Handbook

Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church

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HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS P. S. R.

FAMILY HANDBOOK

MAY THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,

THE FATHER OF GLORY

GRANT YOU A SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND

INSIGHT TO KNOW HIM CLEARLY.

MAY HE ENLIGHTEN YOUR INNERMOST VISION,

THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE GREAT HOPE TO WHICH

HE HAS CALLED YOU, THE WEALTH OF HIS GLORIOUS

HERITAGE TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE MEMBERS

OF OUR CHURCH, AND THE IMMEASURABLE SCOPE

OF HIS POWER IN US WHO BELIEVE.

EPH. 1:17

DEAR PARENTS,

P. S. R. STAFF AND CATECHISTS WELCOME YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN TO HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

WE TAKE THE P. S. R. CLASSES SERIOUSLY BECAUSE OF OUR GIFTS OF FAITH, AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR GOD.

WHILE THE CATECHISTS STRIVE TO INSTRUCT YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH AND TRADITIONS, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. YOU AS PARENTS ARE THE PRINCIPLE EDUCATORS IN YOUR CHILDS FAITH DEVELOPMENT.

BY YOUR PARTICIPATION IN YOUR CHILDS SPIRITUAL FORMATION, ATTENDING MASS ON SUNDAYS, AND HOLY DAYS, PARTICIPATION IN P. S. R. SERVICES, AND YOUR CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE THROUGH PRAYER AT HOME, YOU WILL HAVE MORE OF A RELIGIOUS IMPACT ON YOUR CHILDREN THAN THE CATECHISTS AND STAFF OF P. S. R. COULD EVER HAVE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU THIS YEAR. YOUR PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT CAN TRULY ENRICH THIS PROCESS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, WHICH BEGAN AT BAPTISM AND ENDS WHEN WE COME TO MEET OUR SAVIOR FACE-TO-FACE.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

THE CATECHISTS AND STAFF OF

HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS P. S. R.

FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, OR WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SACRAMENTS OF THE EUCHARIST, RECONCILIATION, AND CONFIRMATION, AND WHOSE PARENTS WISH THAT THEIR CHILDREN BECOME FULL MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH; SPECIAL CLASSES ARE OFFERED TO PREPARE THESE CHILDREN FOR THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION; BAPTISM, RECONCILIATION, HOLY EUCHARIST, AND CONFIRMATION. THESE CLASSES ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR REGULAR P. S. R. CLASSES. AFTER THE STUDENT HAS RECEIVED THE SACRAMENT OR SACRAMENTS THEY ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE P. S. R. PROGRAM, BECAUSE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IS AN ONGOING PROCESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION FOR THE CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN, PLEASE CONTACT THE P. S. R. COORDINATOR THROUGH THE RECTORY, 566-2958.

COMMUNICATION

CHANGES IN POLICY AND SCHEDULING ARE COMMUNICATED TO FAMILIES THROUGH LETTERS AND CALENDARS AND THE SUNDAY BULLETIN.

	P. S. R. CLASSES WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAYS AT 9:00AM TO 10:15AM, YOU MAY JOIN THE CHILDREN IN CLASS AND PARTICIPATE AT YOUR LEISURE. CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN MASS AT 5:30PM ON SATURDAY. AND AT 8:00AM AND 10:30AM SUNDAYS.
	THE FEE FOR ENROLLING YOUR CHILDREN IN P.S.R. IS $50.00. REGISTRATION IS HELD IN THE SPRING, AUGUST AFTER SUNDAY MASSES, AND ON THE FIRST DAY OF P.S.R., AND ANYTIME THEREAFTER. PLEASE LOOK IN SUNDAYS BULLETIN FOR DATES AND TIMES.
	WHEN THERE IS INCLEMENT WEATHER, ALL CATECHISTS ARE TO BE NOTIFIED BY PHONE, AND PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY PHONE. IF THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL YOUR CHILDREN'S TEACHER.

KINDERGARTEN

KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS MUST BE 5 YRS OF AGE BY THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER. REGISTRATION FOR KINDERGARTEN IS THE SAME AS P. S. R. REGISTRATION DATES.

EVALUATION

	CATECHETICAL PROGRESS REPORTS FOR STUDENTS PERFORMANCE WILL BE SENT TO PARENTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
	PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THEIR CHILDREN WITH THE CATECHIST AS THE NEED ARISES; CATECHISTS SHOULD DO THE SAME WITH THE PARENTS.

P. S. R. DISCIPLINE POLICY

	ORDINARY DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS ARE HANDLED BY THE CATECHIST IN THE CLASSROOM AS THEY OCCUR.
	WHEN A STUDENTS BEHAVIOR DISRUPTS THE CLASS ON A CONTINUAL BASIS, THE CATECHIST WILL SEND THE STUDENT TO THE P. S. R. COORDINATOR WITH A NOTE AND THEIR TEXTBOOK. IN THESE CASES, ONE OF SEVERAL THINGS COULD HAPPEN: 1. THE STUDENT AND P. S. R. COORDINATOR WILL TALK AND THE STUDENT WILL BE RETURNED TO CLASS. 2. THE STUDENT COULD REMAIN WITH THE P. S. R. COORDINATOR UNTIL THE END OF CLASS PERIOD. 3. IN THE EVENT THAT THE STUDENT CONTINUES TO BE DISRUPTIVE DURING CLASS, THE PARENTS WILL BE CALLED TO COME PICK UP THE STUDENT IMMEDIATELY. A CONFERENCE BETWEEN PARENTS, STUDENT, CATECHIST, AND THE COORDINATOR WILL BE SCHEDULED BEFORE THE STUDENT MAY RETURN TO CLASS.
	STUDENTS MAY BRING CELL PHONES TO CLASS , BUT CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF DURING CLASS TIME. IF STUDENTS HAVE CELL PHONES TURNED ON OR ARE TEXTING DURING CLASS TIME THEIR CELL PHONES WILL BE TAKEN BY CATECHIST AND NOT RETURNED TILL THE END OF CLASS TIME.

SACRAMENTS

BEFORE THE STUDENT MAY RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND THE HOLY EUCHARIST, AND CONFIRMATION, HE/SHE MUST HAVE ATTENDED REGULAR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES ONE (1) YEAR PRIOR TO THE SACRAMENTAL YEAR.

	IN ORDER TO ASSIST PARENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS, HOLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDES PARENT MEETINGS FOR EACH SACRAMENT. THESE PARENT MEETINGS ARE REQUIRED PARTS OF THE THREE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS. THE PARENT MEETINGS ARE DESIGNED TO FAMILIARIZE PARENTS WITH THE CURRENT CHURCH TEACHINGS; DEVELOP METHODS TO PROMOTE THE INCREASE FAMILY PARTICIPATION IN THE FIRST RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT; AND TO EXTEND THE PROCESS OF CATECHESIS IN THE HOME.
	SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION IS GEARED TO HELP STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND FAMILIES PREPARE FOR THE FIRST RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT, AS WELL AS CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE SACRAMENT.
	BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION, EUCHARIST, OR CONFIRMATION, STUDENTS CANNOT MISS MORE THAN TWO (2) DAYS (EXCUSED ABSENCES) DURING THE PSR CALENDAR YEAR.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THE PARENTS OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. DURING THE RITE OF BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN, THE CELEBRANT ADDRESSES THE PARENTS:

“YOU HAVE ASKED TO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN BAPTIZED, IN DOING SO, YOU ARE ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TRAINING THEM IN THE PRACTICE OF THE FAITH. IT WILL BE YOUR DUTY TO BRING THEM UP TO KEEP GODS COMMANDMENTS AS CHRIST TAUGHT US. BY LOVING GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOR. IN RECOGNITION OF THIS FACT, THAT SINCE PARENTS HAVE CONFERRED LIFE ON THEIR CHILDREN, THEY HAVE A MOST SOLEMN OBLIGATION TO EDUCATE THEIR OFFSPRING”. ( DCE#3)

THE PARISH OF HOLY CHILDHOOD ALSO RECOGNIZES ITS RESPONSIBILITY AS “CHURCH COMMUNITY”. BEING “COMMUNITY” INVOLVES A SHARING IN BELIEFS, EXPERIENCES, IDEALS, AND VALUES. IT IS BASED ON THE WILLINGNESS OF ALL MEMBERS AS GOOD STEWARDS, TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY, INDIVIDUALLY AND CORPORATELY, FOR THE WAY EACH LIVES, USES HIS/HERS TALENTS AND TREASURES, AND RESPONDS TO THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF OTHERS. (NCD 370) THEREFORE, THE CHURCH COMMUNITY OF HOLY CHILDHOOD AIDS PARENTS IN CREATING A “FAMILY ATMOSPHERE SO ANIMATED WITH LOVE AND REVERENCE FOR GOD, THAT A WELL ROUNDED PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE FOSTERED AMONG OUR CHILDREN”. ( DCE#3) IN ORDER TO ASSIST PARENTS THE PARISH PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONGOING FAITH DEVELOPMENT, THROUGH ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND PARENT MEETINGS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO AID IN THE CATECHESIS OF THEIR CHILDREN. “ SUCH AN EDUCATION DOES NOT MERELY STRIVE TO FOSTER IN THE HUMAN PERSON MATURITY… RATHER ITS PRINCIPAL AIMS ARE THESE: THAT AS THE BAPTIZED PERSON GRADUALLY INTRODUCED INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF SALVATION, HE/SHE MAY DAILY GROW MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE GIFT OF FAITH WHICH HE/SHE HAS RECEIVED; THAT HE/SHE MAY LEARN TO ADORE GOD THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH, ESPECIALLY THROUGH LITURGICAL WORSHIP;

THAT HE/SHE MAY BE TRAINED TO CONDUCT HIS/HER PERSONAL LIFE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SANCTITY OF THE TRUTH”. (DCE#12)

EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS BY WHICH THE CHURCH FULFILLS ITS COMMITMENT TO THE DIGNITY OF THE PERSON AND THE BUILDING OF COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY IS THE CENTRAL TO EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY BOTH AS A NECESSARY CONDITION AND AN ARDENTLY DESIRED GOAL. THE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS OF THE CHURCH MUST THEREFORE BE DIRECTED TO FORMING PERSON-IN-COMMUNITY; FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO HIS/HER SOLITARY DESTINY BUT ALSO TO THE DESTINIES OF THE MANY COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE LIVE. ( TO TEACH AS JESUS DID #13)

AS A FURTHER AID, THE CHURCH COMMUNITY OF HOLY CHILDHOOD HAS DEDICATED CATECHISTS WHO WORK WITH PARENTS FOR THE CATECHESIS OF THEIR CHILDREN.

CATECHISTS ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, ACQUIRE AND DEEPEN FAITH AND IDENTITY THROUGH INITIATION RITES, INSTRUCTION AND FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE.

THE CATECHIST DOES THIS BY RESOUNDING THE “WORD” OF GOD IN THEIR VERY LIFE. THROUGH BAPTISM, THE WHOLE CHURCH IS CALLED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MISSION OF CATECHESIS.

“GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF EVERY NATION… TEACH THEM TO CARRY OUT EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU”. (MATTHEW 28:19-20)

DCE: DECLARATION OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

NCD: NATIONAL CATECHETICAL DIRECTORY

GOALS

TO INSTRUCT STUDENTS IN THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES AND DOCTRINES OF OUR FAITH

TO ENABLE EACH INDIVIDUAL TO NOURISH HIS/HER OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER, STUDY, SCRIPTURE, AND FREQUENT PARTICIPATION IN THE SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND THE HOLY EUCHARIST.

TO BRING STUDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE EUCHARISTIC LITURGY AS THE SOURCE, EXPRESSION, AND CELEBRATION OF WHO WE ARE AS CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS.

TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO GROW THOUGH PRAYER, STUDY, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE LITURGICAL AND ACTIVE LIFE OF THE CHURCH, A RESPONSE TO THEIR BAPTISMAL CALL TO MAKE THE KINGDOM OF GOD PRESENT HERE AND NOW IN THE WORLD.

P. S. R. POLICIES

REGISTRATION

	PSR REGISTRATION IS HELD IN THE SPRING, IN AUGUST, AND WHEN CLASSES BEGIN. INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED IN THE PARISH BULLETIN AND CALENDAR.
	REGISTRATION IS FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH. STUDENTS MUST REGISTER EACH YEAR.
	AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION, EACH NEW STUDENT WILL PRESENT A COPY OF HIS/HER BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. IF AN ORIGINAL IS SENT IN TO THE OFFICE A COPY WILL BE MADE AND THE ORIGINAL RETURNED. IF YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN BAPTIZED AT HOLY CHILDHOOD A NOTE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE REGISTRATION SHEET IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED WITH THE CHILDS BIRTH DATE.

ATTENDANCE

	EACH STUDENT IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL SCHEDULED CLASSES AS LISTED ON THE CALENDAR.
	IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENTS TO NOTIFY THE EDUCATIONAL OFFICE OF HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL (566-2922) IF THEIR CHILD/CHILDREN CANNOT ATTEND CLASS.
	IF A STUDENT IS ABSENT, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO SPEND EXTRA TIME REVIEWING THE PREVIOUS LESSON. OR WHEN POSSIBLE, MAKE UP THE LESSON MISSED.

HOMEWORK/HOME STUDY

	REASONABLE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS MAY BE GIVEN AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CATECHIST.
	EACH STUDENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE A WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT, SHOULD SPEND AT LEAST A HALF HOUR DURING THE WEEK STUDYING AND REVIEWING LESSONS AND PRAYERS. PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN MEMORIZE THE PRAYERS THAT RELATE TO THEIR GRADE LEVEL.
	AS PART OF THE PSR PROGRAM WE WILL HAVE SPECIAL PARENT DAYS FOR EACH CLASS. WE EXTEND THE INVITATION TO PARENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CHILDS CLASS BY ATTENDING THESE SPECIAL DAYS.

“CALL TO FAITH” SERIES FOR KINDERGARTEN THRU EIGHTH GRADE

“CALL TO FAITH” AS THE TITLE IMPLIES, IT IS A CATECHETICAL SERIES THAT VIEWS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND FORMATION AS A LIFELONG JOURNEY IN FAITH. IT INCORPORATES LIFE LONG CATECHESIS IN ITS CURRICULUM, THROUGH REGULAR MOMENTS OF FAITH SHARING, CONNECTIONS TO THE SUNDAY LECTIONARY, AND OPTIONS FOR FAMILY-CENTERED CATECHESIS. IT ENGAGES NOT ONLY THE SPECIFIC LEARNER BUT THE LARGER COMMUNITY OF FAITH.

“ CONTINUING FORMATION IN THE FAITH IS DIRECTED NOT ONLY TO THE INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN, TO ACCOMPANY THEM IN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS HOLINESS, BUT ALSO TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AS SUCH SO THAT IT MAY MATURE ALSO IN ITS INTERIOR LIFE OF LOVE OF GOD AND OF BRETHREN AS WELL AS ITS OPENNESS TO THE WORLD AS A MISSIONARY COMMUNITY”. (GDC#70)

“CALL TO FAITH” USES A PROVEN THREE STEP CATECHETICAL PROCESS: INVITE, EXPLORE, AND CELEBRATE.

INVITE: THIS STEP INVITES THE LEARNER INTO THE CATECHETICAL PROCESS THROUGH SIMPLE AND ENGAGING REFLECTIONS THAT DRAW OUT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE LEARNER.

EXPLORE: THIS STEP EXPLORES, IN AN AGE APPROPRIATE WAY, THE LIVING TRADITION OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH AS IT IS EXPRESSED IN SCRIPTURE AND DOCTRINE, THROUGH THE USE OF A VARIETY OF STORIES, LITERARY FORMS, AND QUESTIONS. STUDENTS ENTER MORE DEEPLY INTO THE CHAPTER CONTENT AND ARE HELPED TO CONNECT FAITH WITH THEIR LIVES.

CELEBRATE: IN THIS STEP, STUDENTS CELEBRATE WHAT THEY BELIEVE THROUGH PRAYER CELEBRATIONS THAT MODEL THE DIVERSE WAYS IN WHICH CATHOLICS PRAY.

‘GROWING IN LOVE’ SERIES FOR ALL STUDENTS K THRU 8

“GROWING IN LOVE’’ IS A NEW TEXT THAT WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS. IT IS PART OF THE RELIGIOUS FORMATION IN THE FAMILY LIFE. CLASSES WILL BE HELD IN CORRELATION WITH THE “CALL TO FAITH” LESSONS. PARENTS BOOKLETS WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL PARENTS AT THE START OF PSR CLASSES.

REMEMBER THAT THE CHILDS RELIGIOUS FORMATION BEGINS AT HOME AND CONTINUES THROUGH SUPPORTIVE ENCOUNTERS IN THE FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARISH.

TO KEEP OUR PROGRAM AT ITS BEST, THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED FOR VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS AND ASSISTANTS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE YOUR TIME AND TALENT, AND HELP WITH THE P. S. R. PROGRAM, YOU CAN NOTIFY THE RECTORY OFFICE AT: 566-5928

Last modified: 09/19/11