We started out the new year the best way we know how: by placing our trust in Jesus.
Upon returning from Christmas break, the St. Joseph’s community began January with a Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena. Over the course of nine days, we placed our petitions in the hands of Christ and strengthened our relationship to God, embracing His merciful love.
The Novena joined us to generations of devotion and united us in prayer both with and for one another. Our shared petition was:
Behold I knock, I seek, and I ask for the protection of our St. Joseph’s Catholic School community in 2026, especially our students, parents, teachers, priests, parishioners, and supporters.
We then sent 500+ postcards to our parents, parishioners, faculty/staff, supporters, church staff, and priests letting them know we began our year in prayer for them.
4th Grader Benjamin wisely said that we pray because God “wants us to be closer to Him, and we want to be closer to God. It’s important to pray so we can be closer to Jesus and be good people when we grow up. We pray that He will help us.” Benjamin is onto something—studies show a wide variety of benefits for adults who grew up praying as children, including higher rates of volunteering in their communities. He also added that “novenas are special because there are several prayers included in one.”
Our school is always better off when we prioritize our relationship with Christ through intentional prayer. Prayer is tightly woven into every day of school at SJS, which is part of what makes our approach to education so special. Morning prayers and noonday blessings reliably punctuate our schedules. A Knight’s faith life is made up of weekly Mass, religion curriculum for all grades, sacramental preparation, reconciliation, lectoring and cantoring opportunities, and altar serving for older students.
The Prayer Buddies program is a shining star of a Knight’s spiritual development. This school-wide program pairs older students with younger students to develop lifelong friendships rooted in shared faith experiences. Prayer Buddies walk to church together, sit together to celebrate Mass, and learn to pray with one another and for each other’s needs. They meet once a month to share in God’s love during a faith-based activity.
The success of the Prayer Buddies program is a testament to the way that prayer can connect and form our youngest hearts for good. What a wonderful way to share Christ’s love for one another, by supporting our peers’ spiritual growth and affirming the importance of their relationship with God!
This January, we invite you to consider praying a Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena in your home. Discuss your resolutions together and incorporate them into the Novena, entrusting them with Christ Our Lord, whose love for you and your family is truly endless.
Happy New Year from St. Joseph’s Catholic School. You are in our prayers!