October Schedule

October 7             No Class – Fall Break (CCS* Fall Break Oct 8-12)

October 14           Class

October 16           First Reconciliation Parent Meeting      7:30 p.m. Church

October 18           Confirmation Parent Meeting                7:30 p.m. Church

 
October 21           Class, Mission Sunday  
                               Confirmation Commitment Mass           9:30 a.m. Mass
                               After mass the 8th graders will return to PSR for Mission Rosary
                               Parents are encouraged to attend.
 
October 28           Class

 

Location Change for September 23rd

Attention all parents.  The school is having their book fair September 22 and 23rd.  Instead of meeting in the Library we will be meeting in the Gym.  I will have signs up as a reminder.  Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.

PSR OPENING MASS

Today was a very special day.  It was the first ever PSR Opening Mass and I want to thank all the families that made it a priority to make sure your kids were here and on time to be able to sit with their class.  It is so powerful to see the youth active and involved in mass.  The eighth graders were greeting the parishioners as they entered mass and they would love to do this each Sunday.  

 All of the children were very reverent and I know that sitting in the front they were able to see everything taking place on the altar. It was awesome to see the younger children looking at the older children that were setting the example.  This is a tradition we will need to continue. 

Our servers were students both past and present taking part in this ministry. 

In a very special way we want to thank our Catechists.  Their dedication and time to our parish is truly impressive. A catechist is a person who reflects to others what God has spoken to their hearts.  You can see how each of us could be called a catechist.  First and foremost, parents have a critical role as the primary teachers of the children in the ways of faith.  However, this weekend we draw attention to those who take up the catechetical ministry on behalf of our parish.

As Fr. Gerry mentioned in the bulletin, "remember them in prayer and commit ourselves to helping them when they need our assistance.  Our catechists are essential to the overall mission of our parish.  A special word of gratitude and appreciation to them will be a great encouragement to them as well."

PSR OPENING MASS – September 16th

REMINDER:

We would like to try something new this year by having an Opening Mass to start off the year.  By now we have everyone registered, and this is a time for us to be with our Parish family and pray for a successful year.

We ask that you meet in the Kelley Hall at 9:10am so we can take attendance and then be in the church by 9:20am.  The students will sit with their class towards the front of church.  Parents may sit anywhere and if you happen to be running late your child is more than welcome to find their way up to their class.  Or they may sit with you.

September Schedule

September 2               No Class – Labor Day 

September 9               Class
September 16             Class
September 23             Class (2nd and 5th Grade - BIBLES)
September 30             Class

          

New Parent Orientation

Thank you to all that parents that joined us at our very first New Parent Orientation.  During this time we went over the program, the parent handbook, websites, and took a tour of the campus.  We visited some of the classrooms and the convent.  This is a very exciting year for us with the start of a kindergarten program and also a very active eighth grade.

There is something always going on and we couldn't do this without the support of the parish and of course our parents.  The home is the "first church", and we are so grateful for the sacrifices you make to allow your children to be part of our program.  If you have any suggestions or comments please let me know, because we are always looking at ways we can enhance our program.

PS. Remember to add your email address on the main page so that anytime there is an update on the blog you will receive it.  Just another way for you to keep informed on what is going on with our Parish School of Religion.

Steven M Fischer

Attention all Confirmation Parents

There will be a short parent meeting on Sunday Sept. 9^th at 9:35 in the Library, to discuss our curriculum for this year.

New Parent Orientation

This Sunday, August 26th we will have our

NEW PARENT ORIENTATION!

This will be held in the Library from 9:30-10:30am

For returning parents, you are more than welcome to come since this of course is something new that we are incorporating into our program.

Hope to see you there!

It's not too late to register!

Thank you to all the families that joined us during our Open House/Registration on August 12th. If you didn’t make it, it’s not too late.  Classes start August 19^th.  It is an exciting year with the start of our Kindergarten program and a lot of enthusiastic catechists ready to start the new year.

Our theme this year is ““We hold a treasure, not made of gold”.  Many may recall this from the song Earthen Vessels which reminds us that we have a treasured gift from God; and that gift is life, life that is contained in the earthen vessels we call our bodies. Our unique life is THE most precious gift we’ve been given.  It makes all other gifts possible. It makes us a Child of God, able to live our lives, love as the Spirit urges, and be the active force of Jesus in and to the world.  This starts at home and is reinforced by our faith we live everyday of our lives – not just on Sunday.

May we allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to be effective in us as we build the kingdom of God and become a true Disciple of Christ.   I look forward to another year full of many blessings.

 

Classes Start August 19^th

and are held Sunday mornings from 9:30 am – 11 am.
Kindergarten - 8th Grade

If you would like more information or to register a new student call (859) 240-8207 or E-Mail stjoepsr@hotmail.com

Open House/Registration Letter

Dear PSR parents,

Blessings! It is the mission of St. Joseph Parish School of Religion to inspire students; to embrace the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, to be and to do their best, to be lifelong learners and to live their Catholic faith. We seek to fulfill this mission with the help of Christ, who leads us to oneness with God.  In order for this program to serve its mission, it is essential that the administration, catechists and parents all partner together for the sake of the children and their families.

The entire Diocese of Covington will be using the Blest Are We: Faith and Word Edition which has been revised with the New Roman Missal.  This is a comprehensive Spiral Thematic Curriculum based on the Four Pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  (What Catholics Believe, How Catholics Worship, How Catholics Live, and How Catholics Pray).  During this open house take a look at the books that your child will be using.  After reviewing these books I have no doubt the Diocese has made the right decision.  Many parents asked about music and your children will be learning new songs which are built into the program. 

Secondly, we have some new catechist’s this year and we would like for you to keep them in your prayers as they bring our Catholic Faith to the youth of our parish.  We would like to welcome; Amy Mardis (K), Katherine Turner (6^th), and Rachel Rottman (7^th) as Catechists for the PSR program.  Susan Stewart will be our 8^th grade catechist and Kari Fischer will be organizing the service projects for PSR throughout the year.  Lord we ask for a special blessing on all the catechists both new and returning for their stewardship to our parish.  We are so grateful to them for all they do in your name. 

 

Furthermore; this year’s theme is ““We hold a treasure, not made of gold”.  Many may recall this from the song Earthen Vessels which reminds us that we have a treasured gift from God; and that gift is life, life that is contained in the earthen vessels we call our bodies. Our unique life is THE most precious gift we’ve been given.  It makes all other gifts possible. It makes us a Child of God, able to live our lives, love as the Spirit urges, and be the active force of Jesus in and to the world.  This starts at home and is reinforced by our faith we live everyday of our lives – not just on Sunday.

May we allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to be effective in us as we build the kingdom of God and become a true Disciple of Christ.   I look forward to another year full of many blessings.

Disciple of Christ,
Steven M. Fischer, CRE

WHY SHOULD YOUR CHILD ATTEND PSR?

·          Do you have a child attending a public or non-catholic private school between Kindergarten and 8^th grade?

·          Does your child plan on receiving a sacrament next year?

·          Does your child attend Covington Latin or Villa and is of age to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?

·          Do you want your children to continue the faith traditions that have been passed onto you by our Catholic family?

** If you answered yes to any of these questions then your child needs to attend PSR! **

PSR OPEN HOUSE/Registration

August 12, 2012
9:00AM – 11:00AM

Kelley Hall

If you would like more information or to register a new student ahead of time call (859) 240-8207 or E-Mail stjoepsr@hotmail.com

Classes start August 19^th, and are held Sunday mornings 

from 9:30 am – 11 am.

Kindergarten - 8th Grade

August Schedule

August 12                    PSR OPEN HOUSE

9am-11:00 am Kelley Hall
** This is a change which reflects in the Church Bulletin.  
         

August 19                    Class

August 26                    Class

St. Joseph Parish Festival

There will be an email sent out later on this month for volunteers. 

If you are available and would like to help us sponsor a booth for Saturday or Sunday please email me at stjoepsr@hotmail.com

Thanks again for all you do to support our parish and our PSR program.

SAVE THE DATE

PSR OPEN HOUSE 

August 12, 2012

9:30AM - 11AM

Activity Center

Meet the catechists and register your child!

Classes are held on Sunday Mornings from 9:30am – 11am, 

starting August 19, 2012, and going through May 19, 2013.

Kindergarten - 8th Grade

Catechist Needed

Do you love your faith and want to share it with others?

Our PSR program is seeking enthusiastic people who want to set younger hearts on fire with the love of God by sharing their faith. Classes are held on Sunday Mornings from 9:30am – 11am, starting August 12, 2012, and going through May 19, 2013.

Volunteers are currently needed for the following positions for the 2012 - 2013 class year:

GRADE 7:  1 Catechist

We are also looking for assistants for all grade levels.  Remember all that take part of this important ministry must be Virtus trained.

For those who may not be able to commit to every Sunday, but would still like to be a catechist, we are also in need of substitutes throughout the year. 

Please pray and see if God is calling you to be part of this very important and rewarding ministry.
For further information or to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Steven Fischer. 

Call (859) 240-8207
or
E-Mail: stjoepsr@hotmail.com

We are happy to announce that we are starting our Kindergarten Program for this upcoming school year.  If you would like to enroll your child K-8 or would like more information please contact Steven Fischer via email or phone.

2012 Parent Survey

ST. JOSEPH PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION

2012 PARENT SURVEY

Please respond by June 15^th.

There was an email sent to all PSR families today that were part of the PSR program during the 2011-2012 school year.  If you did no receive the email please let me know via email or phone so I can make sure that I have everyone's feedback. Thank you, in advance, for completing the 2011-2012 PSR survey.  Your responses will be used in planning for the next school year.

May Schedule

May 6................Class


May 10...............First Communion Practice 7:00 p.m. Church

May 11...............First Communion Retreat

May 12...............First Communion 11:00 a.m. Church

May 13...............No Class – Mother’s Day

May 14....................May Crowning 7:00 p.m. (2nd and 8th Grade)
..........................All PSR Families are invited!



May 20...............9:30 a.m. Mass (ministries) PSR Closing (GYM)

Prayer for Vocations - Traveling Cross

Prayer for Vocations

Year of Religious Life

This week our parish gratefully acknowledges the

Fischer Family

As they host our Traveling Cross

_____________________________________

Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me
Nor do I really know myself,
And the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you
Does in fact please you.
And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though,
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. * I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.

Stations of the Cross for Vocations

This year for our program we centered the stations on vocations and invited Sr. Dennise and Sr. Ruth to join us. Since Bishop Foys announced this; The Year of Women Religious, I felt that it was appropriate to invite the Sisters to join us. Our PSR family over the past few months have been participating and continues to participate in the Traveling Cross for Vocations.

Today we walked through each station reflecting on Jesus and how we can reflect on our own vocation in life and pray for others to answer the call.

Below is the reflection for the 1^st Station:

Jesus,

you were publicly condemned to death.

Jesus, we ask that you call young men and women today to publicly accept your invitation to follow you in spite of what others may think or say. Give to them a passion for reaching out through your love to the needs of your brothers and sisters.

After our service we allowed the children to ask questions. Both Sr. Ruth and Sr. Dennise shared their call to vocation. One of the children asked how long will you be a sister, and Sr. Ruth replied that she will be one until she dies. We are so blessed to have the Sisters in our lives. They will continue to pray for us and ask the same in return.

My hope is that this service is for you and your family, a time of reflection and prayer. May it enrich each of you with a deeper sense of love and understanding for our vocation in life. We are invited to pray as a family for all of our young people that they may be open to hear and have the courage to answer God’s call in their lives. We also pray for those who have already settled into their state of life, that they may have the strength to persevere and be open to God’s continued guidance in their lives.

Prayer for Vocations - Traveling Cross

Prayer for Vocations

Year of Religious Life

This week our parish gratefully acknowledges the

Angst Family

As they host our Traveling Cross

___________________________________________

God, the source of creation and love,
You invite each of us to serve you through the life which is your gift.
May your grace encourage men and women to heights
of holiness through service to the church
as priests, sisters, brothers, and lay ministers.

Make me an instrument to encourage others
to give of themselves and
challenge me to do the same.

Amen