Church of St. Joseph

PREP stands for Parish Religious Education Program. Our goal is to assist parents with their mission to pass on the Catholic faith to their children.
 

 

Sacramental Preparation is another major PREP program. Preparation for Reconciliation & First Communion (Level 2) and Confirmation (Level 7) are completed through classroom instruction and home preparations, projects, and study. Though this classroom education is essential, parents are the first and best models of Christian witnesses for their children. Their practices of the faith are the best example of a lived faith and best method of sacrament preparation.
 

The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice He pours out the graces of salvation on His Body which is the Church. (CCC 1407)
Children receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in the second grade.
To receive First Communion at our parish, parish policy requires that each child be in preparation for two years, enrolled at our parish school, attend the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), or be home-schooled for their academic education.
 

By the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. They are true witnesses of Christ who spread and defend the faith by word and deed (CCC1285).

As fully initiated members of the Church, those receiving Confirmation are expected to continue to deepen their relationship with Christ, to continue to serve His Church, and to lead others to Jesus Christ. Confirmed individuals are not “graduating” from religious education but instead are “graduating” into adulthood in the church. Confirmation is the beginning of a new journey as active members of the parish community, which includes serving the parish and continuing to grow in the faith.

Beginning in 2019, parish policy requires that individuals be in at least seventh grade and have two years of immediate preparation in the faith before receiving Confirmation. Students who choose to be candidates for Confirmation must be enrolled at our Parish School, attend the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), or be home-schooled for their academic education. For information about Confirmation sponsor guidelines, please see the  Godparents/Sponsors information under Grow Your Faith.
 

To help children more fully participate in the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word for Children is offered during the 9:30 am Sunday Mass. Children do not need to be registered to participate.

Children four years of age through nine years old are welcome to participate. After the opening prayer at Mass, a team of volunteers brings the children into the Chapel for their own Liturgy of the Word. The Scriptures are read from an approved text especially for children. The Gospel reflection and discussion helps them to understand what God is saying and how to live the message. The children profess their faith and offer prayers from their hearts. Children then return to the main church to celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 

We invite members of our parish community to join in the important work of educating our children. We are looking for teachers, teacher’s aides, and various other volunteer positions. If you are interested in being a Catechist, please contact the Director of Religious Education.