GOALS

 

In order to achieve the mission of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, students will:

 

·         Model their lives on the teachings of Jesus through prayer, respect for life, practice of self-

discipline, and responsible decision-making.

·         Participate in the life of the Church, especially in the sacraments, liturgy, and service.

·         Demonstrate knowledge of Catholic teachings, traditions, and Church history.

·         Demonstrate effective communication skills through reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

·         Demonstrate the effective use and application of computational skills and mathematical concepts.

·         Demonstrate the effective use of scientific method and concepts.

·         Exhibit the knowledge of our country’s democratic process, history, and cultural diversity needed to become active citizens within our country and the global community.

·         Exhibit the knowledge and working ability necessary to use current technological advances.

·         Express themselves creatively through the fine arts.

·         Work both independently and cooperatively.

·         Demonstrate the personal and social skills needed for spiritual, physical, and emotional wellness.

·         Demonstrate a respect for legitimate authority in the school and community.

 

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT of BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL

 

Providing a Christ centered environment that nourishes the spiritual, physical, and educational growth of every child.

 

PHILOSOPHY

 

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School provides for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being and formation of its students.  We employ a highly motivated and dedicated staff that shares its growth in Christ with the students within a parish family setting that is mission-oriented.  We offer a family-based faith approach that encourages strong staff/parent/student involvement so that students might develop to their fullest potential as individuals, parishioners, and citizens.

Besides a favorable student/teacher ratio, the school program includes strong instruction in the basic curriculum using up-to-date materials and opportunities for fine arts activities, community service projects, and leadership development.  Our students are motivated towards a Christ-centered life rooted in Gospel values and formed in the faith to become responsible, mature, well-disciplined, and caring young adults willing to serve others.

                                               

PREFACE TO INSTRUCTIONAL

 

ARE YOU GIVING YOUR CHILD A CHANCE TO BE HIS/HER BEST?

 

PROTECT HIM/HER PHYSICALLY BY:

1.       At least 8-10 hours of restful sleep each night.

2.       A well balanced diet; help your child get off to a good start each day with breakfast at home or at school.

3.       Keeping your child home when ill; this protects your child as well as those at school.

PROTECT HIM/HER EMOTIONALLY AND SOCIALLY BY:

1.       Expecting neither too little nor too much from him/her according to age and ability.

2.       Providing guidance in the choice of reading, movies, TV programs, video games, etc.

3.      Saving activities such as going to the movies, spending the night at a friend’s for the weekend to promote adequate rest and energy for school.

 

 

CHAPTER I - INSTRUCTIONAL

 

A.           ADMISSIONS

 

1.       NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY

Following the lead and direction of the Diocese, we make this official statement:  “Blessed Sacrament Catholic School admits students of any race, color, creed, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and school administered programs.”

 

2.       KINDERGARTEN

A student entering Kindergarten must by 5 (five) years of age before September 1^st of that year.  A certificate of birth and Baptismal record (unless baptized at Blessed Sacrament) must be presented at the time of registration.

 

3.       FIRST GRADE

A student entering for the first time in First Grade must be 6 (six) years of age before September 1^st of that year.  A certificate of birth and record of Baptism (unless baptized at Blessed Sacrament) must be presented at the time of registration.

 

  4.  EARLY ADMISSION, IF APPLICABLE

    Students not fulfilling the age requirement, but who after adequate examination are found to possess sufficient maturity to enter kindergarten or first grade, may be accepted.  Likewise, with the consent of the pastor, the principal is authorized to exclude from admission to kindergarten or first grade students who, on the basis of testing conducted by the school, are definitely unprepared for regular classroom work.

 

5. REGISTRATION

Blessed Sacrament holds a Kindergarten Roundup/Registration in late winter/early spring.  Information will be published in the parish bulletin and school Family News in advance.

 

In early spring, Blessed Sacrament has pre-registration for the remainder of the school.  Advance notice will be provided in the parish bulletin and school Family News.  Otherwise, new students may be registered as families move into the area and/or parish.  In addition, a Registration Day is normally held approximately two weeks before school resumes.

 

6.       STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

     Blessed Sacrament Catholic School shall do in its power to provide Catholic education to students with disabilities.  Those students who cannot be fully integrated into the total regular school program shall be encouraged to take advantage of dual enrollment.  Present state statutes require that public school districts accept in part–time attendance, via dual enrollment procedures, students who are enrolled in non-public schools and who are in need of special education and related services not available in the non-public school.  These students do not need to withdraw from the non-public school.  Once enrolled part-time in the public school, they have all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of special education and related services as any student in the public school. 

 

B.     ATTENDANCE AND ABSENTEES

 

Blessed Sacrament encourages parents and guardians to see that students attend school each day.  Regular attendance contributes to academic success, as well as to the development of attitudes and habits of consistent performance that will carry over into adult life.  Each class or day that a student misses is a class or day that cannot be fully made up.  Make-up assignments cannot realistically recover what was experienced during class. 

When it is necessary for a student to be absent, a parent needs to notify the school by 8:30 A.M.  A student returning to school after an absence needs to bring a note to the classroom teacher signed by the parent stating the reason for the absence.  If a student arrives late to school (tardy if not in the classroom by the 8:25 bell), a parent must accompany the student to the office to sign him/her in.

When it is unavoidable for a student to be excused from school during the day for an appoint-ment, a note must be sent to the teacher.  The teacher will send the note to the office.  The parent must then come to the office to sign out the student.  For our students’ safety, NO student will be permitted to leave the building without a written note, knowledge of the Prin-cipal, and sign-out at the school office.  If the student returns from an appointment during school hours, a parent must accompany the student to the office and sign the student in.

      Students who develop a pattern of chronic tardiness or absenteeism may be referred to the Attendance Officer of the Regional Office of Education.

 

The following guidelines are used to determine absences, tardies, and students out for appointments:

      Absent  -                      not in school

      Tardy  -                        late to school (up to 10 A.M.)

      ½ day absent  -             a student misses 1 ½ hours or more before noon or 1 hour or more

                                          after 1 P.M.

      Checked out  -              a student is checked out by a parent or guardian for an appointment

                                          for less than 1 ½ hours before noon or less than 1 hour after 1 P.M.

 

Family Vacations:

Families are discouraged from planning vacations during school time; however, in the event that this is unavoidable, two weeks’ prior notice shall be given to the Principal and the classroom teacher/s.  A determination will then be made concerning when schoolwork missed during the vacation needs to be completed.

 

C.     BUS POLICY

Eligible students are transported by the Quincy Public School buses.  Students are expected to comply with regulations issued through the public schools.

Any problems concerning the buses should be directed to the transportation division at 224-5910.  Students riding the buses should are required to be courteous to the bus driver.  If a disciplinary problem arises, drivers have the ability to refuse transportation to the offending student.

If, for some reason, a child is not to ride the bus on a particular day, a note MUST be sent to the teacher.  If a teacher has not received written instructions for the student not to ride the bus, the teacher will send the student on the bus.

Students not riding the bus will be dismissed as walkers, five minutes after bus dismissal.

 

D.    CAFETERIA

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School offers breakfast and lunch on a daily basis.  These meals are served in the cafeteria.  Those who choose to have breakfast and/or hot lunch may purchase it.

Each family will receive a monthly menu for breakfast and lunch.  Payments for lunch should be made by the family on a weekly or monthly basis.  We ask that you send it in a clearly marked envelope with family name, children’s names and grades, and number of hot lunches and milks being paid for.  Breakfasts will be billed at the end of each month.  You will receive a statement with the number of breakfasts your family had that month and the amount due. There will be a $25 service charge if a check is returned, and the school will then only accept cash or money orders.

At lunchtime, the children are called to the cafeteria in an orderly fashion.  Students in Kindergarten through Fourth are served first, while grades Fifth through Eighth have recess outside weather permitting.  When the Kindergarten class through Fourth grade are finished eating, they go outside weather permitting to have recess while Fifth through Eighth grade go into the cafeteria to enjoy their lunch.  Children may talk during lunch in conversational tones. 

No child eating in the cafeteria will be permitted to leave the school or playground during lunch.

 

 

Free and reduced breakfast and lunches are given to those who qualify.  Forms are available in the school office throughout the year.  If you think you may qualify, we encourage you to fill out an application.  Results will be sent to you in the mail.  THESE MATTERS ARE KEPT IN THE STRICTEST OF CONFIDENCE.

 

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PRICES ARE VARIABLE AND DETERMINED BY MANY FACTORS.

                        BREAKFAST           $1.00   Regular price

                                                            .30   Reduced price

                        LUNCH                    $1.75  Regular price

                                                             .40  Reduced price

                                                             .25  Milk

 

E.     COMMUNICATION

Communication between school and home is very important.  We send home a weekly newsletter to keep parents informed of school news.  This newsletter and every other flyers or information needing to be passed along are sent home with the oldest child of the family in an envelope on the last day of the school week.

Teachers communicate with parents through notes, newsletters, and phone calls.  During the Parents and Friends Open House in September, they share and explain classroom rules and procedures, the daily routine, student expectations, etc.  They also meet with parents in October during Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences.

Parents are encouraged to communicate their ideas, concerns, and student grievances.  Concerns and grievances regarding a child’s progress, homework, or classroom situation should always be discussed with the child’s teacher first.  Other concerns or unanswered questions can be discussed with the principal.  If a concern is still not resolved, the pastor can be contacted.

 

F.      DAILY SCHEDULE

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School allows for five and one-half hours of instruction with one-hour lunch.  The schedule is subject to change.

6:30 A.M.        Daycare is open for students participating in this program. 

                        Located in the cafeteria.

7:30 A.M          School doors open, early students assemble in the cafeteria and may participate in the breakfast program. 

Breakfast served from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m.

7:45 A.M          Crossing Guard on duty.

8:15 A.M.        Early students dismissed from cafeteria; students go directly to their classroom.

8:25 A.M.        Classes begin after Morning Prayer and Announcement

11:45 A.M.      Lunch

2:45 P.M.          End of the Day Announcements

            2:50 PM            Grades K-8  - Bus Dismissal

            2:55 PM            Grades K-8  - General Dismissal

3:15 PM            All students must be out of the building except those in After School Care or under teacher supervision and those approved for extracurricular activities.

 

G.    FIELD TRIPS

 

Field trips may be planned during the course of the school year by the teacher. Field trips are a privilege and students can be denied participation due to lack of academic effort and improper behavior.  Permission slips must be signed by parents or guardians for students to participate on the field trip.  Children are expected to be on their best behavior when on field trips.  Students are not allowed to call parents to ask for permission to go on the field trip.  A verbal agreement that a child can go on a field trip is not allowed.  The Diocese of Springfield requires written permission for any field trip.

“Field trips are an extension of the learning process.  The principal will encourage only those field trips that are appropriate educational experiences.  On field trips there will be at least one adult chaperone for every eight students.  Permission, in writing, must be secured from parent(s) or guardian of students who go on scheduled trips.  Information to the parent(s) or guardian will include the date, purpose, destination, expected student behavior, and the time of return." (Diocesan Policy #5537)

A parent who would like to drive or help out on a field trip must have attended the workshop entitled “Protecting God’s Children”. A record of that attendance must be on file within the school office.

 

H.    GRADES

 

The grading scale at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is as follows:

                        99 – 100 A+                  88 – 91 B                      75 – 76 D+

                        96 – 98 A                     86 - 87  B-                    72 – 74 D

                        94 – 95 A-                    84 – 85 C+                    70 – 71 D-

                        92 – 93 B+                    79 – 83 C                      0 – 69  F

                                                            77 – 78 C-                                                       

 

I.       GRADUATION

 

Eighth grade students who satisfactorily complete the academic requirements and pass the Illinois and United States Constitution tests will graduate at the end of the school year.  A graduation ceremony will be held and each graduate will receive a diploma.

 

J.      HOMEWORK

 

To fulfill the mission of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, it is our responsibility to foster the academic growth of all students.  Research has shown that one means of fostering this growth is through homework.  Each child is unique in his/her own way.  As such, not only will each child perform differently in class, each will perform differently with regard to homework.  With  that in mind, we include general guidelines about homework time for each grade as follows:

                        Grade one, two, three                - 30 minutes

                        Grade four, five             - 45 to 60 minutes

                        Grades six, seven, eight  - 60 to 90 minutes

 

Homework may be in the form of written work, reading, studying, research work, or watching a specific TV program.  As a general rule students are not given assignments over the weekend.  If a student has failed to do his/her homework during the week, however, such homework may well be assigned for completion over the weekend.

Should there be specific instances where the teacher needs to deviate from these general guidelines, this need will be communicated to the parents.  Furthermore, should there be a specific instance where the parents observe that their child’s work load exceeds these general guidelines, the parents should contact the teacher directly to work together as a team to resolve the matter.

Because Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic school, our primary concern is to foster the spiritual growth of all students.  It is essential, therefore, that all students complete all assignments or projects in Religion.

Students who are absent will have a minimum of two (2) class days after returning to make up assignments.  A student may be given days in excess of the minimum provided that he/she communicates this need to the teacher and the teacher approves.

To assist their child/children with their homework, we suggest that parents establish a definite time and quiet place within the home to complete homework.  It is essential for parents and teachers to communicate clearly and develop a working relationship in order to help students succeed in school.  If parents find that they are in need of further assistance with homework, please contact your child’s teacher.

Homework is expected to be completed within the time allotted by the teacher.  Should a student not have an assignment on the day it is due, the student will be expected to complete the work assigned.  Should the behavior persist with some frequency, then the teacher will contact the parents and the principal to schedule a conference to discuss how all can work together as a team to begin to remediate the situation.

 

I.  HONOR ROLL/B.U.G. AWARD

 

The Academic Honor roll applies to those students in grades 5 – 8.  The B Honor roll is achieved by having a “B” average in all subjects with no grade lower than a “C”.  The “A” Honor roll is achieved by having all “A’s”.

In order to recognize improvement in grades, students in grades 1-8 earn a B.U.G. (Bringing Up Grades) Award when raising at least one grade without any falling grades.

 

J.      LIBRARY

 

Although each class has at least a weekly library period, the library is open to all students to work independently when necessary.

Children are urged to use the library, take books from it, and return books on time.  If books are overdue, there is a fine for each book of five (5) cents per day.  Children are expected to handle books carefully.  Lost or severely damaged books must be paid for in full.

 

1.       If a student checks a book out from the school library and the book is lost or destroyed, this student must pay  $5.00 or the replacement cost of the book if more than $5.00.

2.       Any student who owes such money will be denied the privilege of checking out any further books until the money owed is paid.

3.       Should money for lost/destroyed books remain unpaid at the time report cards are issued, each student who owes money will not be issued a report card until the full amount owed is paid.

 

The Quincy Public Library will be bringing books into the classroom at least once every two weeks.  The classroom teacher will provide guidelines on how the books are to be used and checked out.  Students who check out a book and remove it from the classroom are responsible for any late fees.  If a book is damaged or lost, the student is responsible for the replacement cost of the book.

 

K.  PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT CONFERENCES

 

At the end of the first quarter of the school year, a Parent/Teacher/Student conference is set up with each family.  This is for the purpose of discussing constructively the child’s rate of progress in school and other matters of mutual concern.  School will be dismissed early on Thursday (usually at 11:30), with conferences scheduled from 1 p.m. through the afternoon and evening and as needed on Friday.  Parents are urged to compare a child’s achievement with previous records, rather than with the attainment of others, and to consider achievement in terms of ability.

In addition to the scheduled conferences, other conferences may be arranged if deemed necessary by either the parent or teacher.  If parents wish to consult with a teacher, PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

 

L. PHYSICAL EDUCATION

 

To promote the good health and mental alertness of our students, physical education is a part of the school program for all students.  Each student must have a pair of gym shoes that are to be worn in the GYM ONLY.  For health reasons we discourage the children from wearing each other’s gym shoes.

 

 

M.  PROMOTION AND RETENTION

 

Proficiency in the subject areas of Religion, Reading, Math, English, Science, and Social Studies is considered to be necessary for the students to become a contributing member of society.  The student must exhibit satisfactory growth and performance in the subjects in the grade in which he/she is presently enrolled in order to be considered for promotion to the next higher grade.  Lack of satisfactory growth and performance in the mentioned subject may result in the student being retained and repeating a grade.  Any score below 70% is considered unsatisfactory.  Unsatisfactory growth and performance in two of the mentioned subject areas will necessitate a review by the teacher, parents, and the Principal to determine what would best benefit the student.  The Principal shall have the final decision of retention or promotion of any student.  The parents have the right to appeal any such decision made by the Principal to the Pastor

 

N.     RECESS

 

Students in grades K-8 will have recess outside during good weather.  If for certain reasons a child cannot go outside, a written note from the parents to this effect is required.  Should the students be unable to go outside due to the weather, they will have organized activities in their classrooms and in the gym.  For safety reasons, playground equipment will only be used if the surface is dry.

Unless otherwise directed by the Principal, each class plays in its assigned place on the playground.  At lunchtime at least two (2) parents and the Principal supervise students both in the cafeteria and on the playground.  Students are expected to give those supervising full respect and obedience, since they are vested with authority in place of the parents.

All parents are expected to participate in the cafeteria and playground supervision program.  Parents are to sign up for 5 days of supervision.  There is a fee of $25.00 for those parents who are unable to do supervision.  The fee is used to hire persons needed for any unfilled days/slots on the schedule. 

 

0.  REPORT CARDS

 

FIRST QUARTER            – Late October - report cards are distributed to students before Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

     SECOND QUARTER       - Middle of January – report cards distributed to students.

     THIRD QUARTER           - Late March – report cards distributed to students

FOURTH QUARTER      - Early June – report cards are mailed out the week following the end of school provided all bills are paid in full.

In addition, mid-quarter progress reports are distributed to students in grades 3-8.

.

P.      STUDENT RECORDS

 

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School keeps permanent cumulative records of each student during his/her years at Blessed Sacrament.  These records are kept on file for at least sixty-two (62) years once the student has left Blessed Sacrament.  Parents shall have the right to inspect and review any and all official records, files, and data directly related to their children, and intended for school use.  Written consent of the parents must be obtained before a student’s records are to be made available to parties outside the school system.  Parents shall also have an opportunity to be heard regarding the content of their child’s school records to insure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy or rights of the students.

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS

“This school abides by the provisions of the Buckley amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents.  In the absence of a court order to the contrary, a school will provide the non-custodial parent with access to the academic records and to other school-related information regarding the child.  If there is a court order specifying that there is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the court order.”  (from School Handbooks: Some Legal Considerations, Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, Ph.D.)

 

Q.  STUDENT/STAFF SUPPORT SERVICES

 

Through a Federal grant program, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is able to provide the services of a resource person from Quincy Catholic Charities to assist in the development and maintenance of a safe and healthy school environment.  The resource person may present whole-group lessons in various life skills areas, may meet with students and/or staff individually to assess or instruct in these areas, and may serve as a resource for students and staff to give healthy alternatives to problems in learning and behavior and to strengthen working relationships between educators, students, parents, and community.

 

R.  TESTING PROGRAM

 

The Springfield Diocese has adopted the Terra Nova Test of Skills for grades 2 through 8.  The tests are generally given in the fall.  Results will be discussed at the First Quarter Parent/Student/ Teacher Conferences.  Students exhibiting signs of learning difficulties may be referred for testing by the Quincy Public School District Counselors.  Parent permission is required.

The purpose of these tests is to measure each skill development of individual students, as well as the performance of the classes and the school as a whole.  The results are in no way definitive or final, but the data they provide serve as a means to improve instruction, to diagnose areas of weakness and to help place students in remedial programs. 

The Faith 2000 Religion Assessment test will also be given to all students in grades 3, 6, & 8 between February 1 –15.  This tool assesses each student’s understanding f faith knowledge, Catholic values and religious practices based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

S. TRANSFER OF STUDENT RECORDS

 

When a new student enrolls in Blessed Sacrament, the parents will complete a request form to send to the former school asking for the release of records.  When a student leaves Blessed Sacrament to transfer to another school, copies of the student’s records will be sent to the new school within 10 days of receiving the written release of records request from them.

 

 

CHAPTER II - FAITH DEVELOPMENT

 

A.     GENERATIONS OF FAITH

 

Blessed Sacrament Parish provides an ongoing faith formation process called Generations of Faith.  This process is an integrated and comprehensive approach to faith formation. It equips parish communities to become communities of learning by creating lifelong faith formation. This formation is centered in the events of church life, embraces all ages and generations, and promotes faith growth at home, through parish preparation programs, and most importantly, through participation in church life.

Several times a year the whole faith community, from the youngest children to senior citizens, is invited to gather for preparation programs focused on particular themes.  Each preparation program includes large group experiences; smaller age-level group sessions, a meal, prayer, and child care for infants and toddlers.  School families are invited and strongly encouraged to participate in Generations of Faith as an opportunity to enrich family faith growth.

B.  MASS

 

The home is the ‘domestic church’.  It is the place where faith is first born and shared.  It is in the home that faith can grow under the careful watch of a loving family.  The Rite of Baptism of Infants says, “Parents and godparents, it will be your duty to bring this child up in the practice of the faith, by loving God and neighbor.”  Immediately before Baptism the priest instructs the parents, “On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring your child up in the practice of the faith.  See that the Divine life which God gives him/her is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always strong in his/her heart.”  At the blessing concluding the Rite of Baptism, the priest says, “….you will be the first teachers of your children in the ways of faith.  May you also be the best teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what you say and do, in Christ the Lord.”

Teaching in its truest sense is witnessing.  Children learn best when appropriate behavior is modeled.  That modeling is needed in all behavior, moral and religious.  Children learn best from trusted adults as they watch us live out our faith and relate to family, neighbors, and God.

Parents have the first responsibility to teach.  Essential to our faith is the obligation of SUNDAY worship.  It expresses the communal nature of the Church as the family of God.  It instructs in His wisdom with the Bread of his WORD and nourishes faith with the Bread of the EUCHARIST.

Children must be given the example of lively attendance, regular attendance, and active attendance at SUNDAY and HOLY DAY MASS in the Parish Church.

We expect parents to make sure their child is able to attend Sunday Mass on a regular basis and are provided the opportunity to attend Holy Day Masses as they occur throughout the year.  We expect families to attend together Sunday Mass and Holy Day Mass in their Parish Church.

 

C.  MISSION PROGRAM

 

We believe strongly in the mission Jesus gave the Church through his disciples.  We believe that it is the moral obligation of each member of the Church to carry it out.  Therefore, we teach within the school the importance and essential nature of the work of the missions.

One facet of our mission work is the support of the Office for the Propagation of the Faith.  Other activities for the missions are held within the classroom through other schoolwide organized programs.

 

D.  PRAYER

 

Catholic Christian formation and education at Blessed Sacrament also includes regular experiences of prayer.  Jesus taught us to “pray always and never lose heart…”  He himself, though the Son of God, made every effort to pray and taught his disciples how to pray with trust, faith and confidence.

We expect there will be the practice of daily prayer within the home.  We expect that the values of our Catholic Christian faith will be lived and supported in the home, otherwise there results a counter-witness to our stated vision, goals, and objectives.  We believe we are unique gifts to the community being a school, an institution, a community, and a family that lives, supports, witnesses, and teaches as Jesus taught.

The School offers regular opportunities for prayer within the classroom, informal settings, and planned liturgies in Church.  It is here that the children take a step beyond the home setting and experience Church among their peers.  Their faith can become more intentional, personally chosen, and lived with new conviction.  They become active participants in the very prayer of the Church by being responsible for its planning and carrying it out.

Blessed Sacrament offers the child the experience of the differing Liturgical Ministries by actually doing them.  They learn the ministries of music, lector, greeter, gift bearer, commentator, server, environment, etc.  The children are encouraged to participate in every way that their ages and abilities allow.  Their gifts are trained, affirmed, and directed toward the benefit of the whole school community.

 

We expect the parents and family to support these efforts.  The welcome and enthusiasm, the understanding and support the child receives at home will be directly reflected in their performance and motivation for service in the church now and in the future.  Some families feel it is so important to be present for sporting events, dance recitals, etc., but never make the connection with faith-related experiences.  We at Blessed Sacrament know that parental involvement here is more valuable and long lasting than all the rest.

We expect family involvement and support of this faith development and the learning of the role of service in the Church.

 

E.  SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

 

Sacramental initiation within the community of the Catholic Church is a process, which we can call a spiritual journey.  Begun at Baptism, it continues until death into eternity.  But there are sacramental moments, celebrations that mark the way as milestones or steps.  The order of these steps is most clearly seen in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) adapted to the level of learning and ability of children.  The process is one of personal CONVERSION, the gradual changing, transforming, and growing under the influence of the Gospel teaching and lived Christian life. The proper order of this sacramental initiation is BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION and then deepest union with Christ in HOLY EUCHARIST.

The “restored” order of sacraments is normally used for those in the RCIA process; however, due to history and practice, it has become the custom for those baptized as infants to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist at the “age of reason” (typically 7 years old), with Confirmation being postponed until several years later.

Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is parish based.  Information about the specifics of the preparation programs and celebrations of sacraments is be communicated through the school.