Philosophy of Religious Education

Director of Religious Education	Michael Westenberg
Coordinator, Grades 1-3	Therese Cibula
Coordinator, Grades 4-6	Patricia Hein
Coordinator, Grades 7-10	Jolene Wichlacz
Music Coordinator	Ann Westenberg
Secretary	Susan Rossetti

I. The ultimate goal of any religious education program should be to introduce the student to the Lord Jesus Christ and then to nurture and cultivate the resulting relationship within the context of a community of faith.

II. At its most basic level, the faith community is the family. In most cases the family is the most successful incubator of faith; religious education should affirm and enable parents to make the "family" (whatever its makeup) a healthy vibrant environment where faith can grow. Parents are the primary models of faith for children. Children absorb the values and beliefs their parents are living. The institutional church cannot replace what the children see, hear, and live at home.

III. Because parents play such a vital role in the religious formation of children, they should continue to seek growth in their own faith, knowledge, and spirituality. The spirit continues to call all people to a deeper participation sense of discipleship; therefore, a religious education program should provide spiritual enrichment opportunities for parents, as well as adults in general.

IV. Religious education stresses that Christianity is a lifestyle. It is a distinct orientation towards life based in the conviction that Jesus is Lord and Savior; that through Jesus we are saved from sin and are called to live eternally in a new life of love and service. Our Christian faith permeates all we are and all we do.

V. Religious education programs should be relationship-oriented; they should seek to address the whole person mind, body, spirit) and the whole community (family, parish, city) in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Religious education needs to be grounded in the scriptures while providing information about the faith history and journey of the People of God, the Church. Religious education also needs to be formative, through offering liturgical, worship, and practicum experiences. Religious education should be sequential, allowing participants to grow in their faith as they mature in cognitive, affective, and relational abilities.