The families of St. Joseph Religious Education Program have their Mission Statement embodied in the Parish Mission Statement which states in part that the community of St. Joseph values education especially education in the faith, and strives to serve others by offering our gifts of time, talent, and treasures.  We seek to fulfill this mission with the help of Christ, who leads us to oneness with God.

"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”

Matthew 18:2-4

"Parents are the first and foremost catechists of their children.  They catechize informally but powerfully by example and instruction.  They communicate values and attitudes by showing love for Christ and His Church and for each other, by reverently receiving the Eucharist and living in its spirit, and by fostering justice and love in all their relationships.  Their active involvement in the parish, their readiness to seek opportunities to serve others and their practice of frequent and spontaneous prayer, all make meaningful their professions of belief.  Parents nurture faith in their children by showing them the richness and beauty of lived faith."

‘SHARING THE LIGHT OF FAITH’
NATIONAL CATECHETICAL DIRECTORY
for Catholics of the U.S.

Pastor:	Rev. Gerry Reinersman
Coordinator of Religious Education:	Steven M. Fischer (859) 927-2287 School office time Sundays 9:00-11:15 A.M.

Religious Education Fee is:
One child	$50.00 (includes $2.00 diocesan fee)
Two children	$100.00 (includes diocesan fee)
Three or more	$50.00 each child – 1 free (includes diocesan fee)

Class Schedules

We believe that the home is the first Church.

It is within the home that the child learns to live the beliefs of our Church.

We believe that Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father:

• To help us know how much God loves us.
• To teach us to pray.
• To call us to be his brothers and sisters.
• To teach us how to love and forgive one another.

After his death and resurrection, Jesus and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to us:

• To live within each of us to help us know God and the difference between what is right and wrong.
• To form us into a community.
• To bring God’s ways to the world.
• To help us:
  • Ask for what we need from God.
  • Praise God for God’s goodness.
  • To thank God for what we have received.
  • To live as Jesus lived.

We believe that the role of the Parish School of Religion is to aid the parent(s)/guardian(s):

• To be part of the larger community.
• To help them to draw their children more to Jesus and the Church:
  • Through instruction.
  • Through prayer.
  • Through community.
  • Through service to the world.

• To help the parents to understand the role of their home as the "first church".
• To enhance the faith of the child/young teen by helping them to discover God’s actions in the world and community around them.
• To realize the value of living Jesus’ ways.
• To pray and to worship each Sunday as a family.
• To encourage and provide opportunities for service to others.
• To give them an opportunity to grow in faith with a community of their peers and their peers’ families.

There is no discrimination on the basis race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or ancestry.  We will work with parent(s)/guardian(s) of children with disabilities in every way we can. All new students are required to be in the grade level in the
	Parish School of Religion as they are in the public/private/home school.  There is an exception, and that is for those students who have had little or no formal religion education.  These situations will be handled individually with parent(s)/guardian(s) when registering their children. Candidates for First Reconciliation/Eucharist (usually 2nd grade) and Confirmation (usually 8th grade) should have one full year of instruction prior to admission to the sacramental preparation class.  Candidates who were not baptized at St. Joseph Church will
need to request, and submit, a copy of the statement of baptism from the parish in which it was received.  The Candidate for Confirmation, an 8th grader, must believe in the Catholic faith, have the desire to receive the sacrament and be adequately prepared.

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“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Matthew 18:5
Mark 9:37
Luke 9:48

• Parents who have children attending the PSR program are expected to contribute to the parish in accord with their own time, talent, and treasure.
• Parishioners are expected to register their children for PSR.
• Attendance at PSR class is NOT a substitute for participation in the Sunday Liturgy.  Students are expected to be present for both Mass and for religious classes.
• Parents are requested to call the catechist or CRE when students cannot be present.
• All children in the primary grades need to be picked up at the classroom door by a parent(s)/guardian(s) or older sibling.

Expectations

Continuity in religious education is very important for students.  We hope all students can be present and on time for all classes.  If a student alternates weekends with parents, we encourage each parent/guardian to make an effort to get the student to class.  If this is not feasible, arrangements can be made for the student to make up the missed work.

Absenteeism

We strive for maximum attendance each week, as well as from year to year.  Faith is an ongoing process and children need the consistency of attending classes on a regular basis from first grade onward.  To insure the safety of our children, attendance is taken within the first ten minutes of class time.

Students are expected to make up missed work.  Parents should make necessary arrangements with their child’s catechist if absences occur.  If a student misses more than 5 classes the student will not be moved to the next grade level until the work has been made up.

Home Study

For families whose schedule may not coincide with the offerings of the classroom settings, we do offer Home Study. Families are given the child’s text and grade level curriculum goals and objectives and encouraged to work at their own pace. Additional support and resourcing is provided by the coordinator, as requested.  Home Study families are invited and encouraged to attend all liturgies, prayer services and PSR events.

Progress Report

A progress report will be sent home on the last day of class before Christmas Break and at the end of the year.  This will allow you to see how your child is doing throughout the year.

Complaints

If parent(s)/guardian(s) or catechists have a complaint, they should follow the procedure outlined below:

1. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) communicate the problem with the catechist. If the catechist should have a problem s/he should communicate with the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s).
2. If the problem is not solved, seek the help of a third party to facilitate the discussion.  This may be the CRE, DRE, or Pastor.

Constructive criticism is welcomed because it can turn a potential problem into an opportunity to improve our Religious Education Program at St. Joseph’s Parish.

Homework

It is the catechist’s responsibility for setting their classroom homework policy.

PSR Fees

A fee of $50.00, which includes a $2.00 diocesan fee, is asked of each child toward the text, mailings and other expenses for the program during the year.  This fee can be paid at the Orientation Meeting usually held at the end of August or the first part of September.

Additional Fees

For First Reconciliation/Eucharist and Confirmation candidates, an additional $10.00 will be requested for the cost of sacramental materials.  We ask that you pay this along with the regular fee.

If fees pose an undue financial burden for a family, CRE should be contacted so that arrangements can be made.  Confidentiality will be ensured.  What is important is that all children have access to a quality Religious Education Program.

Refund Policy

If a student withdraws from the Parish School of Religion because of a change of residence, a portion of the fee will be returned.  Since texts are consumable, the cost of the text will be deducted before returning any funds.

Arrival and Pick-up Times

Classes are from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on all Sunday mornings from August to May, with holiday exceptions.  To assure that someone is present in each classroom, it is suggested that students do not arrive until ten minutes before class time and be picked up at dismissal time unless prior arrangements are made with the CRE or the child’s teacher.

Fire Drills

Fire drills are held at least twice a year.  Students are asked to observe the same serious behavior on Sundays as they would during regular class times.

Cancellations

Religion classes will use the phone system for cancellation of class due to
illness or inclement weather.  Parents have the final decision regarding the risks of bringing their children to class in bad weather when religion classes are not cancelled.

Accidents

In cases of minor injuries and/or illness, the students will be attended to in school and their parent/guardian notified.  In case of more serious illness or accident, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified immediately.

The educational goals, philosophy and policies of the parish teach responsibility and self-discipline.  This is the key to good conduct, consideration for others, and learning.  Therefore, the following rules provide, in a Christian setting and a learning environment, what will benefit each person in the parish community.

General Rules

• We respect persons in authority in all areas of the parish.
• We respect each other.
• We are courteous and mannerly.
• We take good care of property and possessions.  We do not take things that belong to others.
• We walk in the halls in an orderly and quiet manner.
• We do not settle matters with violence; therefore, we do not fight, kick, or use bad language.  (As members of a Christian community, we will try to settle our differences in a peaceful manner.)

In the Classroom

• An orderly classroom is essential to learning.  No student will interfere with another student’s right to learn and a catechist’s right to teach.
• Students will keep the classroom rules they set in cooperation with their catechist.
• Students are expected to do the assignments given by the catechist.  Accountability for assignments will be handled by each classroom catechist.

Parish Property

• Show respect and courtesy to one another.
• Stay on the parish or school grounds at all times unless given permission to do otherwise.
• Follow safety rules set up by administration.

Catechists are responsible for establishing the rules and consequences for their own classrooms.  In general, students are expected to be respectful of themselves, the catechists, others in the session, and to property.  Catechists share rooms, so each person is expected to treat items in that room with care.

If a student’s inappropriate behavior prevents another from learning, catechist will refer him/her to the CRE or DRE.  If this step does not bring about the desired change, parent(s)/guardian(s) will become involved to help solve the problem.

Drug and Alcohol Statement

The parish recognizes the adverse effect of chemical abuse.  Therefore, the parish prohibits the use, passing, or selling of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or other narcotics in any form by students.  (Matches, cigarette lighters, knives, guns, or other sharp objects are also prohibited.)  If there is any violation of this rule, the catechist needs to notify the CRE via a note.  Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will also be notified.  The student may be suspended from the Religious Education Program and/or a program may be arranged which may include a counselor.

Pregnancy Policy

In addressing the concerns of individuals and families in pregnancy situations, the school affirms its pro-life beliefs and recognizes its responsibility as a Christian community to provide for those in need.

If it becomes known that a student is pregnant, and the student wishes to remain or be enrolled in PSR, a conference will be scheduled to explain the following conditions which must be observed by the student.  Attending the conference must be the pastor, CRE, DRE, parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student.

• The student may continue to attend PSR until it is deemed by the pastor and CRE that it is in the student’s best interest to discontinue attendance.  Appropriate alternative educational instruction will be recommended at this time.
• In the event the physician recommends that the students not attend PSR, a program of appropriate alternative educational instructions will be recommended.