First Holy Communion
“In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself entirely to us, as we receive His Body and Blood. Through receiving Jesus’ Body, we become more closely united to Him and to the entire Body of Christ and we are filled with food for the journey, so that we can better live out our Christian lives and grow in holiness.
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Children are required to receive two consecutive years of catechesis and sacramental preparation before receiving any sacraments. The normal course at St. Joseph is for children (who are baptized) to begin their preparation for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Holy Communion in the 1st grade and receive their sacraments in the 2nd grade. Students in these grades may prepare for these sacraments in either Family Formation or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Family Formation
Families can choose either Sunday 10:15am or Wednesday 6:15pm class times. Students who have not received Holy Communion by the 2nd grade will be placed in an age appropriate sacramental prep class. Parents are required to attend parent meetings and two Saturday workshops.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
CGS is a Montessori formation program. Children attend class once a week for two hours. During this time they will be presented lessons and have time to select materials to work with. These materials are designed to help them learn about our faith. In addition to weekly class times, parents and children will attend 4 evening reflections to prepare for reconciliation in the winter and a full-day retreat for children in the spring to prepare for First Communion.
Middle School and High School
If you have a child in middle or high school that has not received First Reconciliation or First Communion, they will prepare for these sacraments with Youth Ministry. Preparation for the sacraments is a two-year process. Classes take place on Sunday evenings; optional food & fellowship from 6:30-7:00 p.m., Youth Session from 7-8:30 p.m. Youth are placed in an age-appropriate small group. In the second year of preparation youth and their parents will be required to attend supplemental sacramental workshops (see calendar for details).
If your child is not yet baptized, they would be enrolled in our RCIA adapted for youth session.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults adapted for Youth is a two-year process through which youth become fully initiated into the Catholic Faith and receive the sacraments of initiation including Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. This class is available to youth who have not been baptized or has been baptized in another Christian faith tradition.
Youth RCIA meets on Sunday evenings. Optional food & fellowship from 6:30-7:00 p.m. Youth Session is from 7-8:30 p.m.
Cost is $85/child (Family max payment of $255)
*Students in their second year of RCIA preparation are required to attend a retreat; additional fees will apply.
Please contact the Faith Formation office to register at faithform@stjosephcc.net.