It was the end of an era Monday night at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valley Park, Mo. My youngest son, Ryan, completed/graduated eighth grade–his final year of PSR (parish school of religion).
As the two of us have drove home every Monday night for the last eight years, I would ask, “What did you do at PSR tonight?”
“Talked about God,” was his answer for eight consecutive years.
Well, there was the one night when he said, “Talked about sex.”
Spiritual formation and religious education is essential for children. Many people believe children will model and adopt the religious practices and faith of their parents. But a child’s spirituality is precious. It’s fragile like a new flower when it sprouts from rich soil. A child’s relationship with God can’t be created in the same way a mason works with bricks and mortar.
As children get older, they mold their own spirituality in the same way a potter slowly transforms clay into pottery. During that time, they need a special opportunity where they have a personal experience with God. For many young adults, this can happen on a retreat. For others, it can happen on a mission trip or another service project. Without this experience, it will be difficult for young adults to nurture a spirituality they can rely on for strength and support.
All of the time and effort that religion teachers (catechists) and parent volunteers give to assist the religious education of our children is greatly appreciated. You helped develop the faith of hundreds of young people.
My older son had a difficult week last month. He’s a freshman in college and was struggling in classes. He was distraught. He called home and we talked about communicating with professors, exercise, diet, sleep and prayer or meditation. We told him to look forward to next weekend when my brother and sister-in-law would be traveling to Minneapolis to visit him.
He called home the next night and asked if we would send his Bible with my brother and sister-in-law.
Uncommon Catholic 