BAPTISM -- Baptisms are held Sundays after the 11:00 A.M. Mass. You must be a REGISTERED and PRACTICING member of our parish family. Letters of eligibility for Godparents are required from at least one sponsor. A Letter of Eligibility form can be obtained from the sponsor's home Parish.

Baptismal Preparation – Parents presenting their first child for Baptism may be required to attend this class prior to the Baptism of their child. An emphasis is made on the all-important task of parental responsibility for raising their children in the Catholic Faith. Classes are held as needed in the church meeting room. To register for this meeting and to schedule a Baptism, please call the rectory at 610-965-2877.

FIRST RECONCILIATION is celebrated by our second grade PREP and St. Michael the Archangel School students who are REGISTERED and PRACTICING members of our parish family. Non-parishioners of these programs are welcome to receive here as long as a letter of permission is provided by your home parish. Please be aware that it is necessary to be baptized Christian prior to receiving this Sacrament, and First Reconciliation is necessary prior to receiving the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist. PREP Classes for students who attend public school, or who otherwise are not attending a Catholic school, are required. First Reconciliation is typically held in February or March, during the season of Lent. Questions about First Reconciliation, including any students who need to "catch up" on sacraments outside of 2nd grade, can be addressed to Mrs. Janessa O'Donnell at janessa.odonnell@stjoescoopersburg.org.

FIRST EUCHARIST (First Holy Communion) is celebrated by our third grade PREP and St. Michael the Archangel School students who are REGISTERED and PRACTICING members of our parish family. Non-parishioners of these programs are welcome to receive here as long as a letter of permission is provided by your home parish. Please be aware that it is necessary to be baptized Christian as well as received First Reconciliation prior to receiving the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist. PREP Classes for students who attend public school, or who otherwise are not attending a Catholic school, are required. First Eucharist is typically held the first Saturday of May. Questions about First Eucharist, including any students who need to "catch up" on sacraments outside of 3rd grade, can be addressed to Mrs. Janessa O'Donnell at janessa.odonnell@stjoescoopersburg.org.

CONFIRMATION is celebrated by our 8th grade PREP and St. Michael the Archangel School students who are REGISTERED and PRACTICING members of our parish family. Non-parishioners of these programs are welcome to receive here as long as a letter of permission is provided by your home parish. It is necessary to have been baptized Christian, received Reconciliation, and Eucharist in order to be Confirmed. If your child is behind on sacramental preparations, Confirmation may need to be delayed into high school years. Confirmation PREP Classes for students who attend public school, or who otherwise are not attending a Catholic school, are required. Confirmation is typically held in late Winter or early Spring, and the date is set by the Diocese of Allentown Bishop's office. Questions about First Eucharist, including any students who need to "catch up" on sacraments, can be addressed to Mrs. Janessa O'Donnell at janessa.odonnell@stjoescoopersburg.org.

MARRIAGE

To be married in St. Joseph Church, you must be a REGISTERED and PRACTICING member of the parish. Couples contemplating marriage must make arrangements by calling the rectory at least one year in advance of the intended date. Recent (dated no earlier than six months prior to the wedding) copies of Baptismal and Confirmation records are required as well as Pre-Cana class attendance. Please contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life Formation for assistance and dates of meetings.

DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN OFFICE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE FORMATION

Provides marriage preparation programs, enrichment programs for married couples, families, the separated, divorced and widowed, Anniversary Mass celebration.

Rhady Tulloch

rtulloch@allentowndiocese.org

610-871-5200 ext. 2035

https://www.allentowndiocese.org/marriage-preparation

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK & COMMUNION FOR THE SICK

For further information or in an emergency, please call the rectory at 610-965-2877.

Hospital Visits - The rectory is not notified by area hospitals; if you would like us to be notified, please call the rectory when someone is hospitalized. A priest from the Diocese is assigned to each of the area hospitals, and will visit our parishioners during their admittance.

Prayer Requests - Call or email the rectory if prayers are requested for anyone who is sick or has another need. Their names will be published in our online weekly newsletter with a link included in the Sunday printed bulletins, requesting prayers by our parish family. 

ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

FORMERLY RCIA

Becoming Catholic (OCIA) 

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a gradual process of conversion and initiation into the Catholic Christian community providing individuals the space to encounter
God and respond to His invitation to a new way of life in the Catholic faith. It is a process of conversion through which a faith community journeys with individuals as we all desire to grow closer to God. OCIA is a process, not a program. It is grounded in a respect for the personal faith journey of each individual. More information can be found on our website. If you would like more information or have questions, please contact Andrew Sumner at (484-264-8565) or st.joseph.coopersburg.rcia@gmail.com. You may also speak to Fr. Buckley after Mass, or email the Rectory at rectory@stjoescoopersburg.org.

VOCATIONS -- The Lord is calling out to each and every soul, and He is saying, “Come to me!”

He has a plan for your life that will bring lasting peace. He desires to draw you into His love, beginning now and lasting into eternity!

How can we know He is calling? How can we hear His voice?

His call begins with the call to holiness – that is a call you can count on. Within that call to holiness, He has a particular call to serve others.

At the Office of Vocations, we are happy to support you in your discernment of your vocation in any way that we can. Know that you are not alone!

As you pray and discern your vocation, we invite you to attend an event, meet our current seminarians, use our resources, and reach out to your parish priest for support. Be assured of our prayers for you as you pursue God’s will in your life.

For more information on discerning your vocation, please contact us at the following:

Rev. John C. Maria

Director, Office of Vocations 

jmaria@allentowndiocese.org 

P.O. Box F, Allentown, PA 18105

610-437-0755

https://www.allentowndiocese.org/vocations