Family Catechesis

Forming Families FOR LIFE

Modelled on the Holy Family, a man and woman connected together in marriage as husband and wife with their children form a family. Called the domestic church, the Family in the Catechism of the Catholic Church is the principal cell or building block of human society. Supporting this structure the Church is the surest path for Christian family formation where Catholic values are taught, practiced and preserved for the sanctification of souls and sake of the common good.

Our Parish strengthens families by:

Preparing couples for marriage;
Recognizing the critical role married couples have as parents in procreation, raising and educating their children;
Promoting Godparent accountability and their leadership role in faith formation;
Highlighting the responsibilities children have towards their parents, siblings and elders;
Encouraging family participation in the life of the Parish;
Consoling single parent familes; and
Assisting persons in disordered relationships or irregular unions enter into full communion with the Church.
- Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons

For information on Parish catechetical ministries and support services available to your family please contact the Parish Office.

Consecration to the Holy Family

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home in Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times each).

Celebrating

Baptism

Gateway to life in the Spirit, membership in the Church and sharer in Christ’s mission.

Confirmation

Enriched by the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith in word and deed.

Eucharist

Source and summit of the Christian life, our Lord Jesus Christ sacrificially present in body and blood.

Matrimony

Exclusive, life-long union of one man and one woman joined in an intimate communion of life and love.

Catechesis for Children and Youth

We meet at Saint Joseph's Church Hall, Bridgewater from 9:45-10:45 AM twice monthly for catechetical instruction and preparation for the sacraments of penance, eucharist and confirmation. To enroll your child please contact the Parish office.

Family Resources

Responding to Transgender Ideology

A Family of Faith

Developing strong Catholic families where children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of our Faith through the witness of Christian life given by their parents.

Go to: https://sophiainstituteforteachers.org/shop/family-of-faith for more information on the program.

Ascension Press

Discover the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith as the path to a fulfilled life and authentic happiness through the extensive resource and media collection at Ascension Press.

Popular programs used in the Parish include Chosen, a powerful Confirmation program for teens and their families and Father Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year.

FORMED

Providing the very best Catholic content from more than 60 organizations to help Parish families and individuals explore their faith anywhere. All Parishioners have access to FORMED.org.

To login, visit https://formed.org/signup and create an account by typing in our Parish postal code, or searching by our Parish name and town.

Little Latin Readers

The best place for Catholic students to learn Latin. Appropriate for students from elementary language learning through high school and beyond.

Please go to: www.littlelatinreaders.com/ for more information on the program.

My Catholic Faith

Comprehensive, beautifully illustrated and accessible. A classic staple by The Most Reverend Louis LaRavoire Morrow, former Bishop of Krishnagar, India.

Still in publication and available through major online bookstores. For an archived copy see: https://archive.org/details/B-001-014-327/mode/2up

OLR Family Catechism

An online study guide to the Baltimore Catechism. The timeless, traditional teachings of the Catholic Faith restored online for today’s family.

Please go to: https://olrfamilycatechism.com for more information on signing-up for this free online video program for your family.

ROOTED

Ruah Woods ROOTED, based on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, provides a solid basis for transmitting a vision of the human person according to God’s loving design. A thorough teaching resource incrementally presented for children (K-8) and youth (grades 9-12).

Follow the link: https://www.ruahwoodspress.com

Signs of Grace

The Augustine Institute Signs of Grace program is a family faith formation program that includes activities, videos, stories and teaching delivered on line to help children and their parents understand the sacraments as encounters with Jesus. Signs of Grace includes the programs, “You are Forgiven” to prepare for the first Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation), “You are Loved” to prepare for the first Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and "You are Sent" to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

To view information about the program, please go to https://thesignsofgrace.org.

Word of Life

Authentic catechetical renewal providing faithful teaching and explaining why the Church is relevant in our modern culture.

Please go https://www.wordoflifeseries.org for more information.