Welcome to St. Joseph Church Faith Formation Program.

It is our privilege to assist parents, as primary educators, in educating their children in the Catholic faith. 

"Parents are the primary educators in the faith...It is for this reason that the Christian community must give very special attention to parents. By means of personal contact, meetings, courses and also adult catechesis directed toward parents, the Christian community must help them assume their responsibility--which is particularly delicate today--of educating their children in faith." (General Directory of Catechesis, Articles 255 & 227)

Here at St Joseph's we feel excited and honored to help with the religious education of your children. Our children are the jewels of the church and we do not take lightly our task of helping you teach them their Faith. With Our Blessed Mother Mary and the Holy Spirit as our guides, we hope we can accomplish this endeavor to your satisfaction. 

Program Overview

Family Formation Grades (K-5):

What is Family Formation? Family Formation is what the title implies--formation for the whole family. Having parents be a part of the religious program allows for a stronger connection with parents, children, and the church catechists. 

Who can participate? Families with children in grades K-5. We invite families who homeschool or send their children to Catholic School to also participate, as this program is geared at not only in forming the whole family, but strengthening the bonds of community in our parish. 

How does it work? Parents and children come on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15 p.m. The first Wednesday there will be class for the children and a speaker for the parents to attend. The third Wednesday there will be an all-inclusive class, meaning there will be one teacher teaching all children while parents observe the class. On the other weeks of the month there will be a take-home folder that you as the parents get to work with your children at home. 

How will I know what to teach? Each month parents will receive a packet of lessons to do at home. We provide all materials, instructions and support. Parents do not have to be experts in the Faith, just willing to devote about an hour a week to quality family time in sharing the Faith. 

What if I have a busy schedule? The nice thing about this program is that you can tailor it to your family's schedule on the other two Wednesdays of the month. No more having to skip Faith Formation because of dance or hockey--you can schedule Faith Formation whenever it's convenient for your family. Some families continue to mark out Wednesday nights or some do it on Sundays after church. It's all up to you! All you need is to take time to review the materials and one hour to complete the lesson with your children.   

What about my older children?  We are excited here at St Joseph's to be able to offer two additional classes. There will be a class offered the first, second, fourth, and fifth Wednesdays of each month for grades 6-7 from 6:15-7:15 p.m., and another class for grades 8-10 which meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 7:15-8:15 p.m. These classes do not require parents to be there unless the parents wish to attend.

What will we be learning?  The Faith Formation classes teach children the fundamentals of their faith and encourage older children to have critical thinking skills.  This enables them to be free to ask questions about their faith, allowing them to be better equipped to defend the faith as they approach adulthood. Grades 6-7 will be studying Bible History this year.  Grades 8-10 will focus on Catholic Apologetics. 

Click here for the 2024-2025 Faith Formation schedule.

First Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation: (usually grade 2)

Takes place on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 5:30-6:15 p.m. In addition to formation, students will attend a Reconciliation/ First Communion retreat. 

Sacramental prep students are expected to participate in Family Formation nights in addition to sacramental prep classes. 

First Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation for Traditional Latin Mass:

Contact Elizabeth Schriever

Confirmation Sacramental Preparation:

Contact Elizabeth Schriever

Confirmation Sacramental Preparation for Traditional Latin Mass: 

Contact Matt Belford

Additional activities may take place outside of the classroom time. For more information, click on the Confirmation tab.

For any other information, please contact Elizabeth Schriever at:  elizabethm@stjosephmiesville.com