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| “They (two disciples) said to each
other, ‘When he (Jesus) talked with us along the road and explained
the Scriptures to us, didn't it warm our hearts?’” (Luke
23:32) |
Mission Statement:
Embracing the conviction that religious formation is a lifelong, holistic
and developmental process that happens in families and parish communities,
the St. Margaret Mary total parish religious education program is
dedicated to understanding and responding to the faith formation of
its members at all stages of their spiritual journey.
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| Religious
Education Office:
123 North 61st Street
Omaha, NE 68132
(402) 558-9119
Director: Linda
Stryker
Secretary: Devah Tritz
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Religious
Education Calendar
The Religious Education Calendar is available on-line in Adobe Acrobat
PDF format. If you don't already have the Adobe Acrobat Reader on
your computer, you can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader software
at the Adobe
Acrobat Web Site.
Click here to view the Religious Education Calendar. 
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Profile:
Religious Education is for students in grades 1-8 who attend non-Catholic
schools. In 2003-2004, there were 120 registered students attending
weekly Wednesday evening classes, September through May. Classes run
from 6:30 to 7:45 with doors opening at 6:15.
Parent Advisory Board:
The Parent Advisory Board ‘s purpose is to foster spiritual
growth, community, communication and support among students and parents
in the Religious Education Program through advising the parish Director
of Religious Education (DRE) on stimulating and integrated activities
and events. They meet every other month or as needed.
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| Members: |
| President: |
Kim Craig |
| Vice President: |
Meegan Griggs |
| Secretary: |
Amy Bielewicz |
| Total Board Rep: |
Anita Harkins |
| Advisor: |
Sue Leuschen |
| At Large: |
Cindy Leiferman
Georgianna Peng-Chen
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| A listing of the doctrines of the
Catholic Tradition grade by grade should enable all of us to work
toward a stronger faith development for the children. What follows
is only a guide for you, the parent. We use the all-new edition of
Harcourt's Call to Faith for grades 1-6. Junior High is Youth live
with students choosing forty hours of co curse work on Wednesday evenings
and weekends. Prayer and song is integrated. The children are given
the opportunity to pray in both formal and spontaneous manners. Parents
are encouraged to attend Parent Night with their children and incorporate
their faith into their homes.
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| RESPECT LIFE PROGRAM
The goal of the Pro-Life Curriculum is to teach that all human life
must be respected from conception to natural death. The lesson plans
for grades 1-8 are prepared for one 40-60 minute class, but may
be expanded by the teachers. The lessons build on the previous year,
or stand alone. Each class has a visual aid and handout. The Archdiocese
of Omaha Pro-Life office provides this material.
SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
The Columban Fathers Come and See! Mission Education Program deepens
the students’ understanding of Global Awareness and the missionary
dimension of their baptism.
SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM
We offer a curriculum for children with special needs. Two catechists
work with these children and develop a curriculum especially for
them. Parents need to inform us of their needs at registration.
Creation, God, Jesus, holy days, sacraments, and saints are some
of the concepts taught. Activities are hands on. Basic prayers are
learned. This program is offered 6:30-7:00 on Wednesday evenings.
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FIRST
GRADE
First grade students learn about God as our Creator, Jesus as the
Son of God and the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of God. The people of
God are the Church. They are exposed for the first time to the sacraments
and specifically the Sacrament of Baptism; Reconciliation and Eucharist
are introduced. As Christians we are called to care and share God’s
gifts of creation, to be like Him and to do what He would do. The
bible is introduced to children as a collection of many books written
by people chosen by God. Pro-Life Unit: The love of a family toward
a baby is beautiful. Social Justice Unit: One World! One Home! One
Family! Formal Prayers: the Sign of the Cross, the Guardian Angel
Prayer, Glory Be, The Lord's Prayer, and the Hail Mary are memorized.
Other prayers are available in the text. The children participate
in the children’s liturgies.
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SECOND
GRADE
This year, children will be given more detail of the basic
teachings about the sacramental life of the Catholic Church and will
discover what it means to belong to the Christian Community. Unit
One and Two will present teachings of Genesis, the trinity,and the
beginning of the church. Units Three and Four are specific on the
Sacrament of Eucharist and the Mass. Pro-Life Unit: Each of us is
special. Social Justice Unit: Building Christian Community. Formal
prayers: Review Grade 1 prayers, Act of Contrition, Grace Before and
After Meals, and A Morning Offering memorized. Children’s Liturgy:
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist celebrated. Other prayers
are available in the text.
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THIRD
GRADE
The focus of Grade 3 is the Church and the kind of community the
Church is called to be. The mission, the message, the prayer and
the actions of God’s special family will be explored. Pro-Life
Unit: Each of us is different and each is valuable. Social Justice
Unit: The Contrast Between the Rich and the Poor. Formal Prayers
to be memorized: Grades 1 and 2 prayers, Apostles’ Creed,
Hail Holy Queen, the Fatima Prayer and the Rosary Mysteries. The
sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are celebrated.
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FOURTH
GRADE
This year the fourth grade student will learn about the Church’s
rich tradition of moral example and teaching. This tradition will
provide motivation and direction for the child’s moral growth.
They will learn about the great commandment of love, the Beatitudes
and the Ten Commandments. Pro-Life Unit: We were once very tiny; we
learn how we grow. Social Justice Unit: Respect for Other Religions.
Formal Prayers/Practices: Act of Contrition, The Apostles' Creed,
The Ten Commandments, The Angelus, and The Stations of the Cross Response
are memorized. Children’s Liturgy celebrated: Reconciliation
and Eucharist.
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FIFTH
GRADE
The fifth grade students will study scripture, God's call, how we
respond to his call, the Incarnation, the life of grace, the seven
sacraments and the signs of hope. Pro-Life Unit: “Handicapped”
is just a word. Social Justice Unit: The Power of the Gospel. Formal
Prayers/Practices: Act of Contrition, Pius Invocation, the Seven Sacraments;
The Memorarae, and the Holy Days of Obligation are memorized. |
SIXTH
GRADE
This year the students will study the roots of our faith found in
the Hebrew Scriptures. God is presented as the One who creates out
of love and who cares deeply about the world. Jesus is seen as the
fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham, Moses and the prophets.
In His life, death and resurrection, Jesus is seen as proclaiming
a new covenant, the coming to the Kingdom of God. Pro-Life Unit:
There are many champions for life. Social Justice Unit: Christian
Citizenship. Formal Prayers to be memorized: The Memorarae, Hail
Holy Queen, and the Prayers for the Dead. Practices to be memorized
are: Cardinal and Theological Virtues and the Precepts of the Church.
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SEVENTH
GRADE
Students begin confirmation preparation, if they have not already
been confirmed. They study the life, values, and teaching of Jesus
and are challenged to live a Christian lifestyle. Lives of the Saints
and service to the community are emphasized. Small Faith Groups begin
Second Semester that meet once a month with parent facilitators to
plan, implement and reflect on chosen service projects for the community.
Pro-Life Unit: In pregnancy it is a baby, not a glob of cells! Social
Justice Unit: World Poverty. Formal prayers: Act of Contrition, Apostles'
Creed, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and Receiving Holy
Communion. Create own prayers. Children’s Liturgy: Reconciliation
and Eucharist celebrated.
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EIGHTH
GRADE
Continuing preparation for Confirmation, students will develop a relationship
with God and learn we are each called to recognize his power and celebrate
his love for us. They will be introduced to the Holy Spirit working
in each individual and in the church through the sacrament of Confirmation.
They will study the Gifts and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Through
volunteer service and small group sessions, the confirmands are led
to affirm their Baptism and the mission of the Church. Pro-Life Unit:
The facts of what an abortion is and does; and, sexuality is a gift
from God, and that by respecting that gift, they can enjoy life to
its fullest. Social Justice Unit: World Hunger. Formal prayers/practices:
The Apostolic Blessing & Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Apostles’
Creed, Act of Contrition, Come Holy Spirit are reviewed, and other
prayers are found in their books. Create own prayers. Children’s
Liturgy: Reconciliation and Eucharist celebrated.
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Small Faith Groups:
Students learn about their faith best by sharing with other Christians,
both peers and elders in the parish community, and by doing, service.
During Confirmation preparation, the 7th and 8th graders join a small
faith group. Each group decides on service and faith building activities
to do. We are proud of our parish families who have supported this
portion of the young persons’ preparation! They have been courageous
and generous in opening their homes and their hearts as facilitators
of small faith groups of 8-9 students per group, and by seeing to
it that their young person is faithful in their attendance of these
monthly meetings.
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Parent
Sacramental Preparation Meetings:
PARENTS, this is a great opportunity for you to get updated in your
faith on the sacraments your child will be receiving in the second
or eighth grades. As first and primary educators of your children
in the faith, you are asked to attend one meeting per sacramental
preparation. These meetings are required so that both you and the
parish can work together in teaching your child.
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R.C.I.A. FOR CHILDREN:
This Rite is designed for the initiation of children of catechetical
age, which the Church generally considers to be seven to fourteen
years. It is for children who have not been baptized. These children
meet separately on Wednesday nights to prepare for their baptism.
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