Introduction to Christian Education

Religious education is an essential and integral part of the life and
culture of a Catholic school. Through it, students are invited to
develop the knowledge, beliefs, skills, values and attitudes needed
to build a relationship with God and community through the
person of Jesus Christ. Religious education shares the same goals
and objectives set forth for all good education, that is, the growth
and development of the whole person in all his or her
dimensions—physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual.
Religious education has four essential characteristics.
It is Trinitarian. It recognizes God as the creator of all things
who gives us Jesus. It is Jesus who reveals God to us, and in turn
reveals God’s Spirit, through whom we understand our faith.
It is based on Sacred Scripture through which we hear the
mystery of God revealed, the call to be in relationship with God
and each other, and we learn how to pray.
It is based on the life experience of the students through which
they are invited to discern signs of God in their daily lives.
It is presented within the tradition of the Catholic faith
community which, based on Church teachings, sacramental and
liturgical life, provides students with experiences of faith, prayer,
love and justice.

With an awareness of the uniqueness of each student and a
recognition that religious development takes place through a
process of stages and within a community, it is expected that
program presentation will vary from place to place to meet the
diverse learning and religious formation needs of all students.
The Religious Education Program for elementary and junior high
schools is authorized by the Bishop of the local diocese. Some
school districts have developed supplementary resources and
adapted the program to better meet local needs...

The Religious Education Program invites students to
explore their belonging to God who is introduced as Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. The students study what it means to belong to the
tradition, faith and community of God’s people—the Church.
They are introduced to the Bible—God’s written word—which
identifies Jesus of Nazareth as the witness of God who shows us
the way to God...

The school, through the Religious Education Program,
complements parents in their role as primary and principal
educators of their children. Home and family play a vitally
important role in the faith development of children. Within the
family, seeds of faith are planted. Family relationships and daily
experiences are major factors in shaping a child’s values, attitudes
and Catholic identity. Regular religious practice and the
application of classroom learning to daily life are critical parts of
religious formation.
Prayer is an integral part of the Religious Education Program and
of each school day since intimacy with God is the ultimate goal of
Catechesis. Respecting the individual differences of children and
our changing human needs, prayer is experienced in many
different ways: silent reflection, guided imagery, scriptural prayer,
song and formal community prayer. As we enter into prayer we
give praise and thanks for God’s loving presence, and call upon
the Spirit to guide, nourish and empower our lives through Jesus
Christ....

Teaching the sacraments occurs within the Religious Education
Program. Sacraments celebrate the presence of Christ in our lives.
They are effective signs that make God’s grace present to us in
love, healing and the transformation of our lives. Eucharist and
Reconciliation are an essential part of each child’s religious
formation and a necessary grounding for a mature faith. As with
many basic themes, Eucharist and Reconciliation are introduced in
Grade 1, but continue to be deepened and intensified in each year
thereafter. Children who have not yet celebrated First Communion
or First Reconciliation are always welcome to contact their parish
to begin their immediate preparation for the sacraments.
The Religious Education Program interprets for the students what
the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches about our faith in a
manner appropriate to the age and development of the students.
Not everything in the Catechism is incorporated because, as the
Catechism itself points out, what is taught must be adapted to the
“differences of culture, age, spiritual maturity, and social and
ecclesial conditions among all those to whom it is addressed”
(#24). Specific excerpts are quoted at the end of each theme for
the teacher to help root the contents and activities of the theme in
Church tradition.

The Religious Education Program is structured around the Church
liturgical year. This enables students to live and express faith in an
integrated way at school, at home and in the parish community.

From The Alberta Education Grade 1 Curriculum Handbook for Parents (Catholic Edition)