As a Catholic school, our religious education curriculum reflects authentic Church teaching in union with the Pope and the Bishops. It aims to “relate all human culture eventually to the Good News of Salvation, so that the life of faith will illumine the knowledge which students gradually gain of the world, of life, and of mankind.”(Christian Education #8).
Through our religious education program, we strive to foster a personal relationship with the Holy Trinity: Jesus the Son of God, God our merciful Father, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, we instruct the students in Catholic Doctrine and traditions, the study of Scripture, personal prayer, and the proclamation of God’s goodness to all. We integrate religious truths and values into other areas of the curriculum and life experiences.
As Catholic educators we recognize parents as “the first and foremost educators of their children,” (John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, Sect. 36), and the first to communicate the faith to their children and to educate them, the school has the fundamental task of complementing, reinforcing, and extending the family’s efforts. Active cooperation between parents and school is the cornerstone of Huron Valley Catholic School.
The Religious Education program at Huron Valley Catholic School includes,
- A strong scripture curriculum: The study of the Old and New Testaments is essential to the understanding of salvation history as our history, and that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment and center of that.
- Theology of the Body: Our middle schoolers study the Theology of the Body for Teens, Middle School Edition with trained facilitators.
- Daily scripture references and memorization: Our students learn verses from the Bible by heart, memorize the books of the Bible, and study passages from the Bible. In the upper grade classes we cultivate skills that will help students effectively study scripture.
- Liturgical traditions: In addition to the study of Scripture and our textbooks, our program is enhanced by our rich Liturgical traditions. Students participate in Mass twice a week, monthly Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Sacramental Preparation: We prepare students for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion in second grade. We supplement individual parish preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation with a focus on the fruits of the Holy Spirit, maturing in faith, faith in action and community service in middle school.
- Christian service: Our school community participates in service projects to make living the knowledge and heart of our Faith. In addition to our annual canned food drive for Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti, service projects have included visiting nursing homes; raising money for Family Life Services; sewing socks for newborns; and collecting coats, blankets and shoes for the homeless in Detroit and Mexico City.
