These resources are designed to assist teachers in our Catholic Schools to strengthen the implementation of the Diocesan Religion Curriculum (2000) in the classroom and throughout the school.
Dear Catholic School Principal & Teacher:
Thank you for your dedication to the Christian formation of the young people entrusted to your care as a teacher in a Catholic school! The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops affirms your role in their document, National Directory for Catechesis (2005):
The Catholic school’s effectiveness as a community of faith and a center for evangelization and catechesis depends to a large extent on its teachers of religion…Religion teachers in Catholic schools not only teach the Catholic faith as an academic subject, but also bear witness to the truth of what they teach.
Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, through the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation, supports your efforts to not only grow in your faith, but to continue to nurture the growth of our children’s faith that began at baptism. Together, the Departments of Catholic Schools and Lifelong Faith Formation have collaborated to re-format the Religious Education Curriculum Guidelines for Elementary Catechesis in order to assist teachers in their mission to teach the Catholic faith.
This new lay-out can work in conjunction with the other academic subjects to promote the integration of Catholic principles across the curriculum. Teachers are encouraged to explore innovative ways to engage children in learning and practicing their faith beyond what is contained in a textbook.
The staff of the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation stands ready to assist you and your colleagues as you revise and renew your attention to the religion curriculum and the many ways it can be brought to life at your school. Please contact us to discuss your ideas, questions, or share a unique project you have developed.
Thank you for your commitment to Catholic Education. May our gracious God continue blessing your work and the children you teach!
Sincerely,
Mary Beth Coates (February 2009)
Director, Department of Lifelong Faith Formation
Curriculum Guides by Grade (PDF):
Review the entire Diocesan Religion Curriculum Guide
IDEA BANK: For ideas and strategies by teachers and catechists across the diocese
Web Sites: To enhance your lesson planning and Catholic Classroom: