St. Anne's Religious Education Program

Rel. Ed. Registration Info


Religious Education Registration 2010-11, Grades 1-7

Registration & Contract 2010-11, Grade 8

Registration & Contract 2010-11, Grade 9

All Parent Meetings 2010-11

Class Schedule 2010 -11

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Facilitators of Religious Education: Mrs. Cheryl Gottwald and Mrs. Pam Walsh
Youth Minister: Mary-Anne Edwards

Secretary: Carol Meegan


Mission Statement

The Mission of Saint Anne's Religious Education Program is to reach out to all the members of the parish community. We commit ourselves to preserve the Catholic family and recognize parents as the primary religious educators of their children. Our goal is to foster an environment in which people can come to know Jesus Christ through Eucharist, Scripture and Church teaching.

Approved by the Religious Education Board, April 19, 2000
 

Refunds are issued within 60 days of payment.

 

Elementary Classroom Program (Grades 1-4)

Meeting Days: Sunday 10:30-11:30 AM; Monday and Tuesday 3:30-4:30 PM; Thursday 4:00-5:00 PM

A catechist, who is usually a parent of one of the class members, facilitates each class with the assistance of an aide or co-teacher. Grandparents and youth members of our parish are also needed to fill these support positions because classes can only be scheduled if we have enough volunteers. Parents also serve as "walkers" who escort the children from the Hampstead Central School to our parish's classrooms.

 
 

"The Edge": Middle School Religious Education Program (Grades 5-7)

Meeting Day: Tuesday or Thursday 6-7:30 PM (choose Fall or Spring)

Students must attend eight sessions and complete four hours of service.

"The Edge" is a retreat style program created for middle school students by the Life Teen organization. Students come together in large groups to open with prayer, and later separate into smaller "break-out" groups to do creative projects that follow along with the session's theme.
 

Home School Program (Grades 1-7)

The Home School Program is designed for students who cannot participate in either the Classroom Program (gr.1-4) or The Edge (gr. 5-7), and also for parents who desire to be the "primary religious educators" of their children. Parents who choose this program are to be commended for their commitment to their children's faith development.

The Office of Religious Education provides a textbook for each child. Additional supplementary materials, instruction and support are available as necessary. Parents work at home with their children and submit work in both December and May.

 

 

Confirmation I Program (Grades 8)

The two-year Confirmation Program is designed to help students transition into adulthood in the Catholic Church. The structure of the Confirmation I Program provides an example of how to witness our faith as adults in the community, and allows for many options so that students can individualize his or her own experience in the program over the course of the year.  

Confirmation I Program requirements are listed below:

  • Service: 10 hours of any kind of service that interests you. We'll offer service through St. Anne's, but you can also choose to do this on your own.

  • Attend  2 "extra" liturgical services: Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation don't count, but there are many other services that you can attend: Cantata, Stations of the Cross, Ash Wednesday service, Thanksgiving – be creative!

  • Attend one "What Is My Faith All About" Session: Throughout the year, we'll have sessions on things like what the Mass is all about, how to become a lector, joining choir, Knights of Columbus, the Sacrament of Marriage, etc. Come learn! If you have a topic that you think would be interesting, we're open to suggestions!

  • Complete one academic assignment: Pick a book or a movie from our lists to read or watch and reflect upon. We'll show one movie in the fall and one in the spring, or you're free to do the assignment on your own!

  • Attend one retreat (9th grade) OR one community building activity (8th grade).

  • And, as ALWAYS: Attend MASS on the weekends!


Confirmation II Program (Grades 9 & 10)

The second year of the Confirmation Program is designed to fit each student's interest. Students are asked to complete (approximately) 2 hours of service/week for 10 weeks at an organization of his or her choosing. The program can be completed at any time during the year in order to best fit each student's schedule, and the number of weeks will be adjusted according to the number of hours/week that a student volunteers.

The Offices of Religious Education & Youth Ministry have compiled a list of suggested organizations if you are not quite sure where to start, but you are expected to contact the organization in order to set up your own service project on terms that work for you and the organization. Please pick a project that is suited to your interests because you will be spending a good amount of time on this project.

The only other requirements for your 10th grade year are as follows:

  • Submit a copy of your outline and contract to the Offices of Religious Education & Youth Ministry by September 30, 2008 OR at least two weeks prior to the start date of your service project (if you intend to start your service before September 30th).
  • Submit a letter to Father Pennett (our pastor) indicating your desire to be confirmed and how your service experience has influenced this decision.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the program.


Summer Vacation Bible School

This program is open to children entering Kindergarten through grade 5. It is one week of fun and activities during the summer. Each year a different theme is presented through storytelling, songs, crafts and games, theme-based activities and skits, in order to make the Bible come alive for the children. Registration for this program takes place during May-June. At least twenty volunteers are needed for Summer Vacation Bible School to make this a success. Saint Anne's Summer Vacation Bible School will usually be held during the last complete week of June unless Snow Make-Up days would interfere with this schedule.


First Eucharist and First Reconciliation Programs

First Holy Communion, preceded by First Reconciliation is usually celebrated at the end of the second year of a child's participation in our religious education programs.

  1. An essential element of preparation for First Eucharist is that those preparing for the Sacrament celebrate Sunday Eucharist regularly with the parish family and that they intend to continue celebrating Sunday Eucharist after First Communion.
  2. Children are prepared at home by the parents in collaboration with our parish catechists, and they take part in a number of regularly celebrated Sunday Liturgies and a retreat experience.
  3. Children are expected to know the basic prayers of our faith heritage (Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, and brief Mass responses).

First Reconciliation is usually celebrated before the child prepares to celebrate First Holy Communion. First Penance preparation begins in the fall of Grade 2. Children celebrate First Penance during the winter months.

Parents prepare the children at home for the celebration of this sacrament. A retreat experience is also part of the sacramental preparation.

Children in grades 3 onward who have not celebrated the Sacrament of Penance are always welcome to prepare for this sacrament.


Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Adapted for Children or The Children's Catechumenate

Meeting Days: By appointment

The Children's Catechumenate is for children who have had little or no prior experience of the Catholic Church. It is intended especially for unbaptized children, and children from families returning to active church participation. This process prepares the children to receive the appropriate Sacraments, and then to continue in the regular religious education programs. Children will attend regular religious education classes and special sessions of the catechumenate. This process will be held only if we have children of catechetical age whose parents request Baptism.


RCIA For Teens - Teen Catechumenate

Meeting Days: By appointment

The Teen Catechumenate is for young teens that have had little or no prior experience of the Catholic Church. Teens who have never been baptized, teens whose families are joining the Church from another faith tradition, and teens from families returning to active Church participation are invited to be part of this process. This process prepares the teens to receive the appropriate Sacraments, and then to continue in regular religious education programs.