attend public school as well as a Sacramental Program for students attending private Catholic schools. Through the study of the Old and New Testaments and Church History, children are taught to live the message of Jesus through lives of prayer, worship and service.

Grades K – 5 - Teaches youngsters about God and the Catholic Faith in a progression of lessons and classes. First Penance and First Communion in grade 2. Saturday mornings 9:00-10:30.

Grade 6 - Study of the Old Testament. It is fascinating to follow our faith history back through time from the story of Creation, the Patriarchs, Moses, Exodus, King David and the Prophets up to the time of Jesus’ birth. Saturday mornings 9:00-10:30..

Grades 7 & 8 - A two year program for all students in both grades. One year focuses on Church History and the other year studies Jesus – his teachings, miracles and the times in which He lived. Meets every Saturday from 9:00am - 10:30am

Special Needs Students - We strive to meet the needs of all children in our parish. If a child has special needs we will meet with the parents/guardians for an individual plan to best accommodate the child.

RCIA Adapted for Children - Children entering the Religious Education Program after grade 2 who have not yet received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and/or Penance will be evaluated for an accelerated program to prepare them for these Sacraments. Our goal is to prepare them in a classroom setting, with the aid of a Catechist for receiving the Sacraments. The following year, they would join the class of their peers. Meets Saturday mornings, 9:00 - 10:30

Confirmation Preparation - Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Michael Parish is a two-year program for students, usually in Grades 9 and 10, attending both public and Catholic high schools. We assist the candidates with opportunities of Prayer, Study and Action to make good Christian choices during this critical time in their lives. Classes for both the first and second year of the Confirmation Program are held weekly on Sunday evenings from January through April. The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred in the Fall of Grade 11. Involvement in Christian Service is encouraged of all candidates. A short interview with the DRE at the end of each year assists each candidate in assuring they are doing what needs to be done for reception of the Sacrament. Confirmation is conferred in the Fall of grade 11. A day of reflection is held earlier in the year focusing on the Sacrament, what it means to them and to the church.

Opportunities for becoming involved in this Ministry - We welcome those who have been Confirmed and are committed to living their Catholic Faith to share their gifts and talents with our young people. A Catechist is a role model for our youth, aware of the challenges our youth face in living their faith and ready to do their best in guiding them. There are many opportunities to assist from teaching, to clerical assistance, to helping with special programs (like the Christmas Pageant), to joining one of the retreat teams, to assisting a Catechist in the classroom and much more. Workshops and Classes are available in the parish and through Diocesan sponsored programs for support in this important ministry.

Class Schedules - Calendars are distributed at registration for each grade and should be attached in each student’s book. Please pay attention to the schedule for weeks when class in not held. Calendars for most grades include a syllabus so that if your child is absent you can work on the missed class at home during the week.

Attendance - In order to achieve the maximum benefit from Religious Education, it is essential that attending classes is a priority. If you child is absent please call the office and let us know, the answering machine is always on. We generally do not answer the phone during class time as most often we are elsewhere in the building attending to classes.

If you child has a valid reason to leave early, please send a note with our child and come into the building to pick them up at the appropriate time.

We try to plan our calendar and get information to you in a timely enough manner so that you can plan your child’s activities, outings, etc giving priority to Religious Education. It is good that our children are involved in many things and a variety of activities, but we know, as parents, if we include Religious Education as an ongoing, important part of our lives, we will help our children find time for it in theirs.

Please be attentive to arriving on time for class! If your child is late please use the front door to come in – I lock the side door at 9:10 for security reasons.

Lost Books - The cost to replace a lost book is $10.00

Fees - Our program fees cover part of the cost of books, mailings, class supplies and expenses for activities. Fees are payable at registration. A statement will be sent in the latter part of the year for any balances. In certain circumstances fees may be waived in confidence. Please contact DRE to make arrangements.

Bad Weather – Cancellation of Classes - If classes are cancelled it will be announced on Lowell radio station WCAP (980 AM). Please do not call the Rectory. Sometimes it takes the radio station a while to get the message going – please be patient. In all cases, use your best judgment in coming out in bad weather – some live a distance away and we know the hills can be treacherous on an icy morning. Work can always be done at home or made up later.