Ministers of Religious Education

The success of St. Anne’s Religious Formation depends largely on dedicated adults willing to share their faith.  All of us - lay person and clergy, professionals and non-professionals - are in this together.  Can we accept God’s invitation to “make disciples of all”?

The following is a list of the different ministries with a short “job description.” All adult volunteers must take “Protecting All God’s Children,” a program designed to provide child sexual abuse awareness for adults. Information on this program and registration information may be found at their website, VIRTUS Online. All youth under the age of 18 who volunteer take a similar workshop, Called to Serve.

Catechist - Pre-school, elementary and junior high students need the leadership of Christian adults who will guide them as they grow in their faith.  A Catechist is required to be a fully initiated member of the Church and a worshipping person of faith.  Some additioanl qualities are:  leadership, storytelling, good listener, sense of humor, and most important, a desire to share your faith with others.  Catechist training is provided to build you confidence and knowledge.  Give Gloria Boesch a call if interested.

Catechist Aide - Catechist are able to fulfill their responsibilites more easily when support help is given.  Aides provide support by taking attendance, checking homework, organizing materials for children to take home and helping in group discussions.  Many Aides turn into our next Catechist.

RCIA Sponsor - An RCIA Sponsor is a fully initiated member of the Catholic church willing to be a friend, witness, companion and guide for a person seeking to become a member of the Catholic Church.  A sponsor is not expected to teach but rather walk with the person who is seeking full initiation while on their faith journey.  Although this is the responsibility of the whole community of St. Anne’s, the sponsor represents the community in a personal and direct way.

Education Commision Member - Any person who is willing to help with developing, promothing and evaluating the various faith formation programs of the parish can become a member.

Addional Help Needed

  • Child care for catechists during class-time or during adult faith formation opportunities.
  • Office aides during weekly class-time or Sunday Middle School once a month.
  • Snack coordinator during Vacation Bible School one week in the summer.
  • Arts & crafts coordinator during Vacation Bible School one week in the summer.
  • Music coordinator during Vacation Bible School one week in the summer.
  • Bible Storyteller during Vacation Bible School one week in the summer.

Wherever you talen may lie, please consider offering your help!

Adult Faith Formation

Check the Sunday bulletin for special opportunities to grow in your faith as an adult. Offerings will include the study of Holy Scripture, a Lenten series, Advent by Candlelight for Women, marriage enrichment, catechist topics, and any suggestion you might have for a fall, winter or spring class.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA is the process through which adults are welcomed into the Community as fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. RCIA begins with a time of inquiry into the Catholic faith and practices and moves through stages leading to celebration of the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  Formation involves catechesis on the teachings of Christ, faith, sacraments and practices of the Catholic church.  This is accomplished throught regular presentation, discussion, prayer and ritual.  Each adult is sponsored throughout this process by another fully initiated Catholic adult.  RCIA is for all adults who are considering becoming a Catholic whether not yet baptized or baptized in another Christian tradition.  For more information, please contact Gloria Boesch, DRE, or the Pastor.

Adult Confirmation

This is a six week preparation that will be offered twice a year for those adults who have been Baptized, received First Eucharist in the Catholic Church but for some reason have not been fully initiated into the Catholic Church through catechesis and the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Those who meet the requirements in the fall class will be Confirmed on Christ the King Sunday, and those in the spring class will be Confirmed on Pentecost Sunday. Both ceremonies will take place at the Most Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit. If you are interested in completing this process, call Gloria Boesch, DRE, for an appointment.

Faith Discussion Blog

St. Anne, Pray for Us

Family Catechesis

An alternative program for families who want to home school their children in grades 1 - 6.  Weekly lessons with children are taught by the parents in a family setting with materials provided by the Religious Education Office.  All family members meet on Saturday once a month.  Families gather for prayer and then the children have a special lesson while the parents have adult formation focusing on the upcoming lessons that month.  All families then regather by attending and taking active roles at the 5 p.m. liturgy.

Youth Catechism Programs

Formal faith formation programs meet once a week from October through April.

Preschool/Kindergarten -  is for children ages 4 and up. This class meets on Sunday mornings during the 10:30 Mass.

Youth (grades 1-6) -  meet for 1 hour and 15 minutes weekly. A snack is provided at the beginning of class. These classes are available Monday or Tuesday from 4:15 to 5:30. Car pooling is available for families with a need; contact the Religious Education office.

Middle School (grades 7-8)  - meet once a month on Sundays from 12 noon to 4:00 pm. Lunch is provided.  Because our Middle School program also includes a Confirmation preparation component, strict attendance is the rule.

Middle School Youth Ministry, “Making Service Your Mission” - The focus of this group is on community building, friendship, fun, and serving others.  They meet twice a month on alternate Thursdays.  Check their most recent flyer or the church bulletin for dates.

High School (grades 9 - 12) - See Youth Minstry

Vacation Bible School - This is a fun faith filled week where Bible stories come alive through music, crafts, games, snacks and other fun adventures and will be offered for one week every summer.  Parent and teen leadership is needed to make this week a treat for all who participate. For information on this year’s program see our Vacation Bible School website.

The Religious Education Office will be happy to work with families to ensure that the children’s religious formation needs are met.  Please call Gloria Boesch, DRE to set up a meeting if need be.

Sacramental Preparation for Youth

Initiation into the sacramental life of the Catholic Church is accomplished through the cooperative efforts of parents and parish programming. The preparation for the following sacraments is a two year process, which means simply that each Child must have attended one year of regular religious education classes before enrollment into the sacramental preparation, which includes workshops, meetings and a retreat in addition to regular religious education classes.

First Eucharist and First Reconcilation

Children in grades two or higher will begin preparation for the Sacrament of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation in the fall.  Parents attend an adult formation session and receive materials to work at home with their children throughout the school year.  Parents and children come together for a spring retreat on a Saturday morning to participate in First Reconciliation and then the Sacrament of First Eucharist is celebrated during the Easter season.

Confirmation

A comprehensive two year program is included in the Middle School program at St. Anne’s.  In January of their second year of formation, a parent/candidate session is held to explain the final process with Confirmation celebrated in the fall of that calendar year.  In addition to the regular lessons, students are asked to participate in youth group activities designed to build community, participate in Christian Service projects, attend a spring candidate/sponsor session, experience a retreat, and be interviewed by a member of this faith community.  All these components teach how to live as a fully initiated Catholic Christian.

April 6 bulletin

April 6, 2008