Annual Report on the Religious Education Program

I conducted interviews with our catechists in order to get to know them. I obtained the following information: personal data, catechetical experience, hours available, and age preference for teaching. The total number of catachists interviewed were 60, 52 of which remain in the program. The catechists attended different events throughout the year in order to improve and update their pedagogic and spiritual formation.

Event	Date	No. of Participants
Ignatian Triduum	Nov. 1-5, 2003	25
Silent Retreat	Jan. 30, 2004	6
Workshops	March 4, 2004	6
Archdiocesan Congress	Feb. 21-23, 2004	22
Child Sexual Abuse Workshop	May 24, 2004	22
Basic Formation Course for Catechists	June 7, 2004	37

A team of Coordinators was formed to conduct the year's activities with ease and in an organized manner. The coordinators provided individual attention and worked closely with each of the levels of the program. Their objective was: to experience the love of God as a special gift that moves us to serve with generosity in the coordination of the program and services needed by the Blessed Sacrament Church Community.

Coordinator	Programs
Esther and Osvaldo Avelar	Kindergarten, Acolytes, Bible Study for Children, Sunday Mass Liturgy for Children
Eva Alarcon and Etelvina Gomez	Second Year First Communion (English and Spanish)
Sister Marcelina Olivares	First Year First Communion (English and Spanish), Quinceaneras, and Multiple Weddings.
Carmen Chavez	Confirmation
Fr. E.C. Sebastian, S.J.	Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.)
Maria Diaz	Acolytes and Bible Study for Children

Our children, youth and adults received the following sacraments in the month of March, April and May 2004.

Sacrament	No. of People
Baptism (Children and Adolescents)	19
First Communion (Children and Adolescents)	132
Confirmation (Youth)	40
Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation (Adults)	6
First Communion and Confirmation (Adults)	13
Multiple Weddings	4
Quinceaneras	5

The parents and guardians of our children and youth were evangelized through five workshops in English and Spanish (see Calendar). An average of 45 to 55 people in the First Communion and Acolyte programs participated each Saturday and 25 to 30 people in the Confirmation Program participated one time a month. This means that our evangelization services were received by an average of 110 to 140 people a month.

An annual retreat was held for all 465 children, youth and adults (RCIA) of our program and for 375 parents and sponsors (see Retreat Report).

Proposed Objectives - September 19

We have succeeded if:

1. Ten percent (10%) of the present catechists have received pedagogic and spiritual formation by assisting courses and congresses organized by the Archdioceses and the Program of Ignatian Spirituality.

2. Thirty percent (30%) of parents and guardians of the children and youth in our program regularly assist (2 times a month) the workshops that will be offered during the course of the year.

3. Seventy percent (70%) of the children grow in their faith and love for Jesus and the Virgin Mary by receiving the sacraments of Christian Initiation with greater awareness and participation in the Sunday Eucharist.

4. Ten percent (10%) of the confirmation candidates receive the sacrament and become integrated in the services and ministries of the community of Blessed Sacrament Church.

5. A good relationship between the school and the Religious Education Program is conserved.

6. The social service of the Confirmation youth is tied into the parish's social services center.

Conclusions

After confronting this year's events with the objectives proposed, it is concluded that:

The formation of catechists has been a priority and significant improvements have been achieved. Catechists are aware and understand that they have to be certified as catechists in order to be given the responsibility of catechism class.

It is important to continue working with the parents and guardians of the children and youth who participate in the program in order to create a sense of service and participation in the different ministries of our community.

The children who receive the sacraments grow in their love for and faith in Jesus. This appreciation is subjective and based on observation, but it is distinguishable by these children's participation in the Eucharist celebrations on Sundays in which they receive communion and reflect on the Word of the Lord.

Some of the Confirmandi have become part of the Ministry of Sunday Liturgy for Children and catechists. Seven out of 40 Confirmandi continue to serve in the community.

There was a need for more integration of the Religious Education Program with the Social Service Center of our parish. It is time to propose a project to help the Social Service Center at Blessed Sacrament.

The relationship between the Principal of the school and I has been respectful. However, it is necessary to eliminate some of the discrepancies between the concepts of care and cleaning of classrooms, the kitchen, and the school in general.

The Religious Education Program achieved an important improvement in the administrative organization of student and catechist files. A database was created within the computer system files for financial records and data organization. We are in the midst of creating a system to link all three CCD computers. It is estimated that it will be complete in three weeks. The wonderful volunteers in our program have done all this work, which has saved us more than a thousand dollars in labor and equipment.

Proposals for the Future

Establish rules for children, catechists and parents who participate in our program.

Create a system of registration payment that is more reliable and practical.

Facilitate the availability of motivation and self-improvement seminars in the various areas of catechist specialization.

Accompany catechists in their ministry with a coordination team, who provide feedback and facilitate communication, creativity, and a sense of community in Jesus.

For more information, please contact Vicky Cipres at (323) 463-9820.