Faith

Faith

As a ministry of St. Joseph Catholic Church our school provides a wealth of opportunities to our students in the areas of faith formation and service to others. Students at our school are assisted in continuing to grow in faith and knowledge. Our students’ faith lives include:

  • Weekly Mass
  • Daily religion curriculum in all grades as well as Sacramental preparation in second grade
  • Morning prayers and noonday blessings
  • Advent and Lenten events including grade level appropriate reconciliation
  • Lectoring and cantoring opportunities for students in grades 2-6
  • Prayer Buddies program
  • Retreat Days
  • Alter server training for fifth and sixth grade students

Prayer Buddies Program

Prayer Buddies is a school wide program that pairs older students with younger students. Our goal is to develop lifelong friendships through faith based activities. Students learn how to pray with each other and for each other’s needs through shared faith experiences.

The buddies walk to church and sit together to celebrate Mass.  Students also meet once a month to share in God’s love during a faith based activity. What a wonderful way to share Christ’s love for one another!

Altar Serving

Catholic students in grades fourth, fifth, and sixth who have received the appropriate training are invited to be altar servers at our school liturgies. They may also be asked to serve at other liturgies during the school day. Students are escorted to and from the church by a SJS staff member.

School Prayers

August
A Student’s Prayer

Thank you, God, for this new day. Help me to use it well by doing my best in school. Open my mind to everything I am taught today. May I give my teachers attention and respect. May I give my classmates courtesy and kindness. Please be with me as I study. Guide me in all that I do and in all that I think and say. Amen

September
Prayer of Catherine McAuley

My God, I will belong to You forever. Teach me to trust in You because I know You love me and will always be near me. Help me always to obey You even when it is hard. Take from my heart all fear. Help me never to be sad, but always joyful, knowing that You are my God and that someday I will be with You in Heaven. Amen.

October
Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

November
The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

December
Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

January
Act of Contrition

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen

February
Act of Love

O my God, I love You above all things with my whole heart and soul, because You are all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.

March
Prayer to St. Joseph

Gracious St. Joseph, protect me and my family from all evil as you did the Holy Family. Kindly keep us ever united in the love of Christ, ever fervent in imitation of the virtue of our Blessed Lady, your sinless spouse, and always faithful in devotion to you. Amen

April
Act of Faith

O my God, I believe that you are one God in three Divine Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your Divine Son became Man and died for our sins, and that He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths that the Catholic Church teaches, because You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.

May
Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope!

To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Monday Prayer
Prayer for Vocations

O God, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Bless our Diocese of Savannah with many priestly and religious vocations. Give the men and women you call the light to understand your gift and the love to follow always in the footsteps of your priestly son. Amen.

 

Community Outreach

Stewardship begins early with our SJS students as we try to live out the philosophy of “Faith in Action.” We are given many opportunities to give of our time, talent, and treasures. Each day teachers and students begin their day with prayers which often includes praying for those in need. The money collected weekly from each class for our Missions is used for many community outreach programs which include: Loaves and Fishes, Family Advancement Ministries, St. Vincent d’Paul, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, the Mentor Program, and Hearts for Heroes, just to name a few of those we have helped. Our Student Council and K- Kids also sponsor food drives throughout the year as well as make items for nursing homes. SJS strives to not only serve our immediate community but to assist to those throughout the world in their time of need.

VIRTUS

VIRTUS training outlines appropriate behavior when dealing with children, and is for the protection of both the adult volunteer and our students. VIRTUS training is required for all people who wish to volunteer at St Joseph’s Catholic School including serving as a room parent, assisting with a sport, club or after school activity, and chaperoning a field trip and others as deemed necessary. If you plan to volunteer at SJS, you must attend a VIRTUS training session. You must pre-register for a VIRTUS training session. Seating is limited in each session. Click here to view and select upcoming VIRTUS training sessions that have been scheduled in our area. Please follow the directions to register.