The Religion curriculum is developed by the Diocese of Harrisburg. We are committed to share the mission of the Catholic Church to pass on the Gospel values to our students. Each day begins and ends with prayer in the classroom. As a school community we gather weekly for Mass, meet at the Advent wreath for a prayer service, meditate on the Stations of the Cross during Lent, say the rosary during October and May, and celebrate Mary with a special May procession and crowning. Students reach out to others in the Church, community and world by contributing to the O.M.P.H. food bank, a Woman’s Concern in Lancaster, the Holy Childhood Association, and Sister Sponsa’s mission in Liberia. The students are faithful to the teachings of Jesus and building the community of God.
Kindergarten
God Made Me Special
In Kindergarten the children are made aware of how special they are. They learn about creation and the world around them. Feelings and senses are part of our Religion lessons. Advent and Lent have meaningful activities to practice. Learning about saints and daily prayer are all part of our Prayer Corner time together.
Grade 1
God Loves Us
In first grade the children learn the Bible is God’s word, and it teaches us the truths about God and how we are to live. God made us to know, love, and serve Him and be with Him in heaven. The students learn they become members of the Church through Baptism. They experience God as a loving Father who is forgiving. He also gives us many gifts to use and share with others as Jesus shares Himself with us in the Eucharist. *
Grade 2
We Receive the Sacraments
Second grade is filled with excitement as the students prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. They realize Jesus forgives them through the priest in Reconciliation. The grace received is a gift from God that helps them to be holy. They learn that Jesus comes to them in a special way in Holy Communion and strengthens them to follow Him and serve others.
Grade 3
We Are the Church
In third grade the students learn the Mass is our greatest prayer. The children discover they belong to a community of faith, the Church. The Church throughout the world is made up of many dioceses. Dioceses are made up of many parishes. They learn about the people who lead our Church: the pope, bishops, priests, religious, and lay people. They learn about the Israelites and the coming of Jesus through the Old and New Testament. They come to know Jesus better by studying Scripture.
Grade 4
God's Law Guides Us
In fourth grade the Commandments are taught as God’s Laws of Love for us. The students are introduced to the Beatitudes as Jesus’ way to find true happiness. The students also study the lives of the Saints and learn how their faith helped them to lead holy lives. The children learn the many ways God reveals Himself to us through creation, Sacred Scripture and most perfectly through Jesus.
Grade 5
We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments
In fifth grade the students learn that Jesus instituted and entrusted to the Church all the sacraments. They learn about the effects of the sacraments as they study each one in depth. They learn that faith, hope, and charity are theological virtues given to them by God at Baptism to help them throughout their entire lives. The words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper are a model of the Christian understanding of community and service.*
Grade 6
We Are God's People
While studying the Bible the sixth grade discovers how much of our faith is developed from the Old Testament. The students identify persons in the Old Testament who are examples of leadership and service. They also learn how much of the New Testament is prefigured in the Old Testament. They discover that the Old Testament experiences of faithfulness, sin, conversion, and reconciliation reflect the Christian moral life today. They study how God revealed Himself to the people of the Old Testament and how He reveals Himself to us today.
Grade 7
Faith and Witness
In grade seven the emphasis is placed on the Good News of Jesus Christ by studying the New Testament. They learn that the mystery of the Blessed Trinity is the central mystery of our faith. The students study the parts of the Mass so they can participate more fully. Students live their faith as witnesses to Jesus Christ through various service projects to their school, Church, and community. They also begin to prepare for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Grade 8
Receive the Holy Spirit
The primary focus of eighth grade is preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students gain an understanding of the Gifts of the Spirit and examine the Fruits of the Spirit which they will share with others as they bear witness to the faith as confirmed Catholics. Students look to the lives of the saints as role models who inspire them on their faith journey. Our parish preparation will involve a commitment of service to our families, our church, and our community. The students study Church history and trace Christ’s redeeming love through the ages and examine the Church’s witness to Jesus. Through their study the students will be prepared to personally respond to Christ’s love for them.