GENERAL INFORMATION, BOARD MEMBERS & POLICIES
General Information
Who makes the Faith Formation programs successful?
With the exception of the Parish Priest, the Director of Faith Formation and Faith Formation Coordinators who develop and supervise the programs, all catechists, assistants, helpers, discussion leaders, etc. are parishioners just like YOU!
We invite you to respond to your Baptismal call and become involved with us in the work of spreading the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel. The Faith Formation programs are in continual need of catechists, substitutes, leaders, drivers, chaperones, hall monitors, aides, childcare providers, sponsors, facilitators, and committee and board members. With your support, the work of the Faith Formation Department can continue to grow and flourish in our parish. YOU are essential to the program!
How is the program supported?
The program is supported by the tuition fees collected for youth enrolled in our Faith Formation programs and from the weekly offering or general funds of the parish.
What are some of our expenses?
Our expenses include catechist manuals and resource material, children's books, audio-visual material and equipment, office equipment, speakers, catechist training workshops, retreats, tours, transportation, supplies, postage, paper, etc.
Who benefits from the program?
Our programs are for the entire family. Catholic Faith Formation is for all ages. On the following pages is a brief description of each program which will further explain our purpose.
FAMILY - Anytime we use the word family we are including all members of our parish. No matter what your situation may be - whether single, married with children, a single parent, a couple with older children, or no children - you are all involved in some way with a family and our programs are for YOU!
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Board Members
The Faith Formation philosophy statement:
Faith Formation is the process of teaching our adults, youth and children the gospel values of Jesus Christ and His Church. Its purpose is to encourage parishioners to respond to the Holy Spirit by developing a vital, ongoing relationship with God and Jesus Christ, promoting Catholic home life and church community, and supporting parents in their role as the primary faith formers of their children.
Faith Formation Liaison
| Amy Dienslake |
763-509-0414 |
adienslake@comcast.net |
The ministry of the church is the responsibility of each member of the parish community. However, not all members of the parish or all parents with children can be sharing decisions or taking responsibility to the same degree, hence the necessity for representative parishioner parents who serve as liaisons to the Parish Council.
The purpose of the Faith Formation liaisons is to:
1. Help the Parish Council in developing policies to assure that Faith Formation Programs implement the faith forming mission and goals of the parish.
2. Promote quality Catholic faith formation.
3. Assure sound management.
4. Communicate the mission, goals, activities and needs of the Faith Formation Programs to the entire community.
5. Maintain and foster commitment to the Faith Formation Programs.
6. Maintain accessibility for input regarding needs, suggestions, and concerns from the parish at large. Review program evaluations at all levels.
7. Advise the Parish Finance Committee regarding tuition for youth attending Faith Formation Programs.
8. Assist the Parish Council in formulating, through collaboration with the Faith Formation staff, policies for Faith Formation, including placement of sacramental programs within the curriculum.
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Faith Formation Policies
General Policies
To meet the needs of all participating in Faith Formation, we present the following. These policies will be followed to insure a viable faith-forming environment for our program.
Faith Formation Registration
Registration begins in mid-May and continues through-out the year. To allow for reasonable start-up time and processing, registration for 2007-2008 closes September 10th and will be offered after all liturgies on September 8 and 9. After September 10, a late fee of $25.00 per family will be charged and students may be required to wait to begin classes.
To download and print a Registration form, click here.
Tuition Fees
Tuition is determined by the Parish Finance Committee, Parish Council and Faith Formation liaisons.
$90.00 per youth, except 12th Grade teens.
(A maximum of $270.00 per family)
The non-parishioner rate is $180.00 per youth
(with a family maximum of $540.00)
To register, a $25.00 registration fee must be received to hold the student’s spot. That book fee is deducted from the tuition amount due. Tuition fees may be paid in installments. There is an option for electronic payments. Forms for e-payments are available from the Parish or Faith Formation Offices, and will be available during registration.
Catechists in our programs are eligible for a $45.00 per youth credit with $135.00 maximum credit. Twelfth Grade teens are not required to pay a tuition fee unless they are non-parishioners, however a registration form is required.
Additional Catechist Benefit:
Not only do you receive a tuition discount as a Faith Formation Catechist, but you also have the opportunity to pre-register your own family for sessions.
Required Retreat Fees (Fees subject to change)
TEC Retreats $125.00 Payable to TEC
10th Grade Retreat $80.00 (approx.)
9th Grade Retreat $60.00 (approx.)
8th Grade Retreat $60.00 (approx.)
7th Grade Retreat $30.00 (approx.)
Sacramental Fees for Reconciliation and Eucharist
An amount of $15.00 is asked to cover the cost of written materials/books distributed at the Parents Only meetings.
Attendance
In order to form continuous faith development, regular attendance is essential. A call or written note is necessary explaining any absence or requesting early dismissal. Illness is excusable; other events, (sports, scouts, etc.) should be scheduled so as not to conflict with Faith Formation sessions. If a youth is absent three times in succession without the proper excuse, we will take that as a sign of withdrawal from the program. Students preparing for sacraments may not miss more than three sessions without jeopardizing their eligibility to receive the sacrament that year.
Arrival and Departure
Tardiness at the beginning of small group sessions and late pick-ups at the end of small group sessions creates problems for both catechists and students. Please arrive five minutes before sessions begin, and pick up your students within five minutes after sessions end. Equally important for parents to remember is that removing your student from group sessions early is disruptive. Please notify your student's catechist and/or the program coordinator in advance if your student must leave early.
Discipline
Mutual respect between students and catechists is conducive to learning. If a continual discipline problem arises, the Catechist, Coordinator, or Director will contact the parents of the student involved to determine whether the student will remain in the program.
Textbooks
Textbooks or special workbooks are provided for all grade levels. Please be sure that the book is brought to small group sessions each week. If a book is lost or damaged, a replacement will be provided at an additional expense.
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Sacramental Policies
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BAPTISM
St. Joseph's celebrates the sacrament of baptism for infants at weekend liturgies and the first Sunday of each month at a communal celebration. We embrace the opportunity to share our baptismal call with all.
Parents who wish to have a child baptized at St. Joseph the Worker must be registered as parishioners and attend a Baptism class before Baptism. Parents are encouraged to attend Baptism class before the birth of their baby. Both parents must attend the class and registration is required. To register, call the Parish Office at 763-425-6505 no later than one week prior to the class.
We offer different preparation options:
If you are baptizing your first baby, baptism classes are typically held on the third Monday of every other month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Upcoming classes are:
April 21, 2008
June 16, 2008
If you are baptizing a second baby and you have previously attended a Baptism class at St. Joseph the Worker, baptism classes are held from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. on the following upcoming dates:
April 21, 2008
June 16, 2008
The Community of St. Joseph the Worker does not baptize during Lent. Exceptions are made in case of emergency.
Special arrangements can be made for children of school age or adults who wish to be baptized. Please call Ruth Fleming, Director of Faith Formation at (763)425-9801 ext. 230, or email her at ruth@sjtw.net for more information.
CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
For initial sacramental celebrations, students need to attend the parish Faith Formation program or an approved Archdiocesan Catholic school a minimum of one year prior to the year in which they will begin preparation for the sacrament:
This means that those who wish to celebrate the sacrament of Eucharist in 2nd grade, need to attend during 1st grade. Likewise students should attend during 3rd grade, if they wish to celebrate Reconciliation in 4th grade. Teens wishing to begin preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation need to attend during 9th grade. Confirmation is a two year preparation program beginning in 10th grade with celebration of the sacrament at the end of 11th grade year.
Parents are the primary catechists of their children and are asked to partner with the parish in preparing their student for sacraments. Because sacraments are celebrated as a community, it is important that students enter more fully into the life of the parish community during their preparation.
Students who wish to celebrate a sacrament must attend Faith Formation at the parish during the year(s) of their preparation for that sacrament. Students who attend an Archdiocesan approved parochial school may receive Faith Formation through their school. Both Catholic school and parish Faith Formation students prepare for the sacraments together at the parish through a series of meetings, retreats, and use of materials provided by the parish.
EUCHARIST
As Eucharistic people, we celebrate the sacrament of Eucharist every weekend during our liturgies and on most weekdays: Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00 am and Fridays at 6:30 am. Eucharist is always offered under both species. Homebound Eucharist Ministers are available to bring Eucharist to your home. Please call the parish office (763)425-9801 to make arrangements.
In addition to attending an approved Faith Formation program, preparation for 1st Eucharist consists of a mandatory Parent Session, a Parent-Child Workshop, and completion of sacramental preparation materials.
PARENTS with students preparing for First Eucharist are required to:
1. Attend a Parent Session for sacramental preparation in order to deepen your understanding of the Sacrament and to explore ideas for celebrating Eucharistic themes in the home. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION. Please plan to attend the following session offered at 7:00 p.m.:
Thursday, February 21, 2008 OR Monday, February 25, 2008
2. Attend a Parent and Child First Eucharist Workshop. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION. This workshop will be offered twice from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.:
Monday, February 11, 2008 OR Thursday, March 6, 2008
Please register for the workshop of your choice on the Sacramental form which you will receive through the Elementary Faith Formation program. Childcare is provided by registration.
3. Typically, reception of the sacrament occurs in the spring of the year at one of the weekend liturgies. Please register for the liturgy of your choice on the Sacramental form which you will receive through the Elementary Faith Formation program.
Parents with students who are 3rd grade and older, that have not yet prepared for First Eucharist need to contact Ruth Fleming, Director of Faith Formation (763)425-9801, x230 to arrange for preparation.
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RECONCILIATION
The Community of St. Joseph's celebrates the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly throughout the year. Each Saturday at 4:00 p.m. the sacrament is offered on an individual basis.
Students at St. Joseph the Worker typically prepare for and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation during 4th grade. During their Faith Formation classes, each student is given a more in-depth understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and is readied to receive the sacrament individually with a priest in the spring of 4th grade.
In addition to attending an approved Faith Formation program, preparation for 1st Reconciliation consists of a mandatory Parent Session, a Parent-Child Workshop, and completion of sacramental preparation materials.
PARENTS with students preparing for First Reconciliation are required to:
1. Attend a Parent Session for sacrament preparation in order to deepen understanding of the sacrament and to receive ideas for developing a spirit of forgiveness and healing within family life. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION. These sessions will be offered 7:00 p.m. on:
Monday, October 8, 2007 OR Thursday, October 11, 2007
2. Attend a Parent and Child Reconciliation Workshop. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION. These workshops will be offered 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. on:
Thursday, January 10, 2008 OR Thursday, January 17, 2008
3. Typically, reception of the sacrament occurs in the Lenten season. Please register for the celebration time of your choice on the Sacramental form which you will receive through the Elementary Faith Formation program.
Parents with students who are 5th grade and older, that have not yet prepared for First Reconciliation need to contact Ruth Fleming, Director of Faith Formation (763) 425-9801, x230 to arrange for preparation.
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CONFIRMATION
St. Joseph's usually celebrates Confirmation late spring of student’s 11th grade year with the Bishop. Adults seeking Confirmation should contact Ruth Fleming, Director of Faith Formation at (763)425-9801 ext. 230.
Candidates who are in 11th grade or older are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation upon completion of all requirements specified by the parish.
Candidates who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation are required to:
1. Participate in the LifeTeen faith formation program
2. Complete fifty hours of service in the community; twenty-five hours in both 10th and 11th grades
3. Participate in two retreats; one in 10th and one in 11th grade - a list of options will be provided
4. Attend Confirmation preparation programs
5. Complete the Sponsor/Candidate program
6. Attend a Confirmation interview
7. Write a letter to the Bishop
The ninth, tenth and eleventh grade years are considered the immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Service hours performed by 9th grade teens can be counted towards their Confirmation requirements. Requirement forms will be available from your teen's Youth Group Leader.
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Adult Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation Policy
Adults who wish to receive any of the above sacraments should call the Faith Formation Office for more details about receiving these sacraments. Any questions should be directed to Ruth Fleming, Director of Faith Formation (763) 425-9801, ext. 230 or ruth@sjtw.net..
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Marriage Preparation
Because of the serious nature of the life-long decision involved, marriage preparation is considered very important. As a result, the Archdiocese has set in place a process of marriage preparation. This process includes filing the necessary paperwork, attending a pre-marriage seminar, completing a couple inventory and reviewing the results. This can be a lengthy process, therefore couples should begin this process a minimum of 12 months in advance of their desired wedding date. Marriage Preparation Information Sessions are offered on the Third Sunday of each month; registration is required. Register by contacting the Parish Office at 763-425-6505.
St. Joseph's will also help couples in the process of planning their Sacrament of Marriage. Couples will be able to work with our liturgist to prepare for their marriage ceremony.
For those who are concerned their marriage may not be recognized by the Catholic Church, please call Ruth Fleming, Director of Faith Formation (763) 425-9801, ext. 230 or ruth@sjtw.net
or Fr. Mike Sullivan, Pastor.
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