EDUCATION AND FORMATION
ADULT EDUCATION
ADULT EDUCATION and catechesis will soon be available for our adult members. Classes will be conducted at various times throughout the year. Information will be available in the parish office as schedules are made.
JOURNEY THROUGH SCRIPTURE, a parish-based Bible Study Program produced by Scott Hahn through his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, is a way for ordinary Catholics to grow in their knowledge of the Scriptures while deepening their understanding of the riches of the Catholic faith. Distinctively Catholic, “Journey Through Scripture” looks at the entire Bible and how all of its parts work together. It is a dynamic series incorporating live presentation, multimedia, small group discussion, and some outside reading. The program is currently comprised of four different studies: (1) Genesis to Jesus; (2) The Bible and the Mass; (3) The Bible and Mary; and (4) The Bible and the Sacraments. The Goal? To help people read the Bible in the way the Church does through its Liturgy. All adults are most welcome to this new adult education series.
BIBLE STUDY/REFLECTION
Our BIBLE STUDY group meets on Sundays between the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Masses and encourages anyone interested to join them. In addition to reading and reflection on the current Sunday readings, they entertain questions and encourage discussion.
FRIENDSHIP MINISTRY
The St. Joseph FRIENDSHIP MINISTRY, begun in October of 2007, is the place for any teen/adult with a cognitive impairment to find a place of belonging in our church. It is a place where friends and mentors grow together in relationship to Jesus Christ, one another, and the Church. It is a place for faith, friendship and fun. The group meets on the second floor of the Community Center the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, September through May. We invite any parish member and/or those outside the parish to join our group and participate in this social/educational experience. If you know of someone who might be interested, pick up a brochure from the bulletin board in the Community Center.
LENDING LIBRARY
The parish LENDING LIBRARY is located in the Community Center on the first floor and is available to all who would like to sign out a book, CD, video, etc. for home use. There is a great variety of religious topics and documents included in our media.
NEW MEMBER CLASSES
NEW MEMBER CLASSES are held for those who have registered to become parishioners. Our newest parishioners are required to attend the three classes (or borrow DVDs if they cannot attend) so that they know who we are as a parish and why we do the things we do. Father Larry teaches the classes, the topics of which are “The Lordship of Jesus,” “Worship,”, and “Service.”
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES for grades Pre-K through 6 are held in our Community Center on Sundays from 9:45 AM to 10:50 AM, from September to June. Classes for our teens, grades 7 through 10, are held bi-weekly on Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, also from September to June. Confirmation classes are held bi-weekly on Sunday evenings in the home of the instructors.
SPECIAL CHILDREN’S LITURGIES are planned once a month by the Religious Education Director and the teachers. Each individual class participates in one of the liturgies by reading, greeting, and carrying the gifts in the Offertory procession.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD takes place during the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Masses on Sundays. After a blessing from the celebrant and the congregation, the children, from age 4 years until pre-First Communion, are led by their teacher to their room, where they hear the Sunday scriptures read and explained in words they can understand. A craft pertaining to the readings of the day is then distributed for the children to complete, after which the children are brought back into the Sunday Mass. Children’s Liturgy of the Word is one way to nurture our youngest children in their faith.
BAPTISMAL CLASS is offered once a month for new parents. Parents are required to attend only once — prior to the time of their first child’s Baptism. Instruction includes information about the sacrament itself, the selection of Godparents, and other pertinent information.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
RCIA meetings are designed for adults who are considering becoming Catholic, those who would like to know more about the Catholic faith, and any adult who would like to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Classes begin in October and are held on Sundays from 9:45 to 10:55 AM in the Community Center. Those who want to become Catholic or come into full communion with the Catholic Church are brought into the church at the Easter Vigil.
YOUTH MINISTRY
YOUTH GROUP for our high school youth and their friends is the perfect chance for the teens to gather, discuss various topics, and engage in a variety of activities. Throughout the past year, the Youth Group participated in many activities such as the March For Life in Washington, DC, the 24-Hour Food Fast, scavenger hunts, service opportunities, and more. “Meetings” are held weekly on Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room. Contact our Youth Director for more information or to participate with the group.
SNAC (SATURDAY NIGHT ALIVE IN CHRIST) is an opportunity for youth, 7th through 12th grade, to come together to praise the Lord and share about how the Lord is working in their lives. SNAC, which originated at Penn State University and is based on Franciscan University’s Festival of Praise, begins in church with praise and worship songs, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, opportunity for more singing, sharing, and silence Finally, the group moves to the Community Center for a half hour of fellowship.