PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR)

 

The Mission Statement for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School of Religion:

 

We are teachers of the Word, partakers of the joyful message. We are called upon and sustained through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to sow the Word.

 

Our Objectives:

1. To build a professional program, led by competent Catechists, who will guide children and youth on their walk of faith and spirituality.

2. To share in the Catholic Church's mission of concern for those who suffer from poverty, handicaps, and injustices. We will sponsor programs for children and youth that teach social justice and stewardship.

3. To deepen the sense of Catholic identity, and to build community among all people at Our Lady of Lourdes parish.

Our Lady of Lourdes is proud to be a strong vital parish in regard to Catholic formation. Religion classes are offered on a regular basis to all students who attend public schools. Classes are offered for PreK-8th grade on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Religion classes are held on Sundays from 10:15-11:45 A.M. for all High School aged students. We also provide Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Religion classes for Spanish speaking parishioners are held on the 4th Sunday of every month from 5:00-6:30 P.M.

 

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School of Religion encourages parents to be involved in all aspects of their child's faith development. In fact, most of our Catechists are parents volunteering to pass on the Faith. In this PSR program we are committed to the ongoing formation of these volunteer Catechists. We offer at the parish level a monthly Diocesan sponsored Catechist Formation program, and encourage ongoing formation of our catechists at other Diocesan sponsored workshops.

ADULT EDUCATION

 

Programs for Adult Education are varied. For the past several years, Lenten bible study groups have been popular. Small groups of adults meet in people's homes to discuss the bible or specific Lenten readings.

RCIA

 

RCIA classes have been held at the PSU Newman Center as a collaborative effort of the Newman Center, Sacred Heart Church (Frontenac), and Our Lady of Lourdes. Each year, many individuals enter the church at the Easter vigil.

 

K-12

 

Our Lady of Lourdes supports Catholic education from K through 12. The schools are not tuition-based, but rather are supported by the parish in its entirety and its stewardship program. Each family who sends their children to our schools agrees to the principles in a signed covenant and agrees to maintain a tithe to the parish.

 

We have about 550 children in our schools, over 40 teachers and administrators and a combined annual parish and school budget of over $2 million. Our elementary class size is less than 24 and our high school classes smaller still.

 

In keeping with the Declaration of Vatican II, St. Mary's-Colgan Schools strive to attain these ends:

1. To form a Christian Community based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, to afford opportunities for the growth of individual personalities.

2. To create an atmosphere for intellectual pursuits.

3. To give a sense of purpose which will be manifested in a life of usefulness to ones' family, community, and country.

The mission of St. Mary's-Colgan Schools is threefold:

1. To build a faith community where students carry out Jesus' command to love one another. Such a community seeks to enhance self-esteem and provide the opportunity to become caring and concerned members of society.

2. To teach the Gospel Values in every dimension of school life. These values will illuminate and enrich each person's knowledge of God, life and culture.

3. To serve students that they may manifest leadership and grow in their service to God, Church, community, and family.

To find out more about the schools, link to http://www.stmarys-colgan.org.

 

For information on SMC Booster activities, events, and updates, link to http://www.smcboosters.com.