Director: Mr. Miguel Balboa                                                                           Secretary: Mrs. Becky Aguayo

Telephone No: 650-873-5356

PROFILE OF THE PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

All Souls Parish offers a Sacramental Preparation Program

• This program prepares children to receive the Sacraments of:
•         - First Reconciliation
•         - First Holy Eucharist
•         - Confirmation
• This Program is for those preparing to receive the Sacrament of First reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist.  It is a two years long program. Each year usually begins in the month of September and ends in the month of May. It varies a little every year. However, it is designed more or less to fit in with the general School or academic schedules.

Ages 3 to 5: This program offers Preschool Religious Education classes on Sunday afternoon at 12 noon in Spanish, from the month of September through May to all Baptized children living in our parish.

1st Grade through 5th: The Religious Education office admits Baptized Catholic children belonging to this group to the program of preparing for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist. This is a two year program. It is a universal administrative sacramental practice across the United States of America to administer the sacrament of the First Holy Communion to children once they have reached an age of being able to distinguish between right from wrong; once they have an understanding and of knowing good from bad.

The Conference of the Catholic Bishops of the United States of America issued as a general norm for all the dioceses across the nation to administer the sacrament of First Reconciliation prior to the administration of the sacrament of the First Holy Communion. The Conference of the Catholic Bishops of the United States of America, has directed as a general practice to determine this age to be roughly when the children are in the second grade.

WHEN TO REGISTER INTO THE PROGRAM

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAM:

• Those enrolled in our All Souls Catholic School, have the First Holy Communion preparation spread over two years beginning from Grade One and ending when the child is in his/her Second Grade.
• Children attending Public Schools or Home Schooling or other private schools: The earliest they could be registered in the First Holy Communion program is when they enter their first grade in their schools.

This is a journey of faith journey where the Church invites the parents and their child to embark upon for the next two years. It is also a grace filled preparation for the family to share their faith with their child and watch the miracle of God coming in and through Jesus to dwell in our hearts.

• The Sacrament of Reconciliation: In the second year of preparation they learn and understand the reality of sin.  They share their understanding of taking responsibility for their actions. They become aware that our human actions are thoughts (what we think), words (what we say) and deeds (what we do). They grow up knowing that:
• there are good and bad actions and that these actions have their consequences and
•      the choices we make are at times good, and at other times bad
•      the good we choose to do, brings  positive results and
•      the good we fail to do and the bad we choose to do, bring pain, hurt and suffering and bad results.
•      the good actions are virtues and bad actions are sins.
• They learn that our God, is our loving Father. That Jesus is our God of Hope and Forgiveness.  That having realized that we have wronged someone, and be sorry for the bad we have done,
•      we can ask God for forgiveness and be forgiven
•      we can make amends and promise not to do it again.
•      we can make peace with God and others whom we have hurt.

It is a time of renewal for the parish community to embrace these children when they are enrolled in the Parish Sacramental preparation.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM:

7th Grade through 12th: Those Young men and women belonging to this group, who have been Baptized, who have received the sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist, are admitted into the program preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Confirmation Program consists of a two and a half years long preparation.

• The first year begins in the month of September and ends in the month of May of the following year.
• The Second year begins in the month of September, takes a summer break from June to August, and resumes in September and ends in the early part of November.

Depending upon the calendars and the availability of the confirming Bishops, the Sacrament of Confirmation is administered in the earlier part of November each year in All Souls Parish.

Regular Classes for those preparing to receive the Sacrament of:

        - First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are conducted on

•             - Mondays from 4pm to 5:30pm
•             - Saturdays from 9am to 10:30am.

        - Confirmation program classes meet on Mondays from 7pm to 8:30pm.

The Office of the Religious Education Program is located in the Upper Yard of the Parish Grounds right next to the All Souls School’s entrance.

The Office Hours are as follows:

•     - Mondays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm
•     - Mondays from 6:30pm to 9:00pm
•     - Saturdays from 8:30am to 11am.

    - The office is closed on all State and Federal holidays and in the summer months of July and August, unless announced otherwise in the Parish bulletin. Please check the Parish Bulletin for additional information.

    - All Souls Parish weekend Bulletin is one of the ways in which general information with regard to registrations into the Program to all parishioners is communicated.

    - Parents are expected to be living within the boundaries of our Parish of All Souls, registered in All Souls Parish and worshipping regularly at All Souls Church in South San Francisco.

    - Parents must call the All Souls’ Religious Education Office at 650-873-5356 for information and requirements in order to complete the process of registration for their child or children in this program.

The Religious Education Program usually conducts “Open Enrollments” and registrations in the months of May and June to admit children into the upcoming new school year, which begins in the last week of August each year. Parish weekend Bulletin publishes this information in the months of May and June.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT

In order to enroll a child into the program for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist: one is required to bring along

• A Baptism Certificate
• A proof of address (one of the following)
•     - California Driver’s license
•     - Phone or Gas/Utility Bill
•     - Bank Statement
• A proof of being registered in the Parish of all Souls (a Parish Sunday envelope)
• Tuition Fees (Please call and check with the Office of the Religious Education for specific information on the Tuition fees), due every year
• Sacramental fee, is due once the student has been approved to receive his or her sacrament.

In order to enroll into the program for the Sacrament of Confirmation:

• one is required to bring all of the above and the certificate of the First Holy Eucharist (First Holy Communion).

SPONSORS

• The Rite of the Sacrament of Confirmation presents the need of a sponsor for the confirmed. Sometimes parents choose sponsors for their child’s First Holy Communion. The sponsors so chosen are required to be practicing Catholics. Either single or married in the canonical sense of the word. Anyone living with another person or in a civil marriage, and therefore without the benefit of the Sacrament of Matrimony is not qualified to be a sponsor.
• The Church expects that the parents and the sponsors attend a seminar especially designed for the sponsors during the course of the preparation. These sessions invite the sponsors and parents to prepare for this sacramental encounter and celebration with their child, so that from this point on this journey becomes a consistent validation of who we are as Catholics

    - how we live out our Faith and practise and transmit our beliefs

    - and how we grow and support others in commitment to the faith.

Catholic Parents who have School going age Non-Baptized Children:

• Parents requesting the sacrament of Baptism for their school-aged or Kindergarten children are asked to call the Pastor at 650-871-8944, for an initial interview.
• Baptism for these children: after the initial interview with the Pastor, the child is enrolled into a special program. 
• It is required that the parents register in the Parish and regularly attend the weekend Masses with their family and worship at All Souls Parish.
• The program requires that the child attends classes regularly and shows the required knowledge of the sacrament expected in the program.
• Then the child is recommended for the reception of the sacrament of Baptism. Usually this sacrament is celebrated at the Easter Vigil Service.
• It then becomes a source of joy for the whole worshipping community to celebrate with your child and with you, this beautiful reception into the greater family of God.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• If you are a baptized Catholic and an adult, but have not made your First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation and would like to do so, you may call the Pastor at 650-871-8944 for an initial interview.
• If you are adult and has been baptized in other Christian traditions and would seek to know more about Catholic faith, you may call on the Pastor at the number given above.
• If you have never been baptized and would wish to know what Catholic faith is all about, please do not hesitate calling on the pastor for an interview.
• Our Parish has a R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and a R.I.C.A. (Rito de la iniciacion catolica para los adultos).  These programs are geared to attend to the needs mentioned above.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL POLICIES

Supervision is provided only 10 minutes before and after the classes. The care and safety of our children is very important. From that standpoint, we invite the parents of the enrolled children into the program to partner with us towards that goal. Children should not arrive earlier than 10 minutes before scheduled classes. At the end of the classes your child should not have to wait more than 10 minutes after being dismissed.

The Religious Education classes begin with a general Common Prayer Assembly in the upper grounds infront of the All Souls School. The Prayer begins on time.  Following the Prayer the participating children and their parents are addressed should there be any need for an important announcement or upcoming events. Once the children are led to their classrooms, the outside doors of the school building are closed and secured. The safety and wellbeing of our children is always our primary goal once they are under our supervision. We urge parents to extend their help and offer to help us out in this endeavor.

TARDINESS

In view of safety of our children and keeping them out of harm’s way, once the classes for the Religious Education program are in session, we close and secure the doors and all access to the building. Late arrivals must obtain an entry pass from the office of the Religious Education before being admitted to the classroom. Please check the following policies in the handbook of the program.

• EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICY
• EVACUATION GUIDELINES
• EARTHQUAKE, FIRE, OTHER DISASTER DRILLS

TESTING AND EVALUATION

Children registered into the program will have a periodic evaluation and a report card issued as a manifestation of the performance of each child enrolled into the program.

• They are evaluated on the following parameters: weekend attendance at Mass, arrival on time/Tardiness, Absence from class or truancy, knowledge and ability to recite the stipulated prayers in the curriculum, Participation in the Class activities, evaluations, attitude, behavior and responsibility.
• Parents please sign and return the Report slips to the office of the Religious Education promptly.
• If you wish to make an appointment with the teacher, please mark the box on the Report Slip before returning it and the teacher will call you back, and make arrangements for you to come by the Religious Education office.

A good working Telephone number

• It is very important that the Religious Education Office maintain your most current telephone number. 
• A good Cellular telephone number is considered as the most efficient way to communicate with the parents should any emergency need arise. 
• Please let us know if your telephone number has changed and if so, please provide the Religious Education Office with your new good effective telephone number for our records.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Goals:

• The On-going conversion to Christ
• Full participation and communion in the life of the Catholic Church.

Parents Role:

Parents are the primary educators of our children. Our office support staff and volunteer teachers are eager to work with parents to

• help and foster our faith,
• learn and grow in that faith,
• cooperate and join with us in this partnership,
• Celebrate Sunday Mass: regularly with our children.

      The Mass schedule is:

        - Saturday: 5:15pm; and 6:30pm;

        - Sunday: 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am 12 Noon and 5:15pm.

• Participate actively in the sacramental and communal life of All Souls Parish.
• Share your faith and recount your personal faith filled stories with your children, letting them know what faith means to you personally.
• Attend all parents’ meeting.
• Accompany your children to all class sessions and scheduled events on time (know their schedules, classrooms and teachers
• Keep up with the communication from the office of Religious Education and respond promptly. Sign and turn in the Report slip.
• Make sure that the Religious Education Office has the most current and valid Telephone number. This effort can make a big difference should there be any need or emergency situations.
• Volunteer.

Child’s Role:

Children are expected to: 

• Respect their teachers and classmates.
• Respect all property: of the School, the Parish, and anything that belongs to themselves or others.
• Participate actively in the activities of the program, to listen and follow directions.
• Complete all assignments given to them in the program.
• Bring home and show their parents monthly Calendars and other communication or correspondence from the Religious Education office.
• Abide by the 'No cellular phone nor cellular technology use during the class hours' policy.  They may carry a cellular phone (for emergency purposes only), but it must be turned off during class sessions.
• Volunteer to help out in some little way.
• Follow attendance, emergency and safety procedures.
• Share what you have discovered and learned in your class with your families.
• Bring to class the weekly Parish Bulletin signed by the Priest or other authorized minister, as a proof of having participated in the weekend (Sunday) Mass.

VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM

All Souls Religious Education Program is a volunteer program. The only salaried personnel in the program are the Religious Education Director and the Office Secretary.

We urge parents to volunteer when you are able, in order to make a better community of learning and a conducive atmosphere for our children. Here are some vacant positions:

Parent Volunteer Opportunities:

• Yard Duty: Mondays: 3:45pm to 5:45pm
• Yard Duty: Mondays: 6:45pm to 9:00pm
• Yard Duty: Saturdays: 8:45am to 10:45am
• Parent Committee
• Parish Festival: Booth chairpersons or booth workers: 2nd weekend of October.
• Office Help: Mondays: 3:30pm to 5:30pm
• Office Help: Mondays: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
• Office Help: Saturdays: 8:30am to 11:00am
• Teachers: First Holy Eucharist or Confirmation.
• Teachers’ Aides
• Volunteer coordinators
• School Hall way monitors: Mondays and Saturdays.

We would very much appreciate your generosity and kindness. Your willingness to serve and come aboard can make a big difference.

If order to volunteer on any of the above mentioned days, please call the Religious Education office at 650-873-5356 and speak with the Director or the Secretary.

WORSHIPING AT ALL SOULS CHURCH ON WEEKENDS

Parents should be registered in the Parish of All Souls and worshiping regularly with the child or children registered into the Religious Education Program in the Parish of All Souls.

The Children registered in the program as a class, take the initiative and responsibility once a month to share different parts of the Sunday Mass. They are expected to

1. participate as lectors or Proclaimers of the Word of God,
2. join in the Offertory procession with the gifts at Mass and
3. serve as Greeters to welcome the General Parish Family to gather to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and for worship and Praise of our God.

- We believe that with regular practice, children in the Religious Education program gain confidence and feel comfortable at the celebration of the Eucharist, and learn the prayers at Mass.

- The stories of Jesus and His miracles, His compassion to the poor, the sick, the underprivileged, the lost and the forgotten, not only impress them but also evoke a sense of awe and wonder in them.

- They learn to pray primarily from their parents when they watch them worship together. They also learn from the larger community of faith how to pray for one another.

- They appreciate the value and richness of Prayer: to be in communion with God, our Father.

These early years of their formation when introduced with God’s Holiness,

- Infuse in them a reverence for God,

- Direct them to honor their parents and respect others and

- Realize that we are all members of One Big Family of God: The Body of Christ, His Church.

It is amazing to see how they learn and grow to be comfortable in the Church, to join in the singing, in praise and worship with the community and at the same time to venture on their own and know that Jesus who cares and loves them, invites them in God’s Holy Presence.

We believe, this is something if done consistently and wholeheartedly, will never be lost on our children. It is our earnest and sincere hope that the children and young men and women will remember something if not everything, which will guide them back on their own to seek and develop their own relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.