8th Grade Religion:
As you know, 8th graders who are Catholic also serve their St. Cecilia parish and school community by altar serving (as do 6th and 7th graders). Altar serving is a privilege and a serious responsibility. All servers receive a parish serving schedule in hard-copy form, and the schedule is also posted in Mrs. Garcia's room and available on the parish website. They are responsible for knowing their schedule, and for obtaining a substitute ahead of time if they cannot serve as scheduled. They should call Fr. Gutgsell and notify him who will be subbing for them, or notify Mrs. Garcia, ahead of time. Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade server can be called when looking for a sub. On the rare occasion when a last-minute emergency arises and a student cannot serve as scheduled or find a last-minute sub, s/he must call Fr. Gutgsell at 402-689-8603 prior to Mass and let him know.
Students who fail to show up as assigned and fail to get a sub or notify Father will serve Saturday School.
- The primary focus throughout the first quarter is preparing students for the sacrament of Confirmation, which will take place on November 22nd. Non-Catholic students will do many of the same assignments the Catholic students will be doing during this quarter, although some may be slightly different.
- Textbooks we will use include We Live Our Faith as Members of the Church; the Confirmation textbook; YouCat (the youth catechism) and some supplemental material to prepare for Confirmation.
- In addition to the textbook, we will cover the Family Life Curriculum, the Circle of Grace program, and we will continue to use the Virtues in Practice books, which this year focus on the virtue of hope and saints who exemplify that virtue..
- Grade will be based on 50% daily work/projects, 50% tests.
- Fr. Gutgsell teaches the 8th grade weekly during religion class time (Wednesdays).
- Every grade in the school performs a service project as part of putting their faith into action.
- 8th grade will have a retreat at the Pro-Sanctity Center sometime in November as part of Confirmation preparation (a wonderful class bonding experience).
- 8th graders also serve as "Mass Mentors" at weekly school Masses, as role models and helping the primary grade teachers monitor their students at Mass.
- A very special experience the 8th graders have during Catholic Schools Week is the All-City 8th Grade Mass, which our students host. Archbishop Lucas officiates at a Mass for all 8th graders in all the Omaha Catholic Schools (over 1000 8th graders!). The entire Cathedral is filled with 8th graders experiencing a very special Mass together, and all of our students play a role in making this event happen.
As you know, 8th graders who are Catholic also serve their St. Cecilia parish and school community by altar serving (as do 6th and 7th graders). Altar serving is a privilege and a serious responsibility. All servers receive a parish serving schedule in hard-copy form, and the schedule is also posted in Mrs. Garcia's room and available on the parish website. They are responsible for knowing their schedule, and for obtaining a substitute ahead of time if they cannot serve as scheduled. They should call Fr. Gutgsell and notify him who will be subbing for them, or notify Mrs. Garcia, ahead of time. Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade server can be called when looking for a sub. On the rare occasion when a last-minute emergency arises and a student cannot serve as scheduled or find a last-minute sub, s/he must call Fr. Gutgsell at 402-689-8603 prior to Mass and let him know.
Students who fail to show up as assigned and fail to get a sub or notify Father will serve Saturday School.