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 St. Joan of Arc Church is committed to supporting parents in their sacred responsibility to nurture the spirituality of their children. This support includes communication between parents and catechists, parental visits to the classroom, and parent meetings that assist adults in their own ongoing education in faith. Parents should feel free to contact the Director of Religious Education or their child’s catechist at any time. On our part, we have an expectation that parents will be actively involved in their child’s religious education, attending Sunday liturgy regularly, reviewing material that is sent home, establishing habits of prayer in the home, and discussing their faith openly as to both its blessings and challenges.
The catechetical team is made up of both professionals and volunteers. As the spiritual leader of the parish, the pastor indicates an overall direction and vision for all the catechetical programs whether adult or child focused. The Director of Religious Education (DRE) is directly responsible for the religious educational programs in the parish.
A team of generous dedicated volunteer catechists is the backbone of the religious education program. Parents, single young adults, and grandparents donate their time and talent to provide a religious education for our young people. Their gift of themselves and their willingness to be trained, to spend time planning lessons, and to give a significant portion of their “free time” in this ministry is an inspiration. Catechists are not merely teachers – that is only part of their task. Catechists are called to share their own spirituality, faith, and beliefs. They are witnesses. They testify to the power of God in their lives not just by words but by deeds.
The Religious Education Program (REP) for Pre-K through Grade 6 is held on Wednesday afternoon from 4:15 – 5:30 PM or Sunday morning from 9:00 – 10:15AM. Confirmation preparation is held Sunday evening from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Students can attend the 5:30 LifeTeen Mass and then join LifeTeen for a light supper before going to class.
 There is a high expectation that students and families will attend Mass each week. The Eucharistic Liturgy is the central act of the Catholic community and helps form us as a People of God. Simply coming to a religious education class, independent of a regular liturgical experience is to miss an essential part of Catholic Christian formation.
In both the upper and lower grade programs, classes of students gather with one or two catechists. Students follow the approved curriculum of the Diocese of Harrisburg. The textbook is FaithFirst – Legacy from RCL publications. Catechists are also encouraged to share their own experiences of God in their lives.
Typically, students in our program have been baptized as infants and need to be prepared for the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the appropriate age levels. Candidates for Penance and Eucharist are catechized by trained catechists. For the most part, this preparation takes place in first and second grade. Parent workshops are scheduled each semester.
Students who were not baptized in the Catholic tradition enter into an RCIA process that is adapted for children. At the end of the process these children are fully initiated, that is they are baptized (or make a profession of faith), receive their First Communion, and are confirmed.
 The Sacrament of Confirmation is received in eighth grade in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Students must be involved in a religious education program (either a parish program or Catholic school) for two years. An orientation meeting for all parents is held in the Fall. A parent workshop is also held for parents of students in their second year of preparation. All candidates are expected to complete six service projects in year one and six service projects in year two. These may be parish sponsored, community sponsored, or designed by the candidate. Each second year student is also expected to attend the parish Confirmation retreat held in the Spring.
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