Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our faith formation program will have a whole new look this year - a new way of learning (in-person or at home), a new curriculum (Pflaum Gospel Weeklies), and a new schedule for in person classes (see the calendar).
Our first responsibility is to keep our students and their families as safe as possible. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester has given us guidelines to follow for the opening of our faith formation program:
Parishes must have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in place before classes begin. You can view the St. Joseph the Worker and Holy Family Preparedness Plan on our website.
Parishes must utilize the Statement of Understanding, Consent, and Liability Waiver for Students and the Statement of Understanding, Consent, and Liability Waiver for Volunteer for all participants of the faith formation program. These electronic forms will be emailed out to registered families and volunteers. Forms must be returned before October 7.
As the primary educators and catechist of their children, accommodations should be made and parish support give if parents decide to homeschool their children’s faith formation program this year rather than participate in any onsite activities. You have two options for our faith formation program this year:
#1 In-person/classroom learning with social distancing and a mask must be worn.
- In-person classes will be offered the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6-7pm.
- On the 2nd Wednesday of each month there will be Mass for the whole family to attend from 6-7pm. This will include a question and answer time with Fr. Reker.
- Curriculum for the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays will be sent home.
#2 Remote/Distance Learning at home.
- Curriculum for distance learning will be supplied for all registered (SJW & HF) students.
- Families can pick up their curriculum at the SJW & HF churches. The curriculum comes in 4 separate units with 8 weeks of lessons.
- On the 2nd Wednesday of each month there will be Mass for the whole family to attend from 6-7pm. There will be a question and answer time with Fr. Reker.
- Weekly On-line Lesson Assessments in which students can show what they have learned from the week’s lesson will be available.
You can see a complete copy of the COVID-19 Guidelines for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Programs of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester on the Diocesan home page by clicking here; Faith Formation FAQs.
There will be no Simple Supper at St. Joseph the Worker before classes this year. So sorry!