Religious Education Program
Grades 7 and 8
Family Handbook
Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Goode
Pastor
KellyAnn Routhier
Director of Religious Education
Religious Education Office: 908-876-4003
Weekdays, Labor Day-Memorial Day
9AM – 3PM
Summer Hours, Weekdays, 9AM-1PM
Email: dreolm@comcast.net
MONDAYS, OCTOBER – APRIL
EMERGENCIES ONLY:
908-876-5024
WELCOME!
On behalf of Fr. Joe, I would like to welcome you
to the Religious Education Program at Our Lady
of the Mountain.
If you are new to our Program, we welcome you.
Please always feel free to contact us with any
questions or concerns that you may have.
If you are coming back to us this year, we would
like to welcome you back!
We look forward to a wonderful year with your
children!
KellyAnn Routhier
Director of Religious Education
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – GRADES 7 AND 8
Grades 7and 8 meet separately on alternating Monday evenings from 6:00-7:15PM.
Classes are taught by volunteer Catechists who are assisted by classroom aides.
The Teen Mass will take place on the First Sunday of the month at the 12:15PM Mass.
In addition to the Monday evening classes, students in grades 7&8 are expected
to attend all Teen Masses. The Teen Mass will be marked as a class. Students will
sign in as they leave the Church through the Gathering Room (after Mass).
On Monday evenings, students should be dropped off and picked up at the doors
located to the left of the Church entrance on Schooley’s Mountain Road at or before
6:00PM.
All students are expected to arrive on time. No student will be dismissed early without a
note from a parent which is to be given directly to the Catechist. Parents are expected
to come to the Office in the lower level of the Parish Center to pick up their children.
For safety reasons, no child will be allowed to leave early without a note from a parent
or without a parent coming to the Office.
Absences: There are approximately twenty sessions scheduled for the year. Students
are expected to attend all sessions, including the Teen Masses; only three absences
will be permitted (including Teen Masses). All missed lessons must be obtained from
their Catechist. Students who exceed the three absences will be asked to see the
Director of Religious Education by May 31st before they may be registered for the next
grade level.
Curriculum: The curriculum is adapted to fit a two-year format, using the two courses
per year of the Discovering Program. For more information on this program, please visit
www.smp.org or contact the Director of Religious Education.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS AND STUDENTS
Parents are the first teachers in faith. Therefore they are expected to:
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ensure that their children attend classes on a regular basis;
discuss lessons at home and ensure that assignments are completed;
help with the study of prayers and participate in family prayer daily; and
ensure that their children attend Mass weekly.
Students are expected to:
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attend all classes on their designated Monday evening, as well as all Teen
Masses;
follow classroom regulations;
be respectful of Catechists, Aides and other students; and
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complete assignments in a timely manner.
Classroom misbehavior will not be tolerated. Students will be given two warnings; if the
behavior does not improve, the student will be sent to the Religious Education Office
and the parent will be contacted. Additionally, cell phones are not permitted in class. If
a student is possession of a cell phone, it must be turned off. If a student is caught
texting, a warning will be issued and the phone confiscated until the end of class; if the
behavior does not improve, the student will be sent to the Religious Education Office
and the parent will be contacted. If a parent needs to reach their children during class
time, they may call the Religious Education Office at 908-876-5024.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: CLASS CANCELLATIONS
Please do not call the Parish Office. Notice of class cancellations will be sent in one
or more of the following ways:
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via automated phone system;
via email;
on our website’s homepage, www.ourladyofthemountain.org, via the scrolling
message.
Parents should feel free to contact the Director of Religious Education with any
questions or concerns at dreolm@comcast.net or 908-876-4003 during regular business
hours.