* Grades 1-6 Tuesday 4:30-5:45 pm or 6:15 -7:30
* Grades 7-8 Tuesday 6:15 -7:30
* Special Needs classes (ages 6-14) Monday 6:15-7pm
St. Joseph Parish School of Religion (PSR) is religious education for any children of the parish who attend schools without formal religious education as part of its curriculum. PSR is a vibrant and excellent community-focused program to form your child in the Catholic faith, including preparing them for the reception of sacraments as well as deepening and reinforcing knowledge of their Catholic Faith and values for living. PSR also aims to celebrate as a Catholic community and to reach out in service to others. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to be involved throughout the program. The PSR catechists are teaching because of their love of Christ, and He has called them to share their faith! If you are interested in adding this vibrant and active faith community to your child's faith formation or for more information call 636-391-1404 or register on-line easily at www.stjoemanchester.org.
Our St Joseph Youth Minister, Junior High Youth Minister and Coordinator of Religious Education have developed a discipleship formation for our 7th & 8th graders. This program is empowering, spiritual, equipping the junior high student and strengthening them. The signs of the times prove that our young teens are faced with so many decisions in today’s world. Our young teens need connection, and if we don’t provide them connection here in their faith and their faith family, then they will connect with whatever is offered out there. The format of this Discipleship formation is… Not in a classroom format but in a small group discussion and witness format in the new parish center, they will not be in any “classroom” setup for the whole two years! Texts will be a Catholic Youth Study Bible and a Youth Catechism written specifically for teens! Witness speakers will be national, Archdiocesan and parish level speakers! We will form them in expected curriculum material as well as life issues teens have today! We will form them in sacramental preparations for Confirmation! Service experiences several times during the year with catechetical formation as a part of the experience! We will ‘earn’ the right to be heard for the first 10 minutes, a witness addresses them on a topic, small group discussion catechetical in nature focusing on the witness they heard, more personal witness on the topic from the small group catechist they are with every week, use of Scripture and Catechism by students in their small groups, and ending with a prayer experience central to what formation they have just received. Why this way? To grow them in community with each other, their catechists and their parish. To give them more individual knowledge of the faith, personal spirituality and personal growth. To give them more meaningful prayer experiences. To help them go deeper through a small faith sharing format. To give them an identity of their own in the PSR program. To give them the spiritual tools and skills to carry them through life issues in high school and college. As ministers in this parish who work directly with our young teens, we continually were asking ourselves “what more can we do” for our young teens to give them the tools, faith formation, spiritual experiences and growth; and this discipleship formation answers that question! Due to the logistic of the many parts to this Discipleship formation, we can only offer it, for all 7 th & 8th graders, in the late session only.
Special Ed PSR
St Joseph PSR is EXCITED…to offer a religious education class for children with special education needs!
Who can attend? Any child, 6 – 14 years old, with special needs whose needs cannot be met in a general religious education classroom. The classes are held Tuesday evenings at 6:30-7:15pm.
What will we teach? It is our desire to provide quality religious education, sacramental preparation and a living faith for children with special learning needs. We have a high ratio of teacher/helpers to students and work with parents to help the children benefit in the best possible way. Our primary goal is for children to know that God loves them.
What will we do? Have FUN learning about God! Jesus wants your child to grow in faith, too! Have courage! Contact us about religious education for your child!
Whenever possible children with special education needs will be integrated into a regular PSR classroom.
If you have a background in special education and would like to help by teaching a child or assisting in any other way, contact us!
Volunteers who would like to serve as catechists or classroom aides are always welcome! If you are interested in teaching or volunteering for PSR please make an appointment for an interview with Michelle at [email protected].
