Special Topics & Monday Morning Muster
The Religion Specialist helps the Principal organize the lessons and themes for the year.  She assists the Principal in introducing the concepts, theme and message through regular Muster talks.  These 5-15 minute presentations focus on teaching the kids a main message, encouraging them to apply it to their lives through an interesting story, and concluding with prayer.  The Religion Specialist usually includes a power point presentation to draw the children in with colorful artwork, photos and maps.  The Muster talks are organized with the consultation of the Catholic Identity committee, which works to create reinforcement activities for the teachers to use in the classroom.  

Liturgical Seasons and Muster Talks
The Religion Specialist assists the Principal in introducing the school community to the various liturgical seasons we celebrate, especially Advent and Lent.  Two goals concerning the liturgical seasons are to: (1) encourage and support a prayerful atmosphere at the school; and (2) introduce and practice the traditional, meaningful activities of our Church during these seasons.  For example, our Advent prayers always include lighting an advent wreath and helping children understand the meaning of the colors, the wreath and the evergreens used in the wreath.  We highlight the themes brought forward in the Sunday readings during the seasons—seeking to reinforce what’s already happening in the Liturgy rather than another set of themes.

Catholic Schools Week and Muster
The Catholic Identity Committee and the Religion Specialist work on the theme for Catholic Schools Week and helps the children understand the faith message behind it—and how that theme calls us to action.  On the first 3 days of Catholic Schools Week, the school begins with a lengthened muster time.  Using skits, activities, songs and actions, we celebrate our school as a Catholic school connected to a parish.  We highlight what is unique and essential about being Catholic—to celebrate who we are and to be challenged about who we need to become.  
Catholic Schools Week includes time to focus on living our faith in our families, in the classrooms and within our community.  Although service and works of charity are encouraged and emphasized, the Religion Specialist works to make sure that Catholicism isn’t simply reduced down to ‘being nice to others.’  Muster talks and presentations help students know that at the center of all we do is the person of Jesus Christ.  Catholics are people who express their faith in Jesus Christ through professing a Creed, celebrating through Liturgy and Sacraments, living according to Jesus’ commands and praying together and individually.  

Staff Support
The Religion Specialist is available to teachers who need additional information about a topic or a short presentation to their class.  The Religion Specialist has provided material from the Parish Lending Library (books & videos) for teachers to use when teaching about a particular saint (St. Patrick, for example) or when teaching about a special topic (Geography of the Bible).  The Religion Specialist has assisted teachers in searching for Scripture quotations for use on bulletin boards, assignments, posters and letters home to parents.  The Religion Specialist has also located artwork or craft projects for bulletin boards related to Jesus Christ, Sacred Scripture, feast days and liturgical seasons.
For some of the school Masses, the Religion Specialist composes special reflections that take children through the readings with background information and discussion questions.  These reflections are sent out via e-mail to all the teachers.  Many teachers use them to help prepare their students for Mass—so that the children come prepared for Mass having already read and reflected upon the Readings.  If the school Mass is on a feast day, information is included about the meaning and history of the feast day.  Background about the books of the Bible or their authors are also included for many Masses.

Staff Retreats
The Religion Specialist at St. Paul Parish School works to develop and lead staff retreats.  These retreats have two main goals: first, to aid in spiritual reflection and faith formation for staff members, and, second, to allow time for staff to grow closer together through faith sharing.  The Religion Specialist prepares four retreats for the staff each year.  We begin with an opening retreat during in-service week.  This retreat presents the catechetical theme for the school year and allows each staff person time to reflect and pray about it.  We have retreats that prepare our staff for the seasons of Advent and Lent.  These retreats give staff members time to take a deep breath and prepare for each season on their own before leading their students through the seasons.  Our school year concludes with a retreat designed to reflect on our past accomplishments and challenges.  We express our gratitude for God’s guidance and presence throughout the past year.