Welcome to Faith & Family 

Contact Julie Quillo at jquillo@stjoemanchester.org

One of the richest blessings of Family and Family comes as families learn about the beauty and truth of the Catholic Faith together. Once a month, families will gather for a meal and fellowship, receive in-person formation and the “Monthly Home Lesson” packet. We will provide the guidance and the tools you’ll need for the remainder of the month. And God will provide the grace that has the power to deepen your love for each other and transform your family in amazing ways. Our Faith and Family model of catechesis grounds itself in the realization that family life is the place where faith and religion can have the most positive impact and the best chance of taking root in a child’s life. 

Our Faith and Family Formation Program includes the following:

• Monthly, parents and children will attend one session at the parish, and complete two in home lessons. 
  • At your monthly session, everyone will begin in the cafeteria with a light meal and a fun family activity. 
  • Following that, children will go to class for the first lesson of that month's unit, while parents have their own session in the cafeteria.  Here you will be given information and resources that will help you teach your two lessons at home.
  • Your child's catechist will check in with you each month to see how you are doing and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
  • There will be a Faith and Family Resource page on our parish website each month to offer additional resources, videos, and other helpful suggestions to guide you. 
• There will be Family Ministry events and Family Service Projects spread throughout the year for your family to experience St. Joseph by Belonging, Believing and Becoming!

We are asking each family to register for one of two Journey Groups.

*Arize Middle School, grades 6, 7 & 8 will meet on Tuesday nights for Faith and Family Catechisis

The Parish community will be hosting a wide variety of events throughout the academic year and we want your family to participate in as many of them as possible so that you will truly feel that St. Joseph is your spiritual home and your child will receive an even greater experience of God’s love and grace than he or she would if they simply attended a class for one night a week. 

• August 19, 2022                        Faith and Family BBQ - 6:00pm
• November 1, 2022                    All Saints Mass, Children wear your saint costume!!
• November 16, 2022                 "The Beauty of Advent" Family Night - 6:00 -8:00 pm
• December 6, 2022                    The Feast of St. Nicholas and Christmas Tree Lighting 7:00 pm
• February 22, 2023                     Ash Wednesday Mass - 5:30pm
• March 3, 2023                            Faith and Family Stations of the Cross - 7:00 pm
• May 6, 2023                                First Communion - 10:00 am
• May 7, 2023                                May Crowning - 9:00 am Mass

St Joseph PSR is EXCITED…to offer a religious education class for children with special education needs!  Whenever possible children with special education needs will be integrated into a regular PSR classroom.  If you have a background in special education and would like to help by teaching a child or assisting in any other way, contact us!  Whenever possible children with special education needs will be integrated into a regular PSR classroom. 
Who can attend?  Any child, 6 – 12 years old, with special needs whose needs cannot be met in a general religious education classroom.  
What will we teach?  It is our desire to provide quality religious education, sacramental preparation and a living faith for children with special learning needs.  We have a high ratio of teacher/helpers to students and work with parents to help the children benefit in the best possible way.  Our primary goal is for children to know that God loves them.
What will we do?  Have FUN learning about God!  Jesus wants your child to grow in faith, too!  Have courage!  Contact us about religious education for your child! 

For the 2021-22 academic year, St. Joseph is providing the email contact from the list of Faith & Family Catechists. Please click on the link provided here to obtain the contact information from the list of catechists.