Religious Education
(Preschool-Confirmation)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2023-2024 PROGRAM YEAR.

Faith formation is a family and community journey. Thank you for seeking accompaniment in developing the faith in your child(ren).

We warmly welcome our young people to come together to grow in faith through questioning, exploration, activity and discussion. This fellowship complements your family's faith development and prepares our young ones to be active members of the Church, serving and worshipping with others. We believe in and are committed to the encounter, grow, witness approach to sharing the Good News. Our youth faith formation program is commonly known as "religious education" and often abbreviated "RE."

There are many opportunities for adults to serve in our program, and we welcome you to join us in this calling. (See adult volunteer form below.) Your children are always welcome here, and we are delighted to walk with your family on your faith formation journey. If you have any questions or concerns, send an email or give us a call, and we will help you find the best option for your family.

Contact the RE office at 248-693-9555 or reoffice@stjoelo.org with questions or to register. RE office hours during are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

• Mondays from 6-7:20 p.m. for preschool through Confirmation
• Tuesdays from 6-7:20 p.m. for preschool through Confirmation

Traditional family study is available in grades three through six, non-sacramental preparation years, for families who find neither Monday nor Tuesday is possible for them. It includes required attendance at five of seven monthly meetings on Sundays from 12 to 1 p.m.

Religious education classes are offered based on grade level and sacrament preparation:

• Preschool for 4-year-olds (children must be able to follow instruction)
• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grades 2-3 First Reconciliation-Eucharist Prep
• Grade 3 (post First Communion)
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Grade 6
• Grades 7-8 Confirmation Year One Prep
• Grades 8-9 Confirmation Year Two Prep
• OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) - Tuesday only

Attendance Policy

We warmly welcome our young people to come together to grow in faith through questioning, exploration, activity and discussion. This fellowship complements your family's faith development and prepares our young ones to be active members of the Church, serving and worshipping with others. We believe in and are committed to the encounter, grow, witness approach to sharing the Good News. Our faith community is built through good attendance in our religious education classes.

We are concerned when students miss lessons because we know how much growth happens through class discussions. We encourage parents to reach out with any concerns or questions regarding their child’s schedule and if there is anything interfering with regular attendance.

For sacramental preparation years, it is even more crucial for students to be in class. If a child misses three (3) classes in a sacramental preparation year, the grade-level coordinator will contact the parents to discuss the family’s commitment to the program and to attendance going forward. Should a fourth absence occur, the young person’s opportunity to celebrate the sacrament may be delayed until the following year. In situations with extenuating circumstances due to health, an individualized plan may be developed to keep a student on track. This plan must be approved by the director of discipleship formation and the pastor.

We are grateful for each family that makes up our greater St. Joseph family. Each family’s commitment to faith formation is witnessed by their active participation in the religious education program and their attendance at weekend Mass. Thank you for all you do to help us form disciples of Christ.

• If your child(ren) attends another Catholic school, you must confirm sacramental preparation is included in the school's religion curriculum. At this time, Everest Academy includes approved sacramental preparation; Marist Academy and Notre Dame Prep do not include sacramental preparation in their curriculums.
• If your family is homeschooling, a detailed outline of the program you are using for faith formation-sacramental preparation must be submitted for approval no later than October 30 of the preparation year, if your child wishes to celebrate the sacrament at St. Joseph Church. Please visit our Sacraments section for information on preparing for these sacraments. If your child has missed a sacrament, please visit our Missed a Sacrament page.
• All students must complete the sacramental requirements identified on the specific sacrament page.