Religious Education

As a Catholic school, St. Joseph is an academic community within a religious community. Religious instruction will be an integral and continuing element of the educational experiences of all students in all grades. Formal religious education is a daily part of our curriculum.

Additionally, we strive to live the Gospel message of Jesus by providing significant religious activities for our students. Every school day begins and ends with prayer. The entire student body attends liturgy once a week. The liturgical celebrations are planned and led by a different class each week. When holy days occur on school days, the student body will attend Mass.

Prayer services are held in the Church or the learning center. These services celebrate special feasts or significant events and are part of the religion program.

The SJES religion curriculum builds on scriptural foundations. Preparations for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist occur in the second grade.

Students are encouraged to live a life of Christian service and are provided opportunities to serve including Goodies-for-Good, collections for the Alameda Food Bank, helping other students, and becoming involved in Thanksgiving, Christmas and Lenten outreach projects.

Each trimester, students in grades 6-8 are required to perform 10 hours of Christian service to the school or greater community. Teachers in these grades will distribute forms for students to fill out upon completion of service hours. For more detailed information, see the section labeled Student Service Projects/Christian Service Hours in the Parent Student Handbook. Forms are available online.

Students of other faiths are expected to participate respectfully in the religious activities during the school year. Our students of other faiths are encouraged to share their faith and traditions as well.

Our traditional faith activities include:

  • Our annual Sedar Meal
  • The annual burning of the palms for Palm Sunday
  • Blessing of the Animals ceremony
  • Stations of the Cross
  • Religious assemblies: such as CRS Rice Bowls Program and Catholic Charities Water 4 Life
  • Living Rosaries
  • Advent Prayer Services
  • May Crowning Procession