The mission of the C.C.D. Program of St. Mary of the Lake is to assist parents in the religious, moral, and spiritual formation of their children so that they come to know Christ intimately and serve His Church with courage. From the wisdom of Church Teaching, we fully understand that parents are the primary (most important) educators of their children, forming them by word and example. This includes attending Mass weekly together as a family with frequent Confession, as well as praying regularly with their children. Research shows that it is the active religious faith life of the family that is of the utmost importance in helping a child to develop a lasting faith. No C.C.D. program can ever replace that.
There are four keys that strongly impact faith development in the family:
These keys are essential and what takes place in the C.C.D. Program is designed to enhance that. This is why your family support, involvement and cooperation are essential to the religious formation of your children.
Mass attendance as a family and a genuine interest in your child’s progress serve as great sources of support and encouragement. The Church teaches that missing Mass on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation is a mortal sin; consequently our students are taught in the classroom that this is a mortal sin. They are taught that the Eucharist is central to our faith life, that we are spiritually strengthened by it, and that we need it to grow more strongly connected to Christ. It is very damaging to children when they are told they are breaking their relationship with God by not attending Mass and then their parents do not regularly bring them to Mass. This is called counter-witnessing or de-catechizing. It confuses children and they do not know what to believe. Children who learn about prayer must have the opportunity to pray with their family and study the Scriptures together at home to savor the sweetness.
It is also important that parents share their own faith, assisting the child in learning required prayers, and discussing class sessions to help to deepen the child’s religious education experience and strengthen the Church/family relationship. Our parish catechists support parents and students by providing quality religious education in a nurturing, faith-filled environment. Parents assist this program by understanding and following the C.C.D. Program policies. Through the cooperative effort of parents, catechists, and students, our children will grow in their love for God and knowledge of their Catholic faith, develop their God-given gifts and talents, and live as contributing, respectable young people through their commitment to service as Catholic Christians in a world increasingly in need of God.