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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Saturday/Sunday, March 8th & 9th - GIFT Parent Meeting after Masses
Liturgy of the Word with Children
March 9, 2025
First Sunday of Lent
Luke 4 1-13
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke When Jesus returned from the Jordan River, the power of the Holy Spirit was with him, and the Spirit led him into the desert. For forty days Jesus was tested by the devil, and during that time he went without eating. When it was all over, he was hungry. The devil said to Jesus, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone to turn into bread.” Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say, ‘No one can live only on food.’ ” Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth. The devil said, “I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. Just worship me, and you can have it all.” Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ” Finally, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and had him stand on top of the temple. The devil said, “If you are God’s Son, jump off. The Scriptures say: ‘God will tell his angels to take care of you. They will catch you in their arms, and you will not hurt your feet on the stones.’ ” Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’ ” After the devil had finished testing Jesus in every way possible, he left him for a while. The Gospel of the Lord
This Week’s Assignment
First Sunday of Lent
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
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.