Hope Johnson, Sunday School Coordinator
Catholic Religious Education Program provides instruction for children in grades pre-K through confirmation age (generally 10th-12th), including sacramental preparation. An initiation program for children as well as for adults is also offered.
Students preparing for a sacrament must provide a copy of their baptismal certificate at the time of registration. No other sacraments can be received without proof of baptism. Replacement baptismal certificates are only available through the parish where the baptism took place.
St. Peter’s offers a variety of education for our youth.
• Level 1 (ages 3-6/pre-K through Kindergarten)
• Level 2 (ages 6-9/1st-3rd grades)
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children founded on the educational principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. Dr. Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, believed that her method of education for young children found its fulfillment in their religious formation. Dr. Montessori, a devout Catholic, believed that even very young children could understand the truths of our faith if they actively participated in works which represented the life of the Church. Her work in catechesis was expanded upon and developed over the course of over 50 years by Dr. Sofia Cavaletti, a Hebrew and scripture scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator, and today their work is known around the world as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Atrium Level I (ages 3-6)
Level I serves children ages 3-6, or preschool through Kindergarten. The central theme of this level is the Parable of the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, loves His sheep, and calls His sheep by name. In Level I, the relationship between the child and Jesus Christ in the image of the Good Shepherd is fostered as the children are introduced to the Bible, the life of Christ, the sacrament of Baptism, and the Liturgy through materials especially prepared for their use.
In these first years, the children learn the nomenclature of the Altar, the gestures of the Eucharist, the liturgical colors, geography of the land of Israel, messianic prophesies from the Old Testament, the infancy and paschal narratives of Jesus from the New Testament, parables of the Kingdom of God, and the sacrament of Baptism. The Hail Mary is introduced through the actual scripture verses found in the Gospel of Luke.
Atrium Level II (ages 6-9)
Level II serves the 6-9 year-old child, or Grades 1 – 3. The central theme of Level II is the parable of the True Vine in which Jesus states that “I am the vine and you are the branches,” and repeatedly asks us to remain or abide in Him. This theme is further expanded as the children are introduced to the History of Kingdom of God through the presentation of works relating to salvation history and by introducing to the children the concept of their own roles in bringing about the Kingdom of God. In these years, children are developing a sense of right and wrong, of what they should do and what they should not do, and are preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. They prepare for and reflect upon these sacraments by continuing their study of the parables of the Kingdom of God, the moral parables and the maxims of Jesus found in the Bible, and the Holy Mass.
In Level II, the children also study the Books of the Bible, the Origin of the Eucharist, the elements of the Mass, the Mystery of Faith, Biblical Geography, Moral Parables, Maxims of Jesus, the Our Father, and the Passion Narratives. They also explore at a deeper level the Messianic Prophesies, the Infancy Narratives, the Good Shepherd, the Kingdom Parables, and the Sacrament of Baptism.
• 4th Grades through 5th Grades
• 6th Grades through 9th Grades
This year, the 5th through 9th grades Sunday School class will be studying YOUCAT, short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Developed with the help of young Catholics and written for high-school age people and young adults, YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith. The appealing graphic format includes Questions-and-Answers, highly-readable commentary, summary definitions of key terms, Bible citations and inspiring and thought-provoking quotes from Saints and others in the margins. What’s more, YOUCAT is keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so people can go deeper. It explains:
• What Catholics believe and why (doctrine)
• How Catholics celebrate the mysteries of the faith (sacraments)
• How Catholics are to live (moral life)
• How they should pray (prayer and spirituality)
The questions are direct and honest, even at times tough; the answers straightforward, relevant, and compelling. YOUCAT will likely become the “go-to” place for young people to learn the truth about the Catholic faith.
*****
“Study this Catechism with passion and perseverance. Make a sacrifice of your time for it! Study it in the quiet of your room; read it with a friend; form study groups and networks; share with each other on the Internet. By all means continue to talk with each other about your faith.” Pope Benedict XVI
To learn more about YOUCAT, visit the YOUCAT website.
• 10th Grades through 12th Grades
Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation,” whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For “by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”
Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.
To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.
Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents.
Please call the church office for more information concerning R.C.I.A. at 601.969.3125.
Sunday Mornings at 9:15 am
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the path by which persons from other Christian backgrounds as well as those with no particular faith foundation can learn about our faith and, if desired, attain full initiation into the Catholic Church. It is also the path by which baptized Catholics who have not completed their initiation can prepare for the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
You are warmly invited to come and explore the Catholic tradition in a setting that is informal, relaxed and non-binding. A team of men and women from our parish community has been called together to “guide” you on this step of your lifelong pilgrimage. In a very real sense, we make this journey together and learn from one another. In fact, every member of our parish has a role in praying for and walking with you as you explore Catholicism. This is not a “program” or a “class,” but a process of exploring the various fundamentals, facets and aspects of our living faith.
The RCIA is divided into four distinct periods, during which participants are introduced to Catholic tradition and a way of life based on the teachings, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you move from one stage to the next, you will celebrate certain rites within the parish community. While most participants who begin the process in the fall will be initiated the following spring, individual circumstances, readiness and desire will determine the pace at which you move from one stage to the next.
This is a period of informal inquiry into Christianity as practiced in the Catholic Church. During weekly sessions, conversation centers on a variety of topics of concern to the inquirers. Together with other men and women whose paths have brought them to the threshold of our church, you will have ample opportunity to ask questions and experience the life of our community.
Each participant decides if and when to continue to the next stage of the process. Should you decide to proceed, you will be paired with a sponsor, a companion to walk with you and help you on your way. You will also participate in the Rite of Acceptance (for the unbaptized) or the Rite of Welcome (for those who are already baptized Christians), celebrated at one of our weekend masses.
During this period, the Catechumens (unbaptized) and Candidates (already baptized) are invited to move more deeply into communion with God and the parish community. You will continue to attend regular meetings during which the Scriptures are explored and various Catholic teachings are discussed. Over the course of several months, you will prepare for reception into full communion with the Catholic Church. Along with other members of the St. Peter parish community, you will pray, worship and engage in acts of Christian service.
Participants who decide to become Catholic move the next stage of the process by celebrating the Rite of Election (Catechumens) on the first Sunday in Lent or the Call to Continuing Conversion (Candidates) on the following Sunday.
This period coincides with the six week Lenten preparation for Easter. It is a time for more intense deepening of one’s relationship with Jesus and his church, opening to God’s grace, acknowledging weaknesses and celebrating God’s healing presence. During these weeks, participants sit together at Mass on Sunday and are dismissed before the Liturgy of the Eucharist to “break open” the Word of God and reflect more deeply on the Scriptures.
This period culminates at the Easter Vigil, when you will celebrate the sacraments of initiation and be welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church.
The fourth stage is the period of post baptismal catechesis or mystagogy. The newly initiated explore their experience of being fully initiated through participation with all the faithful at Sunday Eucharist and through appropriate catechesis. The period formally lasts through the Easter season and may be marked by a parish celebration on or near Pentecost. On a more informal level, mystagogy is a lifelong process, one in which all Christians are engaged, as we all work to deepen our sense of what it means to live the Christian life.
Fr. Nick Adam
601-969-3125
Sundays 9:15 – 10:00.
Check the bulletin for more information.
St. Peter’s Outreach Ministry began in 2001 by members of the Cathedral of St. Peter and Holy Ghost Parish for the purpose of providing aid to those in need. The members of the ministry meet regularly to fulfill two great Commandments: Love of God and Love of Neighbor.
This Catholic lay organization, named after our own patron saint, St. Peter, was established to address the needs of those persons who approach the Church for assistance. Rather than the pastor or staff having to deal with each case, they are given a phone number to call and request help. Members of the ministry assess the needs of those who call for assistance.
The core group meets monthly, and more often through phone and e-mail contact, to address the needs of those who requesting help. At times members will even visit homes to decide what assistance can be given. The ministry is mindful that they can only do so much, that there are needs that cannot be addressed, and that they must be good stewards of the resources available.