St. Mary
Parish
School of
Religion
Handbook
St. Mary PSR
What is PSR
P.S.R. or St. Mary’s PARISH SCHOOL of RELIGION is made up of a group of people in our
parish, who work under the direction of the priest and the Director of Religious Education (DRE)
for the religious education of all students in the parish who attend public school. We build on
the faith concepts that begin in the home. We do not assume all the responsibility for the
religious education but work with parents who are the first educators of their children in the
faith.
BASIC POLICIES
Attendance
We are in attendance for only 24 class sessions. To adequately cover the material so that
students are prepared for the next grade level a maximum of 4 absences will be permitted.
Parents will be notified upon the 2nd absence as a reminder of this policy.
ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
Tardiness
Class is only one hour and 15 minutes. It is very important that all students be in their classroom
ready to begin by 9:30. Twice tardy will count as one absence. Anyone who arrives after 10:15
is considered absent.
Discipline
Each teacher has a set of classroom rules. After a warning from the teacher, any disruptive
student will be sent to the office and remain there for the duration of class. After two incidents
in the office, the student will be sent home and is out of class for the next week as well (this will
count as an absence.) If this student is sent to the office again for a behavior issue, they will be
expelled for the remainder of the school year and will repeat the grade the following year.
Textbooks
We use Our Sunday Visitors’ religion series. Grades 1 through 6 use the Call to Faith textbooks.
These textbooks are non-consumable which means we use them year after year. Grades 7 & 8 do
not use textbooks. The focus of their class is how we live our faith in regards to our basic beliefs
and practices. Our Confirmation prep classes, 9th and 10th, do not use a textbook either. They
review basic truths and practices and then focus on how we use our faith in everyday life and
how to put this faith into action.
Prayers & Quizzes
There are prayers for each grade level. See Attachment A. Students must learn these prayers.
In addition to the prayers there will be short quizzes and or homework assignments throughout
the year. Students must pass with a 70% for the year.
Participation & Requirements
Students must participate in class. All students must participate in service projects such as the
food and toy drive. Grades 7 through Confirmation must participate in at least one service
project. All students must also attend the Advent Penance Service (Christmas Program) and the
Lenten Penance Service (Stations.) See Attachment B for required participation events.
Students in grades 9 & 10 have additional requirements. See Attachment C.
Parent Involvement
It is impossible for Catechists to cover all the material and for students to retain all this material
in just one hour each week. The parents are the first teachers of the faith and their involvement
in reviewing the material is necessary so as to better grasp the truths of our faith.
A parent meeting is held at the beginning of the school year. Parents are required to attend this
meeting so they will be more familiar with the religious education program. Additional parent
meetings are held throughout the year as part of the Sacramental Preparation. There are two
meetings for parents of 2nd graders preparing for First Penance and First Communion. There is
also a meeting for parents of Confirmation Students. These are required parent meetings.
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ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
Sacramental Preparation
Continuity between Sacramental preparation programs is essential; therefore, students are
required to attend religious education classes regularly between Sacramental preparation
programs. This enables the student to have a better understanding of the faith, thus preparing
him/her to make his/her final commitment at Confirmation.
Students and parents must be attending Mass regularly and students must attend PSR regularly to
receive the sacraments of First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation. Parents are
required to attend Sacramental preparation meetings as stated in Parent Involvement.
First Penance and First Communion are celebrated in the second grade.
Registration
PSR registration is held in the spring. Parents are required at the time of registration to furnish
registration information, baptismal information and registration fee.
Cell Phone Use
Cell phones are to be turned off during class. Absolutely no use (phone or text) will be allowed
during class. If you need to reach your child during class, please call the school office 824-6501,
parish office 824-8178, or my cell 820-2876. If your child needs to reach you, they may use the
office phone. Any violation will result in confiscation.
Attachment A
PRAYERS & CONCEPTS
1st Grade
Sign of the Cross
Our Father
Hail Mary
Prayer Before Meals
Bedtime Prayer
2nd Grade
All of the Above
Act of Contrition
3rd Grade
All of the Above
Apostles’ Creed
4th Grade
All of the Above
Act of Contrition (New)
Morning Offering
Guardian Angel
5th Grade
All of the Above
Penitential Rite (I confess to Almighty God…)
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ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
Prayer for the Faithful Departed
Ten Commandments
6th Grade
All of the Above
Seven Sacraments
Acts of Faith, Hope, & Love
7th Grade
All of the Above
Memorare
Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy
8th Grade
Angelus
Hail Holy Queen
9th Grade
Laws of the Church
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
10TH Grade/Confirmation
All of the Above
Attachment B
Participation Events
Weekly Mass
Class
Food Drive
Toy Drive
Advent Penance/Christmas Program
Lenten Penance Program (Living Stations)
Service Project (Grades 7-10)
Attachment C
Requirements for Confirmation
9th Grade
Attend Mass
Attend Class
Attend Enrollment Ceremony
Work at the Fiesta
Work at Santa’s Workshop
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ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
Attend the Advent Penance Program
Receive the sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year
Attend the Lenten Stations/Penance Service
Attend the Chrism Mass
Participate in 1 or more service projects
Choose a saint name and write a one page report on the saint and why you chose that saint
Choose a Confirmation sponsor by year of Confirmation
1. Confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing
2. Must be at least 18 years of age
3. No parents
Attend Confirmation Retreat – the year of Confirmation
Attend Confirmation Practice – the year of Confirmation
Perform 30 hours of service outside of class over two years
Requirements for Confirmation
10th Grade
Attend Mass
Attend Class
Attend Enrollment Ceremony
Work at the Chicken Dinner
Work at Santa’s Workshop
Attend the Advent Penance Program
Receive the sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year
Participate in 1 or more service projects
Participate in the Passion on Palm Sunday
Participate in at least one of the Holy Week Services
1.
Chrism Mass 2. Holy Thursday 3. Good Friday 4. Easter Vigil
Choose a saint name and write a one page report on the saint and why you chose that saint
Choose a Confirmation sponsor by next year
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ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
1. Confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing
2. Must be at least 18 years of age
3. No parents
Attend Confirmation Retreat – next year
Attend Confirmation Practice – next year
Perform 30 hours of service outside of class over the next two years
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from
evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed
is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the
hour of death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
Prayer before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty
through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Bedtime Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my sould to keep. If I should die before I
wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.
Act of Contrition (2nd & 3rd grade)
O my God I am sorry for my sins. I disobeyed you and hurt others. Please forgive me. Jesus
died for me. I want to show my love for him. Give me your Holy Spirit to help me make up for
my sins. Amen.
Act of Contrition (4th grade and older)
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do
good I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your
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ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
help to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus
Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only
Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he
rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the
Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the immaculate heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys and
sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your most Sacred Heart. Amen.
Guardian Angel
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love entrusts me here. Ever this day be at my
side to light, to guard, to rule and guide. Amen
Penitential Act (Confiteor)
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my
thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault,
through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all
the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Prayer for the Faithful Departed
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
Response: And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in
peace.
Response: Amen.
The Ten Commandments
1. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of slavery. Worship no god except me.
2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not tell lies against your neighbor.
9. You shall not want to take your neighbor’s wife or husband.
10. You shall not want to take your neighbor’s possessions.
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ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
SEVEN SACRAMENTS
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
Eucharist
Confirmation
Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation
Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments of Service
Marriage
Holy Orders
Act of Faith
O my God I firmly believe that You are one God in three Divine Person, Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. I believe that your Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come
to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic
Church teaches, because You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Act of Hope
O my God relying upon Your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my
sins, the help of your grace and life everlasting through the merits of Your Son, Jesus Christ, my
Lord and Redeemer.
Act of Love
O my God I love you above all things with my whole heart and soul because You are all good
and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have
injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
Memorare
Remember of most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to your
protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this
confidence, I fly unto to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before thee I
stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate despise not my petitions, but in
your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Shelter the homeless.
Clothe the naked.
Care for the sick.
Help the imprisoned.
Bury the dead.
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Share knowledge.
Give advice to those who need it.
Comfort those who suffer.
Be patient with others.
Forgive those who hurt you.
Give correction to those who need it.
Pray for others.
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ST. MARY PSR HANDBOOK
Angelus
The angel spoke God’s message to Mary.
Response: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary)
“I am the lowly servant of the Lord
Response: let it be done to me according to Your word.” (Hail Mary)
And the word became flesh
Response: and lived among us. (Hail Mary)
Pray for us, Holy Mother of God
Response: that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray, Lord, fill our hearts with your Grace: once, through the message of an angel you
revealed to us the incarnation of your son; now, through His suffering and death lead us to the
glory of His resurrection.. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve; to thee so we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this
vale of tears. Turn, then, Most Gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this
our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O Clement, O Loving, O sweet
Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises
of Christ.
Laws of the Church
1. Celebrate Christ’s resurrection every Sunday (or Saturday evening) and on holy days of
obligation by taking part in Mass and avoiding unnecessary work
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2. Lead a sacramental life. Receive Holy Communion frequently and the sacrament of Penance
or Reconciliation, regularly. We must receive Holy Communion at least once a year at LentEaster. We must confess within a year, if we have committed serious, or mortal sin.
3. Study Catholic teaching throughout life, especially in preparing for the sacraments.
4. Observe the marriage laws of the Catholic church and give religious training to one’s
children.
5. Strengthen and support the church: ones’ own parish, the worldwide Church and the Holy
Father.
6. Do penance, including not eating meat and fasting from food on certain days.
7. Join in the missionary work of the Church.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
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