REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AGES 6-16 TAKES PLACE DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST EACH YEAR. LATE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED UNLESS YOU ARE TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER PARISH. YOU MAY REGISTER AFTER MASSES, ONLINE, OR BY STOPPING BY OUR OFFICE.
PLEASE CONTACT TERESA GILL, COORDINATOR OF MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP, BY PHONE OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION:   
 
Office: (970) 243-0209 ext. 209
            Cell: (251) 408-7851
Email: [email protected]
 

The Faith Formation Program at St. Joseph Parish – General Information

Faith Formation classes begin in mid-September, directly after Catechetical Sunday, and run through mid-May and generally follow the D51 school year calendar.  We offer Faith Formation for grades 1-6, with Confirmation classes to follow.  Faith Formation classes are separate from, and run in concurrence with, classes that prepare students for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. 

It is strongly recommended by the diocese that children remain in the appropriate Faith Formation class for their age even after they have made their first confession and first communion. 

The Catholic Church recognizes that the parents are the first and most important teachers of the faith to their children.  Therefore, we encourage parents to attend the Faith Formation classes as volunteers so they can know what their children are learning each week and can reinforce those lessons in the home.  Putting into practice what children are being taught each week about their faith is crucial to building a personal relationship with Jesus, which is the primary goal of all catechesis. 

A word about the sacraments…

A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality.  Our goal is to form Eucharistic Missionary Disciples.  Passively receiving a sacrament is not enough.  The grace we receive is directly related to the personal faith, spiritual expectancy, and hunger with which we approach the sacrament.  The individual, along with their catechist and Pastor, will make this determination.  Therefore, the number of years in preparation, or the completion of a certain program may not definitively mean that a person will receive a sacrament at that point.  More may be needed before readiness is finally reached.  It is a customized process because each person and each journey are unique.  

A word about readiness…
The basic signs of readiness are:  Consistent Mass attendance on Sundays & Holy Days, Daily Prayer, Completed Formation, Demonstration of an understanding of the Sacrament, a desire and intent to receive the Sacrament, and a commitment to continue living the Catholic Faith.