Elementary School Religious Education
Dear Parents,
The role that you exercise as the primary educators for your children’s religious education is indispensable as the Catechism states: “parents are the principle and first educators of their children” and "the role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute" (1653, 2221). Furthermore, “the right and duty of parents to give education is essential…and it is irreplaceable and inalienable, and therefore incapable of being entirely delegated to others or usurped by others” (FC, 36). In order to foster the gift and task of being the first educators of the Catholic faith to your children “the Christian community (Parish) must give special attention to parents. By means of personal contact, meetings, courses, and also adult catechesis directed toward parents, the Christian community (Parish) must help them assume their responsibility – which is particularly delicate today of educating their children in the faith” (GDC, 227).
According to the magisterium, my responsibility as the coordinator of elementary religious education is to give you the “special attention” needed to fulfill your responsibility of educating your children in the faith. Additionally, parish religious education is “intended not to supplant the role of parents as the primary educators of their children, but rather to support and enhance it” (NDC, 61.4). In order “to support and enhance” your role as the primary educators, any parent that registers a child for religious education will also be attending some sessions which are designed to help the parents fulfill that role. The time of the sessions will coincide with the child’s religious education class. Classes will begin on September 29th and a mandatory meeting will be held for parents (children are welcomed) on Sept. 15th at 7 P.M. in the auditorium at the Nativity site.
The parish seeks to evangelize the whole family and to assist parents in becoming their children’s irreplaceable catechist. Indeed, you are already your child’s catechist by virtue of being their parent (NDC, 48.E). May God bless us in this new evangelization of the family.
Your Brother in Christ,
Mr. Carlos L. Gamundi
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