Author Topic: How does SSPX "do" PSR? (Read 1437 times)

CyberSaint · « **on:** October 24, 2010, 11:04:00 PM »

Hi, all.

How do SSPX chapels handle PSR for their children? Are public school children required to attend PSR from grades 1-8? Can parents educate their kids themselves instead, and if so how does that work out?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2010, 11:49:29 PM »

What is PSR?

I've never heard the initials in my life -- and I didn't think I was that young. :geezer:

CyberSaint · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2010, 08:51:38 AM »

Parish School of Religion. Weekly sessions on a weeknight for public school kids in a NO parish to receive religious instructions. I believe some dioceses (sp?) call them CCD.

I am helping out in my parish's PSR program, but I really do not like how they do it. Before I bring any complaints, I wanted to have some solutions. I figure SSPX probably does it differently, and since I have a lot of respect for the Society, I was hoping I could get some details on their practices and maybe look at using some of these ideas in my parish.

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2010, 09:35:27 AM »

Quote from: CyberSaint

Parish School of Religion. Weekly sessions on a weeknight for public school kids in a NO parish to receive religious instructions. I believe some dioceses (sp?) call them CCD.

So that's what they are calling it these days? They simply call it RE (Religious Education) around here.

At my chapel, most all of the children are home schooled or, if they live close enough, attend the school run by the Society. I do know, however, that there is an instruction class for those children preparing for their First Communion and a class for those young people preparing for Confirmation. Other than that we have no "official" instruction.

I am new to SSPX but this is how it is done at our chapel, as far as I know. I have no idea how things are done at larger chapels.

However, in my opinion, the education of children rests directly on the shoulders of the parents. I found over the years in NO that the religious "education" program was lacking orthodoxy. Last year was just the worst. We did most instruction at home anyway.

Matthew · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2010, 10:14:08 AM »

The SSPX is "big" on catechizing, I know that. It's a huge piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining the Faith, which is why the SSPX takes an enormous interest in it.

But catechism classes for the various age groups (preschool, first communion, confirmation, teen, adult) is dependent on having enough "resources" -- and children -- to hold catechism classes.

Resources include parents willing to teach, classroom space, etc.

The more "integral" or "Catholic in my daily life" Catholics at the chapel, the better. Some people don't send their children to catechism class -- either they're lazy, or they plan to "teach their children at home". BAD MOVE. Religious instruction should take place in an extra-familial setting, to help ensure against loss of faith when children become teenagers and they start separating themselves from their parents. The Catholic Faith is not merely something "we as a family" do, but it goes beyond the family. Even if I leave my family, I shouldn't think twice about continuing to be a Catholic. Catholicism musn't just be something mom and dad do (or, worse yet, just mom does).

Of course, it's critical for children to practice the Faith in their daily lives, or a few minutes of instruction on Sunday won't be reinforced. So this is where the parents come in. But no matter how brilliant you are as a parent, and how well educated, it is important to send your child to a "traditional Catholic" catechism class -- it shows kids that there are other children and families who are Catholic as well. They get to see other adults teaching the same thing that you teach them.

A single SSPX priest can't teach more than one class, of course -- if that. Priests usually hear confessions before Mass, which is when other activities (Rosary, catechism classes, etc.) are going on. At our chapel, the priest teaches the adult class (about 20 minutes) then goes into the confessional to hear confessions from 9:10 till about 9:55.

Generally, the larger the chapel population, the more elaborate or complete the catechism class program will be.

Of particular note is the fact that the SSPX finds it important to catechize ADULTS too -- something often lacking in the Novus Ordo.

Matthew

CyberSaint · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2010, 11:25:31 AM »

The materials used in this PSR program at my parish seem to be filled with fluff. I am pretty sure, moreover, that half the PSR families do not instruct their children AT ALL in the Faith, leaving PSR as the ONLY instruction their kids get.

The coordinator wants to know my opinion about the materials, and in a couple of weeks at our staff meeting, I will tell her and the other teachers.

I wish the NO parishes I have been a part of were as diligent as the SSPX in the instruction of their kids.

CyberSaint · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2010, 03:21:51 PM »

What materials do catechists in SSPX use?

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2010, 06:02:53 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

The SSPX is "big" on catechizing, I know that. It's a huge piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining the Faith, which is why the SSPX takes an enormous interest in it.

But catechism classes for the various age groups (preschool, first communion, confirmation, teen, adult) is dependent on having enough "resources" -- and children -- to hold catechism classes.

Resources include parents willing to teach, classroom space, etc.

The more "integral" or "Catholic in my daily life" Catholics at the chapel, the better. Some people don't send their children to catechism class -- either they're lazy, or they plan to "teach their children at home". BAD MOVE. Religious instruction should take place in an extra-familial setting, to help ensure against loss of faith when children become teenagers and they start separating themselves from their parents. The Catholic Faith is not merely something "we as a family" do, but it goes beyond the family. Even if I leave my family, I shouldn't think twice about continuing to be a Catholic. Catholicism musn't just be something mom and dad do (or, worse yet, just mom does).

Of course, it's critical for children to practice the Faith in their daily lives, or a few minutes of instruction on Sunday won't be reinforced. So this is where the parents come in. But no matter how brilliant you are as a parent, and how well educated, it is important to send your child to a "traditional Catholic" catechism class -- it shows kids that there are other children and families who are Catholic as well. They get to see other adults teaching the same thing that you teach them.

A single SSPX priest can't teach more than one class, of course -- if that. Priests usually hear confessions before Mass, which is when other activities (Rosary, catechism classes, etc.) are going on. At our chapel, the priest teaches the adult class (about 20 minutes) then goes into the confessional to hear confessions from 9:10 till about 9:55.

Generally, the larger the chapel population, the more elaborate or complete the catechism class program will be.

Of particular note is the fact that the SSPX finds it important to catechize ADULTS too -- something often lacking in the Novus Ordo.

Matthew

Matthew,
I wish this were the case at our chapel. We have about 5 or 6 large families. The rest of the parishioners are older. Most people drive at least 1/2 to make it to Mass. Some people drive 2 hours. Apparently the compromise is to offer catechism class at certain times like First Communion and Confirmation. The priory is 2 hours away from our chapel and I should note that they are very active. There is a school there where most of the SSPX children attend. They have 3 priests in residence there and they are very involved in the community. Unfortunately we just don't have the resources. All the families I know home school and they provide catechism on their own. It may not be ideal but it is what we have.

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2010, 10:53:08 PM »

We homeschool here, so technically, I don't have to send my children to catechism class, but I do anyway, because they enjoy it.

We have it every Sunday at the independent chapel I go to, and the children 12 and over are attending SSPX confirmations in 2011 in the southern part of our state.