Religious Education

Catholic education is an expression of the mission extended by Jesus to the Church He founded. Through education, the church seeks to prepare its members to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation into action. (To Teach As Jesus Did ? National Conference of Catholic Bishops; 1972) Maternity B.V.M. works in conjunction with parents in the religious education of their children. Parents are the primary religious educators of their children. The values and attitudes of parents are communicated to their children in their daily lives. The students at Maternity B.V.M. receive regular Religious Education in their classrooms where they pray and learn together. The students learn to live as Jesus taught us. Service and community prayer are an important part of Catholicism and this is stressed at Maternity B.V.M. There are many service opportunities available in which students can participate. Junior high students are members of the Parish Youth Group. These are junior high and senior high students who meet regularly to pray, to perform various services such as, serving lunch at the Salvation Army and visiting nursing homes and to plan fun activities such as, visiting a corn maze and paintballing. Students at Maternity B.V.M. are prepared to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in third grade and the sacrament of Confirmation in eighth grade. These are very special times for the students and their families.

The students are also provided with many liturgical experiences that help them grow in their own faith. The students attend mass on a regular basis and participate as lectors, cantors, musicians and ushers. Other liturgical experiences include Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, Reconciliation, and Advent Wreath services as well as other prayer services.