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"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  - Matthew 11:28
 
St. Joseph Religious Education Newsletter

In This Issue
Registration for Religious Education Open
Register for Confirmation
Youth Ministry Summer Events
Family Summer Activities
Vacation Bible Camp
Catechists
Children s Liturgy of the Word
Adult Faith Formation
Tri-Parish Summer Opps
RE Summer Office Hours
Quick Links




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July 2014


It's here!  Summer!  Rest!  Relaxation!  Vacation!  Change of Pace!!!  Yeah! Right!   All that really changes are the activities...the pace and craziness rarely changes!!!  Why do we do that to ourselves and our families?   Or is it just me?

How do we really take a BREAK?  
  • Stop and smell the roses?  
  • Read a good book.
  • Sit with your feet in the sand - with nothing to do for at least an hour.
What's on your Summer bucket list?  What would refresh you?  Relax you?  Renew you?

Stop right now....take three minutes and write down at least three things you long to do if you had just 15 minutes to yourself.....

I have realized over the years - especially this past year, that the reason the craziness persists, is that I don't have my life in the right order...

I need to have God first, then my husband, family, then my job/ministry and everything else....
Only then am I truly happy and content.

I have started two blogs 

One for reading good books - I am starting with
Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelley.  I initiated it for my catechists - so that we could all grow together this summer....but it is difficult to give ourselves even 5 minutes a day for reading a good book.   If you need a copy of this book, we have them for FREE in the PAC center.

Join me for discussion - Chapter by Chapter....Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelley.

sjcatechist.blogspot.com  
 
The other blog I started - was to better prepare for Sunday Liturgy - reading the Sunday readings and reflecting on them before mass - so that I get more out of the homily - if you want to join me in this blog - I would love to have others share their insights and prayers with me.

letsharefaith.blogspot.com 

I believe daily prayer, reading good books, time spent with family and friends and God will help me be refreshed and renewed for this coming fall!  Try out some of the Summer Family Fun activities below!

I will also be working, but I truly don't consider what I do for a living - work.  It is more a passion and it gives me opportunities to study more about my Catholic Faith!!!

My favorite website recently has been
http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/

and I enjoy http://catholicmom.com/ - which has great articles, books and techie stuff - which I love!

So, I pray that you enjoy this summer, growing closer to the God who created you in Love and wants you to Rest in HIM!  

I hope you join me on my blogs!  I will be working on an RE Facebook and Twitter account to keep us more connected - for those who are interested - to be ready by August newsletter, God willing!  Promises, promises!  

Be filled with God's awesome love, peace and JOY!

Nancy Longo
Registration for Religious Education is OPEN!

  register now

 

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 beginning JULY 1!

 

 

   

 

Early Childhood - Ages 3-5  

- Sunday Mornings from 9-10 am.   

 

 

 

  

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Middle School - Grades 6-8 - is on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm.  Not your boring sit in class evenings!  Learn how to

put your faith into ACTION!!! 

 

 

ON THE EDGE - Middle School Youth Ministry will also be on Tuesdays beginning in the fall!  Look for the calendar in September! 

 

Confirmation Registration

  

 Confirmation is a sacrament that deepens our faith and allows us to see how the Holy Spirit is working in our life!  The goal of the confirmation process is for every teen to ask questions, search for God in their own individual way; coming to their own understanding of how much God loves them and how the Catholic Church helps them grow closer to God through the sacraments and community.

 

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!

 

Contact Marc Leon or Lydia Tovar at confirmation@stjosephlb.org

or (562)598-0519

Youth Ministry Summer Activities

 Summer Activities Calendar!     All teens are Welcome - Bring your friends!

 

Incoming Freshmen through 12th Grade!

 


Wed, July 2 - 1:30-3pm - Water Balloon Wars at St. Joseph


Fri - July 11 - Lock-in at St. Bart's 7pm - 7am
 

 

Wed, July 16 - Field trip to Santa Monica Pier - Meet at St. Joseph 12pm - 5pm

 

Wed, July 23 - Relay Races at St. Joseph (TBD)

 

Wed, July 30 - Movie at the Theaters (Time and move to be determined)

 

Fri - Aug 8 - Get Air (like Sky High ) 6pm-9pm

 

Wed, Aug 13 - Luau Pot Luck at St. Joseph (TBD)

 

 

Contact Marc Leon or Lydia Tovar at confirmation@stjosephlb.org

or (562)598-0519 

Family Summer Activities

passing on faith

 

Summer Activities for Families 

 

Family Summer Bucket List 

See how many you can get completed during the summer!

 

Other Family Summer Ideas!

  


Families Growing together in Faith this Summer:    One of the goals/visions of St. Joseph Parish is to have families more involved in the Sunday Liturgy/Mass.  
What is the reason most families don't go to Sunday mass?  Is it boring?  Do they not understand what is happening? Are the children not understanding what is happening?   If you have really young children, did you know we have Childcare during the 9am and 10:30am mass for FREE???  It is behind the parish hall!  The Day Care person's name is Janet Gomez, she is wonderful! 

 

 

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

2.  talk about that part of the mass with your family 

 

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!!!   

 

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!

 

Vacation Bible Camp

 

Last chance to register for this years exciting and FUN -
Vacation Bible Camp. 
It starts next Monday, July 7-11th- at Maria Goretti!  9am-noon.

Only $30 per child!

Great fun!  Learn about Jesus!

 

 

 

VBS Registration Form!

 

 

 

Catechists

 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?

  

 We need 3rd grade & 4th grade catechists for Sundays from 10:30 - 11:45.

 

 

We also need LITURGY of the Word Catechists - once a month during the 9am mass.  We need 1st Sunday and 5th Sunday catechists!

 

 

Training will be provided for you - FREE

 

Why would you volunteer?
  • 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 nancylongo52@gmail.com

 

Children's Liturgy of the Word 

 

 

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!  

Adult Faith Formation
Meditation  on Tuesdays in the PAC Chapel from 7-8:30pm.  Everyone is welcome. 
 "Let us search a place to meditate on the grace of God." Pope Francis

 

 

"Jesus is Lord" -will be on Summer Vacation until September!

 

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;jamescrofut@gmail.com

 

CAFE-Catholic Adult Formation and Education will continue in the Fall.  

 

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 call the rectory office at 562-594-4657.

 

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

  

YOUNG ADULTS

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:

 

Young Adult Website at the Los Angeles Archdiocese...

 

Theology on Tap - Young Adults between 18 and 39!  

 

Young Adult Women - Stretch Your Heart- A summer volunteer program presented by  The Sisters of Notre Dame - July 7-11

 

 Follow them on Facebook  and Twitter

 

Tri-Parish Summer Opportunities!

 

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.  

 

Each month we will post a calendar of events.

 

July Tri-Parish Calendar 

 

Young Women - Stretch Your Heart - A week of Service - July 7-11.  For young women from 18-40. - Contact Sr. Val at 805-452-9699 or email: sistervalsnd@gmail.com 

 

Again, feel free to share this information with your friends and family.  The more we learn about our faith, the more we will continue to grow closer to God and be able to share our faith with others!  Evangelization in Action!

 

Religious Education Summer Office Hours

The office will be open most days from

8:30-2:30.

 

When I am out of the office for off-site meetings

or errands or vacation...

please email me at

 

religioused@stjosephlb.org

 

or leave a message at 

 

(562)598-0519  - I will get back to you as soon as possible!

It is always best to call before you drop by - to make sure I am here!

 

YOUTH MINISTRY will also be here during the summer - see their schedule above.

faith sign
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