The Word of God in the life and mission of the church......

.......Build God’s Kingdom

 

      We have taken two of our themes for this year, combining them into a message that will encourage us throughout the year.  We will be focusing on our part in building the kingdom of God here on earth by using the gifts and talents God has given us. 

 

Family Class

 

      Our program offers both the traditional student classes and family classes.  The student and family sessions alternate throughout the year.  Most often, content is first taught in a family session and then reinforced in the student classes.  All classes begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 10:15 a.m.     Family sessions have the following general format:  Opening Prayer, Lesson/Activity, Closing Prayer

At least one parent/adult family member is required to attend along with their child/children in grades Kindergarten through eight.

 

Student classes

There are 15 class sessions scheduled for students (without families) this year.

The students will meet in the following groups.

Grades - Kindergarten, One and Two

Grades - Three, Four and Five

Grades - Six, Seven and Eight

 

           A change for us this year will have our middle school students meeting with their families for family classes and with their group only on student class days. 

 

       Our families are using the RCL Faith First “At Home Family Guide.”  This book gives us the basic content for our session and also coordinates with the RCL Faith First books being used in grades Kindergarten through grade five.  Grades six through eight are using the Sadlier “We Live Our Faith As Disciples of Jesus” textbook.  Their lessons have also been coordinated to with the RCL “At Home Family Guide.”   In this way, families can continue their learning and sharing at home knowing which chapters and what content is being discussed in the student classes.

 

      For fun, games and support for families, log onto www.faithfirst.com and venture into their Kids’ Clubhouse, Kids Only Club, Teen Center or Faith first for families. 

 

  

 Saints

 

      One of the sources we have and use as Catholics to build God’s kingdom is the example given us by the Saints.  Their lives were not always holy and perfect.  They were real people who lived real lives.  It can always be interesting and fun to learn more about the lives of the Saints and see what it is about them that calls us to follow God.

        October brings with it, the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve and the coming of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.  A time in our church calendar when we are reminded to take time to think of the Saints and saints in our lives, and to pray for all of them.

        The Catholic Church recognizes holy men and women as Saints.  If you look on the calendar provided by the parish through Pierre Funeral Home, you can find the feast days of the Saints listed.

We also remember our family members who have died and how they lived their lives as saints, living as disciples of Christ.  We also look at how each of us try to live the gospel message of love and peace in our lives as we try to live as saints.

 

According to our Parish History Book

       Saints Pictured in St. Joseph Church…“Even today, after many months-even years-of research, we cannot be certain who each of the saints are or what every stained glass symbol means.  But we must be assured that at the time of their installation, they meant something very dear to the people of St. Joseph.  In regard to exactly which saints are pictured, all we have is an educated guess...Ambrose (the most difficult to identify).”   Can you read more about them and discover why the specific objects in the picture with them were chosen?

 

The East wall from the sanctuary back:

Saint Clare

Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint Jerome

Saint Anthony

Saint Cecilia

 

In the vestibule:

Saint Ann and Blessed Virgin Mary

 

West wall from sanctuary back:

Saint Francis Xavier

Saint Paul

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

Saint Joseph

Saint Ambrose

 

In the vestibule:

Saint Rose of Lima

 

 

AT HOME

     Family members can gather around a map of the United States. Each member of the family will try to “discover” a city or town named after a saint. For example, Saint Louis, Missouri, Saint Augustine, Florida, or San Diego, California. Tally up the number of places with saints’ names. If there is time and interest, find out which nation or explorer gave the name to the city or town.

        During prayer time, have each student pray to his or her own patron saint in the form of a litany. For example, Saint Thomas, pray for us, or Saint Mary, pray for us. Then conclude with singing the song, "When the Saints Go Marching In." 

 http://www.webelieveweb.com

 

Word Among Us

Parenting Lessons from the Saints
Down-to-Earth Help for Raising Our Children
Louise Perrotta

http://www.wau.org/family/article.asp?id=2322

 

Some websites for Saints

     World Book encyclopedia

Then choose/click on Patron Saints Index

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online Saints and Angels  Index of Saints  Choose/click Daily Features, then click Saint of the Day