CCD Times and Mass Schedule
Personally, I would prefer CCD Classes not be on Sunday Morning. I like the emphasis on Mass and opportunities for some socializing. We do have classes because the assumption is the parents want it on Sunday morning. This is not about what I like but about serving the needs of the parish. Comments on Sunday CCD are welcome.
Class time has been an hour and a half to fulfill diocesan guidelines of 40 hours per year. Classes can be shorter. One consideration is eliminating snacks. We can meet diocesean guidelines by providing home opportunities and special days. Comments on length of classes are welcome.
We provide opportunities for home study and alternative forms of religious education. A workgroup of the Religious Education committee is working on plans.
posted by Father Patrick @ 3:03 PM
7 Comments:
I also believe that CCD should not be held on Sunday mornings. Everyone is used to that schedule though. It's been that way at least for the 7 years I've been at St. Joseph.
The only question I'm wondering about is that the Sunday morning CCD is geared toward the younger children (Preschool through second grade.) If we have CCD on a weeknight, say a Monday night, or another night, I'd say we definitely make it only an hour so that the kids can get home and get ready for bed. I seem to remember that being the reason for keeping the younger kids on Sunday morning. However, I can go with the flow. I feel that we should still keep the older kids on a separate class time than the younger kids.
I for one am totally for doing away with snacks at CCD. Less hassle for parents trying to come up with snacks, less craziness for the teachers, and more focus on religion rather than goodies. If it is a special party or something, that is different. For the most part, I feel that the kids can do without snacks.
Whatever is decided about when CCD will be, my kids will continue to go to CCD, regardless of when the classes are. I hope that made sense.
When I went to CCD there were no snacks, except for special times. Why not consider starting CCD around the same time as when school starts? This way the daily time could be shorter, but there would be more classes.
I think it's important to beware of the phrases "everyone thinks (this)" and "it's always been done this way".
It might be possible to have a strong home study program - maybe there are families who have never experienced the support they need to do home study successfully.
Additionally, perhaps there is an opportunity for after-school CCD classes.
You're doing a great job, Padre!
I agree that we should limit the class to one hour. I don't think the kids need to snack at all. Paula mentioned the teachers. How do they feel? They are volunteering their time, do they want to do away with snacks? How about the shorter class time? What's their input on this whole thing?
How about we have two hour sessions 2 times a month? No snack time . 6:30-8:30 pm Let's try to eliminate driving every week because of gas costs.
I don't like the idea of only 2 nights per month. Children need consistency. Some parents would have an issue with getting their children to CCD by 6:30 (myself included) due to working outside of the home and 40 minutes away.
As far as saving gas costs not coming to CCD every week, I realize that is an issue with other people.
In my opinion, no "cost" is too high for the my children's education, being it religious or otherwise.
Have a nice day. God be with you.
Okay. I meant to say no "sacrifice" is to great for my children, be it religious education or otherwise. Sorry.
In any event, I have talked to at least one teacher who has given me the comments of a few other teachers. For the most part, I heard that many of the teachers (and aids) would prefer not to have CCD on Sunday morning. It makes them have to rush around and they really cannot get into a relaxed frame of mind for Mass. I also heard that maybe some, not all, would prefer to eliminage snacks, except for special occasions like Christmas parties or end of year celebration.
As for being corrected on my first response (above). Okay, maybe everyone is not used to the schedule. Sorry. I retract that statement. As for my second sentence that it has been that way for the 7 years I have been here, I do not retract that statement, because it has been. I was not saying it "has always been that way". Sorry for the confusion.
Anyway, I just wanted to clarify my earlier responses. Thank you.
In the long run, I think we need to consider the volunteers in this aspect. Find out how the majority feels, and come up with a solution that will be the best. With patience, prayer, and guideance from God, how can we go wrong?
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