Rev.

16-17

Guidelines for Catechists

Saint Patricks Parish REP
Perry, IA
Philosophy/Filosofa
Our Parish Religious Education Program is
structured to provide catechetical instruction on
the Catholic faith to all parish children who are
attending non-Catholic Schools.
Parents, by word and example, are the primary
teacher of their children. At Baptism, parents
agree to the responsibility of their childs Christian
formation. The Religious Education volunteers and
staff are here to assist parents in the spiritual
formation and ongoing moral development of all
children through a formal program of continuous
religious education.
In our program, we seek to provide the
catechesis and skills for each child to grow and
mature in understanding, positive attitudes and
faithful practice of the Catholic faith.
We strive to assist children in committing
themselves to a personal relationship with God
characterized by a sacramental life, a lifelong
pattern of prayer, Christian service and growth in
understanding the Catholic faith. This process is
achieved with the joint efforts of the parish staff,
catechists, parents of students.
Committed to this active partnership between
parish staff, catechists and families, we place our
efforts in Gods loving hands.

El Programa de Educacin Religioso de Nuestra

Parroquia est estructurado para proporcionar la instruccin
catequtica en la fe Catlica a todos los nios de la
parroquia que asisten a escuelas no catlicas.
Los padres, por palabra y ejemplo, son los primeros
maestros de sus nios. En el Bautismo, los padres estn de
acuerdo con la responsabilidad de la formacin cristiana de
su nio. Los voluntarios de Educacin Religiosos y el
personal estn aqu para ayudar a los padres en la
formacin espiritual y el desarrollo moral en curso de todos
los nios a travs de un programa formal de educacin
religiosa continua.
En nuestro programa, procuramos proporcionar la
catequesis y habilidades para cada nio para crecer y
madurar en entendimiento, actitudes positivas y prctica fiel
de la fe Catlica.
Nos esforzamos por asistir a los nios en el compromiso
de ellos mismos a una tener una relacin personal con Dios
caracterizada por una vida sacramental, un modelo de
oracin para toda la vida, servicio cristiano y crecimiento del
entendimiento de la fe Catlica. Este proceso es logrado con
los esfuerzos conjuntos del personal de la parroquia,
catequistas, padres de los estudiantes.
Comprometidos con esta sociedad activa entre el
personal de la parroquia, catequistas y familias, ponemos
nuestros esfuerzos en las manos amorosas de Dios.

Class times
Wednesday evenings. K-8: 6:00 to 7:15. High School: 7:30 Youth group, 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each
month. 9-10 REP classes 2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of each month.

Preparations
Please spend adequate time preparing for each class session. Have lesson plans, materials and/or resources
and prepare yourself mentally and spiritually.
Arrival
Plan to arrive at least 15-20 minutes before class starts. It is very important you get there early. Some students
may arrive ahead of time and must be supervised. At no time will students be allowed to enter the classroom
without adult supervision.
Stop in the office to get anything you may need for the evening.
Look over the classroom before class begins. Leave the room as you found it. Make sure students know that
they are not to use, take or disturb anything in the student desk or classroom. This is an excellent opportunity
to teach about respecting others property as we would want our property to be respected.

Rev. 16-17

REP Office
The REP Office will be in the same location of the School office. (On the main floor, at the top of the stairs
entering the east front door.) Any photocopies that are needed will be made in the office. The DRE will also
be keeping track of attendance, so attendance needs to be dropped at the office at the end of each class
session (if it is not picked up beforehand).
Supplies
There is an REP supply closet in the main hallway. Any craft supplies should be found in the closet. Please
let the DRE know if there is something in particular needed for the supply closet.
Attendance
Attendance sheets will be provided to each catechist to record any students who may be absent from class.
Please drop it off at the office.
Illness or injury
If a child becomes ill or injured, send him/her (accompanied by another student if necessary) to the office with
a note. The students situation will be evaluated or first aid given and the students parents will either be
called to pick up the child, or the student will be sent back to class. Please do not leave students unattended.
Dismissal
The students will come in the front doors of the school and proceed to their classrooms. At the end of the
session, the students will be dismissed from the front doors as well.
K-8 TEACHERS ARE ASKED TO WALK THEIR STUDENTS OUTSIDE AND STAY WITH THEM UNTIL
THEY ARE ALL PICKED UP.
If you are still waiting with a student(s) after 10 minutes, bring the student(s) to the office and the students
parents will be contacted.
Substitute Catechists
If you are unable to teach, please contact me (465-4387 at the church, 515-210-0393 cell or 465-4186 at the
school after 5:00 pm on Wednesday) as soon as possible so a substitute can be found for you. Be sure that
you communicate the chapter to be covered and any other instructions to help your replacement know what
to teach and how to conduct the class.
Cancellation of Classes
If the Perry School District (and St. Patricks) classes are cancelled due to weather, there will NOT be REP
classes that evening. If classes have been held all day at the schools, but the weather takes a turn for the
worse, an announcement of cancellation will be made over KDLS 105 Radio and KCCI TV Channel 8.
Classroom Procedures
Never leave a student unsupervised! If you are not going to be in your classroom, and there are
students waiting in the hallway, do NOT let them into your classroom until you are going to be able to stay in
the classroom.

Have a few, easy to remember and understand rules for your classroom.
Explain to the students that they are responsible for the space in the classroom. Hands are to be kept out of
the desks. Use this opportunity to teach about respecting others and their belongings.
Students are to have no gum, candy or pop in the classroom.
At the end of class, be sure the room is left in the order in which it is found. Desks in the same order,
whiteboards erased, windows closed, lights off and door closed.
Each Catechist is strongly encouraged to make contact with the St. Patricks School teacher whose
classroom you will be sharing. This can be done by leaving a note or introduction or making a phone call.

Rev. 16-17

Leaving the School Building

If your class is leaving the school building (for example to visit the church), please make sure the DRE is
notified.
Web site:
A Religious Education web site has been created. Check it out!
http://www.stpatsperry.com/religious-education.html

Communication
WITH CATECHISTS: A weekly update will be provided by the DRE for all catechists to keep everyone
abreast on what is going on. A weekly email will also be sent out. If there are any last minute changes or
reminders you may receive a text. Please keep your phone number and email address up to date.
WITH STUDENTS/FAMILIES: Each Catechist is encouraged to write a brief letter to the students parents
early in the year to introduce yourself, provide telephone numbers (if you choose), and to encourage parents
to reinforce each lesson. Bring the letter to the office and copies will be ready for you to send home the
following Wednesday.
It is very important that you send home all correspondence from REP. If a child is absent, send his/her note
back to the office and it will be sent home with another child in the family.
If you should forget to send the notes home, return them to the office so that they can be mailed to the
parents.
WITH CLASSROOM TEACHERS: Please make an effort to connect with the person who shares your
teaching space. Things as little as notes left after class sharing what you are learning or doing in class is a
great way to build a connection with the school staff and keep lines of communication open.

The teacher may leave a note for you. This can become a very fun and special communication between two
groups who are striving to share the teachings of the church with young people.
Media
There are many resources available for you to use from Iowa Religious Media in Des Moines. The listings can
be found at www.irms.org. Items can be ordered through the DRE or if you choose, you can contact IRMS
and the charges will be billed to the church. We are NOT a member of IRMS so each request will be billed
separately.
Language
Many of the REP students parents do not speak English. Interpreters will be available at the office to help
communicate with the Spanish speaking parents. Please dont be afraid to ask for help from one of these
individuals, either directly or through the DRE, to avoid any misunderstandings.

All notes sent home from REP must be in English and Spanish. The DRE will have your notes translated and
back to you to send out to the families.

Discipline
In order to maintain an environment that will allow the very best formation, it is necessary to have the full
cooperation from the students. Disruptive behavior deprives the teacher of time to teach and the other
members of the class of their right to learn. Ordinary discipline problems will be handled by the classroom
Catechist. Do not feel that discipline problems are your fault each student must be held accountable for his/
her behavior. Following is the discipline procedure that is shared with the families in the parent handbook.

Rev. 16-17

Discipline Policy
Every person is worthy of being treated with care and the respect fitting one made in the image and
likeness of God. Therefore, classroom behavior needs to be characterized by genuine Christian care, mutual
respect and honesty.
Disruptive behavior prevents learning for the whole class and can be frustrating for the Catechist and the
other students. Under no circumstances will a student or an adult be permitted to strike another or use
abusive language for any reason. Ordinary discipline problems will be handled by the classroom Catechist.
For major or recurring discipline problems a Catechist may dismiss a student from the classroom.
In the event of dismissal from class the student will be sent to the DREs office. After assessing the
situation, the student may be provided a time-out of sorts in the office or the student may be required to
contact their parents to tell them why they were asked to leave the classroom. The parent, student and DRE
will then work to solve the problem in an age appropriate manner.
If a child is repeatedly dismissed due to behavior problems, the parents will be asked to sit in the class with
the student.
Students will be removed from the classroom immediately and parents and authorities will be contacted for
any of the following:
If a student is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of substances.
If a student is suspected of Verbal or Physical Harassment or fighting
If a student is suspected of stealing or damaging parish property
If a student is suspected of jeopardizing a persons safety
Director of Religious Education
Please remember that I am here to help you. I appreciate the donation of your time and talent to the religious
education of the children of our parish and will do what I can to help you. Please feel free to contact me with
any needs or concerns.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Students who have received their First Communion (Gr. 3-10) will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
during Advent and Lent. There are students in that age group who have not received their First Communion.
They can participate in preparation and go to the church with the group. They can spend time in quiet during
the time of confessions. The dates are on the yearly schedule.
Prayer in the classroom
Prayer is an integral part of our life and must be included in each class. A list of prayers and practices to be
learned at each grade level will be provided to each catechist. The easiest way to teach these prayers is to
pray them each time you meet for the class. It is suggested that each class session begin and end with a
prayer that the students are required to learn that year (as well as others they are already supposed to know).
Set up a prayer area in your classroom (as space allows). Having a prayer area and/or time set aside within
the classroom will help instill in the students the idea of prayer within their daily lives.
The basic required prayers:
Sign of the Cross
(Demonstrate & Recite)
In the name of the Father
And the Son
And the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of Grace!
The Lord is with you;
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the
hour of our death. AMEN
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN

Our Father
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name;
Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. AMEN

Rev. 16-17
Angel of God
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me
here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard and rule and guide. AMEN

Rosary Recite
How the Rosary is said
Sign of the Cross, Apostles Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Marys,
Glory be.
1st Mystery: Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be
2nd Mystery: Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be
3rd Mystery: Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be
4th Mystery: Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be;
5th Mystery: : Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be end with the
sign of the cross.

Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins
With all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
Whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
To do penance, to sin no more,
And to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
Suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy. AMEN

Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Recited Mondays and Saturdays
The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Birth of Jesus (Nativity)
The Presentation
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and
earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. AMEN.

Sorrowful Recited Tuesdays and Fridays

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning of Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion
Glorious Recited Wednesdays and Saturdays
The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit Upon the Apostles
The Assumption
The Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth (The
Coronation)
Mysteries of Light Recited on Thursday
Jesus Baptism in the Jordan
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist
Ten Commandments
1. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no strange Gods
before me.
2. You shall use take the name of the Lord in vain.
3. Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
4. Honor your Father and Mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not steal
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbors wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbors goods.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and
our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve!
To you do we send up our signs, mourning and weeping in this
valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward
us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of
your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
AMEN

Stations of the Cross

1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus accepts His cross
3. Jesus falls the first time
4. Jesus meets his Mother, Mary
5. Simon helps Jesus carry His cross
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls the second time
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls the third time
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb.

Rev. 16-17

The following web sites are good as lesson supplements as well as helping one
with ones own questions/concerns of faith.

Catholic Toolbox:
http://catholicblogger1.blogspot.com/
Catholic Mom:
http://catholicmom.com/education-2/lesson-plans/
Catechists Journey:
http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/
Catholic Essentials: (High School program)
https://www.avemariapress.com/resources/1/
Resources for Catholic Educators:
http://www.silk.net/RelEd/
Catholic Catechist:
http://www.catholiccatechist.org/
Activities for all levels:
http://www.orgsites.com/md/church-crafts-and-activities/_pgg8.php3
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://usccb.org/
Des Moines Diocese
http://www.dmdiocese.org
Catholic Adult Faith Formation Good News Ministries: http://gnm.org/index.shtml
Catholic Online Breaking News, World, US, Catholic, Diocese & Video News
http://www.catholic.org
Patron Saints Index
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/indexsnt.htm
Catholic Catechist
http://www.catholiccatechist.org/index.htm