“Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it….the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs… Finally, the office of educating belongs by a unique title to the Church…most of all because she has the responsibility of announcing the way of salvation to all, of communicating the life of Christ to those who believe, and of assisting them with ceaseless concern so that they may grow into the fullness of that same life.”
(Declaration on Christian Education, The Documents of Vatican II, para. #3)
The St. Matthew RF/CCD program exists in partnership with you, as parents, in the religious formation of your children. RF/CCD presumes a lifetime of faith sharing and learning, not just for a few years to prepare for receiving the Sacraments. Together, we share our faith, both teaching and learning from each other.
In order to register for classes, all forms, schedules, contact information, and handbooks are available on our parish website: www.stmatthewsomaha.org, under the tab RF/CCD.
Costs for participation in our 2011-2012 program are as follows:
· 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th graders - $75.00
· 2nd graders (and any older students) who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist - $85.00
· 8th graders (and any other students) who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation - $100.00
(Note: the fees for Sacrament years reflect the fact that additional materials, retreats, etc. are part of the preparation process.)
Preschool and Kindergarten are not being offered at this time.
Registration should be completed by Wednesday, July 20th, 2011; a $25.00 late fee (per child) will be assessed after that date. The DRF will be available in the Commons after all masses for registration on the weekend of July 16th & 17th. Stop by and register in person, or just visit about our program! Payment of fees should be received by Thursday, September 8th. If you are not aware, the RF/CCD program relies on the support of the entire parish at large, for expenses exceed the dollar amount of fees collected. Therefore, it is important that you also support our parish with weekly contributions. The RF/CCD program is requiring, as does the five-day-school, that you are an active, contributing member of St. Matthew’s, so please note your envelope number on the appropriate spot found on the registration form.
Return your completed registration form, including the Medical Authorization, by dropping it into the collection basket, by mail, or by stopping at the RF/CCD Office or Parish Office.
Note: If your student is receiving a Sacrament this year, we must have a copy of his/her Baptism certificate by the first day of class.
· If you do not have a copy at hand, simply call or write to the parish where your child was baptized. In need of an address or phone number for the parish? Just call the Parish Office, 402.292.7418, to obtain such information.
· If Baptism took place at a military base, the address to contact is:
Archdiocese for Military Service
P.O. Box 4469
Washington, D.C. 29917-0469
· If your child has not been baptized, or was baptized in another Christian denomination, please contact the Director of Religious Formation ASAP.
In order to receive the Sacraments, your child(ren) should have been participating in an RF/CCD program the previous year, and hopefully, every year from 1st through 8th. Please do not expect your child to receive a Sacrament without previous Catholic faith instruction. Note that Confirmation is a two-year process (7th & 8th grades), which means that your child(ren) should be in class by the 6th grade. If this is not the case, contact the Director of Religious Formation, Jill Muench, 402.292.7928, to make arrangements so that your child may begin proper training for each Sacrament.
And don’t forget, opportunities for YOU to share your talents and time within our program are many and are always available! Volunteers are priceless!
Sincerely,
Jill Muench (Rev.) Ronald S. Wasikowski
Director of Religious Formation Pastor, St. Matthew Parish