Parent Witness Statement

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One of the supreme gifts of marriage is bringing forth new life. God entrusts children to parents who have a primary right and duty to educate their children in the practice of their faith. Parents carry out this responsibility by creating a home full of love, forgiveness, respect, and fidelity. The family is the community in which, from childhood, one honors God and learns moral values.

In the rite of the sacrament of Baptism, parents receive the call from God to evangelize their children, as here summarized:

You have asked to have you child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor…You will be the first teachers of your child in the ways of the faith. May you also be the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what you say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No wonder then, that the Church understands the home to be the domestic church. It is in the intimate environment of the family that parents are, by word and example the first heralds of the faith with respect to their children. This environment is enhanced and deepened through the parish Eucharistic community that is the heart of the spiritual life for Christian families.

Catholic schools and parish religious education programs are in partnership with the family in proclaiming and witnessing to the person and life of Jesus Christ. They assist parents in fulfilling their responsibility as the primary religious educators of their children.
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Aware, then, of the dignity of this holy parental call, and with a reverent awe for that responsibility which is mine, I commit myself to be, in word and deed, the first and best teacher of my children in the faith. Practically, this means I should:

• Regularly participate in the Sunday Eucharist (if not Catholic, regularly participate in worship and prayer) with my family.
• Commit to speak more with my children about God and to include prayer in our daily home life
• Participate in and cooperate with School of Parish School or Religion programs that enable me as a parent to take an active role in the religious education of my children, including sacramental preparation for Catholic children
• Support the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church to ensure consistency between home and school
• Teach my children by word and example to have love and concern for the needs of others
• Meet my financial responsibilities in supporting St. Joseph Parish School of Religion.

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PSR TUITION FACT SHEET
Grades 1-8
2008-09

Registration fees are shown below.

Families who register on or before March 18, 2008 are eligible for a $ 50.00 discount.

Families have two payment options:
1) Full payment of tuition at time of registration - entitles families to an additional 10% off fee.
2) Automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account to be paid in four equal installments.
The first installment is due by check upon registration. You will be billed for the remainder in September, October, and November, all withdrawn on the 17th.

Please note that the Pre-school and the Parish School of Religion are two separate programs, if a family has children in both programs, two separate payments must be made.

Tuition paid by Registration Deadline March 18, 2008                                                            AFTER Mar 18, 2008

	Tution	Tuition paid by Early Registration (Deadline 3/18/07)	Installment plan (4 payments)	Paid in full discount (10%)		Installment plan (4 payments)	Paid in full discount (10%)
1 child	200.00	150.00	37.50	135.00		50.00	180.00
2 children	290.00	240.00	60.00	216.00		72.50	261.00
3+ children	375.00	325.00	81.25	292.50		93.75	337.50

*****This fee includes books and all supplies and is non-refundable.

PAYMENT OPTION

Please indicate which option you prefer. You will be invoiced accordingly.

Families re-registering in PSR
- Early re-registration (by March 15) of four equal payments Early re-registration (by March 15) of one full payment Late Registration (after March 15) of 4 equal payments Late registration (after March 15) of one full payment

New families registering
- Registration (by June 1) of four equal payments Registration (by June 1) of one full payment Registration (after June 1) of 4 equal payments Registration (after June 1) of one full payment

STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

As Christian parents, our call is to be stewards of the gifts given to us by God and to use those gifts to benefit all. The Parish School of Religion relies heavily on the stewardship efforts of many parishioners, and especially parents. Please review these opportunities and indicate, with a checkmark, which ones you would like do to serve PSR and your children. We are a community and community supports each other. We ask that you volunteer for two or more of these choices.

Catechist - This role encompasses facilitating the classroom sessions. Lesson planning, presentation would account for about 2 hours a week. Training and support is provided. Catechists are asked to be persons who practice their Catholic faith and to be people of prayer and love for Jesus and his children. This position is given a stipend.

Co-catechist - This role is similar to catechist, but would involve working with another catechist and being responsible for sharing the preparation and presentation duties. This position is given a stipend. Time: 1 -2 hours a week

Classroom aide - This role involves supporting the catechist/co-catechist in the classroom situation. This role is not responsible for lesson preparation or presentation. Time: 75 minutes a week.

Substitute Catechist - This role would encompass filling in for an absent catechist. Lesson plans will be provided. There is a stipend for this position. Need 10.

PSR Advisory Board - This position is open for all PSR parents. The Board serves in an advisory capacity with the administration. The term is for three years with bi-monthly 90-minute meetings during PSR year. Need 5-8.

Room Parent – This role is for organizing service projects or charity projects for the catechist for each classroom. There ideally would be two room parents per class. Time: approximately several hours throughout each month. Need 35-70.

---These opportunities are for Monday PSR ONLY ------------------------------

Service Project Committee - This role would encompass preparing and planning a service projects for our students during and outside of PSR hours. You will work closely with administration. Time: depends on your commitment. Need 5.

Absentee Calls – This role is a weekly role during PSR making phone calls of absentees to home to notify home for safety of children. Time: each Monday for approximately 20 minutes. Need 2-6.

Social Committee – This role is for organizing and preparing for socializing needs for parents of PSR, specifically for meetings, Parent Mixer evenings, etc. Time: 2 hours 6-8 times during the PSR school year. Need 10-15.

Eucharistic Minister – This role is for Catholic parents who would be interested in serving as Eucharistic Ministers for PSR Liturgies. Requirements: a practicing Catholic (regularly attends Sunday mass), 18 or older, & a member of St Joseph parish. Training is provided. PSR really needs this support, please consider this role. Need 8 or more.

T-R-Y Program Support – These volunteers would share roles of helping to run the T-R-Y store, evaluate behavior at mass/services, with shopping for store items, with other needs to implement this valuable program. Possibly requires time outside of PSR hours. Need 10-15.

Jr. High Youth Group Support – These volunteers would share roles of being extra hand & helping with preparation/clean up of youth group nights. Need 5-8.

Photographer Support – These volunteers would help with taking photographs of key events during PSR year. It would also entail getting pictures processed and turned into administration quickly for use in bulletin board or other venues. Need 3-5.

Family Event Support – There would be 2-4 events during the PSR year, mostly Friday evenings. These volunteers would share roles of shopping, being a second hand at the actual event night, and helping with preparation and clean up of event nights. Need 10-12.

ACRE Test Proctor – This role is serving as a proctor for the 5th & 8th grade ACRE test in January. Training provided. Time: one night during PSR. Need 5-8.

Confirmation Retreat volunteer – This role is hopefully a 7th grade parent who is willing to be a volunteer for the 8th grade Confirmation Retreat, normally held in September on a Saturday morning. At this function you would just help “control” the group when they are directed. The benefit of this is that you would be able to witness the retreat before your child will attend the following year…great opportunity! Time: One Saturday morning till after lunch. Need 5-8.