ST.LAWRENCE PREP 2021-2022
Additional Information
To All Families enrolled in Saint Lawrence PREP,
Last week, all the catechists of the Saint Lawrence PREP met to discuss possibilities for the 2021-2022 year. We came together already aware that none of us would be able to commit to continue teaching every Sunday but also knowing how much enjoyment and fulfillment we receive through teaching the wonderful children of Saint Lawrence. Along with Father Benn, our wish is to have Saint Lawrence Parish continue to offer a religious education program. With these things in mind, we began to share our thoughts and came up with the following plan which was informed by our own ideas and what other parishes have implemented. Father Benn has since approved the plan with his input that we must meet the same number of hours of instruction as has been met in past years.
Beginning with the 2021-2022 year, students enrolled in the Saint Lawrence Parish Religious Education Program will need to complete both of the following (those receiving Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, or Confirmation may also need to meet certain other requirements during that year):
1. One week long summer program with morning hours from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
2. One monthly hour and a half session to be held after Sunday morning Mass for the months of October through April (exact dates to be determined)
While we know this is a big change, we hope you all understand the need to institute it in order to continue our program. This year, because of the shorter notice due to the change and because we would like to allow a little extra time for COVID-19 conditions to continue to improve for in person instruction, the week-long program will be held in August from 8/16 - 8/20/21. We will need help from any of you interested in assisting during either the summer sessions or the monthly Sunday sessions. We also welcome the help of any of your children who will be attending high school and wish to volunteer their time; keep in mind that this volunteer opportunity will also help fulfill graduation requirements for service hours.
Please feel free to contact Gina Wydner (wydner579@epix.net; 610-657-8759 cell) with any questions or concerns you may have about this.
Thanks and Stay Well,
Gina Wydner, Dae Kenderdine, Mariann Helfant, and Tracy Meadows
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
What is "RCIA?
{saint-Lawrence-church.org}.iation of Adults]. Until the early 80’s, the traditional approach to bringing non-Catholics into the Catholic Faith was characterized by the following:
· The Catechumen [non-baptized]/Candidate [previously baptized] needed to initiate the process.
· He/She was “instructed” in the Faith on an individual basis, usually by the parish priest.
· Once their instruction was completed, the Catechumen/Candidate was received into the Church in a private ceremony.
· All of this was good, but it was time consuming and anonymous.
· There was no standard text, program or curriculum. Depending on the individual priest, the Catechumen either received a thorough instruction in the Catholic Faith or something that was sloppy and not very informative. Since the mid 80’s, the Church has re-thought its approach towards those wishing to become Catholic or those who were baptized as Catholic, but never received any formation in the Faith. This is when RCIA was developed by the American bishops. It is characterized by the following:
· There is a standardized curriculum. The curriculum is based on the Sacred Scriptures, Documents of the Church and the New Catholic Catechism.
· Every parish is required to provide a RCIA Program and if possible, assemble a qualified RCIA Team.
· The RCIA program emphasizes the importance and place which the people of the Parish have in nurturing the formation of the Catechumens [non-baptized] & Candidates [previously baptized]. This often takes place at Sunday Mass, but especially during Holy Week/ the Triduum.
· Unless, there is a serious reason, the Catechumens are received into the Faith at the Easter Vigil. The Candidates can be received into the Church during any time of the year, but preferably during Lent, Holy Week or before Pentecost.
· Presuming that the Program begins in mid-September and concludes on Easter, RCIA is a nine-month process. Catechumens & Candidates meet weekly for one hour.
· The above is a very loose characterization of RCIA. It is intended to give those unfamiliar with this wonderful program a sense of what it is about. There are a number of particulars, not mentioned here, but which are included within the Program which address specific situations.
· Over 40+ years, this approach to catechesis has proven to be extremely successful, largely because of RCIA’s communal aspect. The Catechumens & Candidates experience the parish community’s interest in them; they experience how their parish invests itself in their spiritual journey; and finally, their journey is not anonymous. They share this journey with men & women who are on the same journey through the universal Church; they also benefit from the support of the Parish RCIA Team, brothers & sisters who are excited for them and committed to them.
· The 2020-2021 schedule of RCIA Classes-see next sheet!
· The instruction segment of St. Lawrence’s 2021-2022 RCIA Program is conducted on the Tuesdays of each week {7-8 PM} beginning 9/14/21 and concluding on April 5, 2022. All classes are conducted in Ceader Hall [the community room beneath the church]. Catechumens are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, Saturday evening 4/3/21 [7 PM]
Between May and September, there will be additional references to St. Lawrence’s RCIA Program and the place it can have in the lives of those searching for their place in Our Lord’s Family. Whenever you have any questions about RCIA or St. Lawrence’s RCIA Program don’t hesitate to contact Fr. Benn through the Parish Office [610]749-2684 or on line at saintlawrence@verizon.net Additional info can be found on the parish WEB site:
{saint-lawrence-church.org}.
Learn More
2021-2022 RCIA Schedule of Classes!
- September, 2021:14th, 21st, 28th.
- October, 2021: 5th, 12th, 26th.
- November, 2021: 2nd [?], 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th.
- December, 2021: 7th, 14th, 21st.
- January, 2022: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th.
- February, 2022: 1st, 8th, 22nd.
- April, 2022: 5th Final Class
- April, 2022: 22nd {Rehearsal for Reception into the Catholic Church-7 PM]
- April 23, 2022: Easter Vigil- Reception into the Catholic Church. Yeah!!!
*Occasionally, a class may need to be cancelled and rescheduled because of foul weather or health related issues. On such occasions, Catechumens & Candidates will be notified via email or Voice mail.
Scripture Study
ST. LAWRENCE SCRIPTURE STUDY
The beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church are grounded on two pillars: Scripture and Tradition. Most Catholics are familiar with the Tradition component of our teachings, but sometimes feel inadequate when it comes to their understanding of the Scriptures. Since the 1970’s, the Church has encouraged a renewal in its effort to educate Catholics in their familiarity and understanding of Sacred Scripture. Each year, St. Lawrence Parish hosts two Scripture Studies. The following are some quick bullet points for your information:
· They generally run for 10 weeks and focus on one Book of the Bible. The “Fall” session runs between mid-September to mid-December; the ”Winter/Spring” runs from mid-January to mid- April.
· Occasionally, depending on the Book being studied, these studies can last longer.
· St. Lawrence Scripture Study is based on the very successful Little Rock Scripture Study.
· Materials (Commentary + Study Guide) are provided. Costs $12.00-15.00
· Each session lasts 90 minutes. The first 60 minutes are a discussion of material the group was assigned to reflect on during the previous week. In most cases this involves no more than 2-3 chapters of the Book they are focusing on. The final 20-30 minutes involve reviewing a video produced by Scripture Scholars commenting on the material the group just covered.
· Don’t worry…………...there are no tests! This is a discussion format lead by Fr. Benn, who acts as a facilitator of the group and their conversation.
There are many people who have an interest in scripture studies; yet, decline participating in them because they feel “they don’t know anything”. That’s the very reason for participating in these studies! What one learns through these studies helps them to understand, appreciate and enjoy their Catholic Faith even more.
Scripture Focus and Schedule: 2021-2022
· Fall Study: Gospel of St. Luke (9-7-21 > 11-16-21) / [10 Sessions] / Tuesdays 10:30 AM-12 PM / Ceader Hall / Cost of materials $15.00
· Winter/Spring Study: Psalms #1 (1-4-22 > 2-8-22) / [6 Sessions] / Tuesdays 10:30 AM – 12PM / Cost of materials $15.00 *Bonus Lenten Study: The Book of Wisdom (3-1-22 >4-12-22) / [6 Sessions] / Cost of materials $15.00
Upcoming Mass celebrating
St Joseph
Mon., August 2, 2021 at 7PM!
St Lawrence Parish: The Year of St. Joseph 2021