St. Odilo Religious Education/Clases de Catecismo
CCD Policies
2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
Mass Requirement
All Catholics are obliged to attend Mass every weekend (Saturday evening or Sunday) under pain of mortal sin.
Attendance will be taken. Any child who does not regularly attend Mass will be asked to leave the program and will not be able to receive their sacrament.
Attendance will be taken. Any child who does not regularly attend Mass will be asked to leave the program and will not be able to receive their sacrament.
Church envelopes
Every family enrolled in our religious education will receive one box of yellow church envelopes. If you have more than one child in the program, write all of their names on the envelope. Since attendance at Sunday Mass is a requirement, we will be using the yellow envelopes to track each family’s attendance.
Please make sure your child drops his/her envelope in the collection basket during Mass. Student(s) must remain throughout the entire mass.
Please make sure your child drops his/her envelope in the collection basket during Mass. Student(s) must remain throughout the entire mass.
Religious Education Classes
Religious education classes are held in the school.
—Grades 2nd-5th meet Mondays 4:00 to 5:30pm.
—Grades 7th-12th meet Mondays 6:00 to 7:30pm.
—Sunday classes for Communion and Confirmation Grades 2nd-12th meet from 8:30-10:00 a.m. followed by mass at 10:00 a.m. Teachers will take attendance.
—Grades 2nd-5th meet Mondays 4:00 to 5:30pm.
—Grades 7th-12th meet Mondays 6:00 to 7:30pm.
—Sunday classes for Communion and Confirmation Grades 2nd-12th meet from 8:30-10:00 a.m. followed by mass at 10:00 a.m. Teachers will take attendance.
Class Attendance
Your child is expected to attend all sessions for the entire year. A child may be excused only for serious reasons. A child with more than two absences may be dismissed from our program. As one session builds on another, much will be lost by missing even one class. Students will be required to make up any missed work by the next class time. Please contact your child’s teacher. If a child is absent, it is the parent’s responsibility to call the Religious Education Office at (708) 484-5321. This must be done anytime before the class session.
We expect the children to be on time and remain for the entire class session. Please note that two tardies will equal one absence. Also, no child will ever be permitted to leave class early without a written note and a call from the parent.
We expect the children to be on time and remain for the entire class session. Please note that two tardies will equal one absence. Also, no child will ever be permitted to leave class early without a written note and a call from the parent.
Dismissal Policy and Parking Lot Saftey for Mondays at 4pm
On the first day, Monday students in grades 2nd-5th will be dismissed on the parking lot side of the building. On that day, the children will take home a note letting the parents know which door they will be using to exit the building for the remainder of the year.
Parents should not enter the building to pick up their children. Children will be escorted to the door by their teachers and/or teachers’ aides. Any child who is not picked up immediately will be brought to the catechism office to wait for his/her parent(s), or responsible adult(s), to pick them up.
While class is in session, the parking lot will ONLY be used as a “drop-off”/ “pick-up” zone. Parents are asked to drive into the parking lot by the Clarence entrance and follow the instructions of our parent volunteer(s). Our goal is for “drop-off” and “pick-up” to run as smoothly and safely as possible.
If you need to enter the building for any reason, please park your car either on the street, or on the east side of the school.
Parents should not enter the building to pick up their children. Children will be escorted to the door by their teachers and/or teachers’ aides. Any child who is not picked up immediately will be brought to the catechism office to wait for his/her parent(s), or responsible adult(s), to pick them up.
While class is in session, the parking lot will ONLY be used as a “drop-off”/ “pick-up” zone. Parents are asked to drive into the parking lot by the Clarence entrance and follow the instructions of our parent volunteer(s). Our goal is for “drop-off” and “pick-up” to run as smoothly and safely as possible.
If you need to enter the building for any reason, please park your car either on the street, or on the east side of the school.
Academic Requirements
Students enrolled in our program, must know their prayers before the first day of class (see Required Prayers in the Prayers tab.) All students will be tested for their prayers before the first day of class.
Students will receive an oral test, Parents will be notified about results so they can continue to pray with their student every day. Moreover, weekly/monthly quizzes will also need to be passed, in addition to any homework or projects given.
A progress report will be issued in the month of January, further information will be given throughout the year. If your student does not pass the exams or complete assignments he/she will not be eligible to receive his/her sacrament.
Students enrolled in our program, must know their prayers before the first day of class (see Required Prayers in the Prayers tab.) All students will be tested for their prayers before the first day of class.
Students will receive an oral test, Parents will be notified about results so they can continue to pray with their student every day. Moreover, weekly/monthly quizzes will also need to be passed, in addition to any homework or projects given.
A progress report will be issued in the month of January, further information will be given throughout the year. If your student does not pass the exams or complete assignments he/she will not be eligible to receive his/her sacrament.
Two-Year Program
Our program is structured for the students to receive their Sacraments of Communion in one year. Throughout the past two years, we have observed that some students have struggled to learn the materials, how to make a Good Confession, and understand that the presence of our Lord is real in the Sacramental Communion. In order to maintain a stress-free environment for our students, we are offering any family who encounters this the opportunity for their child to make their Communion in two years instead of one. This will apply to any confirmation student as well.
Good Conduct
For the sake of all involved in our program – students, teachers, parents – appropriate behavior and modest attire are required of all students. Should a discipline problem arise the following procedures will be taken:
1st offense Catechist and Religious Education Coordinator will speak to student.
2nd offense Catechist will contact parent.
3rd offense Religious Education Coordinator and Pastor will schedule a meeting with parents, teacher and student. If there is no improvement, the child will be asked to leave the program.
1st offense Catechist and Religious Education Coordinator will speak to student.
2nd offense Catechist will contact parent.
3rd offense Religious Education Coordinator and Pastor will schedule a meeting with parents, teacher and student. If there is no improvement, the child will be asked to leave the program.
Parent Sacramental Meetings
Your attendance at the Parent Meetings will be mandatory. Sponsors/Godparents are highly encouraged to attend.
Parents will be notified of the dates and times of these meetings. All Parent Meetings take place in the School Hall (English)/Church (Español).
The purpose of these Parent Meetings is:
(1) To help parents in their role as the primary educators of their children
(2) To share necessary practical information about the event
(3) To offer adults the opportunity to update and continue their own faith development
Parents will be notified of the dates and times of these meetings. All Parent Meetings take place in the School Hall (English)/Church (Español).
The purpose of these Parent Meetings is:
(1) To help parents in their role as the primary educators of their children
(2) To share necessary practical information about the event
(3) To offer adults the opportunity to update and continue their own faith development
