Faith Formation - Children and Youth

Welcome to the Catholic Community of St. Joseph Religious Formation Program.

We strive to meet  the needs of the individual child; to create an atmosphere where development can occur and where respect, dignity and faith in God can be nurtured. 

This development will be guided by parents and volunteer teachers who teach the students through instruction and example.  We believe that through understanding of Catholic doctrine and practices, the student will form Catholic principles and attitudes which will lead him or her to the kingdom of God.  Our objectives are to proclaim the message of the Gospel, to offer personal experiences in living through liturgy, prayer, guidance, example and service, to provide the climate and materials necessary for this to happen. 

 

 

 

Important documents

 

PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CHILD/CHILDREN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR CLASSES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER, 2010.

 

 

  • 2010/2011 Program 

  • Registration

  • Policies 

All children in grades 1 – 8 should be enrolled in our religious formation program every year.  Sacrament Preparation is provided for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. * A student preparing for the sacraments will receive instruction during the regularly scheduled class sessions for two years.  Details, dates and requirements for these sacraments will be provided at parent meetings.   

*Please note that any baptized child (grades 4 – 7) who has not been enrolled in formal religious formation previously and has not received their sacraments at the traditional time, will be placed in an ungraded class to be held on Sunday mornings (approximately 10 classes from October to April. In addition,he/she will attend class on Tuesday evening with their appropriate grade level.  

Class Times and Locations 

  • Grades 1 - 4:  Meet  at the Parish Center from 5:15 – 6:30 PM (Tuesdays)
  • Grades 5 - 7:  Meet at the Parish Center from 7:00 – 8:15 PM ( Tuesdays)
  • Confirmation Class - Sundays (bi-monthly)- 11 am Mass followed by session in parish center which will conclude at 2 p.m.

Current families 

Registration packets will be sent home with  religious formation students in April and also provided in the back of the church and at the parish office.  Sign ups will begin in April for next year.  Please register as soon as possible to avoid late fees.  If you register before  June 30, 2009, a discount will be given.   

New families 

Please contact the parish office (908-756-3383) and speak to Barbara Chippendale, Religious Education Secretary, to register your child.  A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is needed at registration time.  If necessary, an appointment will be scheduled with the Parish Catechetical Leader, Mary Ann Giannone.

Religious Formation Program Policies 

The entire Handbook soon will be available online. In the meantime, here is a partial list of our policies. 

Parent Participation

Parents own the responsibility of the education of their children.  Our program assists parents in this role. Parent participation is vital to the success of the program.  Please should strive to attend all Parent events and support Christian values in and outside of the classroom.  In addition, parents will be required to attend four (4) family sessions with their child on Tuesday evenings during regular class time.  The dates for these sessions will be included on the yearly calendar. 

Mass Attendance 

Students who are studying the Catholic Faith need to regularly attend the Sunday liturgy.  To avoid this responsibility, seriously undercuts any training that can be gained through our program.  Liturgy feeds the faith and enables students to better understand what they are learning.  This is particularly important when preparing for sacraments. 

Parish Integration 

The Parish Religious Formation Program is only one component of St. Joseph Church.  Participation in parish events is encouraged.  A full understanding and appreciation of classroom taught Christian values will be enriched by participation in other Parish activities. 

Volunteers Needed

Many volunteers are needed to make our program successful, not only to serve as teachers and aides, but also to coordinate special events and many other tasks. 

Attendance 

Each child should strive for perfect attendance.  No more than three excused absences are permitted each year . Parents are expected to call the Parish Office or the Parish Catechetical Leader with respect to a child’s absence. 

Discipline 

We have established a process to address unacceptable behavior in the classroom.  Disruptive or uncooperative children are sent to the Parish Catechetical Leader .  Subsequently, is behavior is not improved, a call will be made to the parents and a conference scheduled. 

Parent Handbook