Parish School of Religion

- Classes Return to our Catholic Center
  
  On Sunday March 9, 2025, Parish School of Religion classes returned to our Catholic Center. We look forward to having all of our PSR students once again together in the same space. Special thanks to Mrs. Cindy Thomas, PSR Director, all of the PSR teachers and staff, students and their parents for their patience, and support of students' continued engagement in religious education throughout these past couple of years.
Background
- Formerly known to many as "Catechism" or "CCD," the Parish School of Religion (PSR) at St. John the Baptist Church offers formal religious education to children in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade who are enrolled in non-Catholic academic schools. Our PSR program includes required participation in both formal classes and a variety of faith formation activities involving students and their families at home and within the church community.
  Mrs. Cindy Thomas the Director of Religious Education and oversees all aspects of the PSR. Mrs. Thomas began teaching in our PSR in 1980 and brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and energy to our PSR. Mrs. Thomas works closely with the PSR teachers/catechists and support staff.
  
  Our Parish School of Religion (PSR) is a family and community-focused ministry based in partnership with parents/guardians, the primary educators and role models for their children's Catholic faith formation. Through required participation in both formal classes and family/community faith formation activities, the PSR assists parents/guardians in guiding their children's learning and real-life application of the values, principles, and practices of Catholic life and discipleship at home and within our community. We encourage and welcome parents/guardians to join us in their children's classes. We also desire open parent-teacher communications to optimize students' learning in the PSR and at home.
  
  Our volunteer teachers/catechists engage in professional development for both required initiation and ongoing learning, including use of resources through the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Volunteer staff in our PSR provide critical support to our teachers and students. All of our teachers and staff also complete required training, background checks, and annual updates in Safe Environment practices for the protection of children and vulnerable persons.
  
  Our Parish School of Religion includes the following curriculum and teaching and learning features:
  Full range of grade level offerings: Kindergarten - 12th grade
  Experienced and dedicated PSR teachers/catechists and support staff to support grade-level classes
  Consistent, standards-based curriculum across all grade levels
  Grade-appropriate books/learning materials for every student and teacher
  Active, hands-on learning resources and activities
  Purposeful combination of formal grade-level classes, at-home activities, and faith formation activities that make learning fun and meaningful, and enhance student and parents/family engagement within our community.
  Related to our PSR, our Youth Ministry (Catholic Youth Organization - CYO) has been expanded, offering new opportunities for students in Grades 6 - 12. Mrs. Heidi Gaines Lewis leads our Youth Ministry programs and activities and collaborates with other youth ministry directors in neighboring church parishes to expand opportunities and activities. Parishioners interested in joining the Youth Ministry should contact Mrs. Lewis through our Parish Office. Parents of eligible children should also contact Mrs. Lewis to learn more about these opportunities.
  
  Registration for the 2025-26 Parish School of Religion (Grades K-12) is scheduled to open in April 2025. Please check back for new postings here and announcements and registration packets will be available via our weekly church bulletin and mass announcements.
  Sacramental preparation through the PSR includes separate activities for the initiation sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (i.e., First Confession and First Communion, at the conclusion of PSR 2nd grade) and Confirmation (during PSR 11th grade). Separate registration/application packets and information about requirements, activities, and schedule will be shared with parents and students in orientation meetings to occur after the opening of the 2024-25 PSR program.
  
  The abs below will also be updated shortly for the new 2026-26 PSR schedule, policies and participation requirements, learning resources, and information about preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation for students who are eligible.)
  
  For more information about the program and/or to express interest in becoming a PSR teacher/catechist or support staff and/or joining our Youth Ministry, please contact Mrs. Thomas through the Parish Office (Telephone: 985-497-3412, Email: [email protected]).
  
  NOTE: There are occasions when an older child (e.g., between the ages of 8-15) has not participated in the Parish School of Religion and/or not received the Sacraments of Initiation (i.e., Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation) within the typical time period. Sometimes a child may or may not have been baptized in another Christian religion (e.g., Methodist, Baptist) and is of sufficient maturity to determine pursuing a path towards becoming Catholic. In such instances, the pursuit of becoming Catholic may be better achieved through an adapted version for children of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), instead of through Parish School of Religion. To learn more, please click the link here - RCIA - and/or contact our Parish Office (Telephone: 985-497-3412, Email: [email protected]).
- 2024-25 PSR Schedule: Classes & Faith Formation Activities
  The PSR Schedule of Classes and calendar of Faith Formation Activities is available by clicking here.
- 2024-25 PSR Policies & Participation Requirements
  The 2024-25 PSR program and schedule consists of two types of required activities: 1) in-person Sunday classes (8:00 – 10:00 am) and 2) faith formation activities in which students engage with their parents/families and our church community. Students must comply fully with the PSR policies and complete all grade level and sacramental requirements (as applicable) to receive credit for enrollment in the PSR program, including the following:
  Class Participation – Students will arrive prepared to start each class on time and to participate fully for the duration of the class.
  Students are expected to be respectful of and courteous to others, open to ideas and guidance from others, especially their teachers. We want them to seek learning and have fun doing so. Our teachers will focus on planning and using various methods to engage students actively in learning and making sense of how what they learn applies to real-life situations.
  Teachers and staff in the School of Religion are partners with you, parents and primary educators of your child/children’s Catholic faith development. We invite you to join your children in classes. We want your involvement in their School of Religion activities and in reinforcing and building upon their learning for faith formation and Catholic life practices at home and with family.
  If a student is absent from a class, we encourage students to complete the missed learning activities at home and submit their work to the teacher at the next class to receive credit for the missed class.
  Absences and incomplete participation - Three unexcused absences and/or any recurring instance of tardiness or early departure will result in a parent conference with the teacher and/or Director of Religious Education to remedy the situation. Any absences that follow will require a written excuse from a physician. An excess of unexcused absences or inadequate participation may result in termination of the student’s enrollment until their return in the next year’s program.
  Mass Participation – Students will participate in the weekend masses, on Holy Days of Obligation, and as related to special occasions of the liturgical seasons (e.g., Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter).
  On class days, students will meet their parent(s)/guardian at church to participate in the 10:00 am mass. Students will sit in designated pews at the front of the church and their family members are encouraged to join them.
  On days when a student does not have class, mass participation is required, and the student must sign their class roster located on the back table behind the last pew. It is preferred that students and their families participate in the 10:00 am mass and sit with other students and families in the designated area up front. When the 10:00 am mass is not convenient, participation should occur in one of our other masses and students should sign their class roster, as well. If a student attends mass at another Catholic church, then s/he must obtain and submit to his/her teacher a bulletin signed by the priest or deacon from that church.
  For Holy Days of Obligation and other liturgical activities, participation is expected, signing a class roster is not required.
  Faith and Sacramental Engagement – Students will participate regularly in the Sacraments of Reconciliation (confession and penance) and Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation, as appropriate. Students, accompanied by a parent/guardian, will participate in the Parish Penance Service (Advent and Lent), and during Lent, the Stations of the Cross each Friday, and Holy Thursday and Good Friday services. PSR students will be engaged in practicing for and participating in the Nativity program during Advent-Christmas and the Passion Play during the Lent-Easter seasons. Students’ participation in both the PSR classes and faith formation activities, as listed in this year’s program schedule are equally important and required for successful completion of their PSR enrollment.
- PSR Learning Resources
  New materials and resources are posted as appropriate to the ongoing PSR activities. Please check back regularly.
- Preparation for First Confession and First Communion
  Preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation (First Confession) and Holy Eucharist (First Communion) is in addition to the regular PSR classes. Students completing preparation during the 2024-25 PSR year, will participate in First Confession and First Communion Retreat on Saturday, May 3, 2025 and in First Communion and May Crowning at the 10:00 am mass on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
  
  Information about registration, a parent-student orientation session, sacramental requirements, and the schedule of activities will be distributed to the students/candidates' parents/guardian and posted here in the very near future. Please check back.
- Preparation for Confirmation
  Preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation is in addition to the regular PSR classes. Information about registration, a parent-student orientation session, sacramental requirements, and the schedule of activities are distributed to students/candidates and posted here appropriate to the current PSR. Details pertaining to the Sacrament of Confirmation will be included in the upcoming 2025-26 PSR registration. -- anticipated in April 2025. Please check back.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

2361 Highway 18, Edgard, LA 70049 Telephone: 985-497-3412

Parish School of Religion

Classes Return to our Catholic Center

Background