Faith Formation at St. Joseph

Elementary Faith Formation Program

Contact: Jean Longendyke 651-784-3015 x108

click here to see photos from 2012 Epiphany Masses

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 Elementary Program experience Christ in each other and learn firsthand what it means to be part of our Catholic Church community. The Elementary Program is designed to support families through two components - Grade Level Sessions and Foundations in Faith inter-generational sessions.

We ask that parents:

•    take an active role in the program by talking with your children about the lessons in the book before each session. 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 Foundations in Faith Nights held at St. Joseph's.
•    worship regularly with your children.

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 1 - 6 meet either Monday evenings from 6:15-7:15 or Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30. Learning experiences include small and large group discussions, role play, games, music, art projects and prayer experiences throughout the year. We use a spiraling curriculum from the Harcourt Religion Publisher's Call to Faith series. Core content is presented in an age-appropriate way for each grade level for the following themes: Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, The Church, Morality, Sacraments, and the Kingdom of God.
Formal sacrament preparation is done through special First Reconciliation and First Eucharist sessions for families with children in 4th and 2nd grades, respectively.

Inter-generational Nights

Foundations in Faith sessions start and end at regular session times (Monday 6:15-7:15, Wednesday 5:30-6:30).

Faith is a lifelong journey. These sessions are an important way for us as a church to partner with parents in deepening their own faith knowledge and in forming faith-filled young people. Come journey with your child at these specially designed inter-generational sessions. Parts of the session include joining all together for worship and ritual and separating for a formation component that is age-relevant.

Foundations in Faith inter-generational sessions are an important part of the Elementary Faith Formation Program. All parishioners are welcome at these sessions.

Sacraments 2011-2012

First Eucharist and First Reconciliation
Starting this year 2010-11, catechesis for both First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will take place at the second grade level. All children are required to be enrolled in a 2nd Grade Faith Formation small group in order to participate in Sacrament preparation. Preparation for 2nd graders will include one parent session, 3 parent/child sessions and 2 retreat experiences (one for each sacrament). Materials for each sacrament will also be provided for parents to work with their child at home.

Parents of older children who have not received these sacraments should contact Jean Longendyke at the parish office.

Sacrament Links: See Eucharist and Reconciliation for sacrament calendars and more information.

Parent Resources

Call to Faith Parent's Page
United States Council of Catholic Bishops
Bible, Liturgy and more
Daily Readings
Catholic Mom Website

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

Catechist Resources

Call to Faith Catechist's Page
United States Council of Catholic Bishops
Bible, Liturgy and more
Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Catechist Website (planning resource)

Elementary Calendar 2011-2012

	MONDAY	WEDNESDAY
September	26 - Faith Formation Kickoff	28-Faith Formation Kickoff
October	3	5
October	10	12
October	17 No sesion	19 No session
October	24	26
October	31 No session - attend mass Wednesday, Nov. 2 6:00 pm
November		2 Teaching mass for all 6:00 pm. Come explore the New Roman Missal that will be implemented across the USA on November 28
November	7	9
November	14	16
November	21 No session	23 No session
November	28	30
December	5	7
December	12	14
December	19 No session	21 No session
December	26 No session	28 No session
January	2 No session	4 Catechists/Assistants only
January SUNDAY	8 - Epiphany Celebration	9:30 and 11:00 mass
January	9	11
January	16 No session	18 No session
January	23	25
Jan/Feb	30	1
February 6-8 Parish Mission Come one or all nights	6 Parish Mission 7:00 pm	8 Parish Mission 7:00 pm
February	13	15
February	20 No session - attend Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday	22 Ash Wednesday attend 5:30 or 7:00
February	27 Parish Reconciliation of all at 7:00 pm	29 Leap Year Family Event 6:30
March	5	7
March	12 No session	14 No session
March	19	21
March	26	28
April	2 No session	4 No session
April	9	11
April 14/15 Sat/Sun	Medal mass at each mass
April	16	18