Families of St. Jerome Parish

Attending St. John Neumann School

 

We the faculty, Priests, students, and parents, are dedicated to creating an environment at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic School where we can share with each other the living message of Jesus. We answer this call by providing a religious environment in which Catholic liturgy and worship, education, and service proclaim the Kingdom of God to our Community. We work in partnership with home and Church to develop spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical skills that are essential to future growth and development.

— From the Mission Statement of St. John Neumann Catholic School

 

The Parish of St. Jerome provides the opportunity for a Catholic elementary education at St. John Neumann School, the tri-parish (Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville; St. Cecilia in Glen Carbon; and St. Jerome in Troy) Catholic School located in Maryville, Illinois.  The school offers two tuition rates: a parish rate and a non-parish rate. 

 

To qualify for the parish rate the following criteria must apply at the time of registration (January

or February):

 

1. You must have been registered and active* in St. Jerome parish for at least 6 months.

 

2. Your children must be baptized and attending Sunday Mass with you on a weekly basis.

Catholic formation in the school reinforces and supports the formation through the Eucharist

and faith community.

 

3. You must be using the Sunday envelopes to contribute to the support of the Church as your means allows.  A minimum of $800.00 contributed during the last calendar year is expected. Donations of time and talent are also expected to be shared with the parish and the school.  Exceptions granted by the Pastor are to be renewed each year.

 

4.      You are expected to participate in the programs of both parish and school as time permits.  Participation in the major fundraisers for school and parish is mandatory: the Dinner Auction, Market Day and/or Scrip, the St. Jerome Chicken Dinner, etc.

 

If circumstances arise during the year which makes any of these expectations impossible, please contact the Pastor at once, so that the school can be notified.  Those who do not meet the above listed qualifications fully, and have not made other arrangements with the Pastor of St. Jerome Church, will be charged the non-parish tuition rate.

 

* Active, when referring to participation in the life of the parish, is defined as follows:

Ø     Attendance and Participation at Sunday Mass

Ø     Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure

Ø     Participation in any required (parent) meetings

Ø     Observance of the Precepts of the Church

 

 

Sacramental Preparation for

Families attending St. John Neumann School

 

The Rationale for the Policy

The universal law of the Church, the Code of Canon Law, clearly states that “parents above others are obliged to form their children in the faith and practice of the Christian life by word and example” (#774.2). The law goes on to explain the role of the pastor who is “bound to provide for the catechetical formation of adults, young people and children.  The pastor is to promote and foster the role of parents in the family catechesis” (#776).  “The pastor is to make particular provision that children are properly prepared for the first reception of the sacraments of Penance, and the Most Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of Confirmation by means of a catechetical formation given over an appropriate period of time” (#777.2).

 

In 1978, the Catholic Bishops of the United States issued a document titled Sharing the Light of Faith: National Catechetical Directory for Catholics in the United States. When addressing the sacrament of Confirmation, it states, “Catechesis for this sacrament takes place within the parish community, which has an obligation to participate in the catechetical preparation of those to be confirmed.  The parish is the faith community into whose life of prayer and worship they will be more fully initiated. As the primary educators of their children, parents, along with sponsors, are to be intimately involved in the catechesis for Confirmation. The parental program is an important element in planning for Confirmation for children and young people” (119).

 

This national document again reaffirms the role of parents in the preparation of children for First Eucharist. “Parents have a right and duty to be intimately involved in preparing their children for First Communion. Catechesis aims to help parents grow in understanding of the Eucharist and participate readily in catechizing their children” (#122). 

 

Sharing the Light of Faith makes the same point when addressing the catechesis for the Sacrament of Penance.  “Parents should be involved in the preparation of children for this sacrament” (126).

 

The Church has never wavered in its insistence on the primary role of parents in the education and religious formation of their children.  Catholic schools and religious education programs do assist in this responsibility but can never substitute for the word and example of parents.

 

The Policy

Preparation for sacraments for children attending St. John Neumann School is to take place by the parents. The parish of one’s membership will provide opportunities for parents to enhance their own experience of faith, as well as provide tools for the education and formation of their children.  The religious curriculum of St. John Neumann will supplement this family catechesis, but will not substitute for it.

 

St. Jerome Parish will provide parents with necessary information regarding parent meetings, as well as celebrations prior to the reception of the sacraments.

 

Please contact the parish for details.  The actual celebration of the sacraments of First Penance, Confirmation, and First Eucharist are to take place in the parish where one worships every Sunday.  St. John Neumann may provide an additional worship service and/or reception to honor those who have celebrated the sacraments at their home parish. >>>

 

Special Circumstances

 

St. Jerome children who attend St. John Neumann who have never been baptized and wish to be will be expected to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at the parish.

 

St. Jerome children who enroll in St. John Neumann after the first grade who have had no formal religious formation, and wish to celebrate the sacraments of Penance, Confirmation or First Eucharist will be expected to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at the parish.

 

Children who attend St. John Neumann School but do not belong to one of the three sponsoring parishes should inquire at their respective parish as to the procedure to follow for sacramental preparation.  These parents may be asked to participate in one of the preparation processes at St. Cecilia, Mother of Perpetual Help or St. Jerome.  The pastor of one’s respective parish will offer guidance in this matter.