Religion

At the heart of our educational program is our religion. The basic goal of our religion program is for our students to develop a relationship with God; to instill in students an enthusiasm for living the Catholic faith and to provide an in-depth religious education that includes experiences in prayer, the sacraments, and services, while stressing the integration of Christian principles into the total curriculum. This is accomplished through a religion text, religious activities and through opportunities for students to live their faith.

In grades K-5 students receive instruction through a religion text. The Faith First religion series takes a spiral approach to learning our Catholic faith. The four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer are taught and developed on every grade level each year. This approach helps to reinforce the beliefs of our faith as our students grow, develop, and mature in their faith. Bible readings, an introduction to the parts of the mass, and the study of the seasons of the Church year are taught and incorporated into the curriculum. In second grade our students receive instruction for their First Holy Communion and First Eucharist.

In the middle religion program, students begin a deeper and more focused look at our Catholic faith. Students continue to use the Faith First textbook series, as well as their own Bible. Students concentrate on a study of the New Testament, with an emphasis on Scripture development, author background, and relation to their faith today. Students are introduced to the first one thousand years of Church History. This look at the important people, places and events of early Catholicism helps students see how our faith has been formed. In the eighth grade religion program, students finalize their study of religion, which is meant to prepare students for high school theology as well as history. During this year’s curriculum, students continue their study of the Church from the year 1000 to present and engage in an exciting study of Catholic Morality. This look at the Catholic moral life gives students an overview of how it often places the Catholic Church in opposition to contemporary social issues. Students take on this study of the teachings of the Catholic Church on morality and social justice in order to learn how to make their own responsible decisions based on solid Catholic doctrine as they are led by the Holy Spirit.

At St. Joseph Catholic School, learning about the Catholic faith doesn’t happen only in the classroom. Students practice their faith through activities throughout the year. Weekly mass is celebrated on Wednesday morning at 8:15. Homerooms assist in the planning of the mass and within the mass as readers, gift bearers and choral singers. Events such as daily prayer, The Living Rosary, Blessing of the Pets, prayer services, and retreats offer students the opportunity to deepen their connection with God, our Father.

An important aspect of the school is service to others. Stewardship begins with the kindergarten students and continues to our eighth grade students. Our students are called upon throughout the school year to assist others within the parish, metro Atlanta area and outside the country. The collection of canned food for Food Banks, the collection of school supplies for children in foreign countries, the collection of money for adults and children with cancer, and many other service projects each allow the students the opportunity to give to those in need.