Dear Parents,                                                    AUGUST 12, 2020
Father Forbes is grateful for the wonderful response of so many of you who have registered your children and volunteered to assist the Faith Formation Program. Father is concerned that we make every possible effort to support parents during the virus.  The following is the plan for Faith formation:

1. Resume in-person classes on September 13^th from 9:00 a-10:15 a    Wednesdays 7p-8:15p Once the Covid response is over and Mass times again become longer we will change to a beginning time of 9:15 am.
2. Purchase for each registered child the on-line OUR FAITH DELIVERED which is the same content as the Faith and Life Series that we are teaching in the classroom. (One exception to this: Classroom instruction for 8^th grade, Confirmation prep will be using: Dynamic Catholic, Decision Point. The entire program is on-line. Parents can access this by going to Dynamic Catholic.com. For Your Parish, Confirmation:Decision Point, View Program, Decision Point Access. Each lesson has a large blue logo, click on lesson.)
3. If a parent decides to home school or if we shut down due to a viral outbreak, parents will then have the tools they need to continue with instruction and sacramental prep for First Eucharist, Penance and Confirmation. The online program is initiated by the Parish, the parent’s email address is sent to the company, parents need to log in and create a password. This program gives the catechist and the Director of Faith Formation the ability to monitor the use of the program and evaluate how the child is progressing. At the end of this letter, I have listed the contact phone number and the on-line help desk for the program. PLEASE DO NOT LOG-IN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 when the contract is in effect.  IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE PROGRAM PLEASE LET ME KNOW. If you are unable to resolve issues, I will assist you.
4. Home Catechesis – Parents who are homeschooling children need to notify me, so I can keep in touch and ensure that the child meets the requirements of the Raleigh Diocese for sacramental prep. If you are homeschooling you will receive the same communications as in-class parents receive.  Students will be required to attend Group Mass, First Penance, First Communion practice, Confirmation Retreat and Confirmation practice. If you want to stop in the office, you may pick up a text.
5. I am preparing a packet for each parent which I will appreciate your picking up either on the date of the first Sunday class, September 13^th, or the first Wednesday class, September 16^th. This will have a schedule for both days for the entire year.
6. We will not be purchasing MAGNIFI KID! For this year.  There have been significant costs associated with on-line purchases.  If you want to order this publication for your child the information is as follows: Magnifi Kid, P. O. Box 842, Yonkers, New York 10702, phone: 866-273-5215  and email:
7. Requirements for in-class learning:  all children and catechists are required to wear a mask in the Education Building. Bandannas are not considered to be a mask as a bandanna does not sufficiently block the portals of entry and exit.  Children will be required to use hand sanitizer on entering and exiting the classroom,  when they go to the bathroom and when they sneeze or blow their nose.  The assistant teacher will gently remind the children of these requirements. The water fountains have been shut off so if your child needs a frequent drink, please bring a  water bottle. If you are uncomfortable using the pens etc., please bring your own. We have a new box of crayons for each child, labeled with his/her name. These will be only for the child whose name is on the box. We plan to open a window or exterior door in each classroom so we can use a fan to circulate the air in the room. If it’s cool, your child might want to wear a sweater. We will not be taking childrens’ temperatures parents know if their child should stay home.
8. Communication is so very important:  Please feel free to contact me at Church 295-6550 and at home 215-0250 if you wish.  Curriculum issues should be discussed with the catechists or me but issues about discipline, dogma, methodology should ONLY be discussed with me or Father Forbes.
9. Students who will receive Confirmation should be well versed in the basic tenets of the Faith. In your packets for 7^th and 8th-grade students, you will find the questions which the Bishop and Father will ask the children prior to Confirmation.  This information will be taught in the classroom, please review these questions with the children. Also included in the packets are the requirements for Confirmation, including Sponsor guidelines and a required form which should be submitted to the Office of Faith Formation TWO MONTHS in advance of Confirmation.  A Service Log is also included as well as some information regarding required Baptismal Certificates. Baptismal Certificates are due in the office of Faith Formation two months in advance of Confirmation.  The Bishop of Raleigh usually notifies the Parish of a Confirmation date in late Fall or early Spring.  Students receiving First Eucharist should also have a completed form and a copy of his/her baptismal certificate. I can accept a copy but must have a copy of the front and back of the certificate.  There are some special rules for certificates by the Military Diocese. I will put a copy of these items in the parents’ packet.

Grades 5 thru 8 students will each receive a Bible or a New Testament and will be assigned a Scripture assignment each week. Parents will receive an email noting the assignment. Each assigned reading will be reviewed in class. PLEASE ENSURE THE STUDENT BRINGS HIS/HER BIBLE TO CLASS EACH WEEK. The student will be marking in the book, thus it is important to have their own personal volume to cross-reference as the year proceeds. It will be most appreciated if parents spend time with the student, reading the assignment prior to class.

10. This year we are going to focus on developing a personal relationship with Jesus, with emphasis on prayer and reception of the Sacraments.  In your packets is a copy of Catholic Prayer, published by Loyola Press. Children learn the Faith from their parents.  Please build prayer into your family routine. Also, in your packet is a copy of the Ten Commandments, we feel it is necessary to have consistency from Grade 1 to grade 8. Teachers will use this wording. There is also a guide to help children understand the relationship between the Sacrament of Penance and the Commandments in wording they will understand. Please encourage your child to receive the Sacrament of Penance, attend Mass and receive the Eucharist as a way for increasing his/her Faith life. PARENTS ARE THE BEST EXAMPLE……
11. Catechists are:

Grade Pre-K                       THIS CLASS IS CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION. We have  purchased Pre-K learning packets which you are welcome to pick-up for  your child’s use if you wish. They are in my office. If your child wants to  be part of the Kindergarten class, they are welcome.
K                                             Denise Price
                                                Felice Ketterer
                                               
Grade 1                                Kathleen Matthews       
                                                Laura Bartlett    
                                                Jayne Walker
Grade 2                                Elaine Sevigny  
                                                Jenn Vaughn
                                                Brittany Pond
                                                Ceilidh Clendenin
Grade 3                                Mary Pat Parrish
                                                Gaby Rees
Grade 4                                Frank Perrotta
                                                Wendy Stovold
Grade 5                                Dora Lopez
                                                Carolyn Gale     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Grade 6                                Dora Lopez  and Carolyn Gale  MEETS ON SUNDAY MORNING
THIS IS A CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR
Grade 7

Grade 8                                Deacon Gregory Cross/ Emily McCreery

Grades 5 and 6 are combined and grades 7 and 8 are combined due to number registered in each class and lack of catechists.  Parents are always welcome to sit in on any class.



CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MY CATHOLIC FAITH DELIVERED:

1-866-981-8964 Central Standard Time 8-5
Support@catholicfaithtech.com

One issue we found last year when we used the trial program was access.  Parents should make a note of the password for the email.  Sacred Heart will not have these passwords and it takes some time and effort to retrieve them from the Company.FYI