St. Patrick Parish at 4518 S. Manhatten Ave, Tampa, FL 33611-2306 US - Religious Education Contact: Carl Longnecker

Religious Education Contact: Carl Longnecker

Family Religious Education sessions are held approximately every third Sunday from 10:15am until 12:00pm in the Social Hall and Parish Class Rooms. The sessions include meetings by family, and breakouts for parents and for children. If a parent is not available a Grandparent, Godparent or another responsible adult is welcome.

At St. Patrick we know that the primary religious educator of your children is you, the parent. Our program helps you via the whole community catechesis events and the Family Religious Education sessions. We provide family friendly sessions to learn as a family; materials so you can improve your own knowledge; coaching on faith practices for the home; and prayer sessions adapted for children of all ages.

We use the Pflaum Gospel Home Weeklies as our primary materials. They tie closely to the Sunday Liturgy, each weekly offering starts with the Gospel for the Sunday. The materials are especially appropriate for working at home. Over the year they cover all of the topics recommended by the US Council of Catholic Bishops.

We often hold special programs designed for children and adults, and also designed to equip parents to lead activities in the home. The specific programs change from year to year. Our special programs typically include:

· Start of Advent

· Our Lady of Guadalupe

· Start of Lent

· The Tridium – Palm Sunday to Easter

· May Crowning

· International Pentecost Celebration

Religious Education Forms-

Click here Religious Education Sign Up Sheet for returning registered families.

Click here for the Family Religious Ed Schedule.

Click here for information on Religious Ed classes.

Click here for the First Eucharist program schedule.

Click here for Adult Education options on Sunday morning.

Safe Enivronment
Our parish is committed to the safety and well being of every child and we are in full compliance with The Charter for the Protection of Young Children as stated by Bishop Cote. All catechists are subjected to a criminal background check and training which enables them to be advocates for the children in their care.

"St. Patrick does very well on National Testing"

ACRE is a national test of knowledge for students in Religious Education. In April of 2011 a set of 6th grade students from St. Patrick Religious Education program took the test. Our students exceeded the national average for total overall score by almost 5%. In 5 of 7 religious studies areas we beat the national average.

These are surprisingly good results. We are being compared to the “typical” Religious Ed program – 36 class sessions per year. We have 15 class sessions per year, with home study for the remaining weeks. Instead, we are consistently beating the national average. “Hats off” to our students and our Catechists.

There is a fee of $60 (for the 2011- 2012 year) per family that includes all session material and take home packets. If the fee is a hardship, contact Carl Longnecker and special arrangements will be made.

Celebrating Advent with Children

Christmas catalogs piled high, numerous parties to celebrate during November, trips to Malls laden with gifts, waiting impatiently for Santa Claus to bring presents to every little girl and boy. Is this a great way to find the meaning of Advent? ………….. No way!

Now is your chance to shine as priest and minister to your children in your home. Lead them to discovering the true meaning of Advent, waiting for, and preparing for the Savior.

In prayer, at every meal, say a prayer that teaches your family about Advent.

Have reminders of Advent in visible places. Have an Advent Wreath on you dining table; let the children light a candle each day.

Help the children to mark the long long time of Advent in a prayerful way. Put an Advent calendar on the door of the refrigerator, with a daily prayer or action for the children. Use an interactive calendar on the internet to mark the days.

Raise the Christmas Tree, but have near it a Christmas crèche with the darling symbols of the baby and the animals. Make it a time of prayer to set up the crèche. Some families make it a tradition to add new symbols to the crèche each week.

Adopt a Holy Day and celebrate it in your family, a day other than Christmas. On these Holy Days, forget about the commercial side of Christmas. Attend Mass. Have a party, invite the neighbors. Celebrate the meaning of the day and the season. Make it a family tradition in a way that even your youngest child can relate to. Some obvious candidates (but there are many more options) are:

• St. Nicholas Day December 6

• Immaculate Conception December 8

• Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Posada (ask one of our Hispanic friends)

Finally, do something of service to others. Let the kids experience the grace of giving. Simple idea, maybe they sweep the walk for a neighbor. More involved, have your family help out at Metropolitan Ministries.

Parents, you are the best ones to bring your children to the true spirit waiting and prayer and preparation for Advent.

Following are PDF documents about Advent Wreaths, Advent Prayers and other items meaningful to children:

View This Bulletin Advent Games and Activities

Celebrating St. Nicholas Day at Home