The Parish School of Religion (PSR) at St. Rose of Lima in Mt. Vernon has experienced significant growth, reflecting the increasing number of families in the parish. Currently, there are over 230 families, and this expansion is mirrored in the PSR program under the direction of Tammie Hopper.

Hopper has been leading the program for more than 20 years. This year, they transitioned from having two grades per class to offering a class for each grade level from pre-K to 12th grade, including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Less than a decade ago, there were about 80 students; today, there are over 135 students enrolled in PSR, with 30 participating in Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM). Some participants are not Catholic but have joined because friends invited them.

Mrs. Hopper remarked on this growth: “Oh how God has blessed us! To say we are overflowing with his love is an understatement…. Oh, how we love the children!”

While acknowledging that space is an ongoing challenge due to this growth, Fr. Dan Duling expressed hope that support from donors and benefactors would help address this issue in the coming years.

Most parishes primarily fund Catholic education despite its high cost. At St. Rose of Lima, they support eight students attending Catholic schools and spend significantly more on these students compared to their entire PSR program because all PSR faculty and staff are volunteers practicing stewardship.

These volunteers play a crucial role by forming students in faith after their regular teaching duties during the day. Their dedication embodies discipleship.

Fr. Duling emphasized that many youth within the diocese face challenges living out their faith publicly but continue to do so with apostolic zeal. He shared instances where students lead prayers after athletic events as examples of their commitment.

Reflecting on his own experiences and those he witnessed among PSR students across various parishes, Fr. Duling praised these young individuals as role models living heroic virtue daily despite societal challenges.

Fr. Andy Kuykendall once told him that parents, Catholic schools, and PSR programs form three essential legs supporting the church; none should be shorter or longer than another to maintain balance.

In conclusion, Fr. Duling thanked parents who sacrifice time for their children's religious education through PSR programs and assured them that their efforts would yield spiritual rewards eventually evidenced by current missionaries serving abroad or seminarians studying for diocesan service who were products of such programs.