Image of God
Parish Religious Education Program
PREP

Adults - RCIA - Catechesis - Catechists
Youth - Children - CCD - Sacrament Prep
CCD Calendar - VBS - Home School
Full PREP Calendar - PREP Handbook - CROWN  
Home - Contact DRE

The parish religious education program (PREP) of
 St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Imago Dei, by the grace of
 the Holy Spirit, strives to bring members of the parish into a deep,
personal, lifelong communion with Christ and His Church, and to
foster in them a missionary zeal for souls so that they are equipped
to serve the coming of God’s reign. "The definitive aim of catechesis
is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and
intimacy with Jesus Christ" (Catechesi Tradendae). At SJV, we recognize
 that because the spiritual life is a journey, it cannot be programmed.
We offer structure to guide the process and help each person glean
the most from his personal pilgrimage, but also reverence the
organic movement of the Holy Spirit within him.

Adult Formation
We support adults in their own continuing search to know, love, and serve God in others, and support parents in their duty as the primary educators of their children. "Catechesis for adults, since it deals with persons who are capable of an adherence that is fully responsible, must be considered the chief form of catechesis. All the other forms, which are indeed always necessary, are in some way oriented to it" (General Catechetical Directory, 20). "Family catechesis precedes…accompanies, and enriches all forms of catechesis" (CT, 68).  

CAFE
Catholic Adult Formation & Education
There is no more glorious, sweaty an enterprise than growing in the Christian faith. It will ultimately require our very last breath. In SJV’s PREP, we foster this formation in adults by offering comprehensive formation opportunities that deepen personal spirituality, some on a weekly, and others on an annual, rotating basis. Our approach is nine-fold:

• Faith & Human Development – Learning something of the universal stages of faith and human development helps us understand how real-life issues and spiritual growth are one and the same. We begin to see our own and others’ experiences in the context of a pilgrimage of faith.
• Church – We study the Church, her history, theology, and Mary and the Saints.
• Liturgy – We explore our liturgical practices, worship, the Eucharist, and Latin studies.
• Morality – We examine the Commandments, Beatitudes, contemporary moral and social issues, NFP, discernment of spiritual gifts.
• Prayer – We probe Christian spirituality, personal and communal prayer, weekly Holy Hour between the Masses. Sacraments – We study the Catholic understanding of Sacraments, sacramental symbols and their significance.
• Scripture – We participate in Scripture studies, and learn the importance of Lectio Divina.
• Theology – We explore the mystery of the Trinity and the Church’s fundamental beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and Jesus as the model of the Christian life.
• Anthropology – We learn about grace and sin, creation of the universe and humanity in the image of God, death and suffering, judgment and predestination.

Weekly classes are held year-round in the school building between the Masses. Just show up! Watch the bulletin for information on upcoming seasonal classes.

Current Adult Education Opportunities

Fall CAFE Study, Church History
Recover the long neglected truth of the centrality of the
Catholic Church in the development of the university,
science, law, economics, architecture, the arts, and
human rights and freedom -- all of what we now call
"western civilization" -- in our fall study, Church History.
Sundays at 9:15 in the 8th grade classroom beginning
September 14^th. Refreshments and childcare
 always provided.

 

CROWN
Catholic Religion on Wednesday Nights
Beginning September 10th, 2008
Mass 6:00 pm in the chapel, teaching at 7:00 pm
in the school for adults and children,
Communio for youth, and RCIA. 

 

 

RCIA
 Welcome to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In RCIA we explore the beautiful Tradition of the Catholic Church—her sacraments, her liturgy, her liturgical year, her teachings, her prayer, her community. Each group varies in personality, but is typically made up of Catholics and non-Catholics who are looking for a way to better understand the rudiments of the Catholic Faith, to begin the process of becoming a Roman Catholic, and/or to prepare to receive the sacraments. Beginning September 10th, 2008 RCIA meets every Wednesday night at 7:00 pm in the school library through the Easter season. To nurture intimacy in the RCIA group, we ask that you join before October 31. The traditional and most beautifully inspiring time to join us in full communion is at the liturgy of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday thru Holy Saturday). This practice is centuries old, reaching back to the early Christian church; there is something mystical about sharing in this tradition.

To embrace the Catholic faith is to convert one’s whole life to the work of Christ through His Church. RCIA seeks to assist the Spirit’s turning the whole person, both Catholic and non-Catholic, to God in Christ and proclaimed by the Church. In one way, this is an ongoing process for all Catholics, but for those making their first tentative steps into the Catholic faith, RCIA assists in the discernment and ritualization of the stages of conversion, and leads to sacramental initiation. To join the next RCIA class before the October 31 cutoff, fill out a registration form and choose the RCIA track. Return your form with payment to the collection basket, or the parish or religious education office. For more information contact the Director of Religious Education
or the RCIA coordinator, Shirley Lafferty 428.4385.

 

Catechists
Our teachers have beautiful feet! They share in the calling and passion, the pressures, challenges and joys of “echoing” their faith. For these reasons the Scriptures praise them: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" (Romans 10:15). At SJV we recruit, form, and retain catechists who are faithful, practicing Catholics in full communion with the teachings of the Catholic Church. "...and He went up into the hills, and called to Him those whom he desired; and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach. . . " (Mk 3:13-15).  We encourage ongoing personal formation through the Catechetical Formation Program sponsored by the Nashville Diocese and Aquinas College, PREP for adult formation, annual retreats, certificates of recognition and certification, and public recognition for completing each stage of the diocesan Catechist Formation Curriculum. We are always looking for catechists! To volunteer as a teacher, contact the Director of Religious Education and schedule an interview. Upon expressing interest in catechesis, your placement possibilities will be assessed and you will be provided with a more detailed explanation of the responsibilities and expectations of this rewarding vocation.

                                                                                                                               
Youth
High school students, beginning September 10^th, meet for Communio Wednesday nights after Mass
in the 8^th grade school room at 7:00 pm. Hang out with friends, make new ones, and foster your relationship with Christ in His Church through weekly formation meetings, sports events, concerts, movie nights, hiking trips, lock-ins, laser tag, ski trip, mission trip, volunteering at the animal shelter, work camp, ultimate Frisbee, and more!

Communio—a term called the key to the ecclesiology of Vatican II by Pope Benedict the XVI—refers to the Trinitarian communion that graciously wills to draw all of creation into its loving embrace through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and a return to the sources of authentic Tradition. It is this model our high school youth group seeks to imitate—one of truth, authenticity, Tradition, and communion—and so it is named Communio.

To register for Communio, fill out a registration form and choose the Youth track. Return your form with payment to the collection basket, or the parish or religious education office.
For more information, contact the Director of Religious Education
or the Youth Coordinators, David or Amanda Tennessen 230.0802.

2008-2009 Communio Schedule

 

Children          
How can there be too many children? That's like saying there are too many flowers.
    -- Blessed  Mother Teresa                         

Visit our KidZone website!              

Using the Faith & Life curriculum, we provide Christ-centered catechesis for children Pre-school through High School that prepares them for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and for a lifetime of devotion to Christ and His Church. "Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ " (Jn. 17:3).

CCD
We offer a nursery for preschool children to age 3; and CCD for grades Pre-K – 8, youth catechesis and ministry, and sacrament preparation. Children’s PREP sessions include a visit to the chapel each semester for prayer, Adoration, and Confession, and are led by catechists who offer their time and talent to us as stewards of faith. Their sacrifice each week is priceless! CCD Open House/Registration cycle 2008 -2009 is August 3rd & 10th in the school lobby. To register your child for CCD after Open House, fill out a registration form and choose the CCD track. Return your form with payment to the collection basket, or the parish or religious education office. For more information contact the Director of Religious Education.
 

Vacation Bible School
"Choose this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15).
This summer, SonWorld was the place to experience an amazing world of adventure. Each day at the SonWorld Adventure Park  taught kids to make healthy choices on the roller coaster of life, and that choosing Jesus is the best choice of all!

Home School
Our home school support group, Agnus Dei, meets the first Friday of each month during the school year in the basement of the Office Building for a devotion, craft, and pizza! This year, learn about the Pauline Year.
Contacts: Jennifer Grimmig, elementary and middle school - 615.888.2094
Joyce Kacar, high school -  615.451.0262 

To contact the Director of Religious Education, Shirley Lafferty, call her office at 452.2977 ext. 12, or email her at dre@saintjohnvianneychurch.org. She is also available by appointment.

 

back to top