2024-2025
 JOY Session Schedule

J.O.Y. is our children's faith formation process from 1st grade - 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 the second Thursdays of each month beginning in the Fall. Parents must also attend the sessions so that they can continue to nurture their family's faith beyond the JOY sessions.  It is also important that the families attend and participate in the Sunday liturgy Mass to maintain their relationship with God and their connection to our Catholic faith.  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 sacraments must be registered in the JOY process for the first year of preparation.

Order of JOY Formation with children

Year 1:   Joy Formation sessions

Year 2:  First Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation preparation.

Year 3: Continued JOY Formation 

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.