Religious Education

	a


	Home
	Parish Bulletin
	Parish News
	Upcoming Events
	Parish Council
	Parish Liturgical Ministries
	Parish History
	Sacramental Preparation
	Parish Activities
	Religious Education
	Readings and Gospel
	Msgr Boyd Family Centre
	Schedules
	Tour of the Church
	Biography of Saint Dunstan
	Other Links
	Contact

Saint Dunstan’s Religious Education

Religious Education Team / Religious Education Program Introduction / Calendar / Religious Education Parent's Handbook

Patrick Bidlake - Religious Education Coordinator (2005-06)
		Thank you to all the parishioners of St. Dunstan’s for allowing me to serve as the Coordinator for the Religious Education Program. St. Dunstan’s has been my home parish for 30 years. Over these years, I’ve served as an After-Hours Supervisor (10 yrs), Catechist (2 yrs.) and Leader of Generation Christ (2 yrs.), St. Dunstan’s young adults group. I am currently studying towards a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). I am excited to have received this opportunity to put my training and gifts to use while serving in this ministry.


St. Dunstan’s Religious Education Team (2005-06)

	1st Row: Patrick Bidlake (Coordinator), Tamina Debley (K), Marie Barnhill (K), Stephanie Houle (1), Margie Goodin (2), Nicole McAloon (2), Mark Landry (3), Joe Ross (3), Mike Robichaud (4), Dave Morrison (6) 2nd Row: Tanya Hickey (6 & 9), Megan Stretton (7), Jared McGinn (8), Jordan Hickey (8), Leah Bidlake (Supply), Raylene Barnhill (Resource Manager), Margaret Savidge (Music), Louise Duffy (Video) St. Dunstan’s Religious Education team is made up of a large number of volunteers. This year’s team consists of high school and university students, parents and parishioners, all of whom generously share their faith and gifts each Sunday with the children and youth of this Parish. Why not drop by the Resource Centre on a Sunday morning for coffee and conversation with the Resource Room staff. While there, take the opportunity to browse through the library and video collection. The following list identifies the Religious Education team by grade level and support role: Religious Education Coordinator: Patrick Bidlake Kindergarten Catechists and Assistants: Tamina Debley, Marie Barnhill, Cathy Tappley Grade One Catechists and Assistants: Stephanie Houle, Danielle Nicholson, Julie Powers Grade Two Catechists and Assistants: Margie Goodin, Nicole McAloon, Beth Forestall Grade Three Catechists and Assistants: Mark Landry, Brittney O’Donnell, Joe Ross Grade Four Catechists and Assistants: Catherine Harrop, Amanda DaSilva, Mike Robichaud Grade Five Catechists and Assistants: Maureen Campbell, Mary Elizabeth Campbell, Jim Dykman Grade Six Catechists and Assistants: Dave Morrison, Tanya Hickey, Peter Yuan Grade Seven Catechists and Assistants: Mariana Chaves, Megan Stretton Grade Eight Catechists and Assistants: Veronica McGinn, Jared McGinn, Jordan Hickey Grade Nine Catechists and Assistants: Joseph O’Donnell, Glenda Barrington, Karen Hughes, Tanya Hickey Supply Catechists: Monique Masterson, Leah Bidlake Music: Margaret Savidge, Anne Marie Murphy Religious Ed Resource Centre: Raylene Bardhill (Manager), Paulette Duke (Support), Virginia Jackson (Support), Genevieve Kilburn (Support), Rosemary Thomas (Support), Susan Craig (Support), Theresa Sleep (Support), Louise Duffy (Video) Back to Top


Religious Education Program Introduction
	The Religious Education Program is made up of an extraordinary team of dedicated volunteers who gladly share their faith with the children and youth of St. Dunstan's parish each Sunday. The Religious Education Program supports and enhances the spiritual journey of the children of our parish in conjunction with the circle of family that provides the primary foundation for their spiritual growth. Gathering as a community in the celebration of Mass, instils our children with a sense of belonging and celebration. We want our children to know that, in addition to their family; they are surrounded and supported by the St. Dunstan’s faith community as well as the Catechist community as they embark on their spiritual journey. Religious Education classes are held each Sunday morning from September to May. Though only one hour is spent in the classroom each week, our teaching staff spends a number of additional hours to prepare their lessons. As well, the Religious Education team welcomes the assistance of volunteers in the preparation of special occasions throughout the year, i.e. Christmas Pageant, First Eucharist and Confirmation Receptions. For more information about the Religious Education program, please call the Religious Education office at 444-6055 or email: religiouseducation@stdunstansparish.ca. Back to Top


Parent’s Handbook Contents 2005-2006
	I. Welcome II. Religious Education Office Class Locations Office Hours Office Location Resource Centre III. Religious Education Administrative Guidelines Attendance Class Time Schedules Discipline Safe Arrival/Departure Storm Cancellations IV. Religious Education Foundation and Sacraments Participation at Mass Sacramental Preparation (Grades 2 & 9) Sacramental Preparation (Other) V. Helping Others Food Bank Sundays Volunteers Religious Education Calendar (October/05-May/06) Back to Top


I. Welcome
	Dear Parents: Welcome/welcome back to St. Dunstan’s Religious Education Program. Our religious education teaching team looks forward to sharing our faith each week with your children. Of course, our duty is not to replace you as the primary catechist of your children, but to partner with you on your children’s spiritual journey this year. This handbook is designed to answer some of the questions you may have about the St. Dunstan’s Religious Education Program, and to share our policies and expectations. Our aim is to ensure that all children participating in our religious education program have a positive and joyful experience this year. If at any time you have a question or concern, please call and leave a voice mail message at 444-6055. I will be checking for messages frequently. If you contact the parish office, please explain that you would like to leave a message for the Religious Education office and the staff will forward your call to the correct number. Sincerely, Patrick Bidlake, Religious Education Coordinator, St. Dunstan’s Parish Back to Parent Handbook Contents Back to Top


II. Religious Education Office
	Classroom Locations The following list identifies the classroom locations for this year. The floor plan layout is posted on the bulletin board outside the Religious Education office. Kindergarten – MBFC Downstairs Room 1 Grade 1 – MBFC Downstairs Room 2 Grade 2 – MBFC Downstairs Room 3 Grade 3 – Conway Room 121 Grade 4 – Cavanaugh Room 123 Grade 5 – McDevitt Room 124 Grade 6 – Sullivan Room 120 Grade 7 – Carney Room 122 Grade 8 – Church Side Altar (Crying Room) Office Hours The Religious Education is open on the following days and times: Sunday Mornings: 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Office Location The Religious Education office and resource room is located in the Monsignor Boyd Family Centre (MBFC). It is located three doors down from the parish office. Resource Centre A resource centre containing books, videos and other materials including books for children and young teens is available to all families at no charge. Books can be borrowed for a 2-week period and videos for a 1-week period. See Office Hours for hours of operation. Back to Parent Handbook Contents Back to Top


III. Religious Education Administrative Guidelines
	Attendance St. Dunstan’s Religious Education program does not have a minimum attendance requirement, however, we ask parents to make sure their children attend the program regularly. A child who does not attend regularly will not receive the full benefit from the religious education program. If a prolonged or planned absence from classes occurs, please let the Religious Education office know. Class Time Schedules Religious Education classes are held every Sunday morning from 10am to 11am weekly, unless otherwise noted. (See Appendix I- Religious Education Calendar – 2005/2006 at the back of this booklet.) Please arrive in plenty of time so that classes can begin promptly. Our catechists work very hard to prepare their lessons, and as they only have one hour, any time lost for late arrivals hampers your child’s ability to complete all the learning activities of the session. Children will not be dismissed until 11am. If your child must leave early, please let the catechist know before the session begins. Discipline We expect all participants to be respectful towards the catechists and the other students. If there is a behaviour problem, the catechist will speak to the student and explain why the behavior is not acceptable. If the child persists in this behavior pattern, the catechist will refer the child to the Religious Education coordinator. If the problem continues over three consecutive weeks, the parents and child will meet with the catechist and the coordinator to develop a strategy to address it. Safe Arrival/Departure Children in Grades K, 1 and 2 must be brought to their class by a parent or guardian. Departure follows the same procedure – parent or guardian must pick up children at the classroom. The MBFC is a very public building and the parking lot is a very busy place. We want to ensure that the young children are properly supervised until you return. Storm Cancellations The decision to cancel classes due to weather will be made by 8:00 am. on Sunday morning. You will be notified via voice mail of any cancellations. In the event of unscheduled class cancellations due to poor weather conditions, the following communication procedures are in place to ensure that we are able to reach you: Voice mail messages will be sent to your homes prior to 8:00 am. on the morning of the cancellation. When in doubt, call the Religious Education Office at 444 – 6055. The same cancellation message will be recorded on this phone line. An announcement will be made at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on the Sunday morning of the cancellation. Or call the MBFC – Main Business Office at 444 – 6001. MBFC staff will advise you in the event of cancellation. Please note that you do not need Voice Mail or Call Answer on your phone to receive voice mail messages, nor is there a charge for receiving these messages. This is how it works: If, when you pick up your receiver you hear short beeps instead of the regular dial tone, just enter *99 and follow the recorded instructions to receive our message. Also note if you have an unlisted number, voice mail messages cannot be sent to you. Please call either 444 – 6055 or 444-6001 for the update. Back to Parent Handbook Contents Back to Top


IV. Religious Education Foundation and Sacraments
	Participation at Mass Though the Religious Education program supports and enhances the spiritual journey of the children of our parish, it is the circle of family that provides the primary foundation for their spiritual growth. Gathering as a community in the celebration of Mass, is another way to instill our children with a sense of belonging and celebration. We want our children to know that, in addition to their family; they are surrounded and supported by the St. Dunstan’s faith community as well as the catechist community as they embark on their spiritual journey. Sacramental Preparation (Grades 2 & 9) Grade Two children will receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Grade Nine students will receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation for the sacraments is integrated into the Religious Education programs. Children preparing for the sacraments are required to attend catechism classes regularly in order to understand and to assent to that which they will be participating. Baptismal Certificates Required In accordance with Canon Law, families are required to submit copies of baptismal certificates before these sacraments are received. Sacramental Preparation (Other) **If your son or daughter has missed a sacrament, including baptism, please drop by the Religious Education Office to complete the necessary sacramental request form. This is not an uncommon situation, and we will be more than happy to prepare your child for the sacraments in a way that is appropriate for their age. Back to Parent Handbook Contents Back to Top


V. Helping Others
	Food Bank Sundays (Children/Student Donations) For a number of years, children and students attending religious education classes at St. Dunstan’s, bring in food donations for the local Food Bank. This does not mean that they have to bring donations in every week, but rather they can bring in their donations one Sunday each month, but any Sunday will do. Please note: Catechists will ensure that the items are placed in the Food Bank box located near the parish office. Volunteers All of our catechists, assistant catechists and substitutes are dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. The St. Dunstan’s Religious Education Program could not exist without them. If you are considering becoming a catechist or an assistant, please contact the Religious Education office (444-6055) for more information. Not sure about teaching? Maybe you would like to share your gifts of music, drama, crafts or storytelling. Throughout the year we’ll also need help organizing refreshments for our special activities and celebrations: the Christmas concert, First Eucharist, Confirmation and our year-end celebration. As well, we are looking for additional volunteers for the resource centre. Volunteers in this area will assist parishioners to locate materials of interest and to manage the check in / check out process of materials on loan. If additional volunteers could assist at the resource centre, we could expand the hours of operation to serve you better. Back to Parent Handbook Contents Back to Top


Religious Education Classes - Winter Schedule 2005

		October 2005
	2 9 16 23 30	No Classes - Cursillo No Classes - Thanksgiving 9:00 a.m. Family Mass - Commissioning of Catechists & Assistants 10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes 9:00 a.m. Mass - Presentation of New Testaments and Bibles to Grades 4 & 7 10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes 10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes

		November 2005
	6 13 20 27	No Classes - Fall Supper 10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes 10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes 10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes

		December 2005
	4 11 18 25	10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes 10:00 a.m. Religious Education Classes 10:00 a.m. Christmas Concert / Closing No Classes - Christmas Day

		January 2006
	1 8 15 22 29	No Classes - New Year’s Day Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes

		February 2006
	5 12 19 26	Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes

		March 2006
	5 12 19 26	No Classes – March Break No Classes – March Break Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes

		April 2006
	2 2 9 16 23 30	Religious Education Classes Confirmation Religious Education Classes No Classes - Easter Sunday Religious Education Classes Religious Education Classes

		May 2006
	7 7 14	Religious Education Classes 1st Eucharist Religious Education Classes - Last Day of Classes - Family Celebration
	Back to Parent Handbook Contents Back to Top