Program Reforming

A lifelong, inter-generational, whole-life approach faith formation

In 2002 the Parish Community of St. Joseph's began a new approach to Faith Formation, Generations of Faith, involving everyone in the parish community in learning and growing through their experience and participation in church life. This new and innovative inter-generational approach to Catholic faith formation for parish and home utilizes the entire course of the church's life as the faith formation curriculum for all ages and all generations. The programs focus on Church year events (the Advent-Christmas season, the Lenten season, Holy Week, Pentecost, and All Saints), the sacraments, and the living practices of the Catholic life. We hope to include a variety of learning activities for young children, older children, young adolescents, older adolescents, young adults, and adults include prayers, rituals, service ideas and family enrichment activities. For more information about the Generations of Faith Project, visit their website at www.generationsoffaith.com.

Generations of Faith events at St. Joseph's have included:

All SAINTS / ALL SOULS
During the entire month of November we remember in a special way all those parishioners and loved ones who have passed away during the past year. The Feast of All Saints is November 1 and the Feast of All Souls is November 2. These two feasts at the beginning of November stress the reality of death, resurrection, punishment, or reward.
On the weekend nearest to the Feast of All Souls, the parish typically holds a special remembrance for all of our deceased parishioners at Mass. The Book of Remembrance is placed in the sanctuary beginning November 1 for everyone to write the names of loved ones. All deceased of the parish and our families will be remembered throughout the month of November at all of our parish's weekly celebrations.

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PARISH LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS & PRAYER NIGHTS 2007
This year our parish theme for Lent is "Healing and Hope." We have a number of different and unique opportunities planned this year to make our season of Lent and holy and spiritual time of renewal for all of us. Once again this year, on Tuesdays we will hold our Soup Suppers followed by a different "prayer" experience each week to help us remember the "healing and hope" we all need and must have in our lives. On the Second Sunday of Lent, (March 3/4, 2007), we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at all of the weekend Masses. Anyone who is in need of healing in their lives, whether it be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual healing, will be encouraged to receive this sacrament at Mass that weekend. And finally, our annual Lenten Book Sale, the Parish Appreciation Dinner, weekly Stations of the Cross, Food for the Poor, Palm Sunday Breakfast, the Knights of Columbus Lenten Dinners and the installation of our new Bishop, will all be happening as part of our preparation for the great celebrations of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

Lenten Soup Suppers 2007
A wonderful St. Joseph tradition continues with our Soup Suppers during Lent. The Soup Suppers will take place in Hughes Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. prior to our Parish Faith Festival. "Family-size" pots of soup and breads are needed; simply bring to the kitchen just prior to the supper. "Family-size" pots of soup and/or breads are needed (simply bring them to the kitchen just prior to the supper). All are welcome.

Lenten Prayer Nights 2007
Following our Tuesday evening Soup Suppers the parish will host different prayer experiences beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Church:

• February 27 - Reflection on Anointing
• March 6 - Lenten Prayer / Laying Down Stones
• March 13 - Stations of the Cross led by children of parish
• March 20 - Communal Penance Service
• March 27 - Taize Prayer

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Fr. Michael Balash, Jan Huter, Beth Frank, Cheryl Turner, Judy McGreal, Mac Clapp, Cyndi Keefer.

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