Click here to download our Spiritual Direction flyer —————–> Spiritual Direction Flyer

Contact the Faith Formation office at (715) 849-3930 for more information about any of our programs and opportunities OR

stannes.baptism@gmail.com

stannes.nursery@gmail.com

stannes.preschool@gmail.com

St. Anne’s Faith Formation Programs: An Introduction

The Church of Saint Anne in Wausau, WI offers many opportunities for families to instill a love for God and the sacraments in their children from birth through their teenage years. Our Early Childhood Faith Formation guides our youngest Catholics through the development of a system of morals and a love for the Church.

Baptism

A baby’s baptism is the foundation of their life in the faith community. We try to prepare parents for the task of raising a Catholic child as well as prepare them for the sacrament of Baptism.

Each family that requests Baptism for their child will be assigned a Baptism mentor who will guide them through the process. During those meetings, the parents and mentor will discuss the theology of the sacrament, the signs and symbols involved in the celebration and the basics of Catholic parenting.

Cry Room

A floor-to-ceiling window and sound system in the Cry Room on the east side of the sanctuary offers parents the opportunity to participate in the Mass while they tend to a fussy baby.

Parish Nursery

The nursery is open during the 8:30 am Sunday mass for children 12 to 35 months.  In this parent cooperative program, parents are encouraged to lend a hand, on a rotating basis, in the operation of the nursery.

Located down the stairs from the West Entry, the nursery is a delightful and safe place for toddlers to play while their parents pray.

Sunday School Faith Formation

This program is for pre-school children between the ages of 36 months to 5 years of age, not including kindergartners. These classes are held during the 8:30 am Sunday mass on Faith Formation Sundays.

• Begins with children’s lives and helps children discover God already present in their lives and in their homes and families.
• Incorporates active self-expression, discovery and inquiry, language and thinking, social relationships, music, art and prayer.
• Helps children discover and value all life and all creation as God’s gift to us. They discover that they can “Make a difference” and change our world for the better.

We are blessed to have a faith filled catechist providing leadership for this children’s program. Parents assist on a rotational basis to aid the regular catechist. Registration is required.

Kindergarten Faith Formation

Once a child reaches kindergarten they begin their faith formation as part of the formal Faith Formation (K-G8) program at St. Anne’s Parish. This dynamic and loving program provides catechetical content, worship, scripture and prayer experiences for a young child’s developing faith.

The children will learn about parish life, liturgy and service as we give witness to a Catholic life. With active parental involvement, the child’s faith can deepen further as they learn about their own Catholic identity.

All of these elements combine to create the foundation for a sacramental life in each child. Each stage of faith education integrates Catholic values into their daily lives. Registration is required.

The mission of the St. Anne parish library is to provide for the enrichment of faith through help in daily living, personal and family devotional and inspirational readings, and Biblical resources. Donations and gifts are accepted for use in the library if they complement our purpose and are physically useful for circulation. Please contact the Faith Formation office to discuss possible donations or gifts. Volunteers to assist in the library with the preparation of books and materials and general library upkeep are always welcome as well individuals to join the parish library committee.

A one week, faith-filled and fun enrichment program held mid-summer each year for parish children and friends, kindergarten through fifth grade.  VBS is an opportunity for adults and youth to work together to offer children an exciting week filled with memory making activities. **Find out more about the 2011 Session of VBC here!**

Overview

• Open to children ages 4 through Grade 4-5
• Opportunity to understand the Gospel message
• Participate in the Mass celebration at their own level
• 8:30 AM Sunday Masses – Sundays following Labor Day weekend through the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend

Goals

• Introduce children to the liturgical language of the Church
• Nourish and guide their spiritual growth
• Immerse them in the Word in an age-appropriate way
• Reduce disruptions for adult parishioners during the readings from the Scriptures

Structure

• Children’s Liturgy mirrors the Liturgy of the Word for the general congregation.
• Using the Children/s Lectionary, as well as homily topics and songs designed for children
• Based on the Church’s Liturgical year

Participants will…

• Gather with the full assembly in the church.
• Be sent forth by the priest with a special blessing.
• Gather in a separate worship space to listen to the readings, pray the Psalm response, listen to a message from the readings.
• Offer their own prayers and petitions to God.
• Return to the main assembly when the gifts are presented/collection is gathered so that the children will be present for the remainder of the celebration of Eucharist.

Looking for the Faith Formation and Sacramental Registration Form? CLICK HERE to download!

Elementary Faith Formation

Children (attending public schools) from first through fifth grades are invited to participate in weekly Faith Formation sessions from. These one hour and 15 minute weekly sessions are held during the school year. There is also a Home Study Faith Formation option available for children in grades 1 through 5.

Middle & High School School Faith Formation

Sixth through 10th grade youth (attending public schools) meet for an hour and 15 minutes, September through early May. Large and small group activities, service opportunities, and parent/youth events are offered.

Schedule

All families have the option of sending their children (regardless of age) to the hour and fifteen minute faith formation sessions either on Sunday OR Wednesday, whichever best fits the family schedule. The schedule is as follows:

• Sunday: 9:45 AM–11:00 AM (immediately following the 8:30 AM Mass)
• Wednesday: 6:15 PM-7:30 PM
• Keep watching for a finalized schedule coming soon for more specific dates.

CLICK HERE for a link to all schedules

Sunday School Ministry morning sessions allow children to experience a short, faith-based lesson while their parents attend Mass. Each session consists of a short lesson, singing time, crafts and snack. Sessions are held during the 8:30 a.m. Mass from late September through May, and are open to children between 36 months and 5 years (not yet in kindergarten).

Sunday school begins introducing of the “Stories of Gods Love Program”. Through this program we will be helping young children learn about God’s love through music, Scripture stories and the stories of their own lives.  Offered in an easy-to-follow, engaging and age-appropriate way, it is sure to inspire young children and lead them along their developing faith journey.

Notes to Parents: Excerpt from “Creating a Faith-Filled Home” from the publishers of Stories of God’s Love:

The preschool child is willing and wanting to learn about all things. … The preschool years is the best time to introduce them to faith images and ideas. God, Jesus, creation, Mary, the saints, prayers, and rituals will interest them equally as much as the rest of their busy world.

As a parent, you desire that your child grow and learn about many things. During these formative years, introducing your child to your faith practices is essential. The memories they are storing up need to include prayer, as well as formal and informal and religious images. We may be tempted to think that these young children won’t understand these things… Certainly they won’t understand everything or grasp the depth of faith. However, they will absorb the high value you place on faith and its practice. What they see you doing and hear you saying has a very high value, since you are the ones who love and care for them unceasingly.

Your value of Jesus as a friend and model for living becomes their value. Home experiences of faith are invaluable. Praying at meals, before bedtime, thanking God for blessings throughout the day and visual images of faith in your home will be stored forever in your child’s memory bank. Becoming a faith-filled family is one of your many responsibilities as a parent. Take it on with enthusiasm and creativity!

The nursery is available during the 8:30 am am Sunday Mass for children from 12 to 36 months of age. In this parent cooperative program parents are encouraged to lend a hand, on a rotating basis, in the operation of the nursery. The nursery is also a volunteer opportunity for any teen, young adult or adult of the parish.

Baptism

Parents, desiring Baptism for their child are asked to call the Faith Formation Office at least six weeks before the birth of, or reception of, their child.  A Baptism Mentor will be assigned to each family who will work with the parents to prepare for the Baptism of their child. Baptisms are celebrated on designated Saturday mornings and on designated Sundays during Mass.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion occurs during a child’s second grade year of school and is coordinated through the parish Faith Formation Office. By contacting the FF office, arrangements for older children to prepare for these sacraments can be made.

First Communion Preparation: The families with children seeking Communion for the first time are, as you know, presently preparing their children within their homes for the sacrament. As stated before please keep these beautiful children and their families in your prayers.  Our support and prayers do make a difference!

 Important Sacramental Dates and Times 2012-13

1st Reconciliation

Parent Meetings (P):
Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 9:45-11 a.m. in the School Library
Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 9:45-11 a.m. in the School Library

Rite of Enrollment (C):
Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 9:45-11 a.m. in McKillip Hall

1st Reconciliation Service (P&C):
Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 10 a.m. in Church

1st Communion & Confirmation Candidates

Shepherd’s Day Retreat (P&C):
Saturday, January 5, 2013 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Lower Level McKillip Hall

1st Communion

Parent Meetings (P):
Sunday, January 27, 2013 after the 8:30 a.m. Mass
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 6:15-7:30 p.m. in the School Library

Buddy Sharing Day
Saturday, February 16, 2013 (other details TBA)

Jesus Day Retreat (P&C):
Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Lower Level McKillip Hall

1st Communion Masses (P&C):
Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m.

KEY: P=Parent  C=Child