Church of Saint Joseph the Carpenter

Due to Covid-19 all children attending classes in the Church must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Social distancing and masks are required.

*If your child has not been baptized, please contact the Parish Office to make arrangements at: (908) 241-1250.
      
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Biddulph via email at [email protected]   

Dear Parents,

     This is a very exciting time for all of us because your children are preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion! Here is some important information to help you plan your busy schedules. Please mark your calendars!!

First Penance

First Penance Rehearsal- March 9, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in church.  One parent must be present at this practice. Practice will be over by 7:00 p.m.

First Penance- March 12, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in church.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately in church clothes to receive the sacrament of First Penance.                          

Jesus Day

 Jesus Day – Tentatively set for April 25th from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.  Again, we will have to wait and see how the Covid-19 numbers decrease before we decide if we can provide Jesus Day for the children. Jesus Day is full of fun activities to help your children prepare for the sacrament of First Holy Communion! All children will meet in the cafeteria at 8:30 a.m.! The children will enjoy a spiritual puppet show, participate in activities, eat lunch (lunch will be provided), and reenact the Last Supper of the Lord. You may pick up your children at 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

 First Holy Communion

 First Holy Communion Rehearsal- April 27th at 6:00 p.m. in church.  One parent must be present at this practice. Practice will be over by 7:00 p.m.

(The group picture is tentative at this point in time due to Covid-19, but you will receive a text from me concerning this picture.)

First Communion on May 1, at 2PM.

Confirmation on May 7, at 11 AM.

From the National Directory for Catechesis

School-age children should receive formal and systematic catechesis in a parish-based catechetical program, a Catholic school, or a program of home-based catechesis in which the content of the faith and the experience of Christian life is presented authentically and completely.

Having introduced them to the person of Jesus Christ within the family, catechesis for school-age children presents his teachings, his ministry, and the major events of his life. Children can begin to appreciate the parables of Jesus and capture glimpses of the Kingdom of God; they can learn more formal prayers; and they can commit brief passages of Sacred Scripture to memory.Catechesis for the Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation and of the Eucharist is ordinarily provided in these early years of schooling.

The most important task of the catechesis of children is to provide, through the witness of adults, an environment in which young people can grow in faith. Several pastoral directives should guide the catechists of children:

• Be able to understand children, communicate with them, listen to them with respect, be sensitive to their circumstances, and be aware of their current values.
• Recognize that children have a dignity of their own and that they are important not only for what they will do in the future, but for who they are now.
• Encourage them to know and respect other cultural, religious, racial, and ethnic groups, and use catechetical materials that are adapted to accommodate cultural, racial, and ethnic pluralism; the concerns of particular groups; and persons with special needs.
• Understand that the child's comprehension and other powers develop gradually, and present religious truths in greater depth and propose more mature challenges as the capacity for understanding and growth in faith increases.
• Provide experiences in which they can live faith and apply the message of salvation to real-life situations; encourage the use of imagination, as well as intelligence and memory.
• Provide experiences that link Liturgy and catechesis and promote appreciation for the community celebration of the Eucharist.
• Stimulate not only exterior but interior activity—a prayerful response from the heart.″Foster a sense of community that is an important part of education for social life.

If your child is preparing for First Penance, First Holy Communion, or Confirmation, a baptismal certificate is required at the time of registration.