High School Religion Classes for Public School Kids...Are there any?

cecilia · #1 Oct 9, '05, 6:02 pm

Does anyone know of a model program where Catholic public high school students take serious high school level religion classes? Could a program like this be legally held on a public school campus before school? Our parish stops CCD at 6th grade. Confirmation classes run in the sophomore through junior year in high school. But I was wondering if a substantial daily or almost daily class has ever been held, with a paid teacher, either on a public school campus or at the parish.

YinYangMom · #2 Oct 9, '05, 6:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cecilia

Does anyone know of a model program where Catholic public high school students take serious high school level religion classes? Could a program like this be legally held on a public school campus before school? Our parish stops CCD at 6th grade. Confirmation classes run in the sophomore through junior year in high school. But I was wondering if a substantial daily or almost daily class has ever been held, with a paid teacher, either on a public school campus or at the parish.

Haven't heard anything like that.

At our parish we have a High School Youth program which kicks in at 9th grade. Most of those 9th graders are preparing for confirmation, the 10-12th graders work on learning how to put the Catholic faith into action in every day situations.

My kids are 15 and 17. They didn't care much for the K-8 formal program, tried it for a couple of years, but we ended up home-schooling for that component. But when 9th grade rolled around, I signed my son up (he's first). He was so not looking forward to it but he loved it from the first session. My daughter, starte her 9th grade year in the program this year and she's loving it too. She really enjoys the format - small group guided discussions - which take a particular teaching and then have the kids identify how it applies today at school and at home, then discuss ways to remain strong, active, and lead in the faith.

I know it isn't 'serious' religion 'classes' like you'd expect in college, where they study the history of the church or the fathers or particular doctrines. But I think that's why the kids like it so much. They are so bogged down with textbooks and essays in high school preparing for college that they really like the fact there is no textbook for this. It's guided by the catechism and scripture and a great director, and it's 'real' instead of 'theoretical' to them. They have service hours they have to meet so it gets them out in the community doing works of charity and they start signing up for things to do in the parish - different committees, ministries, etc.

I don't know if the format our parish uses is formalized, though I believe it is a model for the diocese and it's been praised. I could find out if you'd like.

**puzzleannie** · #3 Oct 9, '05, 7:02 pm

I'm happy to get them here one night a week, won't ask for daily. In this diocese confirmation is normally in 10th grade. We offer classes for every grade through 12th. In the last 3 years of about 56 confirmed, 8-12 have returned for post-confirmation classes, and 10-14 have remained active in other ways, as catechist interns or small group facilitators (both of which involve more formation classes). Those who have been attending CCD regularly after 1st communion are also the ones more likely to keep coming after Confirmation. The PC apologetics class is also attacting some college students.

I don't know of anyplace that pays CCD teachers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cecilia

Does anyone know of a model program where Catholic public high school students take serious high school level religion classes? .

mjdonnelly · #4 Oct 10, '05, 12:21 am

I don't know of any, sorry.

But, I was thinking that the adult bible study that some parishes have might help fill the void. At least a little?

**puzzleannie** · #5 Oct 10, '05, 6:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjdonnelly

I don't know of any, sorry.

But, I was thinking that the adult bible study that some parishes have might help fill the void. At least a little?

any Catholic parish that fails to assist parents by providing regular instruction in the faith and in scripture, and spiritual formation for children and teenagers is failing in one of its primary reasons for existence, handing on the faith to the next generation. The Eucharist, liturgy and sacraments are the source and summit of our life together as Catholics and celebrated in the context of the parish community, but failure to evangelize, teach and preach beyond the liturgical actions is a grave failure indeed.

12345678 · #6 Oct 10, '05, 7:31 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by puzzleannie

any Catholic parish that fails to assist parents by providing regular instruction in the faith and in scripture, and spiritual formation for children and teenagers is failing in one of its primary reasons for existence, handing on the faith to the next generation. The Eucharist, liturgy and sacraments are the source and summit of our life together as Catholics and celebrated in the context of the parish community, but failure to evangelize, teach and preach beyond the liturgical actions is a grave failure indeed.

I think it depends on the resources available to the parish and the population they serve. Some parishes don't even have a priest (they have to borrow one from somewhere else for Mass), so its even difficult to celebrate the Eucharist, hence saying they are failing due to lack of providing instruction to teenagers may be a bit harsh. Plus, anyways, parents are supposed to be the primary educators for their children.
1653 The fruitfulness of conjugal love extends to the fruits of the moral, spiritual, and supernatural life that parents hand on to their children by education. Parents are the principal and first educators of their children.

mjdonnelly · #7 Oct 10, '05, 5:06 pm

And the original poster was looking for something more than the once per week classes. I have never heard of any classes that are on a daily basis for public/home schooled children. It is the standard to offer classes only once per week. The bible study classes might be helpful as an alternative, or check and see if there is any interest in a youth bible study class and start one.

Big_Steve · #8 Oct 10, '05, 5:15 pm

I don't have anything at my school about religion or anything, but my church youth group told us about a class that a near by Catholic school has that is kind of a "religion ed" for non-students at there school. That is the only thing I can think of, so I guess just ask your church's youth program if they know of anything.