Parish School of Religion
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Click on the picture to see more pictures from our children's Christmas Eve Pagent. |
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Mission Statement:
Transfiguration Church is committed to helping Catholics in their journey by providing progressive flexible and dynamic religious formation and sacramental preparation relevant to all segments of our diverse parish community. We internalize religious education so that religion is not merely practiced, but lived. We constantly strive for improvement and search for more effective ways to deliver religious education content.
About the Religious Program:
The Parish School of Religion provides religious instruction for students, grades K-8 (ages 5-14) whose families reside locally, but the children do not attend a Catholic school. The program goals are to teach students the beliefs or philosophy of Catholics, as well as provide an example for Christian life. In addition, the program mentors students on the traditions of worship, service and fellowship. Moreover, the religious program attempts to help parents present Catholicism to their children as a life giving relationship with God. Nancy Nelson, the coordinator of the program, assists catechists by providing effective support and she offers them continues religious self-development through learning and service.
Religious Education Schedule:
Tuesday 3:30-4:45 PM Grades 4, 5 & 6
Wednesday 3:30-4:45 PM Grades K-1, 2, & 3
Wednesday 7:30-8:45 PM Grades 7 & 8
Ms. Nelson has been blessed with sixteen (16) very talented and enthusiastic catechists, who collectively provide religious instruction for all the children of Transfiguration Church that do not attend private Catholic schools. The names of those catechists who participate in this program are listed below:
| Gloria Agro | Lou Agro | Guylaine Ballas | Dr. Frank Pastore |
| Janet Torchia | Sister Eulalia | Mary Golden | Allyson Miscioscia |
| Mary Gorman | Majorie Haggerty | Bob Patterson | Anne Randazzo |
| Nancy Murray | Anita O'Connor | Ann Walsh | Elaine Smith |
Description of the Curriculum
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
In a very elementary manner, these young children are taught about the creation of the world and the nature of God. The children are also briefly introduced to the Ten Commandments, so they have some moral sense of right and wrong. Moreover, the children are taught more basic lessons such as the correct way of making the sign of the cross or they learn how to recite common prayers such as the “Our Father” or “Hail Mary.”
Grade 2
The religious instruction for this grade is typically built around preparing the students for their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. This process also includes having the children memorize and recite the “Act of Contrition.”
Grade 3
The third graders are not only taught to recite the Apostles Creed, but the instructors will examine and explain the prayer in great detail for the students. In addition, the instructor leads the group in a detailed discussion of the First and Second Commandments, so the students have a much greater understanding of it.
Grade 4
The fourth grade students have the opportunity to discuss and examine the Third and Fourth Commandments in much greater detail. The students are also required to understand and recite the Hail Holy Queen Prayer, which is used frequently during Sunday Mass. In addition, certain passages from the Bible are selected for the students to memorize. The students examine and discuss the history and background of this specific passage, so they have a much better understanding of the origins of the Church and Christ. Finally, the students are introduced to the Corporal Works of Mercy, which is designed to make students more sensitive to those people in our society, who are unfortunate or suffering from illness or despair.
Grade 5
The fifth graders are primarily taught how the history of the Church is directly incorporated into the Sunday Mass. In fact, the instructor takes the students on a “Church tour,” in which the students have the opportunity to learn the spiritual symbolism used during the Mass which relates to Church history.
Grade 6
The six graders learn primarily about the Old Testament. During the course of instruction, the instructor normally reviews a number of books including Genesis, Exodus and chapters on Abraham, Isaiah, Joseph, David, Moses and Jacob.
Grade 7
The seventh grade students learn exclusively about the New Testament. The instructor provides significant emphasis on the deeds of Jesus and how those deeds affect our lives and our Church. During the course of instruction, the instructor tends to engage the students with ethical life situations that can be related to stories in the New Testament.
Grade 8
The eight grade students are focused primarily on the Sacrament of Confirmation, which includes reviewing all Ten Commandments and its respective importance to our lives. The instructor also emphasizes the Corporal Works of Mercy so that students have an opportunity to learn about compassion and humanity. At the end of the course, the students are required to participate in a one day retreat in Rockland County. The retreat not only focuses on the traditional spiritual elements, but attempts to integrate the children's parents into the process.
According to Ms. Nelson, the religious education process at Transfiguration Church provides a lot of personal self satisfaction, because she and her colleagues are able to see the children develop a spiritual and religious understanding of their Church and the world. It is also an opportunity to integrate and incorporate the parents into the process, which makes for a much more rewarding experience.
Ms. Nelson would like to especially recognize Gloria Agro and Elaine Smith, whom have actively participated in this program.
For more information, please contact the program coordinator, Nancy Nelson at 914-631-2380