St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 2022-2023 Parish School of Religion - Pathways

Our new Parish School of Religion Program is called Pathways, and is provided by Faith and Family Life Families Ministries.

Pathways is a family-centered suite of programs for both sacramental preparation, and for ongoing faith formation for the children, grades 1-12, of our parish. It was created to meet the changing needs of today’s families. We all know the world, and family life, has changed dramatically over the years. The old ways of forming our children in the faith are no longer as effective as they should be.

In fact, Paragraph 125 of the Directory for Catechesis states that, “Believing parents, with their daily example of life, have the most effective capacity to transmit the beauty of the Christian faith to their children.”

The Pathways program is designed to support parents as they answer their call to serve as primary educators of their children. It ensures that our parish can beautifully support and encourage parents to live out their vocation. It does this by providing the resources, materials, and parent preparation to make the domestic church – the family – the place where faith is learned, lived and loved!

Pathways consists of family gatherings, here in the Parish Hall, and at-home family faith meetings, during which the Faith is shared. All of these family gatherings - in your homes – will be faith-sharing experiences; no textbooks, no worksheets, no assignments, no tests.

There are so many more details to share. Therefore, the Pathways program intentionally begins with a family meeting. This 20 to 30 minute meeting with your entire family and the Director of Religious Education will be spent establishing the most appropriate Pathway for you, especially in regard to sacramental preparation of your children for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and for Confirmation. Based on the plan, a take-home calendar of at-church and at-home sessions will be provided for the entire PSR school year for your children. 

If you are new to the parish, or your children have not previously been registered for PSR here at St. Elizabeth, please contact the parish office as soon as possible.

Pathways begins in mid-September!

Sacramental Preparation
First Reconciliation (Penance) and First Holy Communion, 2nd Grade: Our sacramental program requires parental involvement in preparing our children to receive our Lord in the Eucharist. First Reconciliation will take place in November. First Holy Communion will be celebrated during a special Sunday Mass in May, followed by a beautiful reception hosted by the Ladies Altar Sodality.
**Please read the section under Attendance for the sacramental classes.

Confirmation, 8th Grade: Our sacramental program requires parental involvement in preparing our children to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament will be received in late May at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

The 8th grade candidates are required to attend the Youth Retreat as part of their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. They will also decide upon, and participate in, a group service project in the Spring.
**Please read the section under Attendance for the sacramental classes.
Attendance
Consistent participation in the assigned PATHWAYS programs is vital for your child to benefit from the instruction provided. The Faith Formation Program is designed to assist parents and guardians, who are the primary educators of children, with instruction of the Catholic Faith through prayer, study, discussion, and practice.

Sacramental Classes: Participation in PSR is especially vital for 2nd and 8th graders as they prepare to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation. First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. In order for the children to receive the sacraments, parents or guardians must attend all scheduled meetings, and the family must complete the necessary PATHWAYS programs together.

How to Get Started

• To begin PATHWAYS, schedule a family meeting with the Director of Religious Education as soon as possible.
• Once registered, and fees have been paid, necessary materials for your appropriate program will be provided, along with a calendar of at-church and at-home sessions.

Dates to Remember

• Confirmation Retreat: April 1-2, 2023, required for all Confirmation students.
• Confirmation: Saturday, May 27, 2023 @ 5:00 PM, Cathedral of St. Paul.

 You may contact Kathy Stafford at 903.539.8880 or kstafford63@gmail.com.