Grade 7 Religion Curriculum

This year students begin to prepare for the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation which is received when a student is in eighth grade. At St. Rose School, we prepare students in tandem with students in the Parish community. Our Religious Education Office communicates and works closely with us to create a very meaningful and inspirational experience for all candidates. Parents are asked to contact Confirmation Coordinator, Janice Gerry, for any pertinent information concerning Parish events that students are asked to attend. The Religion Education Office Spiritual Director, Mrs. Pam Arsenault, will be visiting the students in the classroom to discuss further student spiritual development, personal reflection, and preparation. Please make sure you read the weekly school newsletter and information sent home with your child from me for dates and times for the annual Grade 7 Retreat, the All Saint’s Celebration Mass, an afternoon with Rob Surrette and an evening with Detective Stephen McDonald, NYPD.

Community service hours are an important part of fulfilling some of the Confirmation preparation requirements. Although a minimum total of 10 hours is asked of each student, students are reminded that serving others with joy is a life-long, on-going commitment to live as Jesus did. Every student is encouraged to consider their own talents and gifts and to use them to serve one another.

The Religion book series we use in Grade 7 is Blest Are We, a useful resource tool that assists students with the discussion of Christian Scripture. Students will be asked to have a Bible at home so that they may read assigned chapters from the Bible to interpret, discuss and reflect upon for homework. Since the curriculum is a focus on Christian scripture, the readings will encompass the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and the letters to various early Christian communities (Corinthians, Romans and the Ephesians). All students are to maintain a journal in class, are to have a notebook and blue or black pens. Although Bibles will be provided in class, if a student has their own personal Bible, he or she is welcome to bring it to class on a daily basis.

If you have any questions or concerns about the materials that is being presented or about the Confirmation requirements, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail or by telephone.