Policies & Catechisms

Immaculate Conception Parish

Religious Education Program

Program Mission, Policies & Safety Information

Welcome to the Immaculate Conception Parish Religious Education Program! We look forward to working with families in the faith formation of your children. If you have any questions about the IC Religious Education programs, please contact Mrs. Cecilia Melo, Director of Religious Education.

Please review our Mission and policies regarding attendance, participation, behavior, and more below.

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Mrs. Cecilia Melo, Director of Religious Education

Telephone: 508-485-0016

Email: dre@ICMarlboro.org

Our Mission

Immaculate Conception Parish supports parents as the primary educators of their children and takes seriously the obligation to assist them in the faith formation of their young children and teens. Our overarching goal is summed up quite simply: “To teach as Jesus taught.” Jesus is at the heart of all religious education.

Our Basic Objective

• To bring every student closer to Jesus.
• To guide our students in the formation of values and a moral code in harmony with our Catholic Christian Heritage.
• To pass along the rich tradition that is the Catholic Faith.

We prepare our students for discipleship and citizenship. It is our hope that parents and parish share a common goal: our young people will become people who give witness to their Catholic Christian faith. Participation at Weekly Mass, and prayer in the home are an integral part of the spiritual growth of our children and teens. The information and formation they receive from our program supplements what they see and do within the family. Both dimensions of religious education – family life and parish program of instruction – will be with them forever. Faith will be the context in which they live their lives. It will be their consolation in bad times, their strength in difficult times, their source of praise and thanksgiving in joyful times. Their lives will model the virtues of faith, hope, and love, and their lives will be healthier and happier because of this.

Attendance

Weekly attendance, with students arriving on time is essential to the students’ religious education and spiritual growth. An entire year of religious education instruction amounts to only approximately 24 hours of class time. They are with us just one day or less out of 365 days! Every class is important. If your child must miss class for a serious reason, like illness, please contact Mrs. Cecilia Melo, Director of Religious Education at dre@icmarlboro.org or call 508-485-0016 and leave a message. Please assist your teen in structuring her/his extracurricular activities and part-time job schedules so that there is no conflict with their religious education commitments.

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Participation

Because our time together is so brief, we depend on the cooperation of each student and the cooperation of each family to assist in making the most out of each class hour. Again, students are expected to come in on time. It is disruptive to class flow and disrespectful of the Catechist and other students when a student is habitually late. We also recognize the fact that circumstances beyond a student or parents control occasionally may affect a student’s promptness. We hope that this is a rare occurrence. Students coming directly to class from a school or sport activity may have a problem arriving on time for several weeks. In this case, they must speak to the Director and Catechist to inform them of the situation ahead of time.

Sacramental Preparation Years

Please note that both our First Communion and Confirmation preparation programs consist of a two-year time span. Regardless of the student’s grade and age. Traditionally, this preparation begins in the First Grade and is completed at the end of the Second Grade. However, students are accepted into this preparation program at the current grade level at registration and prepared over two consecutive years. Likewise, our two-year High School Confirmation preparation program begins at the grade level upon registration (traditionally at Grade 9 and completed by the end of Grade 10).

Code of Behavior

Mindful of our Mission to prepare students for discipleship and citizenry, we strive to foster behavior that will promote a more civilized society. Everything that goes on at religious education class, before, during and after the class hour must be rooted in the basic principle of respect. An atmosphere of mutual respect between the Catechist and students, and among students in the class, that is the linchpin upon which learning evolves. All students must be respectful of Parish property, most notable the school building which we share among the three language speaking communities. We are committed to providing every student who wants instruction with a place in our program. However, we must also weigh the needs and demands of one student in a class against the needs of the class as a whole. If a student, in any grade, is unwilling or unable to act respectfully toward others or is disrespectful of Parish property or Catechist, we will notify the parents. If unacceptable behavior continues, the student will be admitted to class only if accompanied by a parent for the class hour, or the parent will be invited to instruct the child at home. The Religious Education Office will provide teaching materials and support for the parent in this task.

All of our Catechists are extremely dedicated and most generously volunteer their time. They deserve to be treated with respect and appreciated for their efforts.

Class Time & Location

• Sunday mornings from 9:30am to 10:45am and meet in the IC Parish Building located at 119 Washington Street.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Policy

• Parents/Guardians must enter the building to pick-up their children following their Religious Education class. 
• Grades 1-3 - parents/guardians should pick up from the classroom. 
• Grades 4-8 - parents/guardians should meet their children in the first floor hallway or open parking area outside the building. 

Note on Parking

When picking up your child(ren) from Religious Education, you may park your car in one of the three parking lots or on the side of Washington Street in legal parking spaces. We cannot emphasize strongly enough that parking is not allowed in front of driveways or in any manner which would block surrounding streets, as this is both unlawful and inconsiderate to our neighbors on Washington Street, Washington Court, and Prospect Street. Please note that the Marlborough Police Department will take notice and will be ticketing any illegally parked or standing cars throughout the year. Also, please do not allow your younger child to cross the Street alone, they should be escorted by an older sibling or adult.

Classroom Policy

• Please remind your child(ren) that students they should treat the classrooms, desks, and materials with respect. Other children use these desks every day. Destruction to the Immaculate Conception Parish property will be addressed immediately.
• Food and drinks are not allowed in the classrooms during Religious Education.

Winter Weather

Religious Education Classes will be cancelled and posted at:

• Our parish facebook page (@icmarlborough)
• Via family email on record (please check you Spam and Trash folders).​

We are here to help you in your role as the primary teacher of the faith for your children. 

• For questions regarding scheduling and registration, please contact the Office of Religious Education 

Opportunities to Join in the Fun!

The religious education program relies on volunteers. Please consider serving as a substitute teacher, classroom aide, hall monitor, or crossing guard for a day/week/or month. Families also are welcome to serve many roles in the 9 AM Family Masses (once a month). Email us to join in the fun of family faith formation!

Catechists

We are in need of teachers for our Religious Education classes. Volunteers in our Religious Education program are responsible for faith formation of our most treasured resource - our children. Although each parent is the primary educator of their child in matters of faith, catechists provide an indispensable service to the children and their families by sharing their faith and giving their time to explain the teachings of the Catholic Church. As an additional benefit, catechists deepen their own faith through the experience of teaching it to others. Religious Education classes are offered weekly for grades 1 through 8 on Sunday mornings (9:30-10:45 am). Please prayerfully consider serving as a catechist, team-catechist, substitute teacher, classroom aide, hall monitor, or crossing guard for a day/week/or month.

If you are interested in serving or learning more about the Religious Education Program, please email Cecilia Melo, Director of Religious Education at dre@icmarlboro.org or call Cecilia Melo at 508-485-0016.  Thank you!