The Saint Joseph Religious Education Program seeks to foster the spiritual development of our parish children. The program supplements families’ religious education by teaching the Catholic faith, preparing students to receive the Sacraments, and providing opportunities to develop a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. 
 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE MASS?
 Father Roth and Father Rozman will be explaining the Mass to the students in our Religious Education Program during this Spring semester. Perhaps you would like to know more about what happens during the Mass – why we do things, what do they mean, etc.   Vatican II calls us to “full, conscious and active” participation in the liturgy. These sessions will provide the opportunity to know more about the sacred liturgy.  Please join us, and bring your questions as well!
 
The second of these presentations, “The Liturgy of the Eucharist,” will be Monday, January 24 in the Church.  Session 1 presentation begins at 4:30 PM (will also be livestreamed) and will be repeated at Session 2, which will begin at 6:45 PM.  Each session will run no more than one hour.
 
Until further notice, such sessions whereby students are present will require adults attending to wear a mask.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  If you would like more information, or have a question you would like to pose during the sessions and want to submit them, please contact Mark Rebuck, the parish Coordinator for Religious Education, at cre@stjosephmech.org.

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Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for registering your child or children for the 2021-2022 Saint Joseph Religious Education Program!  I am happy to inform you that ALL of this year’s classes are returning to an in-person format; however, we will still continue to follow all state and diocesan guidelines in order to ensure the health and safety of all our students.  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, but the format of the first through eighth grade classes is now different than it has been in previous years. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Eucharist is “the source and summit” of the Christian life.  Therefore, as you will see from the schedules, Mass itself is now a much bigger component of the Saint Joseph Religious Education Program.  Additionally, the sixth grade students will be working through the “ALPHA Youth” Program with the goal of developing a more personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.  Click HERE to watch a preview of this program.  Similarly, the seventh and eighth grade students will now both be using the “CHOSEN” Program from Ascension Press as they prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation.  Click HERE to watch a preview of this program. 

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 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