Religious Education
Cluster Leader: Michael Ellison 691-2079
Religious Education embraces study, instruction, and reflection essential for Christian growth. The goal is to design the path for a walk by faith for children and adults, and for personal transformation through the spirit of God. "If you make my word your home, you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and he truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
Bible Study: Lester Haddad
Scripture and the Catholic Church go hand in hand in understanding
the word of God. There are three Bible Study Groups
starting September 20th, 2009:
The Sunday Bible Study group meets on Sunday 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. at the same time as the CCD meetings, to study the gospels and books of the Bible. This study of God's word gives knowledge of God, of man, salvation, sanctification, the Church, and living life abundantly. This year we will be studying the Book of Revelation.
The Wednesday Bible Study begins September 23, 2009 and meets from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. They will be studying the Letter to the Hebrews.
The Thursday evening Bible Study begins September 24, 2009 and meets from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. They will study the Gospel of Matthew.
Monday Morning Rosary/Study Group: Sally
Kennedy 354-3065
This group meets every Monday from 10 a.m. to
11:30 a.m. in the cry room. The schedule mirrors the St. James School
schedule. The group starts off by saying the rosary and then discusses the
current study. Newcomers are always welcome.
Monday Prayer Group: Nancy Kochanik 233-8466
Group meets at 1 p.m. in the church/chapel.
Everyone is invited to participate and experience the spiritual nourishment
that occurs through scripture readings and contemplative prayer.
Religious Education for Children:
Director of Religious Education: Mary Speir 665-1554
Click here for more information
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine provides
Catholic religious education for children who are not currently attending
Catholic schools. It is an essential part of the faith development of young
people, for as Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not
stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs."
(Luke 18:16) We urge parents to enroll their children in Religious Education. Instruction is
tailored to the age levels of the children beginning with Tiny Tots (ages 3
and 4), and Kindergarten through eighth grade.
Vacation Bible School:
Click here for a video of last summer's events on You Tube
Each summer St James Catholic Church conducts a Vacation Bible School
for the children of the parish, students entering pre-K through rising
fifth graders. Prior to VBS, a Junior Helper’s Retreat is scheduled at
Camp Villa Marie. The goal of this retreat is to orient the middle
school students to act as assistant teachers who help to teach the
younger students about their Catholic faith. This year the annual VBS
was held June 21 -25.
This year's theme was based on the “fishing & water-themed” stories from the Bible (i.e., Jonah, Jesus calming the seas, Jesus making the disciples "fishers of men", etc.) The school cafeteria was transformed into an enormous aquarium. The students learned modern Catholic songs, studied various stories from the Bible, created crafts based on the sea life theme, collected cans of tuna for the Social Apostolate in Savannah, Georgia, and played games loosely based on the fishing and water theme.
Maria Rogers was once again this year's director and as we at St James have become accustomed, did a fabulous job of teaching and entertaining the children of St. James parish. She was blessed with the help of many parent volunteers without whom this undertaking would not be successful. If you would like to see some of the great learning activities that occurred at Vacation Bible School, check out the video found on You Tube.
RCIA: Contact the Church Office 355-1523
Click here for class information
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
assists interested men and women seeking more information about Catholicism
to discover its roots and continue along their journey of faith. This
includes those who have never been baptized, those baptized in other
Christian faiths, and baptized Catholics who have not received first Holy
Communion or Confirmation. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children
(RCIC) utilizes a similar process. Their catechetical instruction is adapted
to the age of the children and their spiritual progress. With the help of
sponsors and through experiences involving the whole community, the process
leads to the sacraments of Initiation and full communion with the Church, at
the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday.
