Learning Our Faith

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St. Lawrence Parish Religious Education Program, 2020-2021

Registration deadline: September 20, 2020

Please return completed form and payment in one of the following ways:

1. Drop in collection bowl by back pew during Mass with “PREP Registration” noted.

2. Drop in Parish Office Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

3. Mail to: Gina Wydner; 174 Kintner Hill Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972.

St. Lawrence Registration Requirements and Information:

1. Children/Families must be registered members of St. Lawrence Parish, or if not, should

provide Baptismal and First Holy Communion certificates as applicable along with records of

previous PREP or Catholic School education (progress reports and/or letter from previous

program coordinator/pastor) confirming the level reached.

*Different fees apply to non-registered families – see above schedule.

2. Children must be entering 1st through 8th grade this year. Children in grade 1-8 in public

schools or home schooled are invited to register. Those who wish to receive first Sacraments

must be enrolled in our Parish Religious Education Program for at least two years, unless they

are transferring from another Parish Religious Education Program or Catholic School.

Our program will begin on Sunday, 10/4/20 with our Family Day orientation session at 8:30 AM,

October 4, 2020 – details to follow. Classes will meet on Sundays from 8:30 AM – 9:20 AM for

both face-to-face and virtual students.

RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation 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 are attached. 

· The instruction segment of St. Lawrence’s 2020-2021 RCIA Program begins Tuesday 9/8-20 [7-8 PM] and concludes on March 23, 2021. Catechumens are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, Saturday evening 4/3/21 [7 PM]

In the coming weeks, look for references to St. Lawrence’s RCIA Program and the part that you can play 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}.  

Schedule 2020-2021

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SCRIPTURE STUDY CLASSES

Father Benn is planning a 10 week course on St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians beginning {9/15/20 > 12/1/20} cost for materials: $16.00 for the set of the Commentary + Study Guide. 

A 7 week course on the first half of Little Rock's program on the Psalms {1/5/21 > 2/16/21}. We would likely do the second 7 week segment in the Autumn of 2021.cost: $16.00 for the set of the Commentary + Study Guide.

Unless, the Coronavirus makes a terrible come-back and the State of Pennsylvania needs to move us back to Phase Yellow or Red, I feel we can safely enjoy these studies with each other.

Protocol for Scripture Study Class

• Ceader Hall is large enough that we could practice Social Distancing and the Hall would be sanitized before each of  our sessions. I might need your help in sanitizing  the area {tables & chairs} which we used before departing. This will prepare Ceader Hall for PREP's use of it on Sunday morning. This  should only take a few minutes. We have the misting equipment and rags. 
• Face covering would be encouraged.
• It is very important that you be faithful to your own sense  of well-being. A number of you have had serious illnesses or ailments in      the past, which could make you vulnerable to the Coronavirus. As much as I  would love to see you return and as much as you would like to participate in these studies, it might be wise to err on the side of caution. 
• There are so many variables in play at this time: Will our efforts to defeat the Coronavirus finally start to have a good effect and significantly lower the cases of infections and deaths, or will it      maintain its grip on us?  Will they come up with a viable vaccine in the fall or early winter? Will we have a mild or bitter winter?
• Fortunately, each of you have time to evaluate things before making your decision.
• As with all of the Parish's groups and activities, we will need to play it by ear. This is one year in which short notice of activities will be the rule of the day!