Faith Formation, Grades 1-6

Faith Formation provides religious instruction and spiritual formation for children in grades 1-6. Children have the opportunity to learn the teachings of the Catholic Church, to grow in love for God, to worship God as members of our parish community and to nurture friendships rooted in faith. The primary goal of our program is to help children develop a relationship with God that will support, sustain, challenge and nourish them throughout their entire lives. Our program consists of weekly classroom sessions, seasonal celebrations, and special activities such as a rosary-making project and a Christian commemoration of the paschal Seder meal. 

Walking by faith is a lifelong process, and children need continued formation as they grow so that their faith can grow along with their questions and their dreams. Students are not "finished" with their religious education once they have received First Communion any more than they are "finished" with their academic education once they have learned to read. Our program prepares them for a faith journey that will last a lifetime!

Faith formation classes meet from October through May, on the following days and times:

For students in grades 1-6:

Tuesdays, 6:30-7:45 p.m. in English (first meeting TBD) with staggered dismissal times Wednesdays, 6:30-7:45 p.m. in English (first meeting TBD) with staggered dismissal times

For bilingual classes: (first & second year ONLY)grades 1-6 Wednesdays, 4:45-6:00 p.m. (first meeting TBD) with staggered dismissal time

Please register early to ensure your first-choice time. When available all classes meet at St. Joseph School,

1961 Plum Street, Pinole.

2023-2024 Registration Information Form (Click Here)

Children need time to develop a relationship with God and to grow in their Catholic faith. At St. Joseph Parish, they must participate in two years of faith formation before they can receive first communion. This means that students who begin faith formation for the first time in fall 2022 will be eligible to receive first communion in spring 2024. 

All children making First Communion in 2024 will make their First Communion TBD at either the 10 a.m. mass or the 1 p.m. mass. 

Registration fees help us to recover the cost of textbooks, classroom materials, and facilities usage. No child will be turned away because of financial need - please contact us to inquire about scholarships.

Families should participate in faith formation and Church life in the parish. Families need to be committed to attending mass every weekend, either by coming to our outdoor masses at 8 a.m. or 12 noon in the school yard or watching the mass at 10 a.m. on YouTube or Facebook. Consistent attendance at Faith Formation is required when possible. During this pandemic PARENTS will be responsible for the work that their children must do each month while we are waiting for in person classes. Work will have a due date each month and Catechists will review all work turned in for completeness and accuracy. When in person classes begin, Parents/Guardians should still be involved in the Faith Formation process by looking through their child’s folder each week to review and assist as necessary, all material that comes home in the form of homework or information about upcoming events. Faith formation of your children is a continuous process and should not end once the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist is received.

Volunteers make our faith formation program possible. Faith formation volunteers have a love for children and for God; strive to live their Catholic faith with integrity; enjoy sharing their faith with young people and encouraging them to grow in their relationships with God; participate in the worshipping life of our community; show maturity in action and attitude; and fulfill their commitment to serving as a volunteer in the faith formation program.

Would you like to share your gifts with the children of our parish in faith formation? 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact the Director of Religious Education,Christine Suarez, at (510) 741-4900, cs.sjcpinole@gmail.com.