2023-2024
JOY Session Schedule

JOY is our children's faith formation process from 1st grade through High School.

This process helps children to be exposed to the love of Jesus and the teachings of the Catholic Faith.

Our once a month sessions are on Sundays during Mass. The parents' role is to connect to their faith through the attendance
of Mass and the Holy Eucharist.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.  The life that it transmits to us is none other than the very life of Jesus!

It is through the attendance of community worship, Holy days of obligation,
and Catholic faith teachings that children and parents strengthen their commitment to  Christ.  We encourage parents to make a commitment to family prayer, scripture reading, family faith work, and the receiving of the blessed sacrament each Sunday during this process.

Any family wishing to prepare children for any sacraments must be registered in the JOY process for a minimum of 2 consecutive years.

Order of JOY Formation with children

Year 1:   Joy Formation sessions

Year 2:  First Eucharist, Reconciliation, and/or High School Confirmation preparation.

Year 3: Continued JOY Formation through the 12th Grade

A catechist is a person of faith who leads others in understanding the faith teachings.  The role of the catechist is a vital ministry to the Church.  It is a gift that has tremendous value to the world community at large.  Through the catechist's word and action, the message of Christ continues to have a place in all human affairs. 
The primary goal of a catechist is to model God's love to others.  As a result, the primary requirement of a catechist is a love for God!  You don't need to be theologian to be a catechist.  Catechists learn and grow in their faith as they share their faith with others.
St. Francis of Assisi is blessed to have an active and engaged community of parents, friends, and grandparents who support our faith formation programs through volunteering.  We welcome any person of faith who wishes to lead others to grow in faith.  
For the safety and protection of our children, any adults who wishes to volunteer with children at St. Francis of Assisi in any capacity must comply with Diocesan policies that govern volunteers.

For more information on how you can share your faith with the children of our parish community as a catechist, please contact Lerma Simpson at lerma.simpson@dsj.org or at (408) 223-1770 ext. 316.