Education


To coordinate, constructively channel, oversee and respond to the education and faith formation needs of the parish with special emphasis on how to live the vision in our daily lives.

The Education Commission provides a way

• for each of the boards involved in education to interact and gain a better knowledge of the parish-wide activities.
• for information to be reported to the Pastoral Council
• for the needs of each Board to be known
• for publicizing the various educational activities.

To implement the goals from the parish survey each Board should brainstorm for one new way to pray this year, find ways to develop an awareness of the Parish Library, implement two new ways of informing parishioners about their ministries, and become aware of the ways Vatican II has influenced their ministry.


The Boards represented are
• School Board
• Religious Education Board
• Youth Ministry
• Adult Formation/Spiritual Life Board

The School Board has these standing committees:
Christian Leadership, Development and Finance, and Publicity

The Board has nine discerned members in addition to Father Paul and Sister Dorothy.

The Board establishes the mission statement, sets goals and objectives, and decides long range as well as short range plans for the school.


The Religious Education Board sponsors Religious education for children attending public schools

Additional Programs include:

• Catholic Kids Club meets in June for five mornings: M W F, M W from 9:30 am-12:00 noon. Theme to be announced For children ranging in age from preschool to 4th grade. Children from 5th through 8 grades are volunteer aids.
• Mass with My Class on four Sundays at the 12:15 am Mass for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades including both day school and religious education students.
• Liturgy of the Word with Children 8:45 and 10:30 am Sunday Masses
• Faith Fair and Book sale--show and tell
• Family Corner to sell faith related books especially for First communion and Confirmation
• Family Evening and Prayer Social
Chairperson
Carol Gennuso
St. Joseph School
St. Joseph School: A diverse people committed to quality Catholic Education for our children, reaching out and building a welcoming, Christian community through worship and service.

To find out more about St. Joseph School Click here.
R.E.A.C.H.
REACH is under the Board but autonomous. Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped (REACH) The classes consist of music, lessons, crafts, and prayer time. An adult volunteer sits with each child during class. We also prepare the students for sacraments as needed. REACH meets every other Wednesday from September to April, 7:00 to 8:00 pm at St. Joseph.
R.C.I.A.
Companions accompany catechumens and candidates on their journey of faith. Participants gather from September until Easter Vigil for the Liturgy of the Word at 8:45 Mass on Sunday mornings, and then meet at the Parish Center to share their faith journey.
Theology on Tap
Have you ever gotten into a casual discussion with someone of another religion, and wished you had more of a fundamental understanding of the Catholic faith? Or maybe your young child asks probing questions on why we do certain things during the Mass. Perhaps you are now thirsting for information that didn't seem to matter when our mandatory religious studies or Religious Education classes were attended. Well,
the Chicago area is fortunate to have an established program with those exact situations in mind.

Theology on Tap is a four week speaker-discussion series, that is coming to St. Joseph's. Before we lose you, please read on. This is not going to be a bible-thumping-show-us-what-you-know forum. First of all, Theology on Tap is what it implies. The church recognizes you as adults responsible enough to come and have a beer while enhancing your faith. Other refreshments will be served, to help establish a relaxed reception atmosphere.

As many of us enter these years of graduating college, establishing careers, and perhaps marriage or starting a family, we often seem to push our religious obligations towards the rear of everyday life. Theology on Tap is a way for you to gain valuable, if not critical life enhancing information. Although many of us choose to take continued education courses for our jobs, we neglect to think that we need the same 'tune-ups' for our spiritual life.

Please accept this invitation for yourself, or anyone regardless of religion who may be interested. Free babysitting will be offered. The guest will speak for approximately 50 minutes, with open table discussions to follow for up to another hour.

The Youth Ministry


Marta Spiezio, Youth Minister

Breakfast Club meets one Sunday a month after the 10:30 am Mass There is a light breakfast, speaker presentation, discussion and faith sharing.

Youth Leadership Conference at Louis University held in July for leadership teams.

Bible Study meets once a week during Advent and Lent.

Evening of Prayer meets every Wednesday at 8:45 pm to pray the rosary.

Retreats include Winter Retreat at a center away from the parish grounds. Happening in Christianity in the autumn for Juniors, Senior, and beyond Discovery Retreat for the newly confirmed 8th graders, Freshmen and Sophomores.

Many Service Opportunities include Catholic Heart Work Camp Nazareth Farm/Appalachia Youth Works Mission experience.

Social Activities include Great America Day, Water Park outing and a Ski trip

Quarterly Fund Raising events to support mission experiences: Bake sales Car washes and Poinsettia sale