Homeschooling guidelines:
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix policy enumerates four components of sacramental preparation and catechesis: knowledge, community, service, and worship. This purpose of this document is to go through these four components and establish standards and expectations of homeschooling families who desire to prepare their children for the sacraments of: Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Communion.
1. Knowledge:
a. This is component in which our homeschool families excel and where parents live out their primary vocation as catechists.
b. St. Mary Magdalene recognizes that our homeschooling families are essentially functioning as “satellite campuses” for our catechetical and sacramental programs and thus, to ensure that these children are being adequately prepared, Fr. Chris (or a Family Catechesis staff member) will meet with our homeschooling families twice per semester (four times a year- September to March/April before receiving sacraments) for short (~10 – 20 minute) interviews/meetings designed to determine:
- Age appropriate knowledge and understanding of these sacraments including:
- Why are these sacraments necessary?
- How do they help lead us closer to Christ?
- What are the graces/gifts God gives us through these sacraments?
- How will these sacraments help them live as a disciple of Christ?
- Readiness and desire to receive these sacraments
- Ability to share and recount what these children have learned
2. Community:
a. This is the component in which homeschool families are asked to participate in the life of their parish (St. Mary Magdalene), and the Diocese in order to emphasize and foster the universal nature of the Catholic faith.
b. Thus, to foster community and the relationship of our homeschooling families and St. Mary Magdalene, Fr. Chris encourages our homeschool families to attend social events for the Family Catechesis year.
c. Sacramental retreats (MANDATORY per both St. Mary Magdalene and the Diocese of Phoenix). Homeschool families will be asked to select dates to attend retreats during the Spring semester.
3. Service:
a. As part of our mission as Catholics to practice both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, service is an integral part in our call to be His disciples. Thus, Fr. Chris requires homeschool families to take part in a service project as a family. This can be done together with other families if you so desire. Contact Family Catechesis personnel for recommendations and ideas.
4. Worship:
a. As Catholics it is both right and just, and a great joy to give proper worship, adoration, and glory to God our Almighty Father. Thus, Fr. Chris expects that our homeschooling families are:
i. Participating (in some way) in the liturgical life of St. Mary Magdalene this can be done through a variety of ways including (but not limited to):
1. Regularly attending Mass
2. Continuing to foster a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through a life of prayer (both communal and personal)
3. Participating in St. Mary Magdalene’s Sacred Music Program
Other Parent Responsibilities:
Due to COVID-19, Family Catechesis is using an at-home program for our parish curriculum this year. Our parent sessions have become virtual for the year. Each month parents will join a video call to get to know other parishioners, grow in faith together, and receive support for teaching their children at home. Though you may not be using the same curriculum as the parish, we invite you to join these monthly sessions.
Here is the list of Parent Meeting dates for the year:
September 14 or 15 (Orientation-helpful for both parents to be present)
September 29 or 30
October 27 or 28
November 17 or 18
December 15 or 16
January 26 or 27
February 23 or 24
March 30 or 31
April 27 or 28
May 25 or 26
Please save these dates in your calendar now! We all know how easy it is to forget later on and your participation is vital. If you cannot be present at a session due to an emergency, please email Mary at mary@smarymag.org.
Please select a slot below. This is the slot you will be in EACH MONTH: