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 (grades 1st-5th)
Students are required to receive two consecutive years of catechesis and sacramental preparation before receiving First Communion. The normal course at St. Joseph is for children (must be 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 may prepare for these sacraments in either Pathways Family Formation or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. (Both years of formation must be in the same program.)
Pathways Formation
Pathways is a hybrid program consisting of family gatherings at home and on-campus sessions for students and parents. On-campus sessions meet 1-2 times per month on Sundays - English from 10:45am-12:15pm and Spanish from 12:45pm-2:15pm.
Parents are required to attend on-campus parent sessions, a sacramental prep meeting and two Saturday retreats with their child.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
CGS is an on-campus Montessori formation program. Children attend class once a week for two hours. Class day/time varies depending on family choice at registration. Parents are required to volunteer with the program (varying opportunities), attend four (4) on-campus evening reflections with their child to prepare for Reconciliation, and attend a full-day retreat with their child to prepare for First Communion.
Middle School and High School (grades 6th-12th)
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).