1st & 2nd Grade Sacramental Preparation

The Eucharist, more than any doctrine or structure of authority, is the heart of the Church; its clearest and most profound sign of what we are and what we are to be—a People blessed by God and called to become the body of Christ for the life of the world. 

Consistent with the vision of the St. Joseph Parish Children’s Faith Formation (CFF) Program, the process of preparation for First Eucharist aspires to open a process of personal, familial, and communal formation. This FF program will fulfill the hopes and guidelines of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Our FF program will also be infused with Ignatian spiritualty, service, and intellectual engagement. 

Eligibility 

Our expectation is that youth entering this program have received the sacrament of Baptism.  

• If your child was baptized at Saint Joseph Parish, please indicate this in the registration process.  

• If your child’s parish of baptism was not Saint Joseph, we will need to see a copy of their baptismal certificate. 

If special circumstances have impacted your child’s sacramental preparation, please contact cff@ before registering for First Communion. 

*Some families postponed sacramental celebrations during the global Covid-19 Pandemic. The age of 6 or 1st grade is a helpful minimum age for participation in CFF 1, and likewise, age 7 or 2nd grade is also a minimum for CFF 2.  

Above all, it is our expectation that children preparing for First Communion actively participate in the weekend liturgies at St. Joseph and engage with all possible classes throughout the program. 
  

• Consistent class attendance is required for children to be on track to receive the sacrament as we value the central role of community in our faith. Please consider all enrichment activity schedules to ensure your child can commit to the Faith Formation program at this time. If there are other circumstances that might impact your child’s attendance, please contact us upon registering so that we can make necessary arrangements.  

Parental Commitment 

• Parents and guardians will lead activities for at-home reinforcement of our faith, Catholic values, Ignatian Spirituality and service in partnership with, and at the request of, the Catechist (teacher). 

• Parents, guardians, or high-school age siblings are asked to commit some hours throughout the school year to benefit the CFF classes. Often, volunteers help during Sunday School, though others work with CFF Catechists at different times of the week to fit their schedule or strengths. 

• Parents or guardians attend the Saturday Workshop for their class with their child. CFF 2 has 2 workshops. 

Schedule 

• Preparation for these Sacraments begins in October, ends in May, and will meet on 3 Sunday Mornings per month. 

• Sunday School meets from 10:15-11:00 (between the 9 and 11 AM Masses) during the school year. 

Two Tracks, One Parish 

St Joseph Parish historically delivered catechetical instruction to its youth in one of two tracks: the church or the school, and the youth would join the Parish sacramental prep program for special workshops and Masses. While this remains true for 1st grade/ CFF 1, newly in 2022-23, all St. Joseph School students seeking Communion will enroll in the Parish CFF 2 course and participate on Sundays for direct Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.  

Similarly, SJS students will return to the Parish in 7th grade (minimum) for direct preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation – whereas the Religion curriculum at St. Joseph School covers other important elements of our Catholic Faith in the Jesuit tradition. 

All participants (school and church) must register for the program through the parish website.