"Teaching About God's Gift of Forgiveness"

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY 2014

This series focuses on the theme "Teaching About God's Gift of Forgiveness." Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

Parents, grandparents, all parishioners - you are also passing on the faith and are called to pass on the faith to others!  

St. Joseph will be celebrating the Catechists and teachers who teach religion to our children at the 9am mass - followed by brunch in the PAC with their families!  

Youth Ministry and Confirmation:

We are still working on these...they will be ready by Orientation!

Websites:

Youth Ministry Website:  www.saintjosephlbym.com

 St. Joseph Religious Education Website link:

 http://www.stjosephlb.org/religious-education/

We want to hear from you!  

We will be passing on information via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the website:  

What is going on in the Religious Education World (for 3 years old until we pass through to heaven!!!), 

what is going on in the Catholic World around us and 

we want to hear your feedback, 

your prayers,

how you are living your faith in your homes!  

Parents to parents, teens to teens - We need to support each other!  Help each other get to heaven!  Let us connect!  The Holy Father says to use the Internet for the Good News!  It is a gift from God!  We can bring Jesus closer to each other!  Let's do it!!!

After 15 years of serving St. Joseph Parish as our Early Childhood Director and catechist before that - Shannon Carpenter has resigned.   She has worked hard to create a wonderful program and environment for our 3-5 year old children and their families.  She has served our families so faithfully!  We will miss her leadership, her smile and her amazing bundle of energy!   She hopes to be able to help us as a volunteer as her schedule allows!  Let us keep her in our prayers!      

We will be having a thank you for her after masses when Father returns from his vacation.

Currently we are looking for someone to take over a small portion of what Shannon did!  We are hiring a Early Childhood Coordinator.  At this time it will be only 5 hours a week.  The main function will be to help coordinate the activities each Sunday.  If you might be interested, please contact Nancy Longo!  

Please turn in your registration forms as soon as possible - so that we can prepare for your family!  

Opening Dates:  We begin on September 28th (for Early childhood and Elementary)

Oct 5 is the Parent Orientation for Confirmation.  Oct 7 is opening night for Middle School for parents and teens.  

Faith Formation - Religious Education 

is a Life-Long Process!  

We never know and understand God and our faith completely!  

As parents, God has given us the task of passing on our faith to our children.  We at St. Joseph are here to PARTNER with YOU!  Come and join our Faith Family, and together we will grow closer to Jesus and to each other as we follow Jesus every day!!!

Early Childhood/Elementary/Middle School Registration Form can be completed on-line, printed out and signed, given to the Rectory with your registration fee !  
 

Early Childhood - Ages 3-5  

Does your child need their 1st Communion?

- This is a two- year process. Classes are Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:45.    Parents are involved in the process.  

Is your child in grades 3-5?  It is so important that they continue learning about how God loves them and how they can grow in faith during this age group.

We are beginning a new program for this age group and looking forward to having our children learn how to live out their faith as they learn more about Jesus!

Middle School - Grades 6-8 -

put your faith into ACTION!!!
  

Co-Coordinators for Youth Ministry/Confirmation with Marc Leon for the past year!  

She got accepted into the Music Program at Long Beach City College and will be pursuing her voice and piano talents more fervently for the next year and won't be able to spend as much time with us.   Lydia is an amazing young woman of God.  She lives her strong Catholic faith out daily and has been a wonderful role model for our teens!  She has had a passion for Youth Ministry, Confirmation and teens and brought many great gifts to our program.  We are blessed that she will still will be volunteering as a Catechist and Retreat Leader!     

All questions about Teens should be directed to Marc at

(562)598-0519 and use the [email protected] email.

Confirmation Process is two years and for teens from 9-12th grades.

We meet weekly on Sunday mornings from 11am through the 12:30 mass. 

Confirmation Registration Form - You can register by completing the form on-line, printing it out, signing the appropriate forms, then turn it in with the registration fee to the Rectory!  Make sure you attach a copy of your teen's baptismal certificate!

Contact Marc Leon [email protected]  or (562)598-0519

web links: 

 http://www.stjosephlb.org/confirmation/   or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com

All teens are Welcome - Bring your friends!  Incoming Freshmen through 12th Grade!

Revelation and the Word will begin again in October!
 

Our Calendar will be on the Website later this month!

Contact Marc Leon at [email protected]

or (562)598-0519 

web links: 

 http://www.stjosephlb.org/youth-ministry   or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com  

All 6th-7th-8th graders are welcome!   Bring your friends!   

We will be having Middle School Ministry on Tuesday Nights - once a month from 7-8pm.

Our calendar will be on the website later this month!

Contact Marc Leon at [email protected]

or (562)598-0519 

web links: 

 http://www.stjosephlb.org/middle-school/  or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com

I am out there all alone!  Someone come and pray with me!  Share with me!  

Let's Share Faith  - Better prepare for mass!  Reflect with others on this coming Sunday's readings!  

Book Club - Rediscover Catholicism - Does anyone want to read Matthew Kelly's Rediscover Catholicism with me and discuss it by chapter?  It is very inspiring!  It's not too late!  We have copies of this book in the PAC...call the office and make arrangements to pick one up for FREE!!!

Praying as a Family

Parents - help your family find God in everyone and everything!  

This is how we can

Pray always! - 1 Thess 5:16-18

I have created a new webpage just for families - It has articles, videos, for holidays and family issues...check it out!

Faith at Home Webpage - http://www.stjosephlb.org/faith-at-home/

You can also: 

Listen to Christian Music in the Car:  KFSH 95.9 is a great station and you never have to worry about what is going to be said!  

FAMILY FRIENDLY!

_________________________________________________________________________

Families Growing together in Faith this Year!  One of the goals/visions of St. Joseph Parish is to have families more involved in the Sunday Liturgy/Mass.  

For the rest of the family - I found these great - short videos about Finding Joy in the Mass!- It would be another great Summer Bucket list if you 

1.  watch ONE video each week

3.  then go to Sunday mass - with new eyes for that part of the mass.   

4.  Then maybe watch the video again after mass...to see if you understand that part of the mass in a different and more engaging way! 

 If you have questions, please email me or talk to Fr. Jim or any Deacon - so that we can answer your questions!

Just a suggestion!!!   Here is the Link:   Enjoy!

8 Week Liturgy Challenge - Finding Joy in the Mass!   

The beginning of the document has some additional resources to prepare you before you go to mass and before you begin the official challenge.  The actual challenge begins at FINDING JOY AT MASS!

I hope you take the Summer Mass Challenge!!!  Let me know if you do!  I would love your feedback!

 Do you love Jesus?  Do you love your Catholic Faith?  Do you love children?  Can you share your faith with our youngest ones?  Do want to learn more about your faith?   Even if you have never done it before and you are a little nervous, we will put you with an experienced catechist!

• You would grow in your faith!
• You would receive much more than you give!  (Children love their teachers!)
• You would get a tuition break!
• You would get to work with a fabulous team of people who inspire me every week!  
• I believe we will have less days in purgatory - but I am not sure that is in the Catechism of the Catholic church....but I just have to believe!!!!lol!

 If you are interested, please email Nancy Longo at [email protected]

Liturgy of the Word for children is offered during the 9am mass most Sundays.  

We invite children from 3 years old through 6th grade to go with our catechists to hear and break open the gospel readings so that they will understand it at their age levels.  Parents are welcome to join us!

Help needed!    If you can spare 1 hour a month (30 minutes preparing - 30 minutes sharing with our St. Joseph children)  please email Nancy!  Training and materials are provided!     We need 1st Sundays and 5th Sundays!  

Children's Choir is open to children entering 2-8th grade.  First rehearsal is September 6th 8am-9:15am.  children meet weekly and serve nearly once a month, mostly at the 9:00am Mass.  Schedule and Registration forms at rehearsal.

Contact Vivian Doughty at [email protected] or (562)422-5430 for more information

Are you 4th  grade or older?  Do you want to be an Altar Server?

Call the Rectory at (562)594-4657 

Coming Back this September:

• "Jesus is Lord" -Begins September 9 at 9:00am and Sept 11 at 6:30pm.  topic:  book of John. Information:  call Rita Smith: 562-533-1243

• Mom's Prayer and Fellowship group

• Chris Serrano meets with women at her home once a month to study scripture and share faith!  Please join them!  Call Chris  at 562-243-6959 for more information.
• Faith and Fatherhood  Series for Dads will continue in the fall. Contact: Jim Crofut (562) 234-1432;[email protected]
• CAFE-Catholic Adult Formation and Education will continue in the Fall. 
• St. Joseph Book Club will be discussing "My Life with the Saints" by Rev. James Martin, S.J.  This is not your ordinary look at the saints - Fr. Martin uses humor and stories to bring the saints to life!   Very easy reading!  Totally inspiring! The book is on sale in the PAC for $15.  We will be meeting on Wed, Oct 1, at 7pm.  

CURSILLO Weekend Retreat

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away: behold new things have come.  2 Corinthians 5:17  

Men and Women of St. Joseph Parish

Is your heart on fire for Christ?  Is it filled with the Holy Spirit?  Or is your heart like a candle in the wind, flickering and barely alive?  If you want to experience what the disciples felt ot he day of Pentecost, then give yourself the gift of a Cursillo and light your heart on fire! 

The next Cursillo weekend begins 10/23 (men) and 10/30 (women). For more information, contact Dcn. Shane at sfcuda @yahoo.com or go to Occursillo.org

Women's Silent Retreat at Sacred Heart Retreat House - September 5-7

Theme:  Encounter Christ: Who Do You Say that I am?"  Call Madeline Majick at 596-6219, Marie Newton at 429-7939, or Tina Gath at 598-5202 to reserve a room

There are lots of opportunities for young adults to grow in faith!   There are many Young Adult gatherings happening throughout the Los Angeles Archdiocese.  You can easily stay connected by linking to the following website:

Sept 2nd - (First Tuesday of every month) Adoration at St. Cornelius from 7 pm to 8  pm.   This is sponsored by Youth Ministry and Young Adults and all are welcome.  Live Praise & Worship music is incorporated into this hour of prayer. 

 Young Adult Website at the Los Angeles Archdiocese...

Theology on Tap - Young Adults between 18 and 39!  

 Follow them on Facebook  and Twitter

 This is OPEN for all Adults!!!

Regional Congress offers attendees opportunities to grow in their knowledge of the Catholic faith, to deepen their spirituality, to increase their catechetical, liturgical, and leadership skills, and to be challenged by a variety of current topics and presenters.  The day includes three workshops, prayer and liturgical experiences, music and exhibitors.  Workshops will be offered in English and Spanish.  there really is something for everyone!  

This year's Theme is "Amazing Joy!" scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2014 at St. Joseph High School in Lakewood.    Pre-registration is suggested but not required. 

You can access the registration book and

 register online by visiting the

  ORE San Pedro homepage

On-site registration begins at 7:30am and the Opening Liturgy is celebrated by Bishop Oscar A. Solis at 8:30 am. This year over 40 workshops will be offered in the areas of Faith formation, Spirituality, and practical skills, such as creative lesson planning and personal development. If you are interested in registering for the day or for other details, please call Karina Plascencia or Araceli Ruvalcaba at (562) 630-6272 or email at [email protected]. 

St. Joseph - St. Bartholomew & St. Cornelius

have gathered together to share our calendars for Adult Faith Formation Opportunities with you, our parishioners and neighboring parishes.

Feel free to find the opportunities that interest you and fit into your schedule.  

September Newsletter of Tri-Parish Activities

(Each month we will post a calendar of events).

We are here to serve you!  

Monday-Thursday - 8:30-4:00pm - Sundays from 8:00-12:00 noon

Michelle Johnson Administrative Assistant

Nancy Longo Director of Religious Education

 If you need to reach us - try emailing us at:

rel[email protected]    or leave a message at (562)598-0519  - We will get back to you as soon as possible!  It is always best to call before you drop by - to make sure we are there!