Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for registering your child or children for the 2022-2023 Saint Joseph Religious Education Program! I ask that you please review both the Sacramental Calendar and the Religious Education Schedules for your child or children’s respective grade. As always, the program will begin the week following Labor Day and continue through the first week of May.
This year the first through eighth grade classes will continue to include instruction from the clergy that will take place in the church. Additionally, the sixth grade students will again work through the “ALPHA Youth” Program with the goal of developing a more personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The seventh and eighth grade students will also continue to use the “CHOSEN” Program from Ascension Press as they prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Although Jesus comes to us as simple bread and wine, the Eucharist is “the source and summit” of the Christian life. Therefore, in addition to using quality resources and a First Holy Communion Retreat to prepare the students for this sacrament, it is essential that parents and guardians are included as well. Specifically, this year a parent or legal guardian for First Holy Communion Year I (first grade) and First Holy Communion Year II (second grade) is required to attend a workshop to explore the truth and beauty of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist using the series Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist. This workshop, led by our new Family Ministries Coordinator Becky Davis, can be attended as either a three session series during specified Religious Education classes, or as a single day retreat. It is mandatory for a parent or legal guardian whose child will be receiving their First Holy Communion here at Saint Joseph Parish (both REP and SJS) to attend. Please see the “2022 – 2023 Saint Joseph Parish Religious Education Calendar” below for further details.
All of our catechists are working diligently in order to provide your child or children with the best Catholic religious education that they can; however, as we all know, the first (and best) catechists are all of you as their parents and guardians. This year, I personally look forward to working with both you and your children as we work together to build disciples for our Lord Jesus Christ through our shared Catholic Faith. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. You may either email, call, or text me – whichever option is most convenient for you. Thank you very much, and may God bless both you and your families.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Rebuck
Coordinator of Religious Education