By EmmaLee Italia |  Correspondent

Children’s liturgies, sacramental preparation, May crownings, youth retreats – all are visible signs of faith being nurtured not just in the pews, but also in classrooms and parish centers.

In November 2013, the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) instituted a week-long celebration of parish religious education, as a fruit of the Year of Faith initiated by Pope Benedict XVI. The National Parish Religious Education Week was observed Nov. 2-8 this year – a convenient time to use saints as examples, with the feasts of both All Saints and All Souls in mind.

The NCEA wished to establish a week set apart from Catechetical Sunday, whose September celebration occurs too early for many parish religious education programs, which often aren’t in full swing until late fall. Some parishes celebrated National Parish Religious Education Week for the first time this year, including St. Joseph Parish, Toms River.

“Our goal is to help strengthen the connection between the Catholic parish and Catholic school educational programs,” said Celine Fowler, director of religious education in St. Joseph Parish for the past 25 years. “Our parish religious education classes, grades K-6, have worked on specific projects relating to the theme ‘Encountering Christ Every Day.’” The children’s projects, designed to reflect the specific curriculum of their grade level, were displayed in the church gathering area during the week.

In an effort to recognize the partnership between the parish school and parish religious education programs, festive gift bags are being given to all of the St. Joseph school teachers, administrators and religious education catechists.

“Included in the gift bags are prayer cards … for students in every class,” Fowler explained. “(They) include an appreciation certificate for each catechist.” 

Another parish celebrating National Parish Religious Education Week for the first time was St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville.

“Over the summer I was putting my new curriculum together for the calendar year, and I stumbled upon (the celebration),” said Kelly Wolf, coordinator of religious education in St. Ann Parish since 2010. “My program this year took on a new goal: helping parents as the primary instructor of faith engage with their children.”

St. Ann’s religious education program studied the connection between the family and education, as well as inspiration from lives of the saints, and has been emphasizing family involvement.

“There are events scheduled throughout the year for parents to come and share in faith-building activities with their children,” Wolf said. “We began with a family blessing in October. November kicked off with our Communion of Saints family banner project, and ends with a family Thanksgiving Mass and family Advent wreath craft.”

The saint banner was specific to National Parish Religious Education Week. Families completed the project at home, choosing a saint that the family patronized or the child’s saint name; they included the saint’s feast day, and symbol. Then the banners were brought to church for display throughout the week.

“I think it’s important that religious education families share something with and in the parish life of the Church,” Wolf said. “Here, a parish community observing National Parish Religious Education Week is just one simple connection for them to begin with, and to feel that belonging.”