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Spiritual Life

What I love about Saint Joe's is all the nice teachers and friendly kids. I also love how there is always something to do. Another thing is that they teach us to love God, and that is something we will carry with us all of our life.— Fiona

 

I love how we are taught about Jesus and how we go to church.—Anna

TRADITION

In the rich tradition of Catholic education, all that we do at St. Joseph School is driven by our goal to create a Christ-centered environment. The faculty and staff are committed to strengthening the students' faith development through traditional religious education, a commitment to Christian services, and a strong culture of spirituality, respect, and growth.
 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

We pride ourselves on a strong academic program. Daily religion classes and prayer provide a strong spiritual framework. Christian values are integrated into learning whenever possible. Our school day opens with community morning prayer over the public address system, led by the principal and the students. This sets a Christ-centered tone for the day. We participate in monthly liturgies, school-wide rosaries, and a weekly prayer-and-pickup program with parents. For our middle school students, faith formation further occurs through weekly Chapel and participation in the annual Live Nativity and Stations of the Cross.
 
In the reinforcement of our Catholic beliefs and values, the students are given the opportunity to see the staff and teachers who are trying to model their lives to live as Jesus lives. Through Bible reading, daily prayers and religious instruction, as well as liturgies, prayer services, recitation of the rosary and penitential services, the message of Jesus is stressed and lived. Our faith is the reason we exist. It is our hope that we are able to create a school environment rich in the love of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
 
Religious education at the middle school level seeks to instill in students an informed faith. Students develop a better understanding of Christ, the Church and the Sacred Scriptures, as well as Catholic moral and social teachings. Students are challenged to see that their faith is relevant in today's world and encouraged to apply the Roman Catholic teachings to their daily lives.

CHARITY

St. Joseph School coordinates its outreach efforts with a plan to help those near and far.
 
Jesus tells us "it is in the giving that we receive." For students at Saint Joseph School, this teaching is the foundation for a comprehensive community giving effort that starts here in Needham and will eventually affect people in need throughout the globe. We have established a relationship with The Franciscan Hospital for Children in Brighton, MA. Throughout the school year the students and teachers participate in various fundraising events to benefit the children at the Franciscan Hospital.
 
While the Franciscan Hospital is the primary focus in the elementary school, the students at Saint Joseph School serve each other and the world many times during the year. A popular event is "Pare and Share." Twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, the children gather (with plenty of adult supervision) to cut up fresh vegetables to replenish the Needham Food Pantry.
The student council sponsors other charities throughout the year through "tag days," another popular way to raise money for a good cause.
 
Our middle school division students take the hands-on service component of their religious education to a deeper level. Each student is required to complete a certain number of hours to serve the needs of others in a tangible way before leaving St. Joe’s. This is the practical embodiment of Christ’s mission. 
 
A sampling of activities students have organized and or participated in include the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Living Legacies Intergenerational Partnership, CRUDEM in Haiti,  collecting food for the Thanksgiving Food Drive, and collection of clothing for the Coats for Kids program.
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