Catechesis
Faith Formation
As described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1656:
In our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith. It is in the bosom of the family that parents are “by word and example… the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children.”
Elementary Religious Eduction
“Let us make this journey as families, let us keep walking together. What we have been promised is greater than we can imagine. May we never lose heart because of our limitations, or ever stop seeking that fullness of love and communion which God holds before us.”
As stated by Pope Francis in “The Joy of Love”
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Parents of primary-grade children provide the most powerful influence on forming the faith of their children by living out their own faith with consistency and joy. Children experience God’s loving presence in the everyday care and nurturing provided by parents. We encourage all children to attend religious education each year. It is not a sacrament program, it is an educational program to pass on our faith to our children. (See sacramental prep below)
SACRAMENTS Family: Parents and catechists educate and prepare the primary-age child for first celebration of the Sacraments of Penance/Reconciliation and Eucharist by connecting daily experiences to Gospel teachings and their experience of these sacraments. Families participate at Sunday Mass with the parish community and discuss the meaning of symbols.
Sacramental Preparation:
The sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion are parish events. The religious education students and those from St. Joseph’s School come together, along with their parents, in a sacramental formation program called Growing Up Catholic. The preparation for these sacraments is a 2-year program. Children must attend either the religious education program or the parish school program for 2 years to receive their sacraments. The sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion traditionally is received in 2nd grade. A child needs to attend in 1st grade to receive the sacraments. For those children who do not come in 1st grade, there is a program to accommodate them, to all grade levels. This is a 2-year program.
Contact:
Parish Office
-OR-
English: Fr. Felipe Pulido
509-586-3820 x 110
En Espanol: Amalia Del Pozo (509) 586-3820 x 105
Directora/Cordinadora
Details:
When: Wednesdays 4:30-5:45 (Mid-September- first of May)
Where: St. Joseph’s School Elementary Building
Celebration for Quinceañera
One of the Hispano-American community traditions is the Quinceañera. The tradition consists of the presentation of a young woman before the community with two purposes:
1. To thank God for the gift of life with a mass and
2. To be presented by parents before society.
High School Religious Education
Parents of high school students provide the most powerful influence on forming the faith of their children by living out their own faith with consistency and joy. Children experience God’s loving presence in the everyday care and nurturing provided by parents. Families can also engage in high school-age discussions of the Catholic faith.
Meets:
Classes in English every Sunday 9am – 10:45 am school building A
Contact:
En Espanol Amalia Del Pozo 509-579-0824
In English Parish Office 509 586-3820
SACRAMENTS Family: Parents and catechists educate and prepare the high school-age young adult for Confirmation by connecting daily experiences to Gospel teachings and their experience of these sacraments. Families participate at Sunday Mass with the parish community and discuss the meaning of symbols.
Adult Religious Education
Please refer to the weekly bulletin for current meeting times and topics.
Learning about our faith is not important just when we are young but in every stage of our lives to fulfill our baptismal call to holiness in family, Church, and society. Ongoing faith formation is essential to accomplish that call, it doesn’t end at confirmation or graduation but extends until death. St. Joseph Parish offers many adult education programs throughout the year. These programs include scripture classes and classes on spirituality.
Contact the Parish Office for Dates
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
This program is for those seeking Christ through Baptismal and full communion with the Catholic Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is the formation process for those who are seeking to become members of the Catholic faith community. It is a formation process rather than just an instruction class. Although it does have instruction as part of the process, the focus is on conversion and initiation into the community of faith. The hope is that those wanting to become Catholic, will not only learn about what it means to be Catholic but that they will experience the faith of those who are already members of the Church.
Each Catechumen has a sponsor who journeys with them through the process. The role of the sponsor is one who shares his or her faith with the catechumen. People interested in our Catholic Faith may inquire anytime in the calendar year.
Contact
English:
Fr. Cesar Izquierdo
509-586-3820 x 112
Spanish:
Amalia Del Pozo
509-586-3820 x 105
-OR- Parish Office