Saint Theodore Catholic Church
855 Route 57, P.O. Box 146, Port Murray, New Jersey 07865
908 689 8318 ext. 2
August 04, 2014
Dear Parents of Religious Education Students,
Thank you for registering your child/children in St. Theodore’s religious education program. If you
have not registered yet, please do so by August 30. The forms are available in the Narthex at church.
I have enclosed a copy of the Religious Education Calendar for the year. Please read it carefully. There
is a lot of information squeezed into it. To cut down on costs we try to keep it to one page. Please note
the days the children are to attend 6:30 p.m. Mass it is to be attended as a family. These Masses are
Holy Days of Obligation, please do not drop your children off and leave. They will be sitting with you,
not their class.
Please note on Saturday, September 6th, after 5:30 Mass, grades 1-4 will meet their teachers and
receive their books in the Parish Center. On Sunday, September 7th, after 10:30 Mass grades 5
& 6 will meet their teachers and receive their books in the Parish Center.
On September 8th, 8th grade will meet in the Parish Center at 6:30 p.m. with their parents for a
meeting and on September 22nd the 7th grade will meet in the Parish Center with at 6:30 p.m. with
their parents for a meeting.
All parents and students are to read, in its entirety, the Commitment Letter and sign it when they
receive their materials. Also, if you do not have a handbook, please pick one up from your child’s
teacher when they receive their books. I encourage you to read it. As stated on the enclosed calendar,
classes begin on September 8th, 2014.
Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. So, I would like to take this opportunity to
inform you of our pick-up policy from Religious Education. It is for their safety and our peace of mind
that you come to your child’s table in the All Purpose Room to pick them up, no exceptions. It is a
very hectic time and we need to be sure that every child is arriving home safely after class. I realize,
that it may seem acceptable to stand near the door and wave down to your child that you are there to get
them, it is not. Please walk to the table and gather your child from there. This will help cut down on
the confusion at this very busy time. The teachers can not possibly keep an eye on every child that
maybe running to the door. Please take a moment to introduce yourselves to your child’s teacher so
they can recognize you. Thank you for your cooperation with this serious matter.
As a reminder, the Diocese of Metuchen is no longer allowing parents to wait in the school during class
time. If you would like to wait for them, the Parish Center will be open for you. Also, if your evening
is free you may consider becoming a volunteer. Without volunteers, we cannot have a successful
program. I encourage you to contact the Religious Ed office for more information.
God has given each of us free will to make our own choices, but with choices there are always
consequences. This summer many families have chosen not to attend Mass. The Bible says, “Draw
near to God and He will draw near to you.” Your love of God will be returned hundredfold. The
foundation of our faith is in the Sacrifice to Jesus Christ and the gift of himself in the Holy Eucharist.
The Monday evening classes are to educate your children more about the Catholic faith, but it will have
no meaning without their participation in the Mass.
We look forward to another active and rewarding year with you and your family here at St. Theodore’s
Church.
God bless you,
Rev. Pawel Dolinski, SDS
Pastor
Ginny Moran
Parish Catechetical Leader