RATIONALE:

At Mary, Mother of the Church, SUNDAY IS THE NORM FOR CATHOLIC LIFE.  As a Christian Community, we gather at weekend Liturgy to give thanks and praise to our Triune God. We believe the Mission of Mary Mother of the Church, as a Christ-centered community, is to be a radiant light in the world and a bold witness to those whose lives we touch, inspiring them to love God and to love one another as God loves us. When our children gather on Monday/Wednesday, they are invited to KNOW, LOVE, AND SERVE the LORD.  In a PSR session, we lead our children through faith and prayer to see the Lord in their lives at home, at Church, and in the world.

OVERVIEW OF OUR PARISH PROGRAM

PSR sessions are only a part of the formation of young Catholics in our parish spirituality. What happens in a PSR session can only take root if the following aspects of our Parish Life are met:

1. Regular participation of  family members at our Weekend Liturgies.
   
2. Parental involvement in Family Connection or other parish events.
   
3. Parental interest and follow-up in weekly PSR sessions.

ALL OF THE ABOVE, tell the child that "church" is important to parents and something the child can gradually come to see as worthwhile for himself or herself.

WHAT WE INTEND TO ACCOMPLISH IN PSR:

A regular methodic way  . . . .	(i.e. week by week and grade by grade, our faith in Jesus & His Church is laid out in your child's religion book;  no worry that something is missed)
of presenting our children . . . . .	(the content is presented, but remembering takes parental follow-up; read to your child each week)
with basic Catholic teaching . . . .	(material is in accordance with Catechism of the Catholic Church)
in a way that children can best comprehend . . . . .	(recognizing that children are not adults, we present  material according to what they are able to understand).

Role of the Catechist (religion teacher):

Your child's catechist is called to encourage your child to believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church.  The catechist cannot do this alone.  The catechist is a partner who works with parents to supplement the spiritual growth you initiated when your child was baptized in the Catholic community.  It is hoped that each child will hear the faith shared and spoken at home as well as in religion class.

Role of Parent:

Every parent is expected to keep abreast of what is in the book and what is happening in class.  Spend twenty to thirty minutes with each child, reading the text each week. This gives parent and child new information about our Catholic faith. This one-on-one work by parent and child is the secret of success in the PSR program. When reading your child’s text, pay particular attention to the “Faith Focus” (left hand corner) and “To Help You Remember” (right hand corner) on each two-page spread.  These items are what you need to help your child understand and recall.  Read the Parent Page section before each unit in the Faith First textbook.   Be sure your child can answer "Review" at the end of each chapter.

Your Sunday Offering
Your Sunday Offering is the primary means of support for our PSR.  We encourage families to be generous in giving to God what belongs to God.  There is no tuition for our PSR.  Simply use your Sunday envelope. We ask that all PSR households contribute a minimum of $6.00 per week.

PROCEDURES

ABSENCE . . . . . . Parents should notify the teacher if their child will not be attending the class.  The teacher will contact the parents after the second unexcused absence.  Parents are advised to check the Parish Bulletin weekly for important announcements concerning changes in schedules or calendar.

 

TARDINESS . . . . In view of the fact that one hour a week is minimal for religious formation, teachers are directed to begin classes promptly (6:30 or 7:45 p.m.).  Please allow time for your child to enter our building and get to class on time.

 

SNOW SCHEDULE: . . . . .    On a Monday or Wednesday, when Mehlville schools have been closed due to snow or inclement weather, PSR sessions that evening are to be considered cancelled.  If ice or snow begin in late afternoon, cancellations will be made by phone.

 

CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMISSION
When needs, concerns, ideas or interests in religious education from pre-school through adult arise, the Christian Formation Commission is the appropriate place for expressing them.  The Commission meets monthly and is open to all parishioners.  Check your monthly UPDATE calendar and weekly bulletin for time and place or call Mrs. Joan Serati, present chairperson (843-9733).

THE FAMILY CONNECTION

Parents are invited to attend these sessions for fellowship and support on family matters. See the PSR Calendar on the back of this directory and watch the parish bulletin for special events that will add blessing and grace to your family life.  Call Jill Farmer (416-0401), this year's chairperson, for more information.