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Lesson plans for real life
By ANGELA MILLER-HOOD The fourth-grade religious education class at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church has something different about it. Instead of learning what Christians should do, the class goes out and does it. Louise Weeks and her daughter, Dee Mazza, lead the 25 kids. "This class has been the most unique experience," said Joanne Chamberlin, whose son, Jarrett, attends. Weeks "makes it very interesting for the kids, concentrating on ways of helping people in a hands-on way." Weeks moved here almost two years ago from Las Vegas, where she taught religious education classes for 12 years. This is the second year that the two have volunteered to teach at St. Ignatius. "I believe you don't just talk about what you are supposed to do; you do it," Weeks said. The class is studying and performing acts of kindness such as feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, visiting prisoners and offering shelter to the homeless. The kids are also learning about the Ten Commandments and the Ark of the Covenant. "These are life-changing things they are learning," Weeks said. The class recently collected $308 in change to buy food for the Holy Ground Homeless Shelter. Some of the kids and their parents also went to the shelter on Nov. 23 to help serve a Thanksgiving meal. Jean Timmons and Lisa Barabas-Henry run Holy Ground. Barabas-Henry gave the kids a tour of the shelter and had them help make fruit punch and slice the cranberry sauce. The children stood behind the long food table and gave plates to the shelter residents. They also sang God Bless America and prayed before the meal. "They did a wonderful job and were very eager to help and learn," Timmons said. They had saved their money in little pine boxes that they made with instructions from Mike Abatamarco of Home Depot in Port Richey. The seven "corporal works of mercy" were taped to each box. "We tell them to give, give, give and appreciate what you have," Mazza said. The class also made a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. The ark is covered in gold glitter, beads, pearls and sequins. Students also made imitation stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, which are in the ark. At the beginning of each class, students assigned as the guards of the ark bring it from the office to class. Every week Weeks and Mazza decorate the front desk to look like an altar, with a colored tablecloth, the Bible, a picture of Jesus and a lighted candle. At the beginning of class students recite a prayer that Weeks wrote. At the end, students sing Here I Am, Lord. "If I can influence them at this age, it might help them make the right decisions later," Weeks said. The class also plans to sing Christmas carols Dec. 8 in front of Sears at Gulf View Square mall to raise money for the Salvation Army. "We teach by doing," Mazza said. - Angela Miller-Hood covers religion news in Pasco county and can be reached by calling (352) 521-5757, ext. 29 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6108, then 29. Her e-mail address is angela@sptimes.com. If you goSt. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church is at 725 E Orange St., Tarpon Springs. Religious education class meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Call the education department at (727) 934-4163.
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