Religious education/Sacramental preparation
The parish offers a program of religious education for public school children from pre-school to eighth grade which takes place at various times during the course of the week. These weekly religious education classes are designed to assist parents in passing on their Catholic faith to their children. They also prepare the students for the reception of Sacraments including First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation by our Sacramental Director, Arlene Kennedy.
For more information, you can visit the website HERE or contact Deacon George Montalvo at [email protected] or (201) 261-1144. Our Sacramental Director Arlene Kennedy can be contacted at [email protected].
For Saint Joseph School students, the principal of Saint Joseph School can be emailed at [email protected].
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a special program celebrated for the children of the parish during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass from September through June. This program will likely return in 2023.
Just before the First Reading at Mass, the celebrant calls for the children to gather together and dismisses them to Mary’s Chapel to hear God’s Word in a simpler and more child-friendly and focused way. The main reason for dismissing the children is to give them an opportunity to listen and respond to the readings in a smaller setting where they can explore God’s true meaning in their heart. It gives the children an opportunity to be active and moving without disturbing those around them. The Gospel is read to them from a Children’s Lectionary and the leader of the day will discuss the important parts of the reading and explain how it relates to the children. It gives the children an opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas about the world in which we live and how God fits into their world. The children are then dismissed and rejoin the congregation for the celebration of the Eucharist. For more information, contact Deacon George Montalvo at [email protected] or (201) 261-1144.