Saint Raphael Parish School of Religion is a Catholic Religious Education Program for our parish children attending public schools.  Our comprehensive program serves children in grades Kindergarten through Grade 5.  It uses Diocesan approved curriculum and supplemental materials to provide a program that supports parents and guardians as the primary teachers of the Catholic Faith in the home. 

We have volunteer catechists and adult volunteers of all ages and walks of life.  Some are teachers, business workers, parents, grandparents, and so much more.  Each catechist is VIRTUS compliant in Child Protection and has passed a Background Check. 

The PSR Religious Education calendar runs from September to May and includes instructional days plus out-of-the-classroom experiences.  You will find our program includes Mass, Confession, Parish Mission Events, Stations of the Cross, Empowering God's Children lessons, a Campus Prayer Walk, Jesus Buddies, and other unique experiences specific to grade levels. 

Cost

$125 per child on a sliding scale for multiple children. 

1 Child in PSR = $125

2 Children in PSR = $225

3 Children in PSR = $300

Homeschool Fee is $55 per student

The Kindergarten classes are now held on Mondays during the PSR sessions at 4:30pm and 6:30pm.  The Kindergarten classes will follow the PSR schedule and rubrics.

The 3 and 4 year-old Preschool classes will be replaced with Childrens' Liturgy during the 10:00am Sunday Mass.  Instead of the children being dropped off in a classroom, they will begin Mass with the parents and siblings.  Please see below for further description.

Children's Liturgy

Shortly before the Liturgy of the Word begins, the celebrant will invite the children forward and they will leave with a catechist to share the Liturgy of the Word.  The children will hear the readings, responsorial psalm, and Gospel at a children's level along with an explanation of the readings and conclude with offering up their own petitions.  The children will join their parents at Mass during the offertory and will remain with them for the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.

Children's Liturgy is free, and no registration is required.

The recommended ages for Children's Liturgy are 3-6.

[2025-2026 first day of PSR is September 8 for the PSR Family Orientation and Meet the Teacher]

PSR is offered Monday from 4:30-5:45pm and 6:30-7:45pm for students in Grades K-5 in need of Catholic faith formation. Classes take place from September to May. Each class is 1 hour and 15 minutes in length and is held in classrooms of Saint Raphael School adjacent to the church.  

Staff and Events

Volunteer catechists use the Christ our Life (Kindergarten) from Loyola Press and Alive in Christ text (Grades 1-5) from Our Sunday Visitor.  These texts are approved by the Diocese of Cleveland and meet requirements of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.  In addition, students will experience Mass, Confession (if applicable), Stations of the Cross, Parish Mission, and May Crowning as well as special events by grade level.  These added liturgies and events provide each student with the opportunity to experience and pratice their faith outside the classroom setting.

Curriculum focus by Grade level

Kindergarten: God loves us.

Grade 1: Jesus Christ

*Grade 2: Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.  *Additionalpreparation is required to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

Grade 3: The Moral Life

Grade 4: The Seven Sacraments

Grade 5: The Word of God in the Old Testament PLUS Introduction to the Bible.

*Additional Sacramental Preparation registration and materials fees apply in 2nd grade in preparation for First Communion.

Arrival and Dismissal

Children in Grades K-3 are to be escorted to and from the classroom by an adult or older sibling. Children in Grades 4 and 5 can walk to and from their classrooms or a younger sibling to and from their classrooms. The bell will ring at 4:30pm and 6:30pm signaling the start of class.  The doors to the school will open 5 minutes prior to dismissal so that you may be waiting for your child at the classroom door.  

Carpooling is common and we ask that you discuss with the teacher who is permitted to escort your child to/from class.

The safety of our little ones is extremely important during arrival and dismissal.  Please remain alert, drive slowly, and follow the direction of the safety cones and signs.

Parent Volunteering

This program operates on volunteers.  Approximately 25 volunteer teachers are needed each year. Our church driveway, parking lot and school hallways require 6-7 additional parent/grandparent volunteers per PSR session each week.  We are asking each family to consider becoming a volunteer for one of our needed areas to ensure the best safety of our children.  Our need volunteer areas are: Parking Lot Shepherd, Traffic Coordinator, Hall Monitor, Catechist (Teacher), Substitute Teacher, and Teacher's Aid. 

The Sacramental Years

Reconciliation and First Communion are two BIG sacraments we prepare for traditionally in the Second Grade.  The pre-requisites for these sacraments are being baptized or professed their faith, and wanting to receive these sacraments. Completing First Grade in a Catholic School, PSR Program, or Home School Religion Program is beneficial, but missing them will not disqualify your child from receiving the sacraments.

More information regarding these sacraments can be found on the First Communion page.

Our Home School Religion program is designed for families who choose to teach their children at home.  It is often utilized when family schedules do not allow for PSR in the classroom.  This option is available for students in Grades K through 5.  If your child is in Second Grade, there are great benefits that your child attends PSR in the classroom in order to prepare with fellow students receiving the Sacrament, but Home School Religion is an option. The Sacramental Preparation is done separately from the PSR lessons.

Program Outline

With Home School Religion, the parents are the Religion teachers. You create a plan that works for you that encompasses the following:

Orientation: Meet with the Director of Faith Formation in September for an orientation, discuss your Learning Log and the Winter and Spring Reports, as well as ask questions. Orientation date: In the Library on Thursday, September 18 at 5:00pm and 7:00pm.

Weekly learning: Spend 45 minutes each week learning about our Catholic Faith using the same text used for PSR as well as any supplements or resources you find useful for your situation. Home School Religion families will be invited to attend and paricipate in various liturgies and events throughout the year, including but not limited to: Immaculate conception Mass, Ash Wednesday Services, Confessions, Adoration, Retreats, etc.

Semester Reports: Each student will complete a Winter and Spring Report highlighting what they learned that past semester. Parents will complete two Parent Reflections highlighting the highs and lows of Home School Religion. Return your Winter and Spring reports along with the Parent Relfections to with Joanna Parsons.  The reports and reflections can be returned to the Parish Office or by email.

Temporary Home School Option

If you are registered for PSR and find a need for temporary Home School during the year, please contact the Director of Faith Formation to discuss arrangements. This often occurs with sports or other unforeseen scheduling conflicts and is limited to a period of six to eight weeks.  An agreement form will be required with the start and end dates.  Please notify the Director of Faith formation a minimum of 2 weeks prior to their Temporary Home School start date.

Blessings and Challenges of Homeschooling

Homeschooling your child in Religion may be a wonderful blessing for your family which works well for your schedule and leaves you with personal growth in your faith!  Families remark on the great "God conversations" they have with their children!  Unfortunately, many of our families that try this program, never complete it and their child does not receive Religion credit on their permanent record for that grade level. While we recognize that parents are the primary catechists of their children, this program can have a low success rate. The families that do Home School Religion well, love it and are good at it. Feedback from families who didn't complete the program tell us that while it seems very attractive at first, they didn't realize the discipline it takes and it was challenging to fit teaching weekly lessons into their already busy lives.

Registration:

Details coming soon!

Payments

The fees outlined here help cover the cost of textbooks, classroom materials, supplies, and activities for our Parish School of Religion program. PSR Grades K-5 are assessed $125 per student on a sliding scale.  

Home School Religion is $55 per student.

Payment in full is due by April 1 of each year.

If your child will be receiving the Sacraments of First Communion this year there are additional registrations and Material Fees that apply.

Calculating PSR Fees 

1 Child in PSR = $125

2 Children in PSR = $225

3 Children in PSR = $300

Homeschool Fee is $55 per student

Financial Assistance

A child will never be denied a Catholic Religious Education due to financial difficulty.  As members of the Body of Christ, we are all family and we're here to help!  Our parish has a Scholarship Fund for Religious Education that assists families with financial challenges.  If you are in need, please contact Joanna Parsons in the Parish Office for a confidential conversation regarding your situation. 

2024/25 Calendars for: 

PSR Grades 1-5

PSR Sunday Kindergarten

PSR Sunday Preschool 3s, 4s

Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide

Information Sheet and Opt Out Form

We ask each family to volunteer at least once during the PSR calendar year to help with the safety hallways and parking lot.

Evening PSR Volunteer Sign-up

Afternoon PSR Volunteer Sign-up

Every week we have a dedicated team of over 20 volunteers who teach your children about the Catholic faith. We are proud to be able to minister to so many families for Preschool to Grade 5, but this would not be possible without the help and dedication of our wonderful PSR teachers who continuously create lesson plans, develop intriguing activities, and fun crafts all while igniting and fostering the flame given to each of us at our Baptism.

Remember your child's teacher in prayer each day, as we keep you and your family in our prayers daily. Keep the information card given to you at the Parent Information Night and use it to lift your child's teacher in prayer by name.

A simple gift card or candle can go a long way to show your appreciation for everything your child's PSR teacher does to foster their faith. 

VIRTUS resources for the classroom

Lesson One:

Grades K-2

Grades 3-5

Lesson Two:

Grades K-2

Grades 3-5