St. Joseph Church
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust
A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

The Reverend Richard P. Karenbauer             The Reverend Alan W. Grote
         Pastor                                                Parochial Vicar

Sacramental Preparation

            The sacramental preparation program for St. Joseph's Parish is to assist in the preparation of the children in second grade, for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.

            Sacramental preparation takes place in a family context at a time separate from and outside of the religion classroom.

            Immediate sacramental preparation involves sessions through liturgy symbol, prayer scripture, and the experience of a parish community.

            Our Catholic school and parish religious education programs support the parish to prepare children for the sacraments through sessions and on-going formation.

            Parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith.  They are assisted in their child's preparation by sacramental preparation program sessions.

            First Reconciliation children are prepared to celebrate the sacrament before they receive their First Communion.  There will be one parent meeting and one family/child intergenerational workshop on the sacrament.

            Confirmation and First Eucharist is celebrated in the spring of the year.  There will also be a meeting for parents and one family/child intergenerational workshop.  Details concerning timeline and guidelines will be sent home in August.

            "Faith First" textbooks from Resources for Christian Living (RCL) is used in the Catholic school and religious education programs.

            For more information concerning sacramental programs, please call the Parish Office.