Religious Education
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Welcome to Religious Education at Holy Spirit. We look forward to assisting you in educating your children in the Catholic Faith.
Below is information about our Religious Ed programs.
If you have questions, contact Amy or Barbara at 605-371-1478.
Calendars for 2024-2025
Wednesday Classes and Important Dates
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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Registration
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Important Notes:
- Holy Spirit Religious Education does require that parents volunteer in our program. Registration will not be processed without parent involvement.
- Registration Fee must be submitted to complete the registration. (See FAQs for more information.)
- Tuition Assistance is available. Complete the Tuition Assistance Form.
- Assume your children are registered for the classes that you selected. We will only contact you if there is a concern.
- Classes will be closed when they are full. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- We need to keep email addresses current. Email is our primary form of communication for Religious Ed.
- Read the Parent Handbook before registering for classes. Parent Handbook
- There is no fee for the 11th and 12th graders to participate in Faith Forward groups.
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REligious Education Classes Offered
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Wednesday Classes
The Wednesday Classes on campus: You meet at Holy Spirit Church and the students meet in their classes. It's important that students are enrolled in Kindergarten to begin their faith formation. See class times below.
- Kindergarten to 5th Grade: Wednesdays 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm
- Middle School: Wednesdays 6:00 pm and 7:15 pm
- 9th, 11th, and 12th Grade: Wednesdays 7:00 pm
- 10th Grade: Wednesdays 7:00 pm for Confirmation prep
- Catch Up Classes: 2nd graders and older who are registering for Religious Ed for the first time. Please call 371-1478 to set class times.
Wednesday Class Schedule
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a "hands on" approach to catechesis, through which children develope deep, lifelong relationships with Christ and His Church. CGS is a religious formation approach based on Scripture and Liturgy. With the help of the Catechist each child continues to fall in love with God while building community among peers.
Children meet in the atrium where prayer, reflection, and silence are fostered. The materials focus on the Mass, Liturgy, and sacraments. They learn about Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows us by name and lays down his life for us. We reflect on the narratives of Jesus' life and parables Jesus shared. See schedule for class days and times.
More Information about CGS
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Learn at Home
Some parents prefer to teach the faith at home with their children. This allows the family to find a time that works best for them.
We give these families the materials and lesson plans for each grade that are used in the classes that meet on Wednesdays. We also offer support to families as needed. The parent are responsible for covering the materials and attending check-in meetings.
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Family Faith Formation
Family Faith Formation is a home-based religious education program for families with children in preschool through sixth grade. It offers a variety of opportunities for parents to pass on the Catholic Faith to their children.
It is open to ALL Holy Spirit Parish families, as an alternative to our Wednesday programs. It is also helpful for families that have scheduling conflicts with our class times.
Families receive a packet for each month. You will be contacted when they are ready. Typically there are 3 lessons each month. The lessons are written by parents for parents to use at home.
The time spent together is an amazing blessing to a family! Children see how important the Faith is to parents and respond in a way that builds family and faith at the same time.
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Open House
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Wednesday Classes Kindergarten through 12th grades: Wednesday, September 25th starting at 6:30 pm. (Watch emails for more information.)
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Information will be sent to you.
Learn at Home Sunday, September 29th at 4:00 pm in the Fireside Room.
Family Fatih Formation Sunday, September 29th at 3:00 pm in the Fireside Room.
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Volunteer Opportunities
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We are so grateful for our many volunteers who serve the youth of Holy Spirit Parish! Volunteering as a teacher is a wonderful way to share your time and talents. It is also a great witness to the importance of growing in the faith. We offer training for our teachers, and there is the option to team teach. We would love to have you join our team.
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FAQ's
- How do I submit my Registration Fee?
- What are the Parents' Responsibilities?
- What are Catch Up Classes?
- How do I report when my child will miss a class?
- What additional opportunities are available for my child?
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- Send or drop off a check to the church office. Make checks payable to Holy Spirit Religious Ed.
- Online Giving: Click the Online Giving on the website. Note that there is a processing fee.
- Tuition Assistance: Tuition Assistance Form
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- The Parish Religious Education programs offer support to the parents in their responsibility as the first educators of the Faith. Family involvement in and commitment to the life of the parish is critically important for those who participate in Parish Religious Education.
- Parents also assist in the faith growth and development of their children by encouraging regular class attendance, weekly Mass attendance, and family prayer.
- Parents volunteer as teachers, substitute teachers, prayer team, or other opportunities listed on the Registration Form. Volunteer involvement in the religious education program is required of every family.
- Parents should read the Parent Handbook before registering for classes. Parent Handbook
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Catch Up classes are individual classes for 2nd graders or higher who have not attended Religious Education classes. When your child is ready, they will move into their grade level RE class.
Also, we offer help for those students older than 2nd grade who need to receive the sacraments Reconciliation & Holy Communion.
Please call 371-1478 or email us for more information or to set a time for classes.
[email protected] (K-5th grades) or [email protected] (6th-12th grades)
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Call the Religious Education Office at 371-1478 before your child’s class time.
Leave a message with your child's first and last name, grade, and class time if no one answers.
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Children’s Liturgy of the Word: This is for children in kindergarten to 2nd grade. This is offered at 9 am and 11 am Masses. You do not need to register to participate.
Children’s Choir:
Youth Choir: Practices at 10:15 am on Sunday mornings in the Choir room. This is for students in 7th-12th grades. They sing at Mass each Sunday at 11:00 am.
Youth Group meets throughout the year. More information can be found in the bulletin or the website.
Search Retreat is a weekend retreat for 9th grade and above. Middle school students must have a recommendation. Search Page
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