Grades 1 - 7
Grades 1 - 5
St. Patrick Parish uses the Blest are We: Faith & Word Edition curriculum for PREP grades 1 - 5. This is a spiral-thematic curriculum that incorporates the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the structure of every lesson, in every unit, and at each grade level. With this approach, children learn from all aspects of our tradition, at a level that is appropriate for them. The result is a thorough understanding of Catholic teaching. The four pillars of the Catechism are:
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What Catholics Believe
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How Catholics Worship
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How Catholics Live
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How Catholics Pray
Each grade level also includes the traditional prayers of the Catholic faith and a beginning section on Scripture which is incorporated in most lessons. In addition, each grade level has a section called “Feasts & Seasons” (short lessons on the major liturgical feasts) and a section called “Catholic Tradition” with information on the Mass.
In grades 1-5, each chapter ends with a review and at the end of each unit (4 chapters) a unit test is given. In grade 2, our students receive their first Reconciliation and first Communion.
Each week the family Take Home page is sent home for families to prepare for the coming week’s lesson. A Mass sheet is also sent home for students to fill out after the Sunday Mass. The purpose of this is simply to have the students pay closer attention to the Mass and the Gospel message. Records of attendance at Mass are not kept.
The major themes by grade level are:
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Grade One – We Belong to God’s Family the Church
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Grade Two – The Sacraments of Reconciliation & Holy Communion
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Grade Three – The Catholic Church
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Grade Four – The Ten Commandments & Beatitudes (Morality)
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Grade Five – The Seven Sacraments
Basic elements of the faith are taught at all grade levels with emphasis on the above topics at specific levels. Hence the curriculum is spiral and thematic.
It is important for students to attend each year to receive a complete education in the basics of our faith. Spiritual growth as well as Christian community building are important aspects of each year. Each grade level also decides on a social outreach project to teach our students Catholic Social Teaching.
Grades 6 - 7
Please note that incoming 8th grade students are no longer part of the Religious Education program. All incoming 8th graders will be participating in the first year of our Confirmation program under our Youth Coordinator, Bridget Bicek. For more information about our Confirmation program please click here.
Starting in the fall of 2019, St Patrick’s Religious Education will no longer be using the previous Impact program for sixth and seventh grade students. In response to a request for deeper faith formation, and social activities for our middle school students, Impact will extend to a full year program and EDGE will be re-introduced to the Parish. We believe this will create the best religious education experience for our middle school students, help integrate the students into the parish, and properly prepare them for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Our middle school students will be using new text books which will have parent resources with each chapter. Parents may look at information about this program online. It is called Christ Our Life and there is information from Loyola Press under “family resources”, you can learn more by clicking here.
Students will also have the opportunity to join in the EDGE program through Youth Ministry once a month to further their faith formation and get to know their fellow students. In June 2020 they will also have the opportunity for a service trip through youth ministry.
If you have any questions regarding Religious Education please contact Emily Betz at ebetz@stpatrick-lakeforest.org or Mary Kaye Green at mkgreen@stpatrick-lakeforest.org or call the Religious Education Office at (847) 234-2179.