St. Stephen the Martyr Religious Education                   

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Catechist Sign-up begins March 2nd for 2010-11! 
As in previous years, catechists will get the first opportunity to sign up to teach and register.  This gives you the first chance to pick the grade, time, day and spot  where you would like to volunteer next year.  Catechists with families need to register their children when they sign up.

Tuition is waived for the children of catechists.  If
you have a child who will be in 2nd or 7th grade, the sacrament preparation fee needs to be paid when you  register.  Regular registration for families begins in early March.  With a program as large as St. Stephen’s, early registration is critical to our ability to plan successfully for catechists and class needs.

We have a great group of catechists this year and hope to have all of you coming back in the fall.  God bless!! 

Thank you to the many catechists who have come forward to share their faith with our children!  We are blessed by the time and talent shared by the 300 catechists and weekly volunteers at  St. Stephen's Religious Education. 

 Please prayerfully consider being a catechist or volunteer in the upcoming year!!

Vacation Bible School– Station Leader Sign-up

It’s time to set sail for a rollicking High Seas adventure this year at Vacation Bible School!  V.B.S. will be the weeks of June 7th - 11th and June 14th - 18thWe need lots of adult volunteers help to keep things ship shape!  High school students and adults are needed to be station leaders.  Volunteer registration forms are available on the V.B.S. page or contact our High Seas Expedition Capitan, Rhonda Richeson at 861-4511 or r.richeson@stephen.org.

 Circle of Grace
                        

Ci
rcle of Grace lessons are shared with students in Kindergarten through grade 12.  Circle of Grace is the Safe Environment component for children and youth.  
Circle of Grace
provides an excellent opportunity to teach about God's love for us, the gift of Grace and the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  It is not a ‘Sex Ed’ or ‘Stranger Danger’ class! 
We will teach:

  • Respect for each person as a unique creation of God (self-respect)

  • The presence of the Holy Spirit and the gift of God’s grace in our lives

  • ·How to set safe boundaries for ourselves (physical, symbolic and internal
    boundaries)

  • ·How to handle a boundary violation

  • ·Help them identify Trusted Adults with their parents

  • ·Form an Action Plan

Information on the program philosophy and background is included with your lesson plans. If you have questions about the program, please contact Mary Maguire, D.R.E.  I would be more than happy to discuss it with you.   If you would like to see more background information, the complete parent information packet provided by the Archdiocese of Omaha is available on the Program Information page of our website (link at the left).  This packet also provides additional resources to help parents.

Catechist Development:  Catechists are provided opportunities to further their own faith and learn new methods of catechesis through workshops and classes offered at St. Stephen's and through the Archdiocese of Omaha (St. Cecilia Institute for Laity Formation). 

Safe Environment Training:  All catechists and volunteers are required by the Archdiocese of Omaha, in accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, to complete a training session and background check.  Upcoming Safe Environment training dates and times are available at Archdiocesan Safe Environment Training.

Catechist/Volunteers are always needed!
Catechists teach in teams, and lesson plans and activities are provided.  We also provide free child care for the younger children of our catechists in the Little Saints Center.  Tuition fees are waived for all of the children of catechists, grade level coordinators, child care helpers, floating catechists and three-hour office aides.  Descriptions of the duties for these positions are found on page 2  of the registration form.  Sacramental preparation fees are not waived for the children of catechists and volunteers. 

If you are interested in becoming a catechist or have questions about what is involved in teaching, please email us at the R.E. Office or call 896-5683. 
We can show you curriculum and lesson plans and help you choose the grade that is best for you. 
     
Because of Safe Environment requirements that were established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, volunteers at all parishes who work with or have access to children must attend Safe Environment training through the Archdiocese of Omaha and undergo a background check.  Safe Environment training must be completed before you can begin working with the students.  The current schedule for Safe Environment training is available at www.archomaha.org.

Prayers for Catechists and Families
"The word of God nourishes both evangelizers and those who are being evangelized so that each one may continue to grow in his or her Christian life. (National Directory for Catechesis [NDC] [Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005], no. 17)"
  Catechetical Sunday Prayers for Catechists and Families

 Encountering the Living Christ'

Catechesis aims “to put people not only in touch, but in communion,
in intimacy, with Jesus Christ” (National Directory for Catechesis, 55).

Each week our catechists provide a real ‘encounter with the living Christ’ for our children. It is what you share of your own faith that changes them and helps them form and build their own relationship with God.  There is no curriculum that can compare with the conversion that comes from your loving witness and acceptance of them as individuals. 

Unconditional love and acceptance are counter-cultural in today’s society.  That makes the beliefs and moral guidelines that we teach even more important in the formation of these children.  Our patient and caring acceptance teaches all of our children that the Church is where you go to find love, support and forgiveness.

As Director of R.E., I am blessed to be in a position where I can see the difference you make in the lives of these children and their families.  It is evident in the way our families turn to our Church community in times of crisis, in the way our youth live out their faith in service, prayer and witness.  You make a greater impact than you will ever know.

God bless you and thank you for your dedication and devotion to our catechetical ministry.  As you help our children have an encounter with the living Christ, may you follow Mother Teresa’s example and see the face of Christ in each and every one.
                                            - Mary Maguire, Director of Religious Education
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16701 "S" Street, Omaha, NE 68135
Parish Office: (402) 896-9675 Fax: (402) 896-1990
Rel.Ed Office: (402) 896-5683 Fax: (402) 861-4590
School Office: (402) 896-0754Fax: (402) 861-4640
Youth Ministry Office: (402) 861-4509
Kidzone Office: (402) 896-4316