For registration information please contact Matt Marchand - 617-244-0608

January 4, 2021

Religious Education Updates
 

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I have been consulting continuously with Fr. Dan throughout the fall and through Advent on how our parish should be approaching religious education during the pandemic. We both agreed that for the first half of the year a mostly home-study program would be appropriate based on our enrollment and resources. This was done with an abundance of optimism that by the New Year we might have pulled out of this pandemic. As we can all see, the pandemic will be with us at least through the end of this religious education year and some are projecting it will last into the fall of next year.

With that in mind we would like to change our approach going forward into 2021. We need to make the necessary preparations for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, while increasing engagement for all grade levels with in person instruction (With a zoom option for those who aren't ready). For each grade level the new procedures will be listed below. Please read the sections pertinent to the grade levels of your children.

Thanks,

Matt

Grades K & 1

Though we miss being together to read our Bible Stories and to do our crafts, I hope that your children are enjoying the Explorer Program. If your children have completed the lessons, I would love to have your feedback on the program as I will use that to make improvements for future years. Also, if your children would like additional Adventure Pages, let me know, I'd be happy to work on adding a few. If your children have not picked up or started the program, there are more kits in the bin at Allen Place, I'd encourage you to get started so you can be finished by Easter! The Explorer Program will remain a home study program this year and we'll reassess live classes in the fall, God willing!

Grade 2 

As a baseline standard the Good News Gospel Weeklies will continue to be made available through paper copies (Placed in the bin on the porch of Allen Place) and through your digital account. I will notify parents when the new shipment of paper copies arrives for Jan 17 onward.

First Reconciliation

First Reconciliation is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th at 10:00am in the Upper Church. (Older Siblings are welcomed and encouraged to go to confession as well. This may help with confidence as well).

First Reconciliation Preparation

Each student will be given a First Reconciliation Folder complete with 6 lessons for families to do at home. They will be available for pickup at the same time as the new batch of Gospel Weeklies. They will also be made available digitally. I would ask that parents complete the lessons at home and turn the folder in before Reconciliation. More specific instructions will be given at the time of distribution.

We will have 3 Family Gathering Sessions for Direct Preparation for First Reconciliation that will be a live class and zoom broadcast. A sign up genius will be set up for families to decide whether to do zoom or live. A signup genius will be provided to help us prepare for who will be live and who will be on zoom.

Session Dates (45 Mins): 9:00am in the Gym/Online.

Feb 28 

March 7 

March 14 

First Communion

First Communion is scheduled for Sunday, May 23, 2021 (Pentecost) at 10:00 AM

First Communion rehearsal is Saturday May 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM

First Communion Preparation

Similar to Reconciliation, each student will be given a folder with 6 lessons for families to do at home.

We will have 3 Family Gathering Sessions for First Communion that will be a hybrid model or live and zoom broadcast. A sign up genius will be set up for families to decide whether to do zoom or live.

Session Dates (45 Mins): 9:00am in the Gym/Online.

May 2 

May 9 

May 16 

Grades 3-5

As a baseline standard each student will continue to receive their Gospel Weeklies both in paper and digitally available for at home study. I will send a notification when the paper copies for Jan 17 & onward arrive for pickup.

We will also be offering Family Gathering Sessions (Schedule Below). These will be held in the gym with each family having their own table for social distancing. These will also be available on Zoom for those who are not able to attend in person. This will be an opportunity for us to have family-based lessons to supplement and support their Gospel Weekly program. A signup genius will be provided to help us prepare for who will be live and who will be on zoom.

Schedule: (45 Mins)

Jan 31, 9:00 AM (Gym)

Feb 21, 9:00 AM (Gym)

Mar 28, 9:00 AM (Gym)

April 11, 9:00 AM (Gym)

April 25, 9:00 AM (Gym)

Grades 6-8

As a baseline standard each student will continue to receive their Gospel Weeklies both in paper and digitally available for at home study. I will send a notification when the paper copies for Jan 17 & onward arrive for pickup.

We will also be offering live classes (Parents welcome/not mandatory) (Schedule Below). These will be held in the gym with each family having their own table for social distancing. These will also be available on Zoom for those who are not able to attend in person. This will be an opportunity for us to have family-based lessons to supplement and support their Gospel Weekly program. A signup genius will be provided to help us prepare for who will be live and who will be on zoom.

We will no longer be doing the weekly check-ins.

Schedule: (45 mins)

Feb 7, 9:00 AM (Gym) 

Mar 21, 9:00 AM (Gym)

April 11, 11:15 AM (Gym)

April 25 11:15 AM (Gym)

Confirmation

Confirmation Ceremony (for Students in Grade 10 only): 

Is currently scheduled for Saturday April 17th at 4PM (Full Mass) with Bishop Reed

If Bishop Reed elects to do Confirmation only as was done last year, we will request that it take place at 6PM on April 17th.

Both dates are subject to change based on the pandemic restrictions, etc.

Confirmation Rehearsal/Night of Prayer with Fr. Dan (Parents/Students of Grade 10 only)

Wednesday April 14th, 6:00pm Upper Church

Confirmation Classes (Grades 9 & 10):

We will be offering in person classes in the Gym (Schedule Below) with the option for students to join through zoom if they are unable to attend in person. We will be completing an 8 week curriculum which will be available with paper copies and digitally online for those who can't attend in person. A signup genius will be provided to help us prepare for who will be live and who will be on zoom.

Schedule: (45 Mins) 11:15 Am (Gym)

Jan 31

Feb 7

Feb 21

Feb 28

Mar 7

Mar 14

Mar 21

Mar 28