Catechism

Last day class party, missing 5 students but these were our great group of kids!

Well I just completed my first year as a volunteer Catechist Aide for one of our Religion Ed classes at our parish. Like I've said in the past, the primary catechists for children are their parents...I'm thankful the Church and the parents of these children trusted in me to also help in their education of our Faith, and the initiation of these young, smart minds to the fullness of Christian life. I truly enjoyed my time this year with these 3rd and 4th graders and Celina (the other Catechist), not only do I know these students learned more but so did I! 

We asked the students to write down in their journals about 5 things they learned this year - I was pleasantly surprised on how much they retained! Almost all of them expressed that they learned how the Holy Spirit worked in their lives. "The Spirit of God made me and the breath of the Almighty has given me life." Job 33:4. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26

We also taught the students the many Catholic prayers and creeds, as well as the stations of the Cross. These kids were so creative and we would often let them act these out. I will miss watching their silly skits.

For our class party I told Celina I would make the kids some goody bags. James and I drove to this wonderful Catholic store in North Austin - I can't wait to go back there and browse around some more. I was able to pick up these beautiful crucifix pendants and prayer cards for the students. This particular card in the photo had the Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary , and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

I will always keep these students in my prayers, that they may grow stronger in understanding and defending our Faith and His Church. I already signed Madeline up for next school year, she will be in the 2nd grade First Holy Communion class - I am so excited for her that she will be receiving this special Sacrament next year. I also told them I am open to volunteer again. James doesn't make the cutoff to start Kindergarten so he has one more year to go until he starts Catechism.