NEW RESIDENTS
Parish/Religious Education for 2008 and 2009

The Santa Susanna Catholic Community offers Religious Education Classes in English for students enrolled in grades 1 through 8 and for their parents. We have moved from a class-based school to a family-centered workshop, meeting once a month. Because of our size, we have our classes in the auditorium of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, two blocks from Santa Susanna in the Piazza della Repubblica (Via Cernaia, 9). These two hour workshops meet once a month on a Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 PM from September to May. Each workshop is followed by a family mass (held at 6 PM back at Santa Susanna), in wich each class takes responsibility on a rotating basis. While the children are in class, the parents have a special class of their own that will assist them in home teaching, during the weeks between the workshops. The child and at least one parent must be able to speak and to understand English very well to be part of this program, AND THAT ENGLISH-SPEAKING PARENT MUST BE THE PARENT THAT ATTENDS ALL SESSIONS. (Italian families are required by the Vicariato to receive Religious Education from their local parish church). All children and parents who wish to apply for the First Communion Program are required to meet with Fr. Greg before being accepted. We will be taking applications for September 2008, beginning July 1, 2008 (and closes September 19, unless already filled). We have very limited capacity and if you are an Italian family (both parents) and not Santa Susanna parishioners, we ask that you contact your own local parish and enroll in their program. This has been mandated by the Vicariato di Roma.

Children's classes are taught by deacons and seminarians from the North American College, other religious and seminarians, and qualified lay people. There are generally two First Communion classes (age 7+) of approximately 20 children each. The Confirmation class (age 12+) contributes 15 hours of community service as part of their classroom requirement. Adult classes are taught by Fr. Greg, Fr. Tom and special guest speakers, including Sr. Rosaleen Sheridan, Fr. Tim Costello, Fr. Paul Robichaud, Fr. Pat Breeze and Ms. Joan Lewis of EWTN. These classes are for parents and other adults, and parents are asked (if at all possible) not to bring their smaller children to these sessions.) All participating families must be members of the Santa Susanna community and attend all classes as well as regularly attend mass at Santa Susanna or at the Marymount Chapel Mass on the Via Cassia. However, there is a separate fee rate for non-parishioners in the sacramental classes. If you have any questions about our program your can contact Father Greg at rector@santasusanna.org. Applications for the 2008/2009 Religious Education Year will be available in  July 1, 2008. You can contact us in July to have the information sent to you by email. Please do not contact us before that. For an application (after July 1), please send a request to Fr. Greg at rector@santasusanna.org. Or contact our Director of Religious Education -- Susan Seliquini at dre@santasusanna.org. Acceptance into the program will only be determined after the individual family meetings with Fr. Greg. We have sent information to all the international schools. We are not responsible if you have not been given this informaiton and the classes are filled by the time you contact us. We do not accept this as a valid excuse.

The 2008/2009 Calendar for Religious Education:
August 23 to September 19	Registration begins for Religious Education.
September 20, 2008	Parents' Mandatory Meeting at Santa Susanna Church, from 3:30-5:30 PM.
October 4	Religious Education Workshop One
October 18	Religious Education Workshop Two
November 15	Religious Education Workshop Three
December 13	Religious Education Workshop Four
January 10, 2009	Religious Education Workshop Five.
February 7	Religious Education Workshop Six.
March 7	Religious Education Workshop Seven (First Reconcilation)
April 4	Religious Education Workshop Eight (Palm Sunday Vigil)
May 9	Religious Education Workshop Nine (3:30-5:30 PM);
Saturday, May 9	First Communion Rehearsal, 2:00-3:30 PM (mandatory)
Saturday, May 9	Confirmation Retreat & Rehearsal, 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM (mandatory)
May 16	Confirmation Mass at Santa Susanna 5:30 PM
May 23	First Communion Mass at Santa Susanna Church, 10:30 AM

Christmas Eve, December 24: Children's Pageant Mass at 4:30 PM; Vigil Mass at Santa Susanna at 7:00 PM (with Christmas Carol Concert 15 minutes beforehand); Christmas Day Masses: 9 and 10:30 AM