Students are normally 4, 5 years old. The objective of the yearly curriculum are to introduce the students to their basic prayers (Sign of the Cross, Glory be, Hail Mary, Our Father, and Apostles Creed), basic postures (folding hands, genuflection and when), items in the Sanctuary (Sanctuary light, Tabernacle, etc), Seven Sacraments, and the 10 Commandments. Focus of the instruction is to prepare the children for the next stage of instruction, First Communion Preparation Class. Instructor: Mrs. Mary Macera; marymac; Home phone # 757.460.2980

First Communion Class provides a minimum of 2 years preparation by studying the lessons in the “New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism” book. Students are normally 6, 7, or 8 years old, depending upon entry to this preparation class. The objectives of the yearly curriculum are designed to increase the knowledge of each student to: (1) learn about the purpose of man’s existence; (2) learn about God and His Perfections; (3) learn about the Unity and the Trinity of God; (4) learn about original sin; (5) learn about actual sin; (6) learn about the Incarnation; (7) learn about Redemption; (8) learn about the seven Sacraments most especially Baptism, Penance, and Holy Eucharist; (9) learn the Ten Commandments; (10) learn how to make a Good Confession; and (11) learn how to pray the Holy Mass.
Requirements include the following: (a) parental assistance with student studying catechism and prayers at home plus attending the Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form; (b) student satisfactorily completes periodic verbal and written quizzes; (c) use of Sacramentals such as rosary, prayer book, holy cards, and brown scapular.
Participants can expect the following class structure:
- Practicing: reciting prayers aloud in class (such as: Hail Mary, Glory Be, Our Father, Apostle’s Creed, Angel of God, Act of Contrition; and recitation of the Ten Commandments). Opening prayer by all students (Standing) is Apostle’s Creed.
• Individual recitations / demonstrations of sign of the cross, genuflection, prayers, etc.
• Catechism lesson (20 minutes); Holy Mass lesson (10 minutes); Activity commensurate with catechism lesson may be scheduled; Occasional and Instructor supervised visit to Chapel / Blessed Sacrament; Closing prayer recited by all (Select a Class Leader); Dismissal with Holy Card
• Parent(s) or responsible sibling must come to the classroom to escort your child’s safe departure. Notify instructor with any changes. All children must be properly attended. Designated Instructor: Mrs. Rowanne Stephenson; Home phone # 757.353.0670

The Confirmation preparation catechism class (junior level) is appropriate for children who received their first Holy Communion and are in grades 3 to 5. Baltimore Catechism book Number one is the primary textbook for the course. Its objective is to take the main point of each lesson and to show how it is illustrated or exemplified in some event of Sacred Scripture. The concrete picture language of the Bible will be a big help to the child to understand better the main truths presented in the more abstract language of the question and answers of the official Baltimore catechism. This textbook presents the class material in three major parts (1) basic Catholic doctrine as summarized in the Apostles' Creed, (2) the ten commandments of God and the six commandments of the Church, and (3) sacraments and prayers. Since the class incorporates reading and writing assignments, the children are expected to have these basic skills. St. Benedict's Chapel Catechism Program 2012-2013 Designated Instructor: Mrs. Elaine Franco elainefranco; Home phone # 757.548.2380

The Pre-Confirmation Class is a two-year course teaching the content of the Baltimore Catechism book number two. Approximately one lesson is taught each week. Students are expected to complete and turn in the answers to questions contained at the end of each lesson. During the class, in addition to learning new material, students are expected to answer a variety of questions based on the material already covered. The last eight weeks of each year are devoted to the study of the "Preparation for Confirmation" book. All students study this book, not just those being confirmed that year. This book is based on the Baltimore Catechism, and focused exclusively on the Sacrament of Confirmation. Occasionally, a student may join the class who already has a good grasp of the Baltimore Catechism and, with the consent of his/her parents, may feel that the two-year preparation time may not be necessary. In that case, the parents may ask Father Nichols to administer a written test, as confirmation that the student knows the material. The test is based on the content of the Baltimore Catechism number two, and has approximately fifty questions. Designated Instructor: Mr. Mark Srodulski marsro; Home phone # 757.582.6978

The Post-Confirmation Class is designed to prepare young adults for their college and adult years. Students will learn how the Church is not based on the Bible, but how the Bible is based on the Church, and has always been an integral part of the Catholic Church. They will learn how, “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” – St. Jerome. They will learn how they are, as St. Paul states, “an epistle of Christ,
ministered by us, and written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart” (2Cor3:3) Students will learn how to, “Evangelize all the time, and sometimes use words” (St. Francis Assissi). Students will learn to, “...reverence the Lord Christ in their hearts, and always have an answer ready for people who ask them for the reason for the hope that is within them. But, to give the defense with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander them when they are living a good life in Christ may be proved wrong in the accusations that they bring.” (1Pt 3:15). They will learn how their prior catechism instruction that required them to, “learn their catechism by heart,” instead of, “memorize it,” was designed to tune their heart and ear to the Shepherd’s voice, for He said, “My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me” (Jn 10:27).
This year’s class will use the famous catechetical and apologetic book “Faith of Our Fathers” By James Cardinal Gibbons. It is an "incredibly popular and successful book explaining the basic tenets of the Catholic faith and (more importantly) why we hold them. It delves into the historical background of virtually everything people find hard to understand about our religion, such as priestly celibacy, sacred images, the Church and the Bible, the Primacy of Peter, communion under one kind, invocation of the saints, etc.” The class will also refer to a variety of books in electronic format that will help your child build a solid library that is indispensable at college and handy throughout their life.

Prep time needed: 1 hour/week. Students will be expected to complete the assignments and be prepared to discuss the assigned reading in class.

Prerequisites: Students should have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Instructor: Mr. Jeff Leporte; jeflep; Phone: (757) 651-2798.