The first catechists in any child’s life are the family members with whom he or she lives. What happens at home – both positive and negative – provides lessons for life. In the family, faith is shared as part of the unfolding of daily life. The home or “domestic church” provides a real place in which a child learns to live his or her faith as well as understanding it.
Our goal is to create a program of lifelong faith formation that is centered in and flows out of the events of Church life. It embraces all ages and generations, promotes faith growth at home and promotes participation in Church life.
St. Joseph's Parish School of Religion (PSR) is one dimension of faith formation at St. Joseph's. PSR provides Catholic instruction for those children of our faith community who are unable to attend Catholic school. Our program for faith formation is geared toward pre-school, elementary and Jr. High school age students.
Our curriculum and policies are determined by the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Religious Education and locally by our Pastor. The program is administered by the Director of Religious Education with the help of parish volunteers.
Welcome to an exciting new year of religious instruction here at St. Joseph Parish. This year, our goal is to build on religious education traditions in PSR. As everyone is a year older, you'll find that our program does a great job of relating our faith in an age appropriate manner. We will increase our knowledge of Jesus, learn and practice traditions of our faith, grow in prayer, and make the rich celebration of our Catholic heritage meaningful to all.
- Peg Haney, Director of Religious Education
(330-274-2268 or [email protected])
PSR ENROLLMENT
PSR Enrollment is in advance of registration and is for students who will be attending our program for the first time this year. You can enroll your student/s in person at the PSR Office during regular hours, 12 to 5 p.m. weekdays through the month of August. If your child was baptized at a parish other than St. Joseph Parish, please bring your child/ren’s baptismal record/s at this time. If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact the Parish Office (330-274-2253) or Peg Haney at (330-274-2268).
SAVE THE DATE!
PSR Opening Day is on Sunday, August 20 after the 9 a.m. Mass.
BACK ONLINE
The Families Growing in Faith and PSR at Home Hub pages will be back soon. Look for regular weekly updates on the Families Growing in Faith page beginning this week. Check out https://stjosephmantua.com/families-growing-in-faith. The PSR at Home Hub (https://stjosephmantua.com/psr-at-home-hub) will follow after PSR Opening Day.
A NOTE ABOUT COVID…
We all have been through such an unusual time both together and apart. Don’t let the habit of isolation keep you and your kids from participating with us now and in the future. We miss you and hope to see you all in September. If you have any special questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Peg Haney at [email protected] or leave a message at 330-274-2268.
There will be several ways to enroll students in PSR this year:
Option #1 (Preferred Method)
Online Registration & Payment with Digital Forms
Step 1: Enroll students through My Own Church (parish database)
Option #2
Downloading & Printing Forms, Completing
& Submitting to Religious Ed Office with Payment
Enrollment forms are available in the Documents section of this page. Download, print, complete, and drop off at the Parish Office or Religious Ed Office.
Option #3
PIcking Up Forms, Completing & Returning
to Religious Ed Office with Payment
Pick up the necessary forms from the Religious Education Office. Complete and drop off at the Parish Office or Religious Ed Office (hours are Noon through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday).
Questions? Please contact our DRE, Peg Haney (330-274-2268)
NEED HELP?
Submitting Online Registration
for Religious Ed (Video)
Pre K-K
Julie Stone
Grade 1
Joann Ventresco
Renee Strosnider
Grade 2
Jenn Sabol
Jan Seljan
Grades 3-5
Barb Colin
Shirley Weisenseel
Joe Ventresco
Grades 6 & 7
Joe Duriak
Grade 8
Ruth Skocdopole
Coordinator
Theresa Gross
Students and families of our PSR Program take part in several events and fundraisers throughout the year.
Your support and participation are greatly appreciated.
These wonderful opportunities to meet and greet your fellow parishioners and is currently "manned" by PSR parents. Usually held once a month during the PSR school year, the event takes place after Sunday Mass in Hughes Hall. Parent Talks or other presentations and discussions are part of this social event. Please refer to the weekly bulletin for dates and reminders.
PSR's annual Christmas Pageant & Cookie Party is held in December each year beginning at 10 a.m. in the church and ending in Hughes Hall. The Story of Christmas includes readings and singing by the students and those who attend. All PSR families share dozens of their favorite cookies. All families, friends, and parishioners are welcome to attend this wonderful holiday event.
In January, our PSR program transforms the Giving Tree to a Warm Hearts for Warm Hands collection tree. Formerly known as Keep the Kids Warm, this Catholic Charities campaign helps provide winter hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves to families in need. Monetary donations received through this Poverty Awareness month project also helps Catholic Charities provide direct utility assistance to families with children.