Family Faith Formation

UPCOMING

April 14 (Sun):  11:45AM-1:15PM First Communion Family Class

April 21 (Sun):  11:45AM-1:15PM Whole Family Gathering

April 28 (Sun):  Sacrament of First Holy Communion during 10:30AM Mass

COME TO THE FEAST - BINGO CHALLENGE

Jesus invites us to his feast, the Holy Mass, to celebrate the promises of the Paschal Mystery.  The heart of Catholicism is the Mass, and the heart of the Mass is the Eucharist.  However, do we truly take the time to prepare our bodies, minds, and hearts for this most holy encounter?

As a community, the St. Joseph Korean Catholic Center Family Faith Formation will embark on a journey to prepare ourselves to accept Jesus’ invitation to meet Him at Mass.  Each week, we will focus on one of the following ways we might challenge ourselves to take an intentional approach to prepare ourselves fully for the Lord.  

If you have completed the challenge for the week, you will earn a stamp on your Bingo board!  Those who get Bingo (5 in a row) will receive a prize. 🙂

Bonus!!  All boys will get the “Skirt or Dress” slot for free, and all girls will get the “Neck or Bow Tie” slot for free.

Jesus has called us all!  May we prepare ourselves and let Him know that we will come to the feast!  He awaits us with open arms full of love!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

11/5/23 - No hats

11/12/23 - No casual t-shirts

11/19/23 - Silent meditation before Mass (at least 10 minutes before)

11/26/23 - No electronics

12/3/26 - No flip-flops or pool shoes (or sandals)

12/10/23 - Mass appropriate messages

12/17/23 - No athletic clothes

12/24/23 - No sleeveless tops

12/31/23 - Face washed

1/7/24 - Teeth brushed

1/14/24 - No shorts

1/21/24 - Dress shoes

1/28/24 - Skirt or Dress

2/4/24 - Hair brushed & styled

2/11/24 - Suit coat or jacket

2/18/24 - Neck tie or Bow tie

2/25/24 - No sweatpants

3/3/24 - Dress shirt or blouse

3/10/24 - Dress pants or slacks

3/17/24 - No tennis shoes

3/24/24 - No chewing gum or food

3/31/24 - No jeans

4/7/24 - 1 hour of fasting before Mass

4/14/24 - No toys or distractions

Faith Formation at Home

This year, we are asking all of our families to use the Faith at Home resource to continue faith formation at home.  Faith at Home is a family-centered resource provided by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles that can help families and individuals reflect on each Sunday's readings, grow in their relationship with Jesus, and strengthen their journey of discipleship.  

You can find each week's Faith at Home digital resource and sign up to receive it by email by clicking the button below.

Program Overview

The Family Faith Formation program at St. Joseph Korean Catholic Center recognizes the importance of family in our faith formation and the role of parents as primary catechists for their children.  

Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. 

 Catechism of the Catholic Church #2223

The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith.  For this reason the family home is rightly called “the domestic church,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.  

Catechism of the Catholic Church #1666

The family's catechetical activity has a special character, which is in a sense irreplaceable. This special character has been rightly stressed by the Church….  

Family catechesis therefore precedes, accompanies and enriches all other forms of catechesis.  [The domestic church] remains the one place where children and young people can receive an authentic catechesis.  

Catechesi Tradendae (Catechesis in our Time), 68

The right and duty of parents to give education is essential... it is original and primary with regard to the educational role of others, on account of the uniqueness of the loving relationship between parents and children; and it is irreplaceable and inalienable, and therefore incapable of being entirely delegated to others or usurped by others.

Familiaris Consortio (The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World), 36

Family catechesis aids families in becoming the domestic churches they are called to be (Lumen Gentium/ Dogmatic Constitution on the Church).  The goal of Family Faith Formation is to foster the growth of “domestic churches” in our community.   In this regard, we offer the following:

• Whole Family Catechesis

• Parent Faith Formation

• Children’s Faith Formation (preschool & elementary school)

• Youth Group (middle school & high school)

• Family Prayer Sessions

• Children’s Liturgy of the Word

• Sacramental Preparation

• Special Events

Whole Family Catechesis

Once a month, we invite all families and generations - parents, children and teens of all ages, grandparents, and other adults - to join the Whole Family Catechesis gathering following the 10:30 AM Mass.  We meet in Room 102 from 11:45am to 1:15pm.  

Parent Faith Formation

Once a month, while the children and youth meet separately, faith formation sessions are offered for parents.  These sessions are designed to provide resources and support for parents to grow in their own faith.  Parents may bring children preschool and younger.  Parents meet in Room 102 from 11:45am to 1:00pm.

Children’s Faith Formation

Once a month, while parents are engaged in their faith formation sessions, children in preschool through 5th grade meet separately.  These monthly sessions are designed to promote a sense of community and foster their social and spiritual development.  Children’s sessions are divided into age-appropriate groups (e.g., preschool, lower elementary, upper elementary), and meet in separate classrooms from 11:45am to 1:00pm.

Youth Group

Once a month, while parents are engaged in their faith formation sessions, youth in middle and high school (6th through 12th grade) meet separately from 11:45am to 1:00pm.  These sessions are designed to bring our adolescents together in order to work toward the goals outlined in Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry:  empowering young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, drawing them into responsible participation in the Catholic Church, and fostering their personal and spiritual growth.  Additional activities are scheduled during the year to support fellowship and community-building among our youth.

Family Prayer Sessions

Prayer is an essential part of our spiritual lives as our relationship with Jesus Christ is central to our Christian faith.  Prayer allows us to open our minds and hearts to the voice of God within our hearts.  Family Prayer Sessions are designed for families to learn about and engage in various spiritual practices or methods of prayer.  These prayer sessions are scheduled on various weeks during the year and meet in the chapel from 12:00 to 1:00pm.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

During the 10:30 AM Mass, Children’s Liturgy of the Word is provided for children in preschool through 5th grade.  Children younger than preschool must be accompanied by their parents.  Parents of all participating children are welcome to join.

Sacramental Preparation

Preparation for the Sacraments of First Communion/First Reconciliation and Confirmation is a 2-year process.  Sacramental Preparation classes are offered based on the needs of our community.  Class meetings are scheduled accordingly.  Additional information will be provided to enrolled families.

Special Events

In addition to whole family, faith formation, and prayer sessions, various events are scheduled during the year to foster community-building and fellowship among our families.  Examples of additional events include:  trunk-or-treat, father-child day, mother-child day, Christmas celebration, parent retreat, family retreat, community service activities, praise night, and VBS (Vacation Bible School).