Parish School of Religion (PSR)

17-18 century Icon of Madonna with prayer in Dormition of the Theotokos Church at Kondopoga
courtesy Wikimedia; prayer reads: "Our Jesus Christ hear the prayer of your mother."  

WHO WE ARE/ WHAT WE DO:
The Our Lady of Peace Parish School of Religion is an education program for Grades 1-8, which is offered to parish children who attend public school. The goal of PSR is to reinforce the Catholic truths and faith that parents are teaching at home. The aim of the program is to familiarize children with the basic knowledge and beliefs of the catholic faith and instill catholic values in each student. PSR also prepares students for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion (2nd Grade), as well as Confirmation (7th/8th Grade).

Classes follow the academic year and are held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each Sunday (following the 10:00 a.m. Mass). We also offer a preschool program held during the 10:00 a.m. Mass. During the 2010-2011 year we had 78 students, a tremendous increase over past years, so volunteer support has become even more vital.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:
PSR is a great opportunity for parish members to utilize their special skills and talents and to share their faith and love of the church with children in our parish. Volunteer opportunities include being a head teacher for a PSR class or being an iade.

The head teacher for each classroom ensures that his/her students receive the necessary instruction to continue to form their faith and learn about the Catholic Church. Materials are provided by the parish, but the teacher is responsible for lesson planning. This can be an extremely creative and rewarding opportunity for volunteers. A volunteer aide helps the head teacher with activities they have planned for his/her class, from doing craft projects to touring the sanctuary.

Volunteers for the PSR program must be fingerprinted and attend the Protecting God's Children Program. This is a requirement for all volunteers who work with children at the parish.

CONTACT:
For more information on how you can get involved in the parish PSR program, please
contact Tracey Fortkamp, PSR coordinator, at 614-560-7269.