Saint Thomas More Religious Education Program is committed to a strong partnership with the parents and guardians of our children.  We support one another in the religious education of our children.

Parents and guardians teach by word and example.  We teach our children from birth throughout life.  The Sacrament of Baptism challenges and calls parents to undertake the responsibility of providing for the child’s Christian formation.  The parish religious education staff endeavors to assist parents in their great and noble calling.  We build on the Christian formation that has already begun at home.

The partnership between parents and the religious education staff requires ongoing communication and collaboration.  In our formal classes of instruction, we focus on the skills and knowledge that each child needs to grow and mature in the practice of the Catholic faith.

We want each child to have a relationship with God.  That relationship is characterized by a lifelong pattern of a vigorous sacramental life, prayer and Christian service.  We want our children to grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith.  This partnership of home life and our parish religious education program is crucial.

The religious education of our children involves families who profess their faith and live their Christian values.  It involves priests who believe, proclaim and exemplify the Good News to the parish community.  It involves professionals.  It involves volunteer staff members who respond to the call of discipleship.  It involves so may lay leaders who share the Christian message with our parish community.  It involves the entire parish who prays for the Spirit to bless all our efforts given in love.

Please remember to keep our Parish Religious Education Program and our fine Catechists in your prayers.  The religious education of our young people is a community effort.  We do not operate alone.

PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PERSONNEL

- The catechists involved in the Saint Thomas More Religious Education Program are adult members of our faith community.  Many of our catechists are parents of students.  All catechists participate in ongoing catechist training and formation sessions.  Even those who are professional teachers participate in ongoing catechetical training.  All of our catechists recognize that religion is not just another subject to be taught.  So, they want to strengthen their own faith and catechetical skills and are very willing to participate in course training and formation.  They faithfully participate in the annual diocesan Catechetical Sunday ceremonies, sacrament preparation training and other workshops offered by the Diocesan Religious Education Office.  

COORDINATOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – The Coordinator of the Parish Religious Education Program has responsibility for the efficient and effective running of a quality religious formation program for our children.  The coordinator recruits new catechists.  The Coordinator supervises the catechetical training for our catechists.  The Coordinator will keep the catechists informed about catechist training opportunities.  Records of completed course work will be kept on file in the Religious Education Office.  All applications for maintaining current or new certification levels will be made from our office.  Of course, all catechists are urged to keep their own record of courses taken and certification levels achieved.  The Coordinator is accountable to the Pastor of St. Thomas More Parish and makes regular reports to the Parish Staff and Parish Pastoral Council.

CATECHIST TRAINING – The catechist is first and foremost called to be a teacher and a good Christian role model of the Catholic faith for his or her students.  To insure that catechists are faithful and effective in their ministry it is necessary that they commit themselves to ongoing Christian formation themselves.  They need to be informed and formed.  They need to be skilled and confident.  This is not a luxury.  This is a necessity.  Catechists are challenged to continue to grow in their understanding and practice of the Catholic faith.  They need to deepen their faith and grow in their catechetical skills.  They find much support in their ongoing development from the parish and diocesan religious education staff.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS – Catechists hunger for communication with the parents of the children.  We always keep in mind that parents and caretakers are the first teachers in the ways of faith.  Parents and caretakers can have a very positive and powerful catechetical influence on their children.  They train in the religious faith by what they say and by what they do.  The catechists want to involve as much as possible the parents of our children.  On occasion catechists invite grandparents or other extended family members to come as guests or speakers.

CATECHIST APPRECIATION – St. Thomas More Parish sets a high priority on the support and encouragement of our catechists.  All catechists are part of the annual Catechist Commissioning Service.  This parish event is done each September in conjunction with the National Celebration of Catechetical Sunday.  All catechetical training for our catechists and all the support materials are covered by the parish budget.  The children of catechists are exempt from the basic religious education tuition and fees.

CATECHIST ABSENCES - When a catechist is in need of a substitute teacher, he/she is asked to call the office as soon as possible.  In this way, we can work on finding a replacement as soon as possible.  We have a list of people who graciously volunteer to step in and be a catechist for an evening.  It is helpful to everyone when the catechist provides us with the assignment he/she wishes the substitute to cover with the class.

CLASSROOM SUPERVISION - To insure student safety and building security, catechists are asked to report to their classroom fifteen minutes before class begins.   Catechists are also asked to be sure that all students have left at dismissal before catechists leave their classroom.  Students should not be left unattended in the classroom at any time.  Should an emergency occur requiring that the catechist leave his/her classroom, the catechist is asked to have his/her class join with another class until he/she can return.

CLASS CANCELLATIONS – When the Cherry Hill Public School System closes due to inclement weather or holidays, our Religious Education Program is also closed.  In the case of inclement weather, the Religious Education Office will call the catechist and ask him/her to call their students.  Announcements will be made at the Cherry Hill elementary schools as well as Beck and Rosa Middle Schools .

CURRICULUM

The St. Thomas More Religious Education Program is based on the teachings of the Catholic Church.  These teachings are expressed in the official documents and pronouncements of the Catholic Church.  In accordance with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the teachings of the Magisterium must be the groundwork of the religious education program of every parish.  Hence, all materials used within our religious education program must be submitted for approval to the Parish Coordinator of the Parish Religious Education Program.

The following is the curriculum outline for the religious formation of the students who participate in the St. Thomas More Religious Education Program:

LEVEL I  -  Eucharist and Reconciliation

Grade 1

            We Believe (Creed)

1. God Loves Us.  

2. God Is Our Father and Our Creator.

3. Mary, the Mother of God: A Scripture Story.

4.  Jesus Is the Son of God.

5. The Good Samaritan: A Scripture Story.

6. Jesus Shows God's Love.

7. The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper.

8. Jesus Gave us the Church.

9. The First Christians Follow Jesus: A Scripture Story.

We Worship (Liturgy and Sacraments)

10. The Church Celebrates All Year.

11. The Church's Celebrations.

12. Come, Follow Jesus: A Scripture Story.

13. We Celebrate at Mass.

14. Jesus Feeds a Crowd: A Scripture Story.

          We Live (Christian Morality)

15. We Live as Children of God.

16. We Live as a Family.

17. We Live as a Community.

18. Moses Leads God's People: A Scripture Story.

19. We Love God.

20. We Love Others.

21.  We Love Through Forgiveness.

22. Jesus and the Children: A Scripture Story.

We Pray (Christian Prayer)

23. We Talk to God.

24. Jesus Taught His Follows to Pray: A Scripture Story.

25. We Pray in Many Ways

26. Jesus Teaches Us to Pray: A Scripture Story.

Grade 2

              We Believe (Creed)

1. We Trust and Love God.

2. We Believe in the Holy Trinity.

3. God Is Our Father.

4. Praising God: A Scripture Story.

5. Jesus Is the Son of God.

6. John the Baptist: A Scripture Story.

7. Jesus Is Our Savior.

8. The Traveler on the Road to Emmaus: A Scripture Story.

9. The Holy Spirit Helps Us to Live.

10. The People of God.

We Worship (Liturgy and Sacraments)

11. We Worship God.

12. We Celebrate Baptism and Confirmation.

13. Forgiving Father: A Scripture Story.

14. God's Forgiving Love.

15. We Gather for Mass.

16. The Last Supper: A Scripture Story.

17. We Give Thanks to God.

We Live (Christian Morality)

18. We Are God's Children.

19. The Great Commandment: A Scripture Story.

20. The Ten Commandments.

21. Proverbs: A Scripture Story.

22. We Make Choices.

23. We Share in God's Life.

We Pray (Christian Prayer)

24. We Talk with God.

25. Jesus Teaches Us to Pray: A Scripture Story.

26. The Our Father.

LEVEL II  -  Catholic – Christian Knowledge
Grade 3

                   We Believe (Creed)

1. God Speaks to Us.

2. The Beauty of God's Creation.

3. Mary Trusted in God.

4. Women of Faith: A Scripture Story.

5. Jesus, the Son of God.

6. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

7. The Holy Spirit: A Scripture Story.

8. We Are the Church.

9. The Communion of Saints.

10. Paul: Jesus' Special Apostle: A Scripture Story.

We Worship (Liturgy and Sacraments)

11. Celebrations of God's Love.

12. We Celebrate God's Healing Love.

13. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: A Scripture Story.

14. The Sacraments of Service.

15. The Wedding Feast at Cana : A Scripture Story.

16. We Celebrate the Eucharist.

17. The Church's Year.

We Live (Christian Morality)

18. Jesus Teaches Us How to Love: A Scripture Story.

19. The Commandments Teach Us to Love.

20. We Love and Respect One Another.

21. The Psalms and Stewardship: A Scripture Story.

22. God Shares His Life with Us.

We Pray (Christian Prayer)

23. God Invites Us to Pray.

24. We Are People of Prayer.

25. We Profess Our Faith.

26. The Hail Mary: A Scripture Story.

Grade 4

                   We Believe (Creed)

1. I Will Be Your God.

2. God's Word to Us.

3. Listening to God: A Scripture Story.

4. Our Father, in Heaven.

5. The Promise of Isaiah: A Scripture Story.

6. Jesus, the Son of God.

7. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

8. Receive the Holy Spirit.

9. The Good Shepherd: A Scripture Story.

10. The People of God.

We Worship (Liturgy and Sacraments)

11. Celebrating God's Love for Us.

12. Sharing in Christ's Life and Work.

13. Jesus Feeds the People: A Scripture Story.

14. Jesus' Work of Healing.

15.  Jesus Heals a Young Girl: A Scripture Story.

16. Signs of God's Love.

We Live (Christian Morality)

17. Created in God's Image.

18. Happy the People Whose God Is the Lord.

19. Living a Moral Life.

20. Living God's Covenant: A Scripture Story.

21. Love the Lord Your God.

22. Love One Another.

23. The Law and the Prophets: A Scripture Story.

We Pray (Christian Prayer)

24. People of Prayer.

25. We Pray in the Name of Jesus.

26. Lord, Teach Us to Pray: A Scripture Story.

Grade 5

                   We Believe (Creed)

1. Speak, Lord.

2. The Word of God.

3. The Mystery of the Holy Trinity.

4. The Calming of the Sea: A Scripture Story.

5. Great Is the Lord, Our God.

6. Jesus, Son of God.

7. The Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus.

8. The Promise of a Helper: A Scripture Story.

9. Different Gifts, the Same Spirit.

10. Thy Kingdom Come!

We Worship (Liturgy and Sacraments)

11. Celebrating the Liturgy.

12. Baptism and Confirmation.

13. Pentecost: A Scripture Story.

14. One Bread, One Cup.

15. The Corinthians Scripture Story.

16. Jesus' Work of Healing.

17. Called to Serve.

We Live (Christian Morality)

18. Making Christian Decisions.

19. The Beatitudes: A Scripture Story.

20.  Live as Children of Light.

21. God Is Love: A Scripture Story.

22. Living Our Covenant with God.

23. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.

We Pray (Christian Prayer)

24. Jesus, Our Model of Prayer.

25. People of Prayer.

26. Lord, Teach Us to Pray: A Scripture Story.

Grade 6

                        We Believe (Creed)

1. The Gift of Faith.

2. God's Own Word to Us.

3. Living the Covenant: A Scripture Story.

4. The Mystery of God.

5. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

6. God's Plan of Salvation: A Scripture Story.

7. The Church: The Age of the Spirit.

8. The People of God.

9. Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church.

10.  "Come, You Who Are Blessed": A Scripture Story.

We Worship (Liturgy and Sacraments)

11. Celebrating the Liturgy.

12. Passover and the Sabbath: A Scripture Story.

13. Baptism and Confirmation.

14. David, King of Israel : A Scripture Story.

15. The Eucharist.

16. The Parable of the Great Feast: A Scripture Story.

17. Sacraments of Healing.

18. Called to Serve the Church.

We Live (Christian Morality)

19. Our Call to Holiness.

20. Making Choices.

21. Loving God.

22. Loving One Another.

23. The Wisdom Books: A Scripture Story.

We Pray (Christian Prayer)

24. People of Prayer.

25. Forms of Prayer.

26. The Lord's Prayer: A Scripture Story.

LEVEL III  -  Catholic Commitment  -  Confirmation

Grade 7

Semester I  -  Jesus in the New Testament.

The life and message of Jesus are explored in the four Gospels with emphasis on understanding and praying the Scriptures.  Students are also introduced to Paul, his and other New Testament letters, and the Book of Revelation.

Semester II  -  Church & Sacraments

The mystery of the Church unfolds as students discover how believers take on the responsibility of continuing Christ’s work on earth.  The study of the sacraments centers on how they bind us together as a community of faith.

Grade 8

Semester I  -  Mystery of God

Sacred Scripture and Tradition are the source of the faith on the Church which is grounded in the fullness of revelation that is found in the life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ.  Students examine the Creed as the summary statement of our beliefs.

Semester II  -  Morality: Life in Christ

As persons created in God’s image, we are guided by the Commandments and Beatitudes to live a successful moral life.  The principles of Catholic morality, including social teaching, help teens make important life choices in their daily lives.                    

GENERAL POLICIES

ADMISSION POLICY - Only families who are registered members of Saint Thomas More Parish may enroll children in the Religious Education Program.  Those who register children from other parish programs must have a letter verifying their past participation in that program.

ATTENDANCE RECORDS – Because Religious Education Classes meet only once a week, good attendance is essential for a child to maintain interest, achievement, and a sense of belonging.  We count on parents to expect their children to have excellent records.  Attendance records are especially significant for children entering a sacramental program, since these records are useful in helping to determine whether a child is ready to begin preparation.  If a student should have three or more UNEXCUSED absences, it will be understood that a problem exists.  The child’s entrance into or continued preparation in the Grade Two, Grade Seven or Grade Eight, sacramental preparation classes, will have to be evaluated by the parents with the Coordinator of Religious Education.

BUILDING USAGE RULES – It is the responsibility for each catechist to faithfully enforce the following building usage rules.  Catechists should review these rules with their students at the beginning of the year, and secure their cooperation.

1. Children arriving at class before their catechist may not enter the classroom but must wait in the hall until their catechist arrives.

2. Catechists may not leave their classrooms while occupied by students.

3. Students are not allowed to run in the halls.

4. Catechists are responsible for leaving their classroom in the order they find it.

5. Catechists are responsible for insuring that all windows are closed, that the heater/air-conditioner has been shut off, and the floor is free of debris.

6. Whenever chalkboards are used, they should be erased.  Students should not write on them unless so directed by their catechist.

7. Upon arriving in a classroom, catechists should observe and note any materials, furniture, etc. which appears to be broken or disturbed before class begins.  Catechists should also note any instance of damage in classrooms that occurs during student arrival, class time, and dismissal.  Instances of damage should be reported to the Coordinator.

8. Classes are dismissed at 5:30pm and 8:30pm .  Students in grades one thru four must remain in the Courtyard until picked up by a parent or other designated adult.  Students in grades five thru eight may be picked up in the side parking lot.

9. It is important that children take care of their religion books, use them respectfully, and bring them to class every week.  Books that are defaced or abused may have to be replaced at the parents’ expense. 

CHILD ABUSE POLICY – Child abuse includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Engaging in sexual activity with a child.

2. Denial of proper or necessary subsistence, education, medical care, or other care necessary for the child’s health.

3. Use of restraint procedures on a child that cause injury or pain.

4. Administration of prescription drugs or medication without the ongoing supervision of a licensed physician.

5. Providing alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.

6. Commission of any act, other than by accidental means, that threatens or results in any injury or death to the child.

The Coordinator of the Religious Education Program is required by law to report suspected or actual child abuse or neglect to the proper authorities.

CLASS AND HOME ASSIGNMENTS – Teachers in the Religious Education Program will assign class and homework assignments as needed.  Students are expected to complete all class and home assignments 

DISCIPLINE – Every person is worthy of being treated with care and respect fitting as one made in the image and likeness of God.  Therefore, classroom behavior should be characterized by genuine Christian care, mutual respect and honesty. 

Under no circumstances will a student or an adult be permitted to strike another or use abusive language for any reason.  Lack of self-discipline during religious class will be addressed promptly.

The normal steps for disciplinary action will be:

1. Verbal correction by the catechist.

2. Removal from class and sent to the office.

3. Referral conference and completion of form by student and Coordinator.

4. Conference with student, Coordinator and parent.

5. Removal from program.

The Coordinator retains the right to omit one or more of the above steps whenever they deem it necessary

Major disciplinary violations meriting an immediate response by catechists and program administrators are as follows:

•   Irreverence towards the sacred or holy places or things.

• Drugs/Alcohol/Substance Abuse (See Substance Abuse Policy below)

• Harassment – Verbal or Physical (includes sexual)

• Stealing or Damaging Parish Property

•  Jeopardizing a Person’s Safety