THANK YOU DEAR CATECHISTS

RCIA TEAM
This past year, seven adults and two older teens came forward to complete their Christian Initiation by preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and/or First Eucharist. Their weekly gatherings helped them explore the Sunday scriptures and our Catholic beliefs. Leading them along this journey of faith were MARIE DORCE, TONY LEITNER, BEVERLY MOZONE AND MARK MUCCI. We thank them for sharing their commitment, their joy and their insights with our candidates and our catechumen.

INFANT BAPTISM TEAM
Parents seeking to baptize their first child prepare for their new and critical role of instructing their little ones in the practice of our faith. We offer our appreciation to MARY RIESETT AND RUTH SKARBEK who have come to our sessions over the past year and lovingly shared their experience and wisdom of parenting.

K-8 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
This is the last week of formal instruction for the children enrolled in our Sunday morning classes, but we send these young people forth for the summer confident that they will stay connected to the ways of prayer, community and service which they learned about and experienced this year. Thanks to the faith, love, example and knowledge of those who guided them, they have grown in faith and wisdom. Through their outreach efforts, they have shown us that they care about the poor and vulnerable in our world. We salute with gratitude our 2008/2009 catechists and aides who so generously gave their time to our program!

LINDA KUNKA
KAYLA ROSARIO
CLAUDIA BARRETO
DIANE LEBRON
LIZ PETROCCIA
JILL LANDICHO
SANDRA KUREK
KATHERINE PAREDES
VALERIE HENNINGSEN
ALFRED BRODERICK
DEDE LACKEY
ANTHONY PAREDES
ANN-MARIE LEUNG
MARY BOEHNER
MARGUERITE WAGNER-KRET
ANDRIA SZTOJKA
CARMEN MEADES
MONICA MATOS
MARY BROWN
BETSY SOSA
SUZZETTE THOMAS
MAURA WALSH
JOANNE VEON
BRENDA ALVAREZ-LADD
CATHY DOWD
MARY PAGLIUCA
MANI ARGUELLES
LAURIE READER
ELAINE WEILAND
JIM HILTON
CHRISTINE ETIENNE
CARMINE TABONE
SUZANNE RYAN
OEDIES WILLIAMS

Our catechists are supported beyond the classroom by those who volunteer to be Sunday supervisors. We greatly appreciate the commitment and weekly presence of Barbara Murray, Mary Hetherington and Judy Erlandsen.

IF YOU FEEL CALLED TO BE A CATECHIST
please contact Diane Pew or Jennifer Leitner information on ways to share your faith with others: call 973-761-5933
or email faith@stjosephmaplewood.org

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
Current families are reminded that their re-registration forms are now due.
New families who may wish to enroll their children, grades K to eight, in our Sunday morning Religious Education program next fall are invited to call Diane or Jennifer at the rectory for information: 973 761 5933, extension 24 or 26. This program is provided by the parish for children who are not enrolled in Catholic school. It assists parents in the religious instruction of their children and includes the background required for enrollment in First Communion or Confirmation preparation.

IS GOD GIVING YOU A NUDGE?
· Have you thought about joining the Catholic Church?
· Do you want to be baptized?
· Are you a baptized Catholic who regrets never receiving First Communion or Confirmation?
· Are you married to or dating a Catholic and feeling drawn to learn something more about your partner’s Church?
· Do you have questions about what the Church teaches and believes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, God may be calling you to inquire about the next step. Our parish offers adult faith formation sessions, informal inquiry sessions and baptism preparation for adults. To discover what might work best for you, talk to one of the priests or contact Jennifer Leitner at the parish office for more information: call 973-761-5933, ext. 24, or email jleitner@stjosephmaplewood.org.