Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
     2024-2025 Religious Education Program

Parent/Guardian Collaboration: We believe that parents play an integral role in the moral and faith formation of students and no one can replace the influence that a parent’s example has on the spiritual life of a child. By taking time to pray, attend mass regularly, and participate in other aspects of parish life, parents can both reaffirm and enrich other forms of in-the-classroom instruction. 

1. If my child is not available during the regularly scheduled meeting day/time, does this mean he/she cannot participate in the program?
No, of course not. It is widely accepted that family members serve as the primary catechists for their student(s). Some families opt to participate via homeschool learning exclusively and this is perfectly acceptable. We are available to provide as-needed guidance and support for students and parents who choose homeschool learning. That being noted, if your student is preparing to receive a sacrament while participating via homeschool learning exclusively, the parent is required to contact the Director of Religious Education, Kevin O’Connell, upon submitting their registration form. A mutually agreed upon plan of action will need to be created, with regular check-ins and assessments completed as appropriate. This is to ensure that the student is appropriately catechized, in accordance with established sacramental guidelines and standards.

2. I would like to register my child for in-person classes but I realize that he/she will likely have regular scheduling conflicts that may result in frequent absences. What should I do? Is there an attendance requirement? 
A guiding principle of our Religious Education program is understanding that our families have diverse needs which may be best served by keeping a spirit of flexibility in our program expectations. We aim to take this approach, while also ensuring that all students, families and teachers are provided with a rich, formative experience. We understand that your child may not be able to make it to class from time to time for a range of legimate reasons. We also know that excessive absences, regardless of the reason, can make it very difficult for a student to stay caught up and/or learn at the same pace as the rest of the class. Unannounced or "no-show" absences can also be disruptive to our volunteer catechists who work hard to develop lessons plans and classroom activities that reflect the size and make-up of who they expect to be in the classroom on any given weekend. To this end, we publish all class dates and times in advance for your planning purposes. It is expected then that the parent/guardian contact the Director of Religious Education, Kevin O’Connell, in writing, with as much advanced notice as possible, to announce the date that their student is going to be absent from class. If a student accrues three unannounced or "no show" absences, the student's registration will be adjusted to "at-home learning only," at which time the student and parent can proceed at a pace more suitable to their circumstances.    

3. What should parents know about the check-in/check-out process when classes are held? 
There is no formal check-in process and class attendance is recorded. Students in grades 5+ are released from the parish hall at the end of class and may meet their parent(s)/guardian(s) upstairs in the Church or the parking lot. Students in grades 1-4 must be picked up downstairs in the parish hall and signed out. These students will only be released to the parent(s)/guardian(s) specified on the registration form – unless previously arranged in writing with the Director.

If a parent/guardian of a student in grades 5-12 would prefer that their student remain in the parish hall to be signed out, please email the Director and this will be accomodated.

4. As it relates to students preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion, absent any extroadinary circumstances, students become eligible to receive the Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion during their 2nd grade. It is highly recommended that the student complete at least one full year of religious education, immediately prior to their year of eligibility. For example, if a parent wants to have their child adequately prepared for sacramental preparation, the child should complete a full year religious education when they are in 1st grade. Note: Students enrolled in one of the diocese’s Catholic schools during their 1st grade may already be adequately prepared for 2nd grade sacramental preparation, without any previous participation in the parish’s religious education program.  

Parents of students preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion must attend a minimum of two meetings with parish staff throughout the eligibility year and are expected to attend mass every weekend with their First Communicant.

5. As it relates to students preparing to receive the Sacrament Confirmation, candidates from Our Lady of Good Counsel typically receive Confirmation during their junior year of high school. The next Confirmation preparation program is scheduled to begin in late 2024 and continue throughout 2025. Interested students and families may apply for acceptance into the preparation program during their sophomore year of high school.  It is a requirement that the student be enrolled in the parish's religious education program at the time of their entry into the Confirmation preparation program. Note: Students enrolled in one of the diocese’s Catholic high schools are exempt from the above-outlined parish religious education requirement, though they must still apply for acceptance into the parish's Confirmation preparation program.

Parents of children students to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation must attend a minimum of two meetings with parish staff and are expected to attend mass every weekend with their student candidate.

Kevin O'Connell
Director of Religious Education