Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for registering your child or children for the 2023-2024 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 second 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 Christ Himself and the “source and summit” of the Christian life. To be prepared to fully receive the grace of this Sacrament, our souls must be free from mortal sin. Therefore, in addition to using quality resources and a First Holy Communion Retreat to prepare them for this sacrament, the students are also preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is essential that parents and guardians understand this sacrament and are included in the preparation as well. Specifically, this year at least one 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 beauty of Christ’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The series Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession will be viewed and discussed during these workshops. In addition to offering a three session series during specified Religious Education classes, our Family Ministries Coordinator, Becky Davis, will also provide single day workshops as well. 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 one of these options. Please see the “2023 – 2024 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