Faith Formation
ST. JOSEPH'S SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), tells us that “fecundity or conjugal love cannot be reduced solely to the procreation or children but must extend to their moral education and spiritual formation" (CCC 2221). The Christian home is called "the domestic church" where children receive the first proclamation of the faith and is a "school of human, virtues and of Christian charity “(CCC 1666). Catholic Parents should, therefore, be concerned that their children live the faith they are baptized into in order to obtain eternal salvation. A Christian parent is obliged to form the child according to the Catholic faith by words, deeds, and example so that through family life, the children receive a proper education in the faith.
St. Joseph’s Sunday School (SJSS) provides children with structured education in the faith which is an essential part of the Christian formation they receive at home.
Entry Requirements
Children who have reached the age of 4 by September may be enrolled in the Kindergarten Class. The first three years or catechism following the Kindergarten Class (In Classes 1, 2 and the First Holy Communion Class) will prepare them for receiving First Holy Communion, when the children are normally 7 years old. .
Children who have reached the age or 7 with at least 1 year’s formal religious education elsewhere may also be enrolled in the First Holy Communion Class if approved by the pastor who oversees the SJSS.
First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion is usually held in June the following year.
After receiving their First Holy Communion, children who have completed Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 at SJSS are enrolled in the Confirmation Class which will prepare them for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation normally on Pentecost Sunday the following year.
Children who have reached the age of 13 and who have reached their First Holy Communion elsewhere may also be enrolled in the Confirmation Class if approved by the pastor or SJSS.
Children over the age of 13 who have reached the Sacrament of Confirmation may be enrolled in Class 8 (Youth Group).
Location
All Sunday School classes are held at St. Joseph's College,
7 Kennedy Road, Hong Kung.
Term Schedule
Classes commence on the first Sunday of September each year.
There are no classes during the Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year, and Easter holiday.
Schedules will be announced at the start of each school year.
Classes ends in June the following year.
ClassTimes
Classes are held every Sunday morning during term time.
Classes start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m.
Family Mass
Sunday Mass for families with children attending
Sunday School classes commence at 9:00 a.m.
The Sunday Mass is held at the chapel of St Joseph's College.
The Sunday Mass is an important part of the children’s religious education and children should, therefore, attend with their parents.
Registration and Enquiries
Parents with children who have reached, or who are approaching, the relevant ages should apply before the end of August.
Registration forms may be obtained from the Parish office.
Interested parents should contact the parish priests or contact:
Administrator or SJSS Mrs, Pauline Heine,
Chairman of the SJSS Committee
Mr. Anthony Ismail,
RITES OF CHRISTIAN
INITIATION IN ADULTS
Adults and older children who have the desire to adopt the Roman Catholic Church “Roman Catholic faith and way of life are introduced to the faith through a gradual initiation process. It is a communal process and involves a number of stages punctuated by liturgical rites to aid and assist the potential convert toward the final rite, usually at the Easter Vigil at which time they will become full members of the Catholic Church.
The entire process take several months, (ideally a minimum of one complete liturgical year), but participants are generally invited to proceed at a pace which suits them individually.
Please come to talk to our priests if you feel you have the calling to the faith.
CONTINUAL
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
FOR ADULTS
Continual faith formation is part of being Christian. Our priests are available to help adult Catholics who wish to develop a mature faith, to acquire greater appreciation of the richness of our Catholic tradition, and to deepen their commitment to the faith.Pastoral Counselling- Please contact our priests directly if you wish to consult with a priest for spiritual guidance and assistance.