Course Descriptions 2026 - 2027
First/Second Grade (ages 6-7):
Young Choristers
Course Description: The youngest grades are taught fundamentals of singing and memorization of sung prayers. The children are instructed on how singing, and the Mass are connected, and which Mass parts are sung during different times of the year. Children in this age group do not sing in the choir loft for the Masses during the school year. They are taught one or two parts of the ordinary chants with which they can sing along from the pews either from memory or using a provided music sheet (however taught in class) in a reserved section of pews.
Lives of the Saints
Course Description: This course will cover a variety of saints. Students will discuss each saint’s heroic virtue with age-appropriate crafts, games, and activities to aid in learning. Necessary materials will be provided.
The Story of Civilization
Course Description: This program from TAN Books reflects “a new emphasis in presenting the history of the world as a thrilling and compelling narrative. Within each chapter, children will encounter short stories that place them directly in the shoes of historical figures, both famous and ordinary, as they live through legendary battles and invasions, philosophical debates, the construction of architectural wonders, the discovery of new inventions and sciences, and the exploration of the world.”
Volume I: The Ancient World, begins the journey, covering the time periods from the dawn of history and the early nomads to the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Children will learn what life was like in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, Rome, and more, as well as learn the Old Testament stories of the Israelites and the coming of Christ. The strength of the content lies not only in the storybook delivery of it, but also in the way it presents history through the faithful prism of the Church. (Description from Tan Books.)
Preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion
Course Description: This course will be a thorough preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion. Its successful completion will fulfill the requirements to receive each Sacrament.
Please Note: This course is not interchangeable with the Sunday program. Students must enroll in one or the other. Students must be in 2nd grade and are to reach age 7 by Oct 1.
If a child is in a sacramental prep class, they will miss either gym or choir. This is subject to change based on enrollment. Please check back at the Mandatory Parent Meeting to verify your student’s final schedule.
Text: The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism
Gym Program
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Third/Fourth Grade (ages 8-9)
Young Choristers
Course Description: The youngest grades are taught fundamentals of singing and memorization of sung prayers. The children are instructed on how singing, and the Mass are connected, and which Mass parts are sung during different times of the year. Children in this age group do not sing in the choir loft for the Masses during the school year. They are taught one or two parts of the ordinary chants with which they can sing along from the pews either from memory or using a provided music sheet (however taught in class) in a reserved section of pews.
Stories of the Bible
Course Description: This course will utilize the text The Story of the Bible. Our young readers will “discover not only the sanctity and wisdom, but the excitement of the stories and events that shaped human history and brought about our salvation.”
The Story of Civilization
Course Description: This program from TAN Books reflects “a new emphasis in presenting the history of the world as a thrilling and compelling narrative. Within each chapter, children will encounter short stories that place them directly in the shoes of historical figures, both famous and ordinary, as they live through legendary battles and invasions, philosophical debates, the construction of architectural wonders, the discovery of new inventions and sciences, and the exploration of the world.”
Volume I: The Ancient World, begins the journey, covering the time periods from the dawn of history and the early nomads to the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Children will learn what life was like in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, Rome, and more, as well as learn the Old Testament stories of the Israelites and the coming of Christ. The strength of the content lies not only in the storybook delivery of it, but also in the way it presents history through the faithful prism of the Church. (Description from Tan Books.)
Gym Program
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Fifth/Sixth Grade (ages 10-11)
Choristers
Course Description: For girls and boys with unchanged voices. Students are taught the tools they need in order to be able to teach themselves new chants. They study chant notation, singing techniques, solfège, intervals, and sight singing. These skills will help them learn new music, whether Propers, Ordinaries, or hymns, more quickly and easily should they join the Acolyte Schola or Cantor group for singing Masses. These students will learn selected chants and hymns and may audition to sing in the choir loft for the three Masses each semester as space allows, at the Music Director's approval. All sing at Mass using a provided music sheet in a reserved section of pews.
The Story of Civilization
Course Description: This program from TAN Books reflects “a new emphasis in presenting the history of the world as a thrilling and compelling narrative. Within each chapter, children will encounter short stories that place them directly in the shoes of historical figures, both famous and ordinary, as they live through legendary battles and invasions, philosophical debates, the construction of architectural wonders, the discovery of new inventions and sciences, and the exploration of the world.”
Volume I: The Ancient World, begins the journey, covering the time periods from the dawn of history and the early nomads to the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Children will learn what life was like in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, Rome, and more, as well as learn the Old Testament stories of the Israelites and the coming of Christ. The strength of the content lies not only in the storybook delivery of it, but also in the way it presents history through the faithful prism of the Church. (Description from Tan Books.)
Gym Program
Teachers: Mrs. Laura Carney, Mrs. Jessica Rosenberg
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
New Testament Course
Course Description: The textbook for this class is: Bible History: A Textbook of the Old and New Testaments for Catholic Schools by Fr. George Johnson, PhD, Fr. Jerome D. Hannan, PhD., JCD, and Sr. M. Dominica, OSU, PhD.
Homework will consist of chapter readings from the text in preparation for the weekly lessons, occasionally interspersed and supplemented with other Scripture reading.
Students are responsible for bringing to class their Parish issued textbook Bible History: A Textbook of the Old and New Testaments for Catholic Schools, as well as a Bible (RSVCE or Douay-Rheims are preferred), notebook, writing utensils and a folder or binder for class papers.
Seventh/Eighth Grade (ages 12-13)
The Ancient World
Course Description: coming soon!
Choristers
Course Description: For boys with unchanged voices. Students are taught the tools they need in order to be able to teach themselves new chants. They study chant notation, singing techniques, solfège, intervals, and sight singing. These skills will help them learn new music, whether Propers, Ordinaries, or hymns, more quickly and easily should they join the Acolyte Schola or Cantor group for singing Masses. These students will learn selected chants and hymns and may audition to sing in the choir loft as space allows, at the Music Director's approval. All sing at Mass using a provided music sheet in a reserved section of pews.
OR
Cantors:
Teacher: Mr. Paul Thomas May, MM
Course Description: This group is responsible for singing three Masses each semester and are assigned chants of the Mass both Ordinary and Proper. Girls of all ages are given this assignment for additional academic rigor and younger treble voices (both boys and girls) may audition into this group if they have sufficient singing ability. Students are given listening assignments and strategies for practicing at home. Technical singing instruction and tips are given by the Music Director to this group; all are asked to sing to the best of their ability and are always given proper preparation for their responsibility.
Preparation for Confirmation
Course Description: This course will be a thorough preparation for Confirmation and its successful completion will fulfill the requirements to receive the Sacrament.
Please Note: this course is not interchangeable with the Sunday program. Students must enroll in one or the other. Students must be in 8th grade and age 13 by Oct 1, 2026. Exceptions need to be discussed with the Pastor.
Text: The New Confraternity Revised Baltimore Catechism III, by Rev. Francis J. Connell, from Seton Press.
Gym Program
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Drama- Fundamentals of Acting
Course Description: This class will build students’ basic acting technique through practical exercises including voice, diction, movement, pantomime, memorization, and vocal recitation, culminating in the performance of one play per semester. Once roles are distributed, students may expect 15-20 minutes of memory work per week or more, depending on the size of the role.
Note: girls must wear leggings under their dresses since this class involves active movement.
High School Courses
Theology or Philosophy - TBD
Course Description: coming soon!
Mater Dei Choristers (Choir)
Cantors directed by Mr. Paul Thomas May, MM
Acolytes directed by Mr. Jonathan Arrington
Acolyte Schola: For older boys who have changed voices. With the Cantors, this group sings for three Masses each semester. Since this group of students is older on average, more difficult chants are assigned. Students are given listening assignments and strategies for practicing at home. Again, students have varied experience with singing, but all are expected to sing to their own capacity and are given professional instruction from the Music Director and/or another qualified musician when possible.
These students have added responsibilities including:
–vesting in cassock and surplice for liturgical functions
–acting as cantor for Terce and None as assigned by the Director
–acting as cantor II for Vespers on Sunday once a month as assigned by the Director
Cantors: This group is responsible for singing three Masses each semester and are assigned chants of the Mass both Ordinary and Proper. Girls of all ages are given this assignment for additional academic rigor and younger treble voices (both boys and girls) may audition into this group if they have sufficient singing ability. Students are given listening assignments and strategies for practicing at home. Technical singing instruction and tips are given by the Music Director to this group; all are asked to sing to the best of their ability and are always given proper preparation for their responsibility.
Gym Program
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Drama- Fundamentals of Acting
A final decision on the ability to provide this course has not yet been decided.
Course Description: This class will build students’ basic acting technique through practical exercises including voice, diction, movement, pantomime, memorization, and vocal recitation, culminating in the performance of one play per semester. Once roles are distributed, students may expect 15-20 minutes of memory work per week or more, depending on the size of the role. Note: girls must wear leggings under their dresses since this class involves active movement.