Religion
PHILOSOPHY
Catholic education refers to the totality of the Church’s efforts to make disciples, to help all believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in his name, and to educate and instruct them in this life, in order to build up the body of Christ. (CF. CCC 4)
An integral part of Catholic Education is catechesis. “Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people, and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking,in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of the Christian life.” (CCC 5)
The following Guidelines for Religious Education are structured around a center; the mystery of the Blessed Trinity and of Christ as expressed in the 4 Pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
- The Profession of Faith – Creed
- The Celebration of the Christian Mystery – Sacraments
- Life in Christ – Commandments and the Moral Life
- Christian Prayer – Prayer
These guidelines are intended to assist catechists in fulfilling the mission of the Church to educate her children in the fullness of the Catholic Faith: to believe what the Creed teaches; to participate in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church; to live a life of love for God and neighbor; and to pray to the Father through Jesus, His Son, in the Holy Spirit.
Diocese of Arlington Office of Catholic Schools