Welcome to Religious Education

Current Religious Education Academy Students: Visit our Religious Education Academy page! 

Adult Religious Education: Visit our Sacraments page or our Adult Faith Sharing Groups and Organizations page.

Si necesita esta información en español, llame a la Oficina de Educación Religiosa al 732-349-0018, ext. 2225.

Religious Education for Children

Raising Catholic kids is a divine vocation in itself. It requires unwavering dedication, prayer, and a constant reliance on God’s grace. As a parent, your primary goal is to lead your children closer to God, helping them discover and respond to the unique calling God has for each of them.

By creating a home where faith is lived, celebrated, and shared, you can nurture the flame of faith within their hearts and guide them on the path to heaven.  Remember, you are not alone on this journey.  God walks with you, the Church supports you, and countless parents around the world are striving for the same goal – to raise children who love and serve God with all their hearts. Together, let us embrace this beautiful calling and trust in God’s providence at every step.

As part of this effort, St Joseph’s Church provides a Summer Religious Academy for the children of our parish families who are in Grades 1-8 and attend public school. 

Rich in scripture, liturgy, doctrine, and tradition, this intensive, summer, faith formation school provides children with a fun and completely immersive environment to grow in their love for God and knowledge our Catholic faith.

Offered in two separate weeks each year, over one thousand children of our parish community attend our religious education school. In summary, the St. Joseph's Religious Education Academy offers:

  • A summer intensive week for public school children in Grades 1 - 8.  (Please reach out to the Office of Religious Education if you are interested in sacramental preparation for Grades 9-12.)
  • Sacramental preparation programs for Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation using a Family Catechesis model involving parents and children.
  • Please note: we do NOT offer a traditional fall/winter after-school program.
  • All students of the Academy must be children of current registered parishioners. Click here to  learn more about joining our thriving parish community. 

After the Summer Academy has concluded, Academy Card activities provide additional opportunities for students to physically live out their faith throughout the year, alongside weekly Sunday mass attendance. By this design, it is our hope that all of our parishioners in the Religious Education Academy will grow deeper in the love of God and the practice of our Catholic Faith.

Dates for the 2026 Summer Academy

We are so very excited to welcome back the students for our 2026 Summer Religious Education Academy! 

  • June 22-26, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. OR July 6-10, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Current kindergarten parents: If you want your child to receive First Holy Communion in second grade, they MUST be registered for Summer Academy 2026.
  • Current 6th grade parents: If you want your child to receive Confirmation in eighth grade, they MUST be registered for Summer Academy 2026.
  • In order to finalize registration, all new students are required to provide original baptismal certificates + a new student form provided in the registration process. 
  • All students who are scheduled to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion or Confirmation have an additional 2-hour monthly sacrament preparation class (Sunday) in the Fall and Spring leading up to the sacrament. More information will be provided in the informational packet mailed home after Academy registration is complete.
  • New students currently in grades 4-9 who have not received First Holy Communion will not attend the Summer Academy but begin with a preparation class in the Fall.  More information is provided in the registration process.

 2026 Academy Registration Dates:

  • January 22 - 31, 2026: Early Registration for Returning Students (w/Academy Card 4 Stamps) 
    •  Online or in-person registration.  A completed Academy Card is required for registration. 
    • Cost: $180/student ($450/family of 3 or more students) + Sacrament fee (if applicable)
  • February 1 - March 31, 2026: Standard Registration for New and Returning Students 
    • Online or in-person registration
    • Cost: $230/student ($600/family of 3 or more students)  + Sacrament fee (if applicable)
    • A completed Academy Card is not required for registration. 
    • New students: An original baptismal certificate (and First Holy Communion certificate, if applicable) must be brought to the Office of Religious Education to complete registration. Originals will be copies and then returned. Admission to the Academy will NOT be granted without this documentation. 
  • Registration is online or can be done in person at the Office of Religious Education.
  • Full payment at the time of registration is preferred;  registration is NOT complete until a minimum 50% deposit has been received. Full payment must be received by March 31, 2026 to guarantee registration in the 2026 Academy. 
  • Financial assistance is available. 

For more information, enjoy the below videos about our 2017 and 2019 Religious Academies. Please also reach out to the Director of Faith Formation and Religious Education, Michelle Abi-Yaghi, at 732-349-0018, ext. 2236 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions or requests for additional information.  

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
Monday - Friday
732-349-0018, ext. 2225

 

 

 

 

Thank you Kate Uffer who produced our 2019 video and Faith DeLorenzo who produced our 2017 video!