About
Religious Education
St. Ann Religious Education Program strives to promote Catholic
teachings for students that attend non-Parochial schools. In partnership
with the parents, we continue the mission of Jesus Christ through
faith formation of all children in the areas of education, worship,
community, service and stewardship. Family life in Christ through
prayer and participation in weekly Sunday Mass gives us the opportunity
to thank God for His many blessings in our lives.
Should you need more information about the program or wish to register
please call Barb Antoskiewicz at the Religious Education Office
at 708/895-5970 or the Parish Office at 708/895-6700.
Class Sessions
Classes for students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth
are on Sundays from 8:45a.m. to 10:15a.m. followed by Sunday Mass.
Classes for students in grades one through eighth is on Mondays
from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Early Childhood is only offered on Sunday sessions.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you have a love of your faith and would like to share it, consider
becoming a Catechist in the Religious Education Program. Training
and Virtus training are provided with ongoing faith formation available
through the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Sacraments
Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
"Catechesis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation first depends
on the person's acknowledgement of God's faithful love, of the
existence of sin, of the capacity to commit sin, and of God's
power to forgive sin and reconcile the sinner with himself and
with the Church."
The experience of forgiveness and love in the family prepares
the child to learn about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
"Catechesis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation helps the
child to acknowledge God's unconditional love for all of us."
"Catechesis helps children to recognize the presence of
good and evil in the world and their personal capacity for both."
"Catechesis helps children explore the meaning of symbols,
gestures, prayers, and scripture of the Rite of Reconciliation."
As children develop morally, there are frequent opportunities
to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Because a child's
understanding of God's reconciling forgiveness and mercy is a
lifelong process and will continue to grow throughout their life,
"children have a right to a fuller catechesis each year."
(Quotation from the National Catechetical Directory, #126)
The formation of a child's conscience is the primary responsibility
of the parent, "Parents have a grave responsibility to give
food example to their children." (Quotation taken from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2223)
(All other quotations taken from the National Directory for Catechesis,
2005, pgs. 135-136)
First Reconciliation Calendar
Parent meeting, Sunday, November 18, 2012 after the 10:30a Mass
in Chapel
First Reconciliation Service, Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10:00
a.m. Church
Sacrament of First Eucharist
"Children's preparation for the first reception of the Eucharist
begins in the home."
Weekly family participation at the celebration of the Eucharist
is one of the necessary times for parents to role model to their
children.
"Children who participate with their family in the Mass experience
the mystery of the Eucharist in an initial way and will gradually
learn to join with the assembly in prayer."
Parents own attitude toward the Eucharist each weekend significantly
influences the attitude of the child and teaches its value more
profoundly than any other teacher could ever do.
Between the ages of six and eight, the child becomes intellectually,
psychologically, and spiritually ready to meet Christ in the sacrament
of the Eucharist.
Emphasis on the second year of religious education classes prepares
the child to come to the Lord's Table and to celebrate the Sacrament
of Reconciliation as a family.
Family, catechists, priests and the parish community are involved
in this preparation through prayer, support, and instruction.
(Quotations taken from the National Directory for Catechesis, 2005,
pgs. 126-127)
First Eucharist Calendar
Parent meeting, Sunday, November, 2012 after 10:30a Mass in Chapel
Practice for First Eucharist, Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 3:30p to 4:30p
in Church
First Eucharist Mass/Scapular Blessing, Saturday, May 11, 2013,
10:00a in Church
Sacrament of Confirmation
Suddenly (or so it seems) a child becomes a young adolescent. At
this exciting and often challenging stage, parental love and support
are especially necessary. The focus in the teen's self-discovery
process is the recommitment to the call to live more deeply as a
Christian disciple.
Through the sacrament of Confirmation, the young person affirms
that, with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, they want to
live a Christian life as a Catholic, bearing witness to Christ in
the world.
The reception of the sacrament presupposes a developing understanding
of the responsibility to bring good news to the poor and oppressed,
bring comfort to the sick, uphold the sacredness of life and work
for justice and peace in society.
At St. Ann, the sacrament is currently celebrated in the spring
of eighth grade. Parents and young people are encouraged to make
this decision together in prayer, honest reflection and discernment.
The young person, with parental guidance, needs to freely choose
to confirm the promises of belief made at their Baptism.
Components of Confirmation preparation
Attendance and participation in a Confirmation Retreat.
Young person writes a letter to the Pastor expressing their desire
to be confirmed.
Young person chooses a Sponsor and attends a Confirmandi/Parent/Sponsor
meeting.
Young person interviews their Sponsor for ongoing communication
and support.
Research on Saint's name.
Young person performs 25 hours of Service, including a Market Day.
Confirmation Calendar
Confirmandi/Parent/Sponsor meeting, October 21, 2012, after the
10:30a.m. Mass, Chapel.
Confirmation practice, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 3:30p to 4:30
p.m., Church.
Confirmation, Sunday, April 28, 2013, 1:00 p.m., Church.
Religious Education Board
The Religious Education Program is monitored and supported by
a Religious Education Board. The board's purpose is to review
and change the curriculum as needed, to help establish and monitor
a working budget, to work closely with the Director of Religious
Education, and to overall monitor the success of the program.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Youth (RCIY)
A spirited journey for children welcoming them into the Roman
Catholic Church.
We believe that children are persons who are capable of a journey
of conversion that leads to a deeper relationship with the living
God. Children come to develop a relationship with God, how God's
word touches them, how stories and symbols carry meaning for children,
how family is central for children and how deeply spiritual children
are.
We adapt the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) to
find new challenges, special issues and attempt to provide solid,
practical approaches to dealing with children.
There are four phases to RCIY:
Phase One: Pre-Catechumate
(Rite of Acceptance, for those unbaptized)
Phase Two: Catechumenate
A time to learn how to live as a Catholic through Mass dismissals
to break open the Scriptures
Phase Three: Purification and Enlightment
(Rite of Election)
Phase Four: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the
Easter Vigil, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist)
Mass times are: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. &
10:30 a.m.
For more information, please call the Barb Antoskiewicz or Georgette
Olson at the Religious Education Office at 708/895-5970 or the
Parish Office at 708/895-6700 or 708/895-6701.
