We will be seeking PSR teachers and assistant teachers for the 2011-2012 school year. If you are interested in this opportunity to teach our children more about their Catholic faith, please contact Suzanne Blake at suzanne@ollparish.info.

Parish School of Religion

General:

The Parish School of Religion is one dimension of a faith formation, religious education program for Catholic students in grades 1 – 12 who do not attend Catholic schools.  The program teaches Catholic history and doctrine, fosters community, and prepares students for Christian service.  Classes are held during the school year for one hour and fifteen minutes each week to insure the required thirty hours of Religious Education.  Volunteer catechists teach the classes.  Many of these catechists are certified to teach religious education or are working toward certification.  Our catechists receive curriculums that are based on grade level expectations set by the Archdiocese.  Lessons are planned just as in other academic subjects.  Catechesis begins with a simple overview of the Christian message.  As the students mature, more detail and history are added to the framework so that each student can arrive at a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Christian message as a way of life.  Quizzes,  assignments, and oral assessments will be given to determine whether there is understanding of the material.   

Service:

Grades 9-10 are asked to complete 10 service hours per school year.

Sacramental Preparation:

Remember:  If you are to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation, you must have received two years of sacramental preparation for that sacrament.  First Reconciliation and First Communion students need to have completed 1^st and 2^nd grades.  Confirmation students must have completed 9^th and 10^th grades.  

In the spring of 10^th grade, confirmation registration takes places.  Students from our parish are confirmed in the fall of their 11^th grade year.

PSR is meant to be an aid to parents.  Parents and the home are, of course, the primary source of religious formation.  The class is not a substitute for parental involvement in the religious life of the student.  Where Christ is truly present in the home, the PSR class will be adequate formal education.

• Classes for grades 1-6 are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Classes for grades 7-10 are held on Monday evenings from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Classes for grades 11-12 TBA.

Attendance

         Just as in other academic areas, attendance is essential for full understanding of the material presented.  The Archdiocese requires 30 hours of classroom instruction for Parish School of Religion credit for each academic year.  In the event that a student does not meet this requirement, the teacher and coordinator will determine whether the student is prepared for promotion to the next grade level.

        When a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to find out what was missed and to turn in any make-up work that is given.   Please encourage your child to put forth every effort to learn. With the small amount of time we have, coming into the class in the right frame of mind can make all the difference in the world.

 Important:

A mandatory Safe Environment talk will be given to all children that attend PSR. Safe Environment discusses personal safety, dignity, and respect. If you do NOT wish to have your child hear this talk, please sign a “refusal” form. Your child’s teacher will have the forms available.