St. Joseph Religious Education Program gratefully accepts the opportunity to touch the lives of its students, and offeres them an awareness of the ways, that they, as Christians, can bring the love and forgiveness of Christ into the community in which they live. In a broader sense, the student is conscious also of their individual responsibility to their brothers and sisters in the lrager world community.

Our program encourages and supports 'families' with knowledge and understanding of God, the spirit of community, and the challenge of service to others.

OVERVIEW OF OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

Our program formally begins in the First Grade. However, we offer a Kindergarten Program tht meets on Sunday mornings: 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM Spanish; 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM English. This class encourages the children to discover and explore the wonders of God in the world around them, in themselves, their families, and their friends and in the special gift of Jesus. (5 year olds-- English only).

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

It is our policy that a parent or adult guardian registers students. Registration is to take place prior to the first day of school. If the child has been baptized, it is required that a Baptismal Certificate be presented at the time of Registration. A Birth Certificate is also requested. A tuition fee of $20.00 per child is required at the time of registration (This covers the cost of textbooks and supplies). If you are unable to submit the tuition, please inform us and we can work out a plan or scholarship. *No child will ever be turned away because of finances. Our main concern is your family and your child's religious education.

LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN

We celebrate the Liturgy of the World with Children during the 9:00 AM Mass (English) and 10:30 AM (Spanish) each SUnday in the Church. Children are invited to go with an adult Presider to listen to and talk about God's Word at their level of understanding. They are reunited with their parents and the community for Liturgy of the Eucharist during the presentation of the gifts. (Training is available for interested adults who would like to proclaim the Word or provide Music for the children.)

SACRAMENT CLASSES

(Reconciliation/Eucharist)
It is the policy of the Archdioicese of Newark that a child is a registered participating student in a relgious education program for at least one year before being placed in a Sacrament Preparation class. Students coming into this school with proper transfer information and including 1 year's prior attendance from another school will be accepted and most welcome to participate in our Sacrament Classes.

(Sacrament of Confirmation)
Saint Joseph Parish will accept candidates entering the 9th grade (or older) into the immediate preparation period for Confirmation. This presently consists of sessions beginning in October and culminating with Confirmation in April of the following year--provded that certain standards have been met.

There are many advantages to setting the age for Confirmation in the High School years. Young people in this age bracket are ready to reflect seriously on the faith of their Baptism, to examine their own attitudes towards Church and to come to a more adult aunderstanding of and commitment to the faith of Catholic Christianity.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS/CHILDREN

Unbaptized adults and/or children of catechetical age (7 years old) entering our school for Religious Education will participate in the R.C.I.A process. Instruction will be provided for children on a weekly basis in small group sessions on Sunday mornings from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. Adult instruction takes place on Thursday evenings from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Baptisms of adults and children will take place during the Easter Vigil (Saturday before Easter Sunday) at 8:00 pm in the Church. Adults who have been baptized but have not received First Eucharist and/or Confirmation will also be invited to participate in the R.C.I.A Process. Further information concerning the R.C.I.A may be obtained from the RCIA Director, Ms. Fran Fitzgerald or the Pastoral Associate for Catechetics, Mrs. Maria Pellecchia at (201) 659-5929.