RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The gift of faith is an invitation by God to grow in a relationship with him. This relationship is built and strengthened by many different things including prayer, scripture, and the sacraments. The parish community of Saint Joseph the Worker offers several educational programs. You can also find resources on our Grow in Faith page.
For information on all programs or to submit a completed registration form, please contact Miss Janice Mercure by email or at 603-883-0757, ext. 4
The GIFT Program
The Gift Program (Growing In Faith Together) is a Lectionary based program in which children in grades K-5 are dismissed for the Liturgy of the Word at all the weekend Masses. This program includes seasonal parent meetings and weekly home assignments for the children.
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Liturgy of the Word with Children
February 9, 2025
The Presentation of the Lord
Luke 2:22–32
The time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the Law of Moses says a mother is supposed to do after her baby is born. They took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord, just as the Law of the Lord says, “Each first-born baby boy belongs to the Lord.” The Law of the Lord also says that parents have to offer a sacrifice, giving at least a pair of doves or two young pigeons. So that is what Mary and Joseph did. At this time a man named Simeon was living in Jerusalem. Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for God to save the people of Israel. God’s Spirit came to him and told him that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to do what the Law of Moses says should be done for a new baby, the Spirit told Simeon to go into the temple. Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, “Lord, I am your servant, and now I can die in peace, because you have kept your promise to me. “With my own eyes I have seen what you have done to save your people, and foreign nations will also see this. “Your mighty power is a light for all nations, and it will bring honor to your people Israel.
This Week’s Assignment
EDGE
Faith Formation For Grades 6, 7 & 8
Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry program for Grades 6,7 & 8. It provides a safe fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Edge resources speak to the physical, psychological, cognitive, relational, and spiritual maturation of middle school youth. The Edge sessions are held twice a month on Sunday evenings 6-8 pm.
Sunday Evenings 6:00-8:00pm
Dates for EDGE
February 16, 2025
March 2, 2025
March 16, 2025
March 30, 2025
April 13, 2025
May 4, 2025
May 18, 2025
Sacramental Preparation
First Reconciliation
Children are prepared to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in the second grade. The Sacramental preparation includes the following components; a parent meeting, family sessions in the home and a family retreat. Resources for the family session are handed out at the parent’s catechesis. The sacrament is celebrated at the end of the family retreat during the season of Lent.
Dates to Remember:
- Saturday, March 22,2025 Family Retreat and Celebration of the Sacrament
Confirmation & First Holy Eucharist
Children are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist and thereby are fully initiated into the Church in third grade. The sacramental preparation includes the following components; a parent catechesis, family session at home, a family retreat, a family interview. The celebration of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist will take place at the same Liturgy in the spring of third grade.
Dates to Remember:
- Sunday, March 30,2025 Family Retreat
Sunday, May 18, 2025 Celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion
GIFT Program
The Gift Program (Growing In Faith Together) is a Lectionary based program in which children in grades K-5 are dismissed for the Liturgy of the Word at all the weekend Masses. This program includes seasonal parent meetings and home assignments each week. You can learn more about our Youth Faith Formation program here.
Summer Program
Children in grade K-5 are required to attend a week long program which explores the basic teaching of our faith. The Summer Faith Formation program is scheduled on Monday, August 3rd through Friday, August 7 from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. Registration forms have been sent via email. If you have not yet received it, please contact Miss Janice at:janicemercure@stjoenash.org.
Edge
Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry program for Grades 6,7,8 &9. It provides a safe fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Edge resources speak to the physical, psychological, cognitive, relational, and spiritual maturation of middle school youth. The Edge sessions are held twice a month on Sunday evenings 6-8 p.m. Visit our Parish News for the latest session dates.
Sacramental Programs
First Reconciliation
Children are prepared to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in the second grade. The Sacramental preparation includes the following components; a parent meeting, family sessions in the home and a family retreat. Resources for the family session are handed out at the parent’s catechesis. The sacrament is celebrated at the end of the family retreat during the season of Lent.
Confirmation & First Holy Eucharist
Children are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist and thereby are fully initiated into the Church in third grade. The sacramental preparation includes the following components; a parent catechesis, family session at home, a family retreat, a family interview. The celebration of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist will take place at the same Liturgy in the spring of third grade.
Confirmation for Grade 9
The preparation for Confirmation includes attending the Edge program, a retreat, and a day of reflection. The celebration of Confirmation takes place in the Spring.
Rite of Christian for Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a process of formation for those who wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church whether they are coming from other faith backgrounds or are not catechized. They are given the opportunity to learn how the Catholic faith expresses its relationship with Christ while deepening their own relationship with our Lord through instruction and faith sharing. This process begins with an inquiry meeting in October. Sessions are held Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. beginning in October. The Sacraments of Initiation are received at the Easter Vigil. You can learn find out more about this program by visiting our Becoming Catholic page.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) prepares children above the age of five who have not been baptized and/or children above the age of seven who have not yet received Holy Eucharist. The children in the RCIC process are prepared at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings and are enrolled in the GIFT program. The RCIC process begins in the first week of Advent. The Sacraments of Initiation are received at the Easter Vigil.