Religious Education

Welcome!!!

Every two weeks there will be a new assignment which will invite you to learn about the life of Jesus.   To find an assignment look below and click on the grade level to which you belong, and the date which you need.  For the 1st through 6th Grade, students will use the "Christ in Us" book and portal for their learning.  For 7th and 8th Grade, students will use onlin "Decision Point" videos in conjunction with a workbook.

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St. Joseph – Part III

The pope offers a reflection of St. Joseph the carpenter and worker.  Francis believes that Joseph teaches all the value, dignity, and joy of providing and living from one’s own efforts.  St. Joseph reminds us that in becoming man, God made a statement of not disdaining work.  Consequently, employment is especially important for a family, and without that employment human dignity can be shattered, and families torn apart.  As a result, Francis is concerned of the unemployment that has resulted from the covid-19 pandemic.  He prays for “Saint Joseph the Worker to help us find ways to express our firm conviction that no young person, no person at all, no family should be without work!”

He then compares St. Joseph to being the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father as Joseph watched over and protected Jesus, his earthly son.  As a shadow he reflected God’s love by never making himself the center of life.  Joseph did not think of himself but instead focused on the lives of Mary and Jesus.  “Joseph found happiness not in mere self-sacrifice but in self-gift.  Likewise, whatever vocation we choose should not be focused on sacrifice but instead be a gift of self and “a sign of the beauty and joy of love.”

Pope Francis concludes his apostolic letter by asking us to increase our love for St. Joseph, as well as our prayers to him.  To help with the prayers, he offers the following:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son;

in you Mary placed her trust;

with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

show yourself a father

and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,

and defend us from every evil.  Amen.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Amen.