Signs of God’s grace in our lives… The Sacraments
The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot “see” is God’s grace, his gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of his Son. His initiative is called grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in his life, and shows us his favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God’s initiative is itself a grace or gift from God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives.
-USCCB.org
First Reconciliation
Although we strive to be our best selves, God knows that we often times do not act as He would want us to. It is for these times, that Jesus gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is a sacrament of healing and strength, through which we can be reconciled with God by the forgiveness of our sins. The primary purpose of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is to restore a state of peace and friendship in our relationship with God and the Church.
Important Preparation Dates
Wednesday, September 17 – Parent Informational Meeting 6:30 in social hall
Sunday, November 2 – First Reconciliation Activity with parents after Mass 10-12
Wednesday, November 19 – First Reconciliation 6:15 with refreshments to follow
– Faith formation is an ongoing, life long process. Children are primarily experiential learners, and as such, learn attitudes, values, and ideals through day to day experiences.
– We recognize that you are your child’s primary teacher and model in all things especially when it comes to teaching them about our Catholic faith. When you presented your child to the Church for Baptism, you were reminded that you have the responsibility of “raising them in the practice of the faith.” (Rite of Baptism)
– By the time your child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they should be aware that God cares about them, He created them and calls them into a
relationship with Him. As a parent, you answered that call for them through their Baptism. As they grow, they begin to respond to that call for themselves.
– A child needs to know the difference between right and wrong.
– The child needs to understand that accidents or mistakes are not sins.
– When we deliberately choose to do what is wrong and turn away from God, we sin.
– God is loving and merciful. God will always forgive us if we ask.
– Jesus has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation through which our sins are forgiven and we receive the grace to live as God’s children.
– We must be willing to forgive others, just as God forgives us.
First Holy Communion
This year is indeed a special year…a holy year for you, for your children, and for our parish community. This year we journey together in faith as we help prepare our children to celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Although we tend to focus on the needs of the children, it is important to realize that this time of preparation presents all of us—parents, catechists, parish staff, and other members of our faith community—with wonderful opportunities to deepen our own faith and our understanding of the sacraments.
Through the sacraments, we remember and celebrate the central dimensions of Christian life and grow in our awareness of God’s loving presence in our lives. Sacraments are events that involve the entire community in ways that make clear for us our common relationship in Christ. Sacraments hold such deep meaning for us because they are rooted in and flow from our everyday experiences of belonging, sharing, loving, and forgiving. Make this period of sacramental formation a special time for your family to become more aware of God’s presence in your lives.
First Communion Preparation
This is one of the most important years in the life of your children. Their relationship with Jesus and the Church will take a profound step forward.
– Extend the First Communion education to the home
– Attend Sunday Mass every week
– Help them to have an active prayer life
– Practice receiving the Eucharist
– Wear proper attire for First Communion
– Help your child focus on Jesus
CONFIRMATION
This is truly a special time of spiritual formation for your teen; one that we hope will strengthen your entire family.
St Joseph is a small parish and we do not normally meet the requirement of 19 confirmands that the Archbishop asks us to have before he will come out to perform the Confirmation rite. Therefore, we will only have Confirmation every two years. The next Confirmation will be in 2027. We ask that 8th graders attend Family Formation with their parents and 9th graders to attend Youth Group.
As we progress through the Confirmation program, we ask you to be especially faithful in these
areas:
• Attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation.
• Support a parish ministry with the gift of your time.
• Give time as a family to help those less fortunate.
In addition to worshipping, your family has the opportunity to give your time, talent and
treasure to the many ministries this faith community has to offer. Opportunities to participate are not restricted to Youth Group or Confirmation, but include all parish ministries such as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, RE volunteers, and RCIA sponsors, to name but a few. It is your example that will have the greatest impact on the faith formation of your child.
Confirmation Guidelines
• We require four Service Projects or Works of Mercy.
• You are required to go to Mass. We want you to start in the habit of attending Masses every week because Confirmation is not the end of your religious education it is only the beginning.
• You will need to find a sponsor. This sponsor needs to be a non-parent, confirmed, practicing Catholic, in good standing with the Church, that is at least 16 years of age, and lives close enough to be here for Confirmation.
• You need to choose a Saint that you wish to research and write a paper.
• You will need to write a letter to the Archbishop telling him why you wish to be confirmed and why you feel you are ready to be confirmed.
• You will need to complete the Confirmation Information sheet and provide us with a copy of your Baptismal Certificate if we do not already have one on file.
• You will need to have your sponsor read and fill out the “Sponsor Information” form.
• You will need to attend Confirmation classes and the retreat.