Elementary Sunday Program
The Elementary Religious Education program is over for the summer.  We will resume classes on September 9, 2001
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Children's Masses
Each year the children of the parish are invited to sing at Sunday Mass.  Please watch this space and the parish bulletin for dates and times.
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Parents Preparing for Baptism of Infants
A four hour session will help parents with the immediate preperation for this Sacrament of Belonging. When we "belong" we feel connected, we feel important. Parents need to be connected and participating in the faith community for a minimum of six months prior to having their child baptized. Parents are encouraged to register for Baptism before their child is born. The class will be on August 18, with baptisms on August 25.
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Young Families... Keeping control after Baptism
Parents with pre-school children will be sent materials several times a year with suggestions and helps for ways to encourage faith formation during these formative years. Parents need to take their own faith seriously, so they can live a good example for their children from their earliest years.
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Young Adults
Young singles; whether in college or working are needed to form core teams to promote more involvement in our parish. Please contact the Religious Education Director. We need your input.
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Engaged Couples Preparing for Marriage
Congratulations! We are glad you have found the right person to share your life with and we want to help you plan for your marriage in the church. Please, let us know 4-6 months in advance so you can begin the interviews and paperwork that is necessary to be married in the church.

A series of six classes are offered several times during the year. Getting these completed before your date gets too close is the ideal. Contact the Pastor or Deacon to make an appointment to set the date for your wedding and to find out more details to begin the process.
Classes will resume in the fall of 2001.
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Home School Policy
Parents are the primary educators of their children. Those parents who wish to have a child receive the sacraments will follow the parish policy for catechesis and preparation which is done in the context of the faith community. Individual preparation is very much the exception. All children will receive First Communion together as a group in the spring. Discussion on texts to be used will need to be done with the Director of Religious Education in conformity with the directives of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
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Parents of First Communicants
Parents preparing their children for First Communion will gather at St. Joseph parish  on October 14 or 18 for an informational meeting. A second set of meetings will be held on January 13 & 17. First Reconciliation will be on February 23 at 9:30 AM at St. Joseph parish.  First Communion for 2002 will be on April 21 

Sunday Night Youth Group
The high school teens meet Sunday evenings for class and fun times together. These gatherings will resume in the fall, every Sunday night 7 PM in hall or meeting room. 
Come join the fun!. 
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Welcome Back: Inactive Catholics
The Catholic Church is the largest organized religion in America. The largest group is active Catholics, and the second largest group is the inactive Catholics, which number about 6 million. Every family has one or two inactive members. Can you reach out to them, listen to their stories? Many times they have been hurt by a careless word, or misunderstanding... but most of all they often want to return, BUT do not know just what to do.

Often times people who have been away from the active participation in the faith community have very legitimate concerns... Will I be treated the way I was before? Will I be accepted? Many things have changed... I haven't been to confession in many years... WHAT do I have to do? Invite them and come with them, pray for them and support them.
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Annulments
An annulment is not a declaration that the marriage never existed. It is a clarification of the sacramental part of the former marriage. This process can sometimes take a long time. Sometimes it is not granted because there is not sufficient proof. If you are in a second marriage and would like to have this process looked into for yourself: contact the pastor, Decon Loren or Anne to be put into contact with an Advocate to helpyou with this very confidential matter. An Advocate is a specially trained person to explain and assist you through this lengthy process.
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