Faith Formation: Be it known to all who enter here …
Each visitor to our school is greeted with a message that states: “Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes, the model of its faculty, the inspiration of its students.”
At Christ the Divine Teacher School we offer outstanding teachers who are devoted to teaching the gospel message. Religious instruction is not seen as simply another subject, but rather it is integrated into all that we do.
Sacramental preparation and weekly liturgies, as well as class and service projects in the community are integral components of the students’ faith development. It is in incorporating these Catholic values into the daily lives of our students that we provide them with the opportunity for true faith formation.
Our purpose is to develop the whole child with a rooted sense of message, community service and worship.
Religion Curriculum
The religion course is the most important course in the curriculum. Opportunities for prayer, sacramental preparation and participation in a community of faith are important components of the religion program. The goal of religious instruction is to help the child develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, and lead a lifestyle based on the gospel values.
Catholic students are required to study their religion, and participate in the religious activities. Students of other denominations are present for religion classes and religious programs.
Each student participates in daily religion class. School personnel work closely with the directors of religious education from our local parishes to provide opportunities for the enrichment of the students’ religious formation beyond the sacraments.
In addition, the directors of religious education provide many opportunities for parents to become involved in the sacramental preparation of their children. Parents are required to attend sacramental programs with their children.
Weekly Liturgies
Once a week, students in kindergarten through seventh grade participate in the celebration of the Mass. Weekly liturgies are celebrated on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m., at Holy Family Church, Latrobe, located adjacent to the school.
Students in grades three through eight are assigned the role of planning and preparing for each weekly liturgy, which occurs on a rotating basis. You may reference which grade is assigned to a particular date on our school events calendar. Students are afforded the opportunity to serve as lectors, cantors, altar servers and gift bearers for their class’ particular liturgy.
Students also have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation throughout the year, receive ashes on Ash Wednesday and participate in Stations of the Cross during Lent.
If school is in session on a holy day of obligation, students will attend Mass on that day also.
To Our Parents and Guardians:
Thank you for your continued participation in our school liturgies. Your presence reinforces the importance of gathering as a school community to celebrate Mass. The school Mass is a vital part of our faith formation. Teachers use this shared experience in their religion classes, as well as other teachable moments, throughout the week.
We would like to the remind our families that students need to sit with their classmates and teachers. Several designated seating areas are available for parents, guardians and visitors who attend weekly Masses. Please ask if you need assistance locating the parent/family areas.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
Sacramental Preparation
Beginning in the second grade year, students will be eligible to receive the sacraments of reconciliation and first Eucharist. Reception of these sacraments is a parish function and, as such, they are received at your parish. Please contact your home parish religious education director for all necessary information. Our religion curriculum supports the sacramental preparation that the students receive through their parishes; it does not replace it.
When the dates for the reception of sacraments are announced for individual parishes, please forward this information to Reyne Kozar, second grade teacher, via email or by sending a note to school with your child.
