Requirements for St. Joseph's Junior High Religious Education Program 

In both 7th and 8th grade, students are expected to complete
two 6-class session programs.
~ For 7th grade: Jesus and the Gospel Message and Sacraments.
~ For 8th grade are: Church History and Morality.

All 7th and 8th graders are also required to complete
two 2-class or one 3 hour session:
~ For 7th grade are: Personal Growth and Human Sexuality.
~ For 8th grade are: Prayer and Relationships.

In addition 7th and 8th graders are required to attend
one Reconciliation Service and one Instructional Mass each year.

To apply for the Confirmation Program offered in 9th grade, a student must have completed all of these requirements.

PERSONAL GROWTH, PART 1: The Human Person, Journeying toward Maturity

THEME:  The growth and change experienced during adolescence are part of the unfolding of God’s plan for our development as fully Christian persons.

OBJECTIVES: to develop in the young adolescent a sense of self-worth and self-respect nurtured and strengthened by a knowledge of God’s love. To acquaint the young adolescent with an understanding of the virtues necessary for a life of goodness and faith.

JESUS AND THE GOSPEL MESSAGE: Journeying as a Disciple of Jesus

THEME:  The gospels reveal Jesus as the Savior and Risen Lord who calls us to advance the Kingdom of God through discipleship.

OBJECTIVE:  To broaden the young adolescents understanding of the gospels through a study of their formation, themes, message, and literary aspects. To help the young adolescent grow in a personal relationship with Jesus by encountering him in the gospels and learning to live his message.

SACRAMENTS: Nourishment for The Journey

THEME: The mystery of Christ continues in the Church through the sacraments which are visible signs of the love and saving action of Jesus.

OBJECTIVES: To help the young adolescent understand, appreciate, and celebrate the continuing presence and saving action of Jesus in the Church. To lead the young adolescent to a full and active participation in the sacramental life of the Church.

HUMAN SEXUALITY: The Journey toward Wholeness

THEME: Sexuality is a gift from God. It embraces psychological, spiritual and physical characteristics of men and women. We human beings need to integrate our sexuality into our total personality in order to develop into the persons God has called us to be.

OBJECTIVES: To help the young adolescent appreciate the gifr of sexuality. To assist the young adolescent in developing correct and positive attitudes concerning sexuality. To clarify for the young adolescent how the gift of sexuality can be misused.