St. Joseph Parish is an important part of your child’s spiritual development and experience. Your family’s participation in this community is essential to their spiritual development, their integration into this community, and is a significant part of their education. Parents who are members of St. Joseph Parish are invited to be active members of our faith community by sharing the gifts of time, treasure, and talents. The example of your participation in the life of your parish will form your child’s religious and spiritual experience. You are your child’s most important role model. We encourage family involvement with the parish as well as the school.

Eucharistic Celebration: Students participate in the celebration of student prepared liturgies weekly. Families are cordially invited to attend these liturgies.

Sacrament Reception: Catholic students in the second grade receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in early December and First Eucharist in May. Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation begins in the seventh grade, with reception of the sacrament in eighth grade. Preparation takes place both in the classroom and at home, with families expected to take an active part in that preparation.

Religion classes: All students attending St. Joseph School participate in religion classes each day. Curriculum includes the study of Catholic doctrine, the life of Jesus and the saints, Sacred Scripture, and moral decision making.

Practice of the faith: Weekly attendance at Sunday Mass and frequent reception of the sacraments is necessary for the student to develop his/her own depth of spirituality. We ask Catholic families to sign a spiritual covenant showing cooperation in this aspect of the child’s development. In school, we attempt to provide a spiritually nurturing atmosphere, with frequent Mass attendance, regular opportunities for Reconciliation, and daily communal and private prayer.

Christian service: All children are instructed in the value of Christian service to others in classroom discussion and are given opportunities to demonstrate faith in action by fulfilling progressively increasing service hours each year.

Fees: Separate fees are charged for materials and texts used in the sacrament programs. Because sacramental preparation requires strong parental guidance, parents are required to attend several meetings during preparation time. Parents who choose not to attend cause postponement of the sacrament until such time when the parents are able to participate fully with the child.