 | | What if the only New Year's Resolution we made this year - was to say & live this prayer? |
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Blessings to you in this New Year of 2015!
How many Gym Commercials, Diet Commercials, Stop Smoking Commercials have you seen this week? New Year is a time for the clean slate, starting over, new beginnings...(going to confession is a great way to do that...)
I think Pope Francis has a beautifully simple idea....
Make my heart open to the Word of God, Make my heart open to goodness, Make my heart open to the beauty of God every day.
This is so simple that if we followed it -it would change us from the inside out. It would fill us with JOY!
I reflect back on 2014 - this time last year I was looking forward to beginning work again after 3 months off with a hip surgery gone bad. I was still on a walker...I couldn't drive yet, but wanting to get back to being "normal". (Have I ever been normal??? What is normal and who declares it so???) My faith was strong, I had three months couped up with my wonderful husband, Ron - God and me. (God fixed it so that I couldn't run away Him- such a funny God!) God and I had many long talks, I contemplated, prayed and surrendered with Mary and Jesus' prayer: "Your Will Be Done" and finally realized what a powerful and scary prayer that is. But I more clearly understood the trust and love they had for God - and I began to have more trust and a deeper love for my God.
This year has flown by...I am driving and walking- but I still have nerve damage and am limited to the amount of walking, I still can't stoop, squat or kneel - but hopefully by this time next year the nerves will be fully healed - I continue to pray: "Your Will Be Done".
I feel fully alive here at St. Joseph - thriving within a church community that wants to know and love God more fully. I am blessed to be able to share my gifts and to share the joy I have in a God who loves me beyond measure! I am overwhelmed with His great love and mercy!
When the Pope asks us to be open to His Word, goodness and beauty....I am excited about the possibilities!!! Imagine more JOY and light in this world of darkness.
In the darkness of night, I use my cell phone light so that I don't stub my toes. In the darkness of this world....God uses US as the light - so that our brothers and sisters, friends and family don't stub their toes and fall into the darkness - but safely find God and the love and mercy He offers!
The more we fill up on Gods Word, goodness and beauty...the brighter our light becomes and the easier our friends and family (and ourselves) will find the pathway into God's loving Arms!
One thing I have learned (is it wisdom - or just tired of beating my head against a wall?) - is that I cannot change myself...I need God's help. This prayer is to the Holy Spirit - asking God's help to make me Open to God's Word, goodness and beauty. Essentially, we are giving God permission to change our heart. We surrender to God's will. We let God into our Lives and Let Him be in Control! (Yikes! What am I thinking? What changes will I have to make? ) We are saying "Your will be done!" (Do Not Be Afraid is a frequent quote in Scriptures!!! Ultimately - even when we are struggling, His Will is always to be closer to Him"). It's like the story " A Tandem Bike Ride with God". My life has not been the same boring life, since I gave God control!
This year can be a year for you and your Family to THRIVE in God's love, not just survive! We will have some exciting new opportunities to come together as community - to learn more about God and grow in our faith in this coming year....if you would kindly take a few minutes to complete the Adult Faith Formation Survey-(see below for the link, it is really short - I promise) - to let us know what would interest you - and what times are good for you...and how we can meet the needs of your heart....we would appreciate it! Blessings of God's Peace, Joy and Love to you and your family in the New year - 2015! Nancy Longo
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Adult Faith Formation Survey
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If you want to follow the ideas of Pope Francis....opening yourself up to the Word of God, the goodness and beauty of God in everything around you...one way is to open yourself up to continuing Adult Faith Formation.....learning more about God and your faith.
In order to offer more opportunities for you....we would like to you to take a few minutes to complete a short survey that will help guide us as to topics, speakers and times that will meet your needs.
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Religious Education Family Mass - 9am followed by Pot luck - Sunday, January 18th
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Bring Food to the Hall between 8:45 - 8:55am - See List Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School |
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Early Childhood News!
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Early Childhood - Ages 3-5 - Sunday Mornings from 9-10 am.
Early Childhood Calendar
DID YOU KNOW...
Early Childhood Faith Formation is the process by which young children come to know God ~ an "awakening process". This awakening has its beginning in Early Childhood and is based on developing the child's awareness of God using life experiences relevant to the development of the young child, ages 3, 4 and 5. The child at this young age is able to relate to the care and love of God through self- identity, nature and the love of others. It's never too early to talk about God in your family!
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News for Parents and Children Preparing for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist! Reconciliation Retreat for Parents and Child-Jan 11
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 Reminder - Preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist is a two year process. Religious Education Calendar
It includes all children and parents (no matter what grade their child begins the process! 1st - 5th)
Reconciliation Parent/Child Retreat is on January 11 from 2pm-4:30pm. Meet in the Church. -
Parents - We need your letter this week. (turn it in to your teacher/catechist)
Childcare available for other siblings for $5 per child. Please RSVP.
The Sacrament of 1st Reconciliation will be celebrated
- for School Children is on Friday, January 16th.
- for Religious Education Children is on Saturday, January 17th at 10am
- If you want to know more about this process and ways to help your child prepare at home...please check out our Sacrament Webpage.
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News for Kids Quest! Children from 3rd-5th Grades continuing their faith formation!
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New Program for our 3-5th graders! They are on a Quest to grow closer to Jesus this year (the same as all of us!)
They are exploring the Scriptures, they are learning to journal, they are exploring ways to live out their faith in every day ways; all with music, games, prayer, Bible lessons - with an Adventure spirit! Some of these children are also preparing for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion! We are Community! Living out our Faith together!
Future Dates:
January 4th - they will be meeting in the PAC.
January 11th - they will be meeting in the Parish Hall.
January 18th - Family Mass at 9am and Pot luck in the hall afterward
January 25th - No Classes
Religious Education Calendar.
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Middle School Religious Education Class News!
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Middle School - Grades 6-7-8 is on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm.
Not your boring-sit-in-class evenings! Learn how to put your faith into ACTION!!!
Middle School Calendar
- St. Joseph Middle School Religious Education is a partner with St. Joseph Middle School Youth Ministry: On The Edge
Once a month - our young teens in Middle School Religious Education -can invite their friends on Tuesday nights - to:
ON THE EDGE Youth Ministry to explore their faith and build community!
Classes this month are on: January 6, 13, 20, 27 (On The Edge)
Friday, January 9th - 7pm-9pm at St. Bartholomew
Tuesday, January 27th - On The Edge - On the Day you Were Born in the PAC
(See below - On the Edge! Youth Ministry for Middle School for permission slip) |
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Child CARE available during the 9am and 10:30am masses!
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Please check out this free offering from St. Joseph. Janet Gomez is our Day Care Coordinator! Are your little ones restless this morning at Mass? Bring them to the day care room!
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Protecting God's Children during Mass!
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St. Joseph Parish is very serious about protecting our children from Child Sexual Child Abuse. One of the main ways we do this - as a community - is to keep our eyes open for dangers to our children.
DEAR Parents, Please DO NOT send your children to the restroom during mass by themselves....Our Church is NOT locked on the weekend and there could be strangers hanging out in the hallways or restrooms while we are in mass!
It is better to be safe and take your children to the restroom!
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Youth Exploitation Safety Symposium - January 31
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Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 10am - 3pm -
Cabrillo High School
Free Event for Parents, Students, Children and Educators
Includes Keynote Speaker, Workshops in Pop Culture, Cyber Safety, Gangs,
Family Impact and Much More!
Lunch and snacks, Education and Resources, Entertainment
Hosted by Long Beach Unified School District and Long Beach Human Trafficking Task Force. For more information - see Flyer
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Confirmation for Teens
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- Classes are on Sundays from 11am through 12:30 mass.
- We return on January 4th with parent/teen meeting in the hall for both Confirmation I and Confirmation 2 - to prepare for upcoming retreats!
Sponsor Form - all Year I candidates should have selected a sponsor by now.
The Requirements are Pick a Sponsor:
- Choosing a sponsor for Confirmation is a very important decision. It is an honor to be chosen as
- a sponsor; however, it is much more than an honorary role. A sponsor is someone who:
- Has received the Sacrament of Confirmation and is at least 16 years of age
- Celebrates Mass and the Sacraments regularly
- Takes an interest in the confirmation process and will be ready to accept the invitations
- you extend to take part in the special liturgies and retreats during this process
- The revised Code of Canon Law does not permit parents to be the Confirmation sponsor
- of their young person
- Your sponsor MUST be local and attend all required events:
o Crop Walk
o Attend the Rite of Welcome on Sunday March 1
 Confirmation 2 retreat is January 16-18th.
We need men and women chaperones! Please email Marc or Nancy if you are interested!
Contact Marc Leon [email protected] or (562)598-0519
web links: Calendars are on:
http://www.stjosephlb.org/confirmation/ or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com
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High School Youth Ministry Activities
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All teens are Welcome - Bring your friends! 9th through 12th Grade!
XLT - January 22nd - 7pm.
Adoration! Music - Jacob and Matthew Band. Guest Speaker. Come and Adore Jesus! Praise and Worship! All ages are welcome!
Revelation on Wednesdays! 7:30-8:30pm
The Word is on Thursdays from 7:15-8:30pm
Contact Marc Leon at [email protected] or (562)598-0519 web links: http://www.stjosephlb.org/youth-ministry or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com |
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Middle School Youth Ministry Activities
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All 6th-7th-8th graders are welcome! Bring your friends!  We will be having Middle School Youth Ministry on Tuesday Nights - once a month from 7-8pm. On The Edge Calendar White OUT Party Flyer / Permission Slip Friday, January 9th - 7pm-9pm at St. Bartholomew ON THE DAY YOU WERE BORN - Tuesday, January 27th - PAC - Bring your friends! Contact Marc Leon at [email protected] or (562)598-0519 web links: http://www.stjosephlb.org/middle-school/ or http://www.saintjosephlbym.com |
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Sharing Faith together - for all parents!
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Praying together on-line!
Let's Share Faith - Better prepare for mass! Reflect with others on this coming Sunday's readings!
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Passing on the Faith!
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Faith Activities for your Family - Family New Year Prayer
Do you know and celebrate your families Baptismal anniversary Dates?
This is a great way to celebrate the anniversary of the day you were welcomed as a Christian by your family, and by the Church. It is the day you became a Child of God! Make this a new yearly celebration!!!
Epiphany is a great time to remind our family that we are still seeking Jesus! We all have gifts to bring! This Sunday we celebrate Epiphany - what a great activity for the family!
Is the Catholic Family Different? 5 Marks of the Catholic Family - A Proposal
Parents - The primary Catechists
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Web Resources for Families
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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 -
Articles about Marriage and family - (Balancing Family and Work, Stages of Marriage, Marriage Resources, Try a 5-point Tune-Up for your Marriage)
Check out the For Your Marriage Website for issues on Marriage.
Find out more on Synod on Family.
GREAT FAMILY FRIENDLY 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! Great Christmas Songs about JESUS!
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Helping you and your family to Understand more about Liturgy (Mass) - so that you can fully participate! 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!
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Children's Liturgy of the Word
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 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! |
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Children's Choir
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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
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Altar Servers
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Are you 4th grade or older? Do you want to be an Altar Server?
Call the Rectory at (562)594-4657 |
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There's an App for that!
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What if we treated our Bibles like we treat our cell phones?
You Can! It's on your Smart Phone! Either IOS or Android!
Check it out! Download the App for Free! Laudate! two versions of the Bible - New American, Douay-Rheims.
Laudate also has Daily Mass Readings, Liturgy of the Hours, Order of the Mass, Calendar with daily readings, Rosary and Chaplet, How to go to Confession, Stations of the Cross, Basic Catholic Prayers,Latin Prayers, Catechism, Catholic Media, EWTN & Vatican Documents. Everything you wanted to know about being Catholic but were afraid to ASK! You are now smarter than a 5th Grader!!!
Parents check out Website NETSMARTZ to keep up on Technology safety for you and your children!
Here is a Super 10 List of things for your Kids to Know for Safety!
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Adult Faith Formation
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Looking Forward: Meditation for Women on Wednesdays beginning in January!
- "Jesus is Lord" -Bible Study - Tuesday Mornings 9:00am and Thursday Evenings at 6:30pm. topic: book of John. Information: call Rita Smith: 562-533-1243
- Mom's Prayer and Fellowship group
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!
For more information, contact Dcn. Shane at sfcuda @yahoo.com or go to Occursillo.org
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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:
Contact person: Sr. Val Roxburgh, Cell #805-452-9699, Email: [email protected]
Young Adult Website at the Los Angeles Archdiocese...
Young Adult Flyer
Follow them on Facebook and Twitter
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Multi-Parish Adult Faith Opportunities!
| |  St. Joseph - St. Bartholomew - St. Cornelius - St. Matthew- St. Maria Goretti 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. January Calendar / January Flyer |
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Social Media for St. Joseph Religious Education
and St. Joseph Youth Ministry - Let's Share Faith!
| | I apologize - I got ahead of myself - Facebook and twitter are NOW working!
Religious Education Social Media:
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!!! |
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Religious Education Office Hours
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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!
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 St. Joseph Religious Education Department is here to empower and support families in their ministry to form and teach their children about God and the Catholic faith. This is a life-long process that includes us as adults and those families with special needs!
If you have any questions or needs that we can help you with, please feel free to email us or call us! We are here to serve you!
May God bless you with His abundant Love, Peace and Joy as we grow more like Him every day during our journey of faith!
Nancy Longo
Director of Religious Education
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St. Joseph Book Club