I haven't really said too much about PRE ... otherwise known as Parish Religious Education. I've been teaching for 5 weeks now and so far I've been pretty happy with the way it is going. The biggest challenge is that my class of 13 never is consistently present. About 5 of the children have been at every class (and on time), while all the other students have missed 3-4 classes.
It makes me a little sad to think that the parents don't really put their children's spiritual education "up there". I do think that a few of the children come from broken homes where they alternate weekends with a parent. In this case I try to encourage them to let me know that they won't be around and can work on the lesson at home. UNFORTUNATELY no one has really taken me up on this well spoken of suggestion. I am trying to get everyone's email address so that I don't have to rely on getting a handout to parents ... one that may never be seen.
Last year was the first year in many years that we as a family participated in PRE (with 2 of my daughters). Before that my girls attended Catholic school and did not need the Sunday instruction. I recall going to the parent meeting before the start of last school year and being a little "annoyed" at the way Msgr. talked. Somehow he made the "Catholic school" students seem a lot better off ... like that really was the very best way to educate the Catholic child (I was homeschooling the two that participated in PRE at the time). Maybe I can understand that as a Catechist now. Obviously I take my girl's spiritual education very serious, but I also see the "other" folks who do not and that makes me SAD!
During these last 5 weeks of PRE, I have noticed some things about my own children ...
- they read aloud very well (and I can NOW see a big difference)
- they can "think" about a situation with great detail and relate it to our faith
- they genuinely love their faith ... they don't complain too much about Church or PRE
- they know their prayers pretty well
I do want to spice up my classes a bit. We've done the reading, discussions on the lesson, crafts, and today we listened to The ROSARY. I am doing my best to relate the liturgical calendar to my lesson plans. October is the month of The Rosary and just before the Saturday evening mass at 5pm (for the upcoming 3 weeks) we will have a good hour set aside to make some rosaries for children in all the grades. My oldest daughter enjoys doing this and will likely help out.
OVERALL I am feeling like this teaching thing has been a good thing. I like knowing that I need to learn or review alongside the children that I am teaching. It makes me feel good to see the students "thinking". Most importantly I hope that I will help encourage a love of their faith ... even if their parents don't take them to all the classes.
Comments
My favorite thing to do at church is teaching children. I think it is so rewarding. I also like it because it really makes you review and learn the information that you are teaching. It's great that you are enjoying it!
I remember when I taught CCD- attendance was a big issue then too. (And this was a long time ago.)
Thank you for your willingness to volunteer this way.
What would our Church communities do without you?
Anyway, kids not coming to her class was the biggest frustration she had. You are right though - with broken families, may be one parent isn't Catholic and doesn't find it a priority - who knows. All you can is your best, which is obvious you are doing that.
But you just have to keep working on those kiddies and may be they'll get their parents coming back to church too - or at least making their faith more of a priority.
You are a wonderful, observant Mommy - so in tune with your kids. Your kids are so blessed! :)
Hugs today!
I hope you end up having lots of positive experiences in your class this year.
{W}
One of the funniest moments I had when teaching religion was when we were talking about the loving your neighbor as yourself, and one child thought I literally meant his next door neighbor!