Christ the King's third grade program focuses on going deeper into the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist that they received the year before. They will be expanding their examination of conscience. They will be prepared to go to Confession again and have the opportunity to go during class. Please encourage your children to make a good Confession again this year. They will practice receiving the Eucharist and revisit the real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Parents should reinforce what students learn in class by taking them to Confession and Communion regularly.

Throughout the year there will be a focus on the liturgy. The third grade class will be involved in planning and preparing to have a class Mass. The students will participate as much as possible in preparing the Mass. They will choose music, some will do readings, others will help serve, and others will help the sacristan. They will take an active role throughout the liturgy.

The text for third grade this year is the Faith and Life Series for Grade 3: Our Life with Jesus. Each child has a book to keep at home and read with their parents. Every week, the third grade catechists will send out an E-mail to all the parents with a recap of what happened in class that week and what (if anything) they need to do to prepare for the next class.

Polly Gjernes and her husband, Larry, have 9 children, which they have home-schooled. They have been members of CTK for 10 years. Polly has been involved in teaching since her sophomore year in high school. She taught Catechism classes during college and has been involved in many different aspects of the program here at CTK (parent room helper, assistant, Atrium aide, now 3rd grade catechist). Polly says of her experience teaching: "Helping children open their hearts to God's love is an incredible blessing and joy, and is the most important part of schooling my own children."

Carol Slomiany and her husband, Wayne, have been married for 33 years and have five children, who attended Huron Valley Catholic School and Fr. Gabriel Richard High School. They have been members of Christ the King for 32 years. Carol has taught 2nd and 4th grade Catechism for CTK in the past, and has also participated as a leader for Liturgy of the Word for Children for the past 12 years. Carol is also involved as a leader in Catholic Scripture Study that meets at CTK. What she enjoys most about teaching is seeing the young children get excited about God and wanting to do what is right in God's eyes.