In This Issue
Adult Faith Formation
Registration for Religious Education
Nursery available during Mass
Early Childhood
Sacrament Preparation
Vacation Bible Camp
Elementary RE
High School Youth Ministry Events
Middle School Youth Ministry
Confirmation Process
Children's Choir
Altar Servers
Liturgy of the Word
Volunteers needed
Tri-Parish Adult Faith Formation
Passing on Faith
On-Line and Phone Resources
Catholic Living

Adult Faith Formation
Opportunities:

"Jesus is Lord" -
Standing on the word of God.  Let us learn together.  St. Joseph Bible Study is on Tuesday mornings at 9am and Thursday evenings at 7pm in the PAC.

   

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 Lenten Series for Dads.  @ Ecco's Pizza, Sundays during Lent from 4:00 - 5:00.   

Contact: Jim Crofut

(562) 234-1432; jamescrofut@gmail.com

 

 

 

Centering Prayer on Tuesdays in the PAC Chapel from 7-8:30pm.  Everyone is welcome.

  

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:

 



Our next book is
"Tatoos on the Heart" by Fr. Greg Boyle.   
We will discuss the book on April 2  at 7pm in the School Library. 

Parish Mission -
Discovering God's Life in You through the Beatitudes- March 26, April 2, April 9th - from 6:30-8pm.  Verbumdei Sisters.

Join Deacon Don and Tina at their home on Wednesday mornings and be a part of a Small Christian Community this Lent.  Starts at 6:30am and finished in time to attend 8:00am mass.  Call Deacon Don for more details 562-598-5202.  



April  2014
 The Paschal Mystery - The Life, the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus for our salvation!     Are we ready for the Journey?  If we have been preparing during Lent, this could be a very meaningful time for us and we could grow even closer to God!  If not, we can still grow closer to God, if we make a good confession and turn to Him with all our hearts!
April 6 - 5th Sunday of Lent.  Jesus brings Lazarus back to Life.
April 8 - Parish Penance Service - Let's take a shower for our Soul, make a good confession and get sparkling clean for Holy Week!!!!  It begins at 7pm.
April 13 - Palm Sunday - We hear two gospels - We hear about Jesus entering Jerusalem - being cheered and welcomed with palms as our palms are blessed, then during the gospel we hear the Passion of the Lord - where we yell out "Crucify Him, Crucify Him".   It is always a difficult Sunday for me, as I recognize my sin and my need for a savior!  This is the beginning of Holy Week - my favorite week of the year because I get to reflect on my relationship with Jesus and how I am following Him as a disciple!  I recognize the challenges of carrying the crosses in my life.  I am inspired by Jesus, who embraced His cross, and I try to embrace my crosses!
Easter Triduum - One Service over three days
April 17 - Begins with Holy Thursday - Reenactment of the Last Supper and Washing of the Feet - this service doesn't end, The Eucharist is taken out of the tabernacle and the church is left dark and empty as Jesus is taken away for His passion. 
April 18 - Good Friday - On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the veneration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. 
April 19 - Holy Saturday Easter Vigil (No Saturday Morning Mass)

Because the new liturgical day begins at sunset, the vigil begins between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Sunday outside the church, where an Easter fire is kindled and thePaschal candle is blessed and then lit. This Paschal candle will be used throughout the season of Easter, remaining in the sanctuary of the church or near the lectern, and throughout the coming year at baptisms and funerals, reminding all that Christ is "light and life."

The Easter Vigil consists of four parts:

The Service of Light (above) , The Liturgy of the Word,  Christian Initiation and the Renewal of Baptismal Vows, Holy Eucharist.

Sunday, April 20 - EASTER SUNDAY - HE HAS RISEN - ALLELUIA 

Sunday, April 27 - Divine Mercy Sunday - This message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God's mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread.   The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us - all of us. And, he wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.   
Also this day we will celebrate the canonizations of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. 
April will be a very blessed month for the world!  Please pray for our youth who will be celebrating their Confirmation on April 6th at 3pm.  
I keep you and your families in my prayers!   Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter Celebration!  Nancy Longo
More ways to keep this Lent a time for Renewal: 
  • March 29, April 2, April 9 - Lenten Mission Series  - Discovering God's Life in You Through the Beatitudes - from 6:30-8pm
  • April 2 - Book Club Discussion - Tatoos on the Heart - 7pm
  • April 8 - Parish Penance Service - 7pm

Check out other Adult Faith Opportunities in the column to the left!  

Registration for Religious Education is changing!  
We will be waiting to collect the registration forms and fees until July 1, 2014.  
 HOWEVER......
  • If you might be interested in registering for Religious Education - Early Childhood / Elementary / Sacrament Preparation - 1st Communion / Middle School  - please link to and complete an  interest form beginning in April.  
  • We will send you a copy of/ or a link to the registration form in June. 
  •  Just remember that the actual forms and checks will not be accepted until July 1.
  • Early Bird fees will be from July 1 - July 15.
 Did you know we offer a Nursery Day Care during the 9am and 10:30 mass?  
For those smallest children who can't sit still during mass.  Parents, please take your children to the daycare room in the school behind the parish hall.  
Contact:  Yvonne Daymon  
 
St. Joseph Early Childhood for  
3-5 year olds!  
 It is important for our littlest blessings to learn more about Jesus!  Join our Early childhood family on Sunday morning.
Invite your friends!!!   If you have questions, please call Shannon Carpenter at (562)598-0519 or email at  earlychildhood@stjosephlb.org while you attend 9am mass!   
  
St. Joseph Sacrament Preparation -  
  

We will be celebrating 1st Eucharist on the weekend of May 17 and May 18th.

Please keep our little ones and their families in your prayers!

VACATION BIBLE CAMP - 
St. Joseph Religious Education for Elementary aged Children continues past Sacrament Preparation phase, as faith formation is a life-long process. You don't stop learning about math or English in the 2nd grade, and we don't stop learning about our faith in the 2nd grade.  Sign up for religious education for your 3rd - 4th - 5th - 6th - 7th - 8th graders  
Grades 3-5th are held Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:45am .    =
 
 Middle School: 6th-7th-8th
    Tuesday Evenings from 7-8pm.
 
 
 

 
 Check out  for Flyers and Permission Slips! 
 
ALL TEENAGERS ARE INVITED!!! 
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!!! 
http://www.stjosephlb.org/high-school/ 
 
 
Steubenville - July 25-27 - San Diego!  Awesome Weekend Conference!  
 
Weekly Youth Nights -
  REVELATION!  Thursdays from 7-8:30pm 

Weekly Youth Bible Study "The WORD"    Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm
 
More information next month!!!
Contact Marc Leon or Lydia Tovar  at Youthministry@stjosephlb.org
598-0519  
Middle School Youth Ministry in Combination with St. Barts - Check out  Middle School Website for Flyers and Permission Slips!    
  • Fri, April 11 - Prayer and Dodge Ball
  • Fri, June 6-8- Retreat   -  Parent Orientation has been changed to  - at St. Bartholomew Youth Center 4545 E. 4th St.,  Long Beach,  (Come and get the details if your Middle School teen wants to attend)
  • July 7-11 - VBS will be at Maria Goretti this year.  Galilee Gangway.  Middle School will again be included!  More information will be coming soon!
   
ALL 6-7-8th graders ARE INVITED!!! 
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!!! 
More information next month!!!
Contact Marc Leon or Lydia Tovar  Youthministry@stjosephlb.org
598-0519

 for all teens 9th-12th grades
 
Confirmation classes are held on Sunday mornings this year.  10:30-1:30 which includes attending 12:30 mass together.  Classes will be every other week.  
 
Mark your calendars!   This year the Sacrament of Confirmation will be Celebrated on April 6th at 3pm.   
 
If you are interested in registering for Confirmation for next year, please fill out the interest form and we will send you a reminder in June to complete the form and send in the registration form on July 1st.
 
Contact Marc Leon and Lydia Tovar for more information
confirmation@stjosephlb.org
For:  All children in grades 2,3,4,5 & 6
Contact:  Vivian Doughty
 
 
Are you 4th grade or older? 
Interested in being an Altar Server? 
 
 
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! volunteers   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!    

It's time to think about volunteering for next year!!!   
We provide free training, we have a great team to work with and you will learn more about your own faith!  It is a great opportunity for YOU!

 Look for ways to share your gifts with St. Joseph Community!  

THANK YOU to all our Catechists - Our New Ones and all those who continue to serve!!!  We appreciate all that you offer!!

 

 We need  Adults who want to work with Teens in the Youth Ministry and Middle School Ministry!   There are lots of ways to volunteer!!!!

 

We also  need a team to work with older children receiving their Sacraments.  We will create a program that includes children and parents.  If you are interested, please call Nancy or email me at religioused@stjosephlb.org  

  

Don't be Shy!!!  We need your gifts!  God has called you!    Lots of perks....And you will be working with a GREAT Team!!!  Free Training!  And if you teach, tuition is covered!  Plus, you grow in your own faith!   it is a WIN-WIN-WIN Situation!!!
 

 

TRI-PARISH ADULT FAITH FORMATION

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.

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!

 

San Pedro Area Opportunities: Dive-In University South Calendar -
 
    
Parents - Passing on the Faith
passing on faith 
Family, Faith, and Fun

Catholic family life is an opportunity to recognize the grace of God in daily living.    

 

Lenten Opportunities for Families:

 

 


 Encouraging Parents to be leaders of Family Prayer.   

 
Some of My Favorite On-Line Websites and Phone Resources for Family and Faith:

This Month: 



From Last month:


  

  



  You can also download a new APP on either IPHONE or DROID (PLAYSTORE

)  WE PARENT MORE....it has great parenting resources, understanding your faith resources, community building...all on your phone - you can use it while you are at a sports practice !!!

  

  

Another great Catholic app is LAUDATE - Everything Catholic!  The Bible,Catechism, Prayers, daily mass readings! Rosary and Chaplet, Liturgy of the Hours and more!!!  This is everything you wanted to know about being catholic and even MORE!!!!

  

Enjoy!!!!

  

praying hands
Catholic Living

The fast pace of today's world often has us rushing through our daily life, with little direction or thought as to the kind of life we should be leading. Fortunately, the Catholic faith provides us with a solid moral compass and great many role models to help us find our way. Explore this section for resources on living as a Catholic in today's world.


   
Faith
 
May God continue to bless you and your family with His abundant Love, Peace & Joy as we continue on this journey of faith together!!!

 

Nancy Longo
Director of Religious Education
St. Joseph Religious Education Office 
(562)598-0519  
email: religioused@stjosephlb.org
website: http://www.stjosephlb.org