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By Kiply Lukan Yaworski
Prairie Messenger
A GROUP of parents successfully worked to have Catholic religious education offered at a public school in Muenster, Saskatchewan this year.
Students from kindergarten to grade 7 at Muenster School now have the option to take one 45-minute religion class each six-day weekly cycle.
The time period is open to any denomination or faith group to use, said Julie Hofmann of the Catholic group Families for Religion. "Any religious instruction can happen at that time," she said. "It just happens that Catholic people in the community have organized something."
Students of any faith are also welcome to participate in the Catholic program, she added, noting that 91 students are taking part, not all of them Catholic. Students whose parents do not wish the to take part in the program, which is presented by a teacher hired by the Catholic parents' group, remain with their regular teacher when the religion class is in session.
There is provision in provincial education legislation for parents to request and receive time for religious education in the regular school day, said Hofmann.
Similar arrangements in other public schools -- including those at nearby Bruno and Watson -- were studied by the Muenster-area parent group. "We spent a lot of time on the phone with people from those communities. They were a big support in terms of finding out how to approach this, and how it is working elsewhere," said Hofmann.
With membership from several Catholic parishes, Families for Religion first approached the local School Community Council in June, requesting time for religious instruction. The group worked hard to show that the idea had a broad base of support in the community, said Hofmann. Surveying parents of Muenster School students, obtaining signatures from community members and developing an action plan for hiring a teacher were among the steps taken by the parent volunteers.
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A survey of the parents showed that 80 per cent were in favour of the religion class and would participate; 15 per cent would not participate, but were not opposed; four per cent were undecided; and one per cent was opposed.
Having religious education in the school is an important support to parents, said Laurie Szautner, a member of Families for Religion who has children participating in the program. "I want our children to learn about faith and God at the level of their own understanding and comprehension," she said. "I want to teach them to love and respect and have forgiveness."
Religious instruction in the school is something that has not been available for a number of years and many community members were in favour of the initiative, Szautner said. "We have had magnificent support from our community, from our parish communities and the Knights of Columbus."
A recent supper organized by the local Knights council raised $1,200 for the religion program, which will help to cover costs of hiring a teacher. Parents also pay a registration fee to cover the cost of materials. Parishes have also been extremely supportive, along with the local business community and the school.
Retired teacher Phyllis Wasserman and kindergarten instructor Barb Saretsky use the Pflaum program in the religion class, which is based on the Sunday readings.
Corrine Breker, the mother of two children participating in the program, said the materials are colourful, story based and effective. "My kids really seem to be enjoying it," she said. "They're learning and at church on Sundays they will often say, 'We heard about that at school.'"
Sacramental preparation is also part of the program. St. Peter's pastor Rev. Daniel Muyres, OSB, said students who recently received the sacrament of reconciliation seemed well prepared. He said that he hopes parents will continue to be involved in sacramental preparation along with religious instruction in the school.
There was a lot of effort involved in establishing the class, Szautner admitted. "It was a long road and there was a lot involved, but it was all worth it. We have handled some growing pains and now want to make sure that we are creating and keeping a sustainable program."
-- Copyright Prairie Messenger. Please do not reprint without permission.
January 17/2008
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