YFF Mission, Goals and Policies
Mission
The mission of Faith Formation is Life Long Catechesis. We are always in the process of learning about our faith and our God. Thus our Religious Education program is designed to assist parents, as the first and foremost teachers of the Faith, in bringing their children into full membership in the community. We view the formation of faith and conscious as a lifelong process that continues in the heart and home long after formal religion classes end. We encourage families to journey together toward a deeper relationship with God, and ask them to call on us to assist them on the journey.
Goals & Objectives
- To provide opportunities to pray together, to participate in Mass, and provide Whole Community Catechesis.
- To foster sensitivity to the human needs of one another.
- To develop a sense of parish community.
- To teach Catholic faith to all students through doctrine.
- To model gospel values in our contact with teachers, children, and parents.
- To directly involve parents in the Catholic formation of their children through special programs.
Religious Education Program
Our program is gradual and continuous. It begins with first grade and continues throughout life, thus we call it, Lifelong Catechesis.
Policies & Procedures
Catechist Requirements ~ Our Catechists are faith-filled volunteers who combine a love for the Church, God, and children with a sincere desire to serve in order to witness God’s love to the world.
Our Catechists and all volunteers who work with children are required to submit to a criminal background check and have it on record in the Diocese’s legal office. In addition to the background search, all Catechists must also participate in a Child Protection Program which will also be on record in the Diocese’s legal office.
Absence Parents need to call or text DRE prior to class starting about child being absent.
Class Info Classes start at 6:30p.
Drop-off~ As a courtesy to our Catechists, we ask student drop-off between 6:15 and 6:30. All students and parents will enter through the East YFF door only.
Dismissal~ Classes will dismiss at 7:30. All students will dismiss through the East YFF door only. No other door(s) may be used. This helps with maintaining the safety of students and staff.
As adopted in February 2007, the St. Bernard/St. Ignatius YFF Program requires that the parents/guardians listed on the YFF Registration Form pick up their student(s), First through Fourth year YFF, from the YFF gathering area (Pioneer Room). The purpose of this policy is to protect your student(s) and is not intended to be an inconvenience to you. An older sibling (Fifth through Senior year), with permission from parents/guardians, may collect siblings (First through Fourth year) to walk home or meet parents in the parking lot or other designated area. Students who walk home are encouraged to stay on well lighted sidewalks.
You also completed a list of individuals who you approved to pick up your child(ren) from YFF class. If you need to update the list, please contact the Coordinator of Religious Education so we can do that at once. Legally, we cannot release your child(ren) to anyone other than those listed on the form, nor can we allow them to walk home unescorted.
Cancellations ~ If the school district is closed due to inclement weather or send students home early, we will not have classes that evening. In the event that the weather becomes inclement after the school day ends, the Director of Religious Education and the Pastor will make the determination regarding YFF classes for that evening. A Signal app text will be sent to notify parents and Catechists of cancelations or changes to the YFF schedule. YFF classes will follow the USD #327 School Calendar. We will not have classes during Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, or Spring Break.
Disciplinary ~ Catechists will handle disciplinary issues as they arise and on the lowest level possible; however, that is not always possible. If a student has challenging behavior, the Pastor and Director of Religious Education will become involved in the process and the student’s parents will be notified.
Cell Phones ~ We have implemented a cell phone policy in effort for less disruption during class time. Students are asked to turn their cell phones OFF during class and place them in a basket for safekeeping. At the end of class, students may retrieve their cell phone from the basket and turn it ON again.
