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The Religious Education Program at St. Mary’s
Orthodox Church of Dormition
In this report we consider the current status of the
educational activities at the parish. This is not a novelty in our
church as Father Germanos El Hage has, for the last thirty years, put
religious education at the top of his congregational work priorities.
All these years he has been assisted by a large group of dynamic young
people. Our religious
education program is an invitation for the young to join the
congregational path of the church. The mission of
religious instruction at Saint Mary’s Church is to: · Help children and youth to know about God and hear His Words.
·
Help children and youth to know about their religion and
the Orthodox Tradition
·
Introduce children and youth to the life of the church
·
Develop and build a sense of belonging to a real Christian
community.
·
Get together with others to teach and learn with love
·
Teach and live Christian values ( The above mission
statement was developed by the religious education teachers.)
- About
fifteen young men and women from the congregation’s members are in
charge of teaching the different subjects of catechism to about one
hundred and twenty children and teenagers whose ages range between five
to eighteen years of age.
- Classes
meet every Friday afternoon in five groups divided according to the
different ages and are distributed as follows:
5 to
7 years,
8 to 9 years,
10 to 12 years,
13 to 15 years, and 16 to 18 years.
-Teachers
meet regularly with the parish priests to discuss educational and
theological subjects, evaluate the work and decide upon seasonal
activities. -Throughout the year,
several events are organized for the children’s parents. -Sports and
educational fun activities are organized for the children on a regular
basis. -Activities where the
students learn about sharing with those who are less fortunate are
organized yearly -At the beginning of
each academic year, the teachers participate in a week of training and
planning for the coming academic year.
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