In today’s society, children are often incredibly busy — they must divide their time between school, homework, extracurricular activities, family, and friends. It might seem challenging to provide kids with an opportunity to dive into their faith, especially if they do not attend a Catholic school. That is what the Parish School of Religion (PSR) program strives to do.
At Immaculate Conception, our PSR works to provide quality Catholic faith formation, where the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is lived, learned, and shared in a safe learning environment. Children have the valuable opportunity to know the love of God and the message of salvation.
The PSR program ministers to children in kindergarten through eighth grade, and is typically for students who are not enrolled in any Catholic school. Classes are held on Monday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“It is very important for the children to come, first of all, to pray together,” says Sister Josephine, Parish Catechetical Leader. “Then, they can learn about our faith, get to know their Lord, and build a community of faithful peers. Our goal is not just knowledge, but we hope to instill in them the love of the Lord.”
The classes cover many topics, some of which include Scripture — both the Old and New Testament — the Ten Commandments, the Sacraments, and other teachings of the Church. Children also attend adoration, pray the Rosary, participate in Stations of the Cross, and attend Confession. Sr. Josephine shares that this year, the program aims to have at least one class visit adoration every week.
“We want to instill in them to love of the Eucharist, and the belief in the True Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist,” Sr. Josephine says. “This year is the parish level of the nationwide Eucharistic Revival, and we want to help our children participate and experience that as well.”
All of the PSR teachers are volunteers. Most of them are not trained teachers — rather, they are parishioners who want to share their faith and be part of the children’s faith journey. Anybody who has been fully initiated into the Catholic faith through the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation can volunteer. PSR volunteers should be in good standing with the Catholic Church and should be good role models of the faith for the children they will be teaching.
“I am so grateful, I can’t even say it enough,” Sr. Josephine says. “I am so grateful for their time, for their willingness to share their faith with the children, and their willingness to learn and pray with the children. Many volunteers have shared that while they give to the children, they also receive just as much in return. We are always in need of new volunteers to step up and be willing to grow together in the knowledge and love of the Lord.”
If you have questions about the Parish School of Religion or would like to get involved, contact Sr. Josephine at 440-942-4500 or immaculateconceptionpsr@gmail.com.