St. Brigid School of Religious Education
K-8 and Special Sacramental Prep Curriculums Overview
Kindergarten
The goals of the kindergarten program are to help young children discover their membership in a larger family, the Church. They are introduced to the stories of our tradition in the Bible, the family of the saints and basic prayers. Families are asked to read with their children at home to help reinforce the concepts presented in class.
First Grade
The goals of the first grade curriculum are to introduce students to a structured study of their faith. The concentration is on 1) helping them to begin to understand their creation by a loving God; 2) helping them to learn formal prayers of the church and to live a life of prayer; 3) helping them to understand their membership in the church.
Second Grade
The goals of the second grade curriculum focus on:
1) The life and person of Jesus;
2) How the church celebrates the sacraments in its liturgy;
3) How prayer and the sacraments can draw us closer to God.
The children also prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance: The Rites of Reconciliation and First Communion for the first time. In addition to their text, children study from a supplemental book at home with their families.
Third Grade
The third grade curriculum concentrates on what it means to belong to the Catholic Church as a global community of believers. Themes taught in first and second grades are repeated in greater depth, as the students are growing in their understanding. They specifically explore:
1) How the church functions;
2) What the church believes in the Profession of Faith: The Creed;
3) How the church depends upon Scripture.
4) They will be able to pray the Rosary independently.
Fourth Grade
The focus of the fourth grade curriculum is the foundation for morality in the Beatitudes and the Commandments. Students will:
1) Learn how our moral tradition is rooted in the Old and New Testaments;
2) Learn what the church teaches about how we should live our lives;
3) Explore ways that they can “do good and avoid evil” in their everyday lives.
Fifth Grade
The fifth grade curriculum concentrates on the sacraments and the liturgy of the Church. In addition, they will explore the Scriptures further. Students will:
1) Learn about each of the sacraments in more depth;
2) Have a working familiarity with the liturgy and the liturgical year;
3) Explore the life and message of St. Paul.
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade is a required prerequisite to the Confirmation preparation which begins in 7th grade. The sixth grade curriculum focuses on the Old Testament. Students will:
1) Develop a working knowledge of the major themes of the Old Testament in salvation history;
2) Explore more about Judaism and the world of the Scriptures;
3) Be able to describe the links between the Old Testament and the Christian tradition;
4) Become familiar with the Psalms.
Sacramental Prep (Reconciliation & Holy Communion) - One Thursday evening/month
Children in grades 4 through 7 who have not received these sacraments will attend their regular grade-level class, but they must also attend one additional class each month to prepare to receive these sacraments in the spring. (Schedule TBD)
Baptismal Prep for School-age Children - Two Thursday evenings/month
School-age children who are not baptized, just like adults, are entitled to fully experience the rites of Christian Initiation. These children will not attend the Sunday classes, but will meet twice a month on Thursday evenings, and in the spring will receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the same time. They will also participate in other rites (rituals) throughout the year. In the following year, they will be expected to register for their regular grade level SRE class. (Schedule TBD)
Seventh Grade (high school option also available)
Confirmation Y1
The seventh grade curriculum focuses on Christian morality, Jesus and discipleship. At the he beginning of the year the students will study a survey of the life of Jesus as it is told to us in the Gospels, and also will pose the challenge of discipleship. The second half of the year lays the foundation for a discussion about living a moral life and gives the students information about the Church’s guidance in moral decision-making. The children also begin the formal preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Eighth Grade (high school option also available)
Confirmation Y2
The eighth grade focus is the study of the Creed, The Acts of the Apostles, life in the church, a review of Catholic teaching and immediate preparation for Confirmation. The review of the Creed, what the church believes, provides a foundation to profess that belief in the Sacrament of Confirmation. The second half of the year focuses on the ways that the Christian life is lived out by those who are fully initiated Christians, through ministries of service.
Sacramental Prep
In the Archdiocese of Chicago, preparation for a child’s reception of Confirmation is a two-year process. It requires enrollment in a religious education program (or Catholic school) for the school year prior to the year that the sacrament will be received. At St. Brigid, children normally receive Confirmation in eighth grade.
This is a more intensive class (additional sessions/assignments) in order to meet the two year requirement for Confirmation in a condensed timeframe. If they have missed Reconciliation or Holy Communion, that (or they) will also be included.
The children are guided into a relationship with Jesus by developing a basic understanding of His Church and teachings, and they will cover the sacraments, traditional prayers, the Saints, Holy Days and the Bible.
The schedule of sessions for this cohort will be finalized after the ages and needs of these students are known.
In general for the 2023-24 School year, parents and/or students are expected to attend all sessions associated with the sacrament grade, such as the parent meetings and special events. Confirmation candidates will also need to complete an agreed-upon number of service activities.