Religious education is the center of education at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. The religious dimension of the school extends throughout all subject areas and all school activities. Daily prayer, in addition to weekly Mass and special liturgical celebrations, provide a framework in which Gospel values can flourish. Formal religious instruction in the Catholic tradition begins in Pre-Kindergarten and continues throughout all grade levels. The Religious Curriculum of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School follows the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Pre-Kindergarten:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program-Age 4
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The theme of the program is “God Helps Me”. The students will celebrate the special people that they are by using their senses of sight, touch, sound, taste and smell given by God. They will enjoy living with different people, places and things that God has created and use God’s gifts bestowed on them. The students also practice acting as true friends to other children, animals and grown-ups with whom the students share God’s world. The students attend weekly school Masses. They pray daily using a variety of styles, including saying the “Our Father”, “Hail Mary”, and “Glory Be” prayers.
Kindergarten:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program-K
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The kindergarten program is based on Scripture and the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The theme for the program is “God Loves Me”. The students learn about their Catholic faith through a variety of styles and prayers. Along with text, the students incorporate craft projects, dramatic play, and music into the program. The students attend school Masses and pray daily in the religion class. In the kindergarten program, the students learn the “Sign of the Cross”, “Our Father”, Mass responses, Thank-you prayers, and Prayers of Petition. Bible stories incorporated into the kindergarten program include: The Story of Creation, Psalms, Noah, Hannah, Mary and stories of the life of Jesus.
First Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program
“This is Our Faith-1”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The first grade program is based on Scripture and the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The theme for the first grade program is “The Trinity-Three Persons in One God”. Church doctrine is presented in the areas of the Sacraments and Morality. A variety of prayer styles is incorporated into the daily lessons including the Sign of the Cross, The Lord’s Prayer, “Hail Mary”, “Glory Be”, morning prayer, evening prayer and prayer before and after meals. Along with the text, song, story books, dramatic play, action rhymes and art projects are incorporated into the first grade curriculum. The students attend weekly school Masses.
Second Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program-2
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The second grade religious program focuses on the Sacraments, specifically Baptism, Reconciliation, and the Eucharist. It is a developmental program based on the Scripture and rooted in the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The second grade curriculum focuses on the Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. The students also learn Church doctrine, Scripture stories, morality and the Trinity. The students attend Mass weekly and in observance of the Holy Days of
Obligation.
Third Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program—3
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The third grade religious education program objective is to deepen the students’ understanding of the Church. Additionally, the program goal is to assist the students in experiencing the Church as a Christian community. In addition to the text, the program incorporates song, prayer, Scripture, and journal-writing to achieve the program objectives.
Fourth Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program—4
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The fourth grade program incorporates the text as well as the following: praying the Rosary weekly, participation in Eucharistic Adoration, and participation and planning of the school Masses. All of these coordinated activities enhance the students’ study and understanding of the Ten Commandments, Sacraments, and the Trinity.
Fifth Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program—5
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The fifth grade religious education program reinforces study of the Church and its Sacraments. The fifth grade students actively participate and plan the weekly school Masses. Additionally, there is a focus on prayer of the Rosary; a decade is recited daily as part of the program. Finally, service is emphasized in the fifth grade curriculum. Students organize the annual CCSC Thanksgiving food drive; 962 bags of food were collected and delivered as part of this effort in 2005. Students also have senior citizen prayer partners that they pray for and correspond with.
Sixth Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program –6
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The emphasis of the sixth grade program is the study of the Old Testament as the revelation of God in the history of His people. The students utilize the text as well as song, Cathechism study, small group study, and prayer journal entries. Students are encouraged to obtain the International Student Bible for their personal and supplemental use.
Seventh Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program—7
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The seventh grade course of study focuses on Jesus as model and guide, taking the students on a journey of faith toward the goal of the Mission Statement of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. The course includes Christology, Scripture, prayer, doctrine, morality, and participation in Liturgy and Prayer Services. Community service projects sponsored by the Parish Church and the School are part of the program. In addition to the text, students utilize the Archdiocesan curriculum guide, “Catechesis for Children and Adolescents”.
Eighth Grade:
Materials: Silver Burdett Ginn School Program—8
“This is Our Faith”
Copyright 1998
Course Information: The eighth grade program theme is two-fold: The History, Tradition, Identity and Future of the Catholic Church and the student’s personal call to virtue and holiness. Students utilize the text, prayer, Catechism study, and prayer journals to achieve the objectives of the religious education program.
