Director: Mr. Albert J. Griffith

St. Joachim – St. John the Evangelist Religious Formation Program provides instructional foundation in the Catholic faith to students who are in First Grade thru Eighth Grade. During these years of Faith Formation, the candidates have the opportunity of receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion in the Second Grade. The ongoing formation continues until the Eighth Grade when they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Since the establishment of our Religious Formation Program, we have sought to cultivate a passion for living out our Catholic faith, while giving witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We encourage family involvement in the life of the Church to create a community spirit that will inspire an active participation; which will ultimately lead to a deeper connection with our loving God.

Our program emphasizes the importance of celebrating the Eucharist within our parish as a community. It is essential to our Holy Church and the spiritual wellbeing of our children that their relationship with God begins within the home through the example of their parents/guardians.

We have a wonderful team of catechists who share our faith through their own personal experiences while implementing the approved curriculum of the Archdioceses of New York. Our catechists, under the direction of our religious formation program, continue as co-heirs with the parents to nurture our children’s faith. 

As we maintain to prepare for the future of our children, we’re always seeking help within this vital ministry, whether as a catechist, classroom helper, or a hall monitor. The main requirement, that one must have, is the love of children and God.

All classes are held in St. Joachim School building, located on 51 Leonard Street in Beacon NY.

Saint Joachim – Saint John the Evangelist   

Religious Formation

           60 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12590

CCD: 845-879-4213 Parish Office: 845-838-0915

 “Let the children come to me.” 19:14

February 23, 2025

Dear Parent/Guardian:

On March 5, 2025, Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten season. There are many activities that you and your family will greatly benefit from. St. Joachim/St. John the Evangelist has two daily Masses, 7am at St. Joachim and 8am at St. John. Even if you can come only a few times during Lent, there’s nothing that nourishes the heart and soul more deeply than that of the Eucharist, which is the gift of Jesus Himself. 

Friday evenings at 7:00pm during Lent; we recite The Stations of the Cross, St. Joachim in English and St. John the Evangelist in Spanish.  The Stations of the Cross is a beautiful prayer that helps us walk with Jesus through His passion, death and burial. As Catholics, we believe that the tradition of the Stations of the Cross came about through the Blessed Mother. It is said that Mary, the Mother of God, walked the path of Jesus Christ Her Son to His death, everyday reflecting on each and every scene until Her Assumption into Heaven.

In place of class on April 13,2025 (Palm Sunday) our students will participate in our Holy Thursday Mass on April 17, 2025 at 7:00pm. Our students will lead the procession 

Throughout the Lenten season on Saturday evenings after the 4:30 Mass, our parish will sponsor soup and prayer. This is a wonderful way to nourish our bodies and souls with delicious soup and delightful company. There is no charge but if you choose, you can give a free will offering.    

Finally, your child has been given a registration form for the 2025/26 school year. As you know, we have not raised our registration fee in many years. We are committed to you and your child, but to continue to serve you efficiently, we need your help. By having early registration, we are able to keep the cost down and provide you and your family with better resources. We ask that you fill it out and return it ASAP. If your child is going in the 8^th grade they will have a special form for Conformation, this is the only form you need to fill out for them. The registration fee is a flat $50.00. if you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting me…       

Serving you in Christ,

Albert J. Griffith, DRE

Confirmation 2026

“We cannot love God who we cannot see, if we don’t love our sisters and brothers who we do see. Are you willing to let Him love you? We can begin by loving others.” 

February 23, 2025

Dear Parent/Guardian:

I trust you are getting through this cold weather with a minimum of disruption.  Although we still have a way to go with Religious Formation classes, we are planning for next year. 

Your child is a possible candidate for Confirmation in 2026.  We are asking parents to register by using the attached form. No other religious formation registration forms are required.  By registering now, we will be able to arrange for the service projects which are an integral part of the Confirmation program. 

Confirmation is an important step in the faith life of a young person. This program is meant to instill a sense of maturity, responsibility and commitment. 

Please consider the part you will play if you register your child for Confirmation.  There is a monthly service project on a Saturday and one reflection session on a Wednesday evening once a month.   If your schedule does not permit you to arrange transportation or if you know that sports or other activities will interfere with this program, please consider seeking a program in another parish.  I will be happy to grant permission for individual cases. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Sr. Kathleen Maire, OSF