Religious Education Program Summary
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Program
Contact: Grace McGroarty 508-693-7517
This program uses a hands-on approach to religious education. Classes are
offered once weekly on Sunday mornings, for two hours, at the Parish Center
immediately following the Children’s Mass in Oak Bluffs. (Weekday classes may
also be offered, depending on enrollment needs.) An atrium, or quiet place, is
set up at the Parish Center for this program. The materials used are made specifically
for the children and are attractively displayed. The teacher presents the
lessons and the children repeat them on their own, further developing the
relationship that already exists between the child and God.
Children must attend Level 1 as a preschooler or kindergartener to be eligible
to attend Level 2. Children in grades 1-3 who haven’t attended Level 1 are not
eligible to attend this program at this time, and must therefore register for
either the CCD Formal or Home Study Programs.
This program meets once weekly either on Sunday from 10:30 AM 12:00 PM or
during the week on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday from 3:30 PM 5:00 PM. For
children age 3 through Grade 3, using a hands-on approach to religious
education.
CCD Formal Study Program
Contact: Lauren Horton 508-693-6979
This is the traditional program offered at the Parish Center on Sunday
mornings, immediately following the Children’s Mass in Oak Bluffs. Classes run
approximately 90 minutes and meet weekly with the exception of school calendar
holidays. The program begins in early September and completes on Palm Sunday.
First Communion is a two year program. Grade 2 students must complete the Grade
1 CCD curriculum, either through attendance or home study achievement, and must
attend Grade 2 formal study to receive First Communion.
This program meets on Sunday morning at the Parish Center at 10:30 AM 12:00
PM. For children in Grades 1 through 6.
CCD Small Group Home Study Program
Contact: Lauren Horton 508-693-6979
This is a new program being offered to accommodate children that have schedule
conflicts with the Sunday Formal Study program, but would still like to attend
a group study program. Smaller groups of students will meet at a teacher’s home
at a schedule decided on by the teacher leading the home study group. This
program uses the same books and suggested curriculum as the formal study
program does and the home study groups will be invited to attend any special
programs or events that would occur for the formal study students. Parents
agreeing to teach a home study group will receive the materials and training
assistance necessary to conduct their class.
CCD Individual Home Study Program
Contact: Lauren Horton 508-693-6979
Children unable to attend either program above can still receive the books and
materials necessary to cover the required material at home, at their own pace.
Parents will work with the Formal Study teacher for their childs grade for any
help or additional information they may need to teach their child at home. Home
study students will be invited to attend any special programs or events that
would occur for the formal study students for their grade. Each home study
student must complete an end of the year test to certify that they have
completed the curriculum for the year.
