RURAL CATECHETICS

Pictured, left to right: Lynda Statchuk, Mary Wrishko, Agnes Rolheiser and Mary Comeault of the diocesan Rural Catechetics team. Each works half time. [Missing : Marie Dewald, Michelle Sieben]

Do you have questions / need materials? Need programs? Please call the Rural Catechetics Coordinator assigned to your parish (see the table below).

Parish Religious Education Data Form

You can now submit your parish religious education data by email. Click on Religious Education to access the form. Fill in all the fields and press the Submit button.

Order of Initiation

Guidelines for a Restored Order

1. The phase in period will begin this fall (2006).

• Smaller parishes may combine children of various ages for instruction and the celebration of sacraments as suits their circumstance.
• Parishes with large numbers may choose to confirm Grade two children and one group of older students each year until all children have been fully initiated by 2009-2010.

2. Candidates for First Communion will generally be prepared for First Reconciliation before Christmas and for First Communion after Christmas of the Grade 2 year. For these younger students, preparation for Confirmation will be part of the First Communion preparation.

3. Older students will be prepared for Confirmation as before. Appropriate programs are available.

4. Materials and catechist support are available to parishes. Call the Rural Catechetics coordinator assigned to your parish.

5. Parishes with Catholic Schools will have school programs to support parish preparation. Contact Gilbert Chevrier at the Catholic School Board Office for more information (659-7078).

6. Bishop Albert’s schedule allows only that he continue to visit parishes for Confirmation according to the present rotational schedule, every one, two or three years depending on the number of candidates. Parishes will determine who is to be confirmed at these times. The Bishop will generally confirm during the Easter season.

7. Pastors will be delegated to administer the sacrament of Confirmation where and when the Bishop cannot be present.

Program Materials for a Restored Order

Grade two

1. Programs which include preparation for both Confirmation and First Communion:

• Come Join Us at the Table (Novalis)
• Suitable for very small numbers - Together in Jesus (Pflaum)

2. Combination of programs:

For First Communion

• On Our Way with Jesus – We Share in the Eucharist (Novalis)

And

For Confirmation (use one of the following):

• Come Spirit of God (Novalis)
• Supplementary Lessons for Confirmation (Diocesan Rural Catechetics Department)

Confirmation for older students during phase in period (2006-2010)

• Come Join Us at the Table (Novalis) has been used successfully up to approximately Grade 5. Students continue with regular catechetical programming and use this program as an immediate preparation. It is suitable for multi-age grouping.
• Journey to Confirmation (Diocese of Saskatoon) is suitable for students around Grade 6. It has been used successfully up to Grade 8.
• For very small numbers - Confirmation Gifted with the Spirit (Pflaum). It is for students grade 6 and up. Alive in the Spirit (Novalis) is suitable for students approximately 12-14 years of age.

Supplementary Materials are available to meet the needs of parish groups or individuals. Contact the Rural Catechetics Coordinator for your parish.

The 2008 Confirmation schedule is available in two formats:

2008 Confirmation Schedule

2008 Confirmation Schedule (HTML)

Related Links