What is Home-Based Catechesis?

Parents have three options for the formal religious education of their children, according to the USCCB:

• The Parish-Based Religious Education Program
• A Catholic School
• A Home-Based Catechetical Program

• An easy opt-out of religious education classes
• Only for homeschoolers
• A criticism of parish programs or Catholic schools
• Just using a religion textbook at home

• We feel like this is what God wants us to do.
• We think this is the best way for our children to learn.
• We want more time with our children, showing them that our faith is the most important thing to us.
• We already homeschool and teach them the faith formally every day.
• Our child has special needs and learning at home is best for him or her.
• We move a lot for work and want to provide continuity for our children,
• We want to strengthen our “domestic church”.
• I  share  joint custody and need to connect with my child in the limited time we have together.

Why are there mandatory meetings?
While parents are the primary educators of their children and are ultimately responsible for their children’s religious education, Pastors have a grave responsibility to ensure that the catechesis, and especially sacramental preparation, of their parishioners is authentic and complete. To reconcile these joint responsibilities of parents and Pastors, there must be regular communication. The monthly Home Catechist meeting is, therefore, considered a mandatory component of the home-based program.

Where can I get more information?
Ask any family in the program, come to a meeting, contact the Parish office at (845) 331-0301, or contact the Program Coordinator, Maria Davenport at [email protected]

To register, please complete the following registration form in the link below.  The completed form may be submitted by email, mail, or in person.