532 Ave M NW Winter Haven, FL 33881

Faith Formation

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Faith Formation

 

Importance of Registration

  Please make sure you are a registered Church family. Sacramental sponsorship depends on proof of active participation in Church life which can only be followed by meeting registration criteria. Call or stop by the Church Office today.

We encourage you to contact us for more information regarding our  Faith Formation Program, the foundation for all Sacramental Programs.

 

Faith Formation and Sacramental Programs

For information, contact Becky Roach, Faith Formation Director, in the Church Office. 

All Children not attending Catholic Schools should be registered in Faith Formation Classes regardless of whether they will be celebrating a Sacrament.  One year of Faith Formation classes are needed prior to entering a Sacramental class.

  We offer a Baptism prep class for parents and godparents. English class is the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm and in Spanish at 4:00 pm in the Chapel.  Attendance at this class is required before any baptism can be scheduled.  Detailed policies and guidelines are discussed in the class. There are no baptisms during Lent.  Check the calendar for exact date, time and location.

  • Students in grade 2 and the delayed sacraments class for both public school Faith Formation students and St. Joseph day school are  prepared for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion.   We offer 6 required sacramental prep. classes for both parent and child (in addition to required formation). Please make sure you check the calendar for dates & time. All paperwork must be completed and guidelines followed before a sacrament may be received. Attendance at the parent/child sessions should answer any questions that may come up. For further information please contact the church office. Enrollment at St. Joseph day school does not mean you are enrolled in a sacramental program. Please make sure you register at the church office.

  • Youth in 9th grade and above, with prior formation, are prepared for Confirmation– Attendance is required as well as verification of baptism, 1st Communion, and sponsor. 

  • If you are registered in another parish and wish to receive a sacrament or formation at St. Joseph you will be required to have a letter from your pastor giving permission and stating that you meet the required guidelines of formation or sacraments.

  • Transferring students to St. Joseph sacramental programs in mid-year will be required to have a letter from their former parish stating they have been in preparation prior to moving.

 

 FORMED.ORG

Videos, books, study programs available through your parish access code, Stjosephwh.formed.org. Set up an account today

 Weekly Schedule and Times

Sundays 9:30 - 10:30 am in the school building for:

* K - 8th grade;

 Children & Youth Catechumenate/RCIC (Delayed Sacraments Class )

1st Communion for 2nd-grade students in public schools

Teen and Adult Programs

Confirmation sessions are Sunday, group.  Formation includes participation at the 5:30 Spirit Mass and then gathering in the FLC. 

Becoming Catholic (RCIA) Tuesdays, 6:30 pm   

Spanish Adult Faith Formation Sundays, 9:30 - 10:30 am

 For further information regarding Faith Formation, Sacramental programs, or Enrichment programs, please contact Becky Roach in the Church Office.

 +++ Policies, Procedures and Guidelines +++

Parish Registration 

           All families in any faith formation or sacramental preparation program need to be registered at St. Joseph Church. It is very important for a practicing Catholic to be registered in the parish regardless of their financial contributions.  Even if you are financially unable to contribute weekly, please still use your envelopes. This lets us know that you are active in the church. That, alone with active participation in ministries, is the only way we have of verifying your participation in church life.  If you are asked to be a godparent for baptism or a sponsor for confirmation you will need to provide any church with a sponsor verification form that proves you are a practicing Catholic.  We can only provide that information if we have a record of it.  Without that information you may be disqualified from that honor.

 Documents and Forms

            At registration please bring a copy of your child's baptismal, First Communion and Confirmation certificates if they were done in a Church other than St. Joseph.  In order for your child to receive First Communion, they must present a valid baptismal certificate.  For Confirmation, a Baptismal and First Communication certificate will be needed along with a verified sponsor form. If these Sacraments were done at St. Joseph then we will have a record and the sacramental certificates will not be needed.  You must be registered in the parish for three months prior to a Baptism.  Prior to First Communion and Confirmation, you must have been enrolled in a Faith Formation program.  Transfers from other Churches must have verification.Any youth and children attending off-campus events and activities as part of St. Joseph programs and groups must complete the following forms.  They must be sent to Becky Roach. 

 

Diocese of Orlando Medical Information and Consent Form

 Sponsorship Form for Confirmation and Baptism 

Faith Formation First Communion Registration Form

Faith Formation Confirmation Registration Form

 

The Sacraments:

 Sacraments are signs instituted by Jesus to bring us grace. We will strive to make every effort to help you receive these sacraments.

For more information on the individual sacraments are, click here 

 

Becoming Catholic

(The Catechumenate -RCIA) Special classes for children, teens, and adults are offered at different times.  If you are interested in becoming Catholic or have missed a sacrament please contact  Becky in the church office for more information.  Children and teens meet on Sundays in different classrooms in the school building between 9:00-10:00 am.  This allows the entire family the chance to attend Sunday Mass together.  Adults meet Tuesday evenings 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm in the Family Life Center, room 2.

Conduct

Children and youth are expected to be on time and participate in class activities without disruptive behavior. If a child or youth is unable to do this the teacher will contact the DRE and in turn, the parents will be notified to pick up their child.

Expectations

Behave in a Christian manner, come with an open mind and heart and respect others at all times. Parents, know your child’s teacher and help them if they are seeking volunteers for projects or activities.

Safety

Parents must bring their child to the school door and pick them up from there. Please do not drop off your child and allow them to walk across the street or parking lot alone.