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Elementary Faith Formation Program

Parents are the first and foremost catechists of their children.  They catechize informally, but powerfully by example and instruction.   (National Catechetical Directory, no. 212)

 Since “first” does not imply exclusive, St Joseph Parish is committed to creating a deeper partnership with families to insure that faith within families continues to grow. Children enrolled in the program experience Christ in each other and learn firsthand what it means to be part of our Catholic Church community. We also provide training opportunities that equip parents to be the primary faith formers. The elementary program has two components –  I. Grade Level Sessions and II. Family Events. The Elementary program is designed to support parents through two components - Grade Level Sessions and Family Events.

Grade Level Sessions

We provide small group, grade level sessions during the school year that reinforce the basic themes and teachings children are learning at home.  Catechists receive training, lessons plans, resources and numerous ideas and ways to make their small groups fun and exciting for the children (and the volunteers).  Students in grades 2 - 6 meet either Monday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 or 7:00 to 8:00 or Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30.  The curriculum is designed to cover the basic tenets of our Catholic faith:  Grade 2 – Jesus, Grade 3 - The Creed, Grade 4 - Morality and Reconciliation, Grade 5 – Sacraments, Grade 6 - The Old Testament. Learning experiences include small and large group discussions, role play, games, prayer services in church or the Great Hall, music, art projects and prayer experiences throughout the year.  Supplemental resources to the curriculum can be found at the publisher's website:  We Believe

Formal sacrament preparation is done through special First Reconciliation and First Eucharist sessions for families with children in 4th and 2nd grades, respectively.

 We ask that parents:

  • take on the primary role of reading and talking with your children about the lessons in the book before each session.  The elementary calendar is designed to utilize the We Believe spiraling curriculum to its fullest potential such that all elementary children will cover the same lesson number at home each week.  You will often find that, if you have children in multiple grades, you will be covering the same faith elements for your children in the same week.  We therefore ask that you set aside time each week deliberately passing on your faith to your children including taking time to share personal and biblical stories of faith, praying together, and creating traditions and rituals based on faith.
  • attend the Family Events held at St. Joseph's.
  • worship regularly with your children.

                      2007-2008 Elementary Schedule

                               Monday                                   Wednesday

September             24 -Family Event          26 - Family Event 
October                     1                                    3
October                     8                                  10
October                   15 – No Session         17 – No Session
October                   22                                  24
October                   29                                  31 - No Session
November                 5-No Session               7
November               12                                  14
November               19 – No Session          21 – No Session
November               26                                   28
December                 3                                    5
December               10 – Family Event       12 – Family Event
December               17                                  19
December               24 – No Session          26 – No Session
Dec. Jan.                 31 - No Session            2 - No Session
January                      7                                    9
January                   14                                   16
January                   21 – No Session          23 – No Session
January                   28                                   30
February                   4 – No Session            6- Ash Wednesday
February                 11 - Mission                  13 - Mission
February                 18 – No Session          20 – No Session
February                 25                                   27
March                        3                                     5
March                     10                                   12
March                     17- No Session            19 – No Session
March                     24                                   26
March                     31 - No Session           April 2- No Session
April                          7                                     9
April                       14 – Family Event         16 – Family Event
April                       21                                    23

Family Events

We provide training that assists parents in their role as primary faith formers of their children.  Parents are asked to attend the “Family Events” with their elementary-age children.  These periodic events will be held 6:15-7:30 Monday and 5:15-6:30 Wednesday. 

We kick off our year with a Family Event on Monday, September 24 from 6:15-7:30 or Wednesday, September 26 from 5:15-6:30.  Join us for special activities, music and fun as we start the new year!  We will continue to explore ways to create faith-filled homes as we continue on our Journey of Hope.    You may choose whichever night works for you and your family.    The Family Event will begin in church.

Upcoming Family Events for 2007-2008




Parish Mission
February 11, 12, and 13 at 7:00 pm
Family Safety Event
February 23 beginning at 10:00 am (3yrs-4th gr.)
Family Event
April 13 at 6:15 pm and 16 at 5:15 pm

December, 2007  Family Event:











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