THE ELEMENTARY PROGRAM: GRADES 1-5
The Elementary Program of St. Perpetua Parish will provide each child in grades 1-5 with the values of the Gospel as proclaimed by Jesus Christ, and will hand down the traditions of the Catholic Faith through a catechetical curriculum that has been both inspired by the spirit of Vatican II and authorized by the Bishop of the Diocese of Oakland. The curriculum will complement the journey of faith of each child according to their psychological, emotional and spiritual development. Classes are offered (depending upon availability of catechists):

Sundays 9:15-10:30 a.m.
Tuesdays 3:30-4:40 p.m. or Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 p.m.

First Grade: Focus On Loving
Goals: To develop readiness for Eucharist through an understanding of the gift of creation and of God's great love for us
To understand that God's greatest gift to us is Jesus who shows us how to live

To know how to say the Sign of the Cross and the Our Father and Hail Mary

Second Grade: Focus On Belonging
Goals: To have each child come to understand the Eucharist as a celebration of love, relationship, and community

To appreciate that our Church Family nurtures growth in faith

To recognize that we are each called to friendship with Jesus and to community with one another in the Eucharist

To know the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father and the Devotional Prayers: the Hail Mary and the Glory Be

To prepare for the Sacrament of First Eucharist

Third Grade: Focus On Believing
Goals: To provide an environment for each child to discover the message of the Gospel and how it relates to their lives

To come to know Jesus as friend and brother

To become more aware of each child's "election" to Baptism and their individual call to share the Good News in the world

Fourth Grade: Focus on Living
Goals: To have each child learn the rich Church tradition of moral example teaching through the study of

The Ten Commandments
The Great Commandment of Love
The Beatitudes

To come to understand the Holy Spirit as our helper through the gifts of the seven sacraments

To recognize the Church as community whose members are united in one Body of Christ

To prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Fifth Grade: Focus On Celebrating
Goals: To study the Sacramental life of the Church

To have each child recognize that Jesus is both God and man and therefore, he is THE Sacrament of God's presence in the world

To have the children learn and understand the role of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), of Healing (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick),

and of Service and Vocation (Marriage, Holy Orders) in the lives of baptized Catholics as celebrations of life and of God's presence in our midst



For additional information please contact Cathy Giroux at (925) 283-0272#204 or cgiroux@stperpetua.org