The purpose of the Religious
Education Board shall be to develop and define policies,
which govern the operation of the Ascension Religious Education
programs, and to pursue the implementation of said policies.
It shall provide counsel and advice in the operation of
the programs and with the Director of Religious Education,
develop and administer the budgets of the following departments
reporting to the DRE: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Religious
Education for grammar school students not enrolled in Ascension
School, and Sacramental programs for the Ascension School
and Religious Education Department. Click here for a list of the 2008-2009 Board Members.
Catechesis is the responsibility of the whole
community since faith is nurtured through the experience of Christian
life. Catechesis attempts to integrate four areas of Christian
formation: to proclaim the Gospel message; to build up the community;
to lead prayer and worship and to promote peace and justice. The
Religious Education Program of Ascension Parish assists parents
in this work by offering two types of Religious Education opportunities
for children, pre-school through 8th grade. Religious Education
classes are offered for grades 1 - 8. Children meet weekly in
a classroom setting. Using a textbook based religion series, a
volunteer catechist meets with the children to continue the lifelong
process begun by the family. (See below for a description of the
Good Shepherd program).
When one prepares for a jouney there is always a long list of things to collect and pack. Before I left for india I bought books on Indian culture, got the proper inoculations, purchased medical items I knew would be in short supply and even borrowed clothes from someone who had been there many times. By the time we boarded the plane I thought I was prepared. I soon learned there was nothing that could have prepared me for India.
Before you begin your journey I invite you do do some mental preparation. What do you know about Mumbai? What do you want to know? Are you willing to open your heart to the children you will meet?
This is Deinkal Wagedai. She is six years old, born on June 21, 2002. She has no mother. She and her two sisters were found on the railway tracks, left there to fend for themselves. Someone rescued them and brought them to the orphanage. She is just one of the many children in Vasai who need your help. Will you open your heart?
-Christine Ondrla
Ascension also offers the Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd Program for children ages 4-12. The children meet in
multi-age levels: 4-6 year olds, 7-9 year olds, and 9-12 year
olds. This Montessori based approach to religious education takes
place in a setting call an Atrium. This space includes materials
that the children use for learning and reflection. It also provides
a space for prayer.
Paula Tousignant has created a wonderful multimedia stations of the cross including pictures from our church, singing from the Wednesday afternoon Good Shepard class, and the voice of her daughter Lainey reading personal reflections of students about the stations.