Report From The Director

To Our Parents and Guardians:

First of all, allow me to wish you a very Blessed CHRISTMAS and a Prosperous NEW YEAR filled with hope, love, joy and peace.

Changes to the Religious Education Program: During my four years (1998-2001) as Director of Catechetical Ministry, many changes had been made in our Catechetical Center: (1) The length of class sessions (grades 1-6) was changed from 9 weeks to 28 weeks; (2) The textbooks used by pre-school and grades 1-6 from different publishers were replaced with bilingual textbooks from one publisher for both the English and Spanish classes;. (3) The Hispanic classes were realigned with the English classes from first grade to six grade (the students in the English and Spanish classes are now learning the same textbooks); (4) The mandatory Catechists’ In-Service Training was scheduled monthly during the school year; (5) Community Prayer Service started for Tuesday and Saturday Catechists before the start of class; (6) Catechist certification required by diocesan policy #230 was implemented. We have 98% certified catechists to date. We also offered Basic Catechist Formation Course every year from June-August; (7) Junior High School (JHM, grades 7 & 8) was separated from the Youth Ministry and re-scheduled the classes on Tuesday evenings. Textbooks used are also from Sadliers. Mr/Mrs Salamanca are the coordinators of the JHM; (8) Two mandatory retreats (Advent and Lent) for Junior High students were added to the program; (9) Required all students from grades 1–8 to attend Sunday Mass. Instituted report cards for grades 1-8 students; (10) Adapted/integrated the Lectionary-Based Catechesis with the traditional Curriculum-based Catechism teaching methodology; (11) Established Bible Study group for parents/guardians on Saturday morning and Tuesday evening while their children are attending the class; (12) Established the traffic pattern and procedures for dropping off and picking up students before and after class; Instituted volunteer security guards patrolling the facility during religious education classes; (13) Streamlined and improved the registration schedule to all Wednesdays during the months of June and July; (14) Required mandatory meetings for all parents of students, grades 1–8 (sacrament and non-sacrament classes); (15) Above all, the dissemination of information between the Catechetical staff, parents, catechists, and students were improved by publishing the quarterly “St. Charles CONNECTIONS Newsletter” and for establishing a regular CATECHETICAL CENTER NEWS column in the Sunday Bulletin. We believe that our communication problem has been improved.

With all these changes, our big challenge now is to make sure that all these changes are improving our religious education program and achieving our goal of helping our students to become very good friends of Jesus Christ and making Him their role model. We can only realize this with your help as concerned parents and catechists. Please give us your feedback…

Changes in the Administration: In the area of the Catechetical Center, we also made many changes and improvements. Our Financial and Library systems were computerized. The old books and materials in the library were replaced with new books, videos, tapes, and other materials. The old computers and software programs were upgraded or replaced. We also hired new paid staff and recruited volunteers.

When you received this newsletter, we are already on Christmas vacation. The class will resume on the following dates: Grades 1-6, Jan 5; Grades 7-8, Jan 8; Pre-school and Liturgy of the Word, Jan 6; Hispanic class, Jan 2; Grades 9-12, Jan 8, 2002. If you have any question, please our Catechetical Office, 575-2240.

Adult Confirmation Class will start on Monday, Jan. 7 and end on Apr. 20, 2002, from 6:30 – 8:30PM. Any parishioner, age 18 and older, who is not attending high school is encourage to attend. Please come to the Catechetical Center office to register. A copy of your baptism and first communion certificates are required for registration. The registration fee of $25 includes textbooks and materials. Please call our office for additional information.

Hispanic Evangelization Program. As per direction of the pastor, the Evangelization program is now under the Catechetical Ministry. For detail information please call Deacon Sam at 575-2240 or read the article in the Hispanic section of this newsletter.

Parents/Guardians and Godparents of Unbaptized Students Registered in the Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) Process. If you have any question(s) regarding your children’s schedule or the schedule of meetings for parents and godparents, please call Nellie Martinez (English Coordinator) or Reynaldo Perez (Hispanic Coordinator).

Procedure For Dealing With Student Threats. The Diocese of San Diego issued a guideline on how to deal of student threats. “Any student threats of harm to self or others will be taken seriously. It will be reported to the DCM/Coordinator or catechists immediately by whoever hears the threat made. Police and parents/guardians of the student who has made the threat will be notified immediately. The student will be separated from other students and remain under supervision until the police or parents arrive. For full procedure, please call the Catechetical Center office.

A Reminder…Please take home a copy of the Sunday Bulletin and read the Catechetical Center News column for religious education information.

MANY THANKS!!! Our sincere thanks to our catechists and parents who are instrumental in providing religious education to our children. Thank you very much for your dedication and commitment. I am sure that our children appreciate what they are receiving from you week after week.

REMAINING PARENTS’ MEETING SCHEDULE

Saturday non-sacrament classes: 9:45-11:00 am on

Jan 19, 2002; and Apr 13, 2002

Saturday Sacrament classes: 9:45-11:00 am on

Mar 9, 2002; Apr 27, 2002 – Make-up Meeting,

May 18,2002

Tuesday Grades 7-8 classes: 6:45-8:00 pm on

Apr 30, 2002