Surprise Donut Treat

Every year, our Religious Ed students have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Lenten season. On March 9th, they were also treated to a generous donut donation which made for a delightful paring with their confessions. 

In a beautiful testament to their faith, some students shared that they had chosen to give up treats, like donuts, for Lent this year. It is truly inspiring to witness their commitment to the spirit of sacrifice and reflection during this sacred season. We extend our sincere gratitude to Fr. Sean for taking the time to hear each student’s confession and support them on their faith journey.

Spotlight on our Catechists

This week, we shine the spotlight on our amazing Confirmation Catechists, Ms. Anna and Ms. Mary. Together, they are guiding our students on their faith journey with dedication and enthusiasm.

Ms. Anna brings creativity and energy to the classroom setting up a warm and welcoming environment with candles, student books, and snacks. She has a gift for engaging students with interactive games and thoughtful activities that make learning fun. Ms. Mary enriches the class with meaningful stories and reflections sparking great discussions among students. Her presence adds depth to their learning experience helping them connect their faith to real-life moments.

We are grateful for their time, passion, and commitment to our Confirmation students. Thank you, Ms. Anna and Ms. Mary for all you do!

Spotlight on our Catechists

This week, we are excited to spotlight: Mr. Mike & Ms. Elaine. For over 20 years, they have been a dynamic duo in our Religious Ed program bringing faith to life for our kindergarten students. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and teamwork make them an invaluable part of our catechist team. 

Mr. Mike shares the Word of God with unmatched energy engaging young learners with his passion for teaching. His warmth and welcoming presence, along with the homemade baked goods he generously shares, makes every class a joy for the children. 

Ms. Elaine ensures each lesson is hands-on and memorable preparing creative art projects, coloring sheets, and thoughtful take-home activities. Her commitment goes beyond the classroom as she brings in her own supplies and treats ensuring every child has an enriching experience. 

We are blessed to have Mr. Mike & Ms. Elaine as part of our parish family. Their dedication over the years has touched countless young hearts, and we look forward to many more years of their incredible service. Thank you both for your unwavering commitment to sharing God’s love with our children!

TOWER OF BABEL

Our 5th and 6th grade Religious Ed students explored the story of the Tower of Babel. To bring the lesson to life, they worked together to build their own towers making the learning experience both interactive and meaningful. It was a wonderful way to engage with Scripture in a hands-on way.

Spotlight on our Catechists

This week, we are proud to recognize Ms. Marie, our dedicated 5th, and 6th-grade Catechist. Ms. Marie has faithfully served our church for many years, bringing her incredible knowledge and boundless creativity to every class. Her passion for teaching shines through as she crafts engaging Bible skits, allowing students to act out stories and deepen their understanding of Jesus in a fun and memorable way.

Thank you, Ms. Marie, for your unwavering commitment to nurturing the faith and curiosity of our young minds. We are truly blessed to have you as part of our Religious Education team!

CONFIRMATION RETREAT

Our 9 Confirmation students attended their retreat on February 22nd at St. Ann’s Church joining candidates from St. Ann’s Parish and Our Lady of Lourdes. It was a meaningful day filled with spiritual growth, reflection, and fellowship. The students participated in engaging activities centered on the Fruits of the Spirits, Acts of Service, and more.

We were blessed to receive a generous donation of a delicious KFC meal for lunch. 

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Fr. Sean for joining us to hear confessions. His presence was a true blessing to our students. St. Ann’s warmly welcomed us for Mass where nearly all of our students took an active role by serving, reading, or presenting the gifts. 

It was a beautiful way to conclude an inspiring retreat. We are deeply grateful to St. Ann’s for their hospitality and for making this experience so special for all who attended

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Spotlight on our Catechists

This week, we are proud to recognize Ms. Marie, our dedicated 5th, and 6th-grade Catechist. Ms. Marie has faithfully served our church for many years, bringing her incredible knowledge and boundless creativity to every class. Her passion for teaching shines through as she crafts engaging Bible skits, allowing students to act out stories and deepen their understanding of Jesus in a fun and memorable way.

Thank you, Ms. Marie, for your unwavering commitment to nurturing the faith and curiosity of our young minds. We are truly blessed to have you as part of our Religious Education team!

Confirmation Students

Our Confirmation students are always engaged and full of energy! Ms. Gabby recently met with the group to discuss their participation in Mass during the upcoming Confirmation Retreat this month.

This year, we are introducing a new event ~ Breakfast of Blessings. It will take place in March and will include both our Confirmation students and their sponsors.

As part of the planning process, students were asked to share their favorite breakfast foods. Their responses reflected a variety of tastes, with requests ranging from steak and eggs to a chocolate fountain for strawberries. While we may not be able to accommodate every request, we are committed to providing a special and meaningful breakfast to celebrate this wonderful group of students and their sponsors. This is an exceptional class, and we look forward to honoring them with a meal that reflects our appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

Spotlight on our Catechists

This week, we are pleased to recognize our 3rd and 4th Grade Catechists: Ms. Sarah and Ms. Trisha. Together, they form a dynamic team, bringing creativity, enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to their student’s faith formation.

Ms. Sarah enhances each lesson with thoughtfully prepared homemade treats that beautifully connect to the week’s teachings creating a meaningful and enjoyable experience for the children. Ms. Trisha compliments this with engaging activities including well-crafted scavenger hunts and interactive games, fostering both learning and excitement. Their dedication and unique talents make a significant impact helping students grow in their understanding of our faith and their relationship with our Lord and Savior.

We are truly grateful for Ms. Sarah and Ms. Trisha’s contributions to our Religious Education program. Thank you for your passion and devotion to teaching the next generation of disciples.

Kindergarten Class

 Our Kindergarten class is always engaged in hands-on learning. They took a special field trip to the Sanctuary where they explored their sense of smell in a unique way. Students were invited to observe the scents of Holy Water and the sacred oils used by Fr. Sean during church services. 

Through this activity, they discovered that while Holy Water has no scent, the oils carry a distinct fragrance. It was a fun and memorable way to engage their senses while learning about the sacred elements of our faith.

Second Grade RE Students

Our 2nd-grade Religious Education class had a wonderful time combining fun and learning this week. They played Hangman using a prayer they are memorizing and wrote heartfelt “Thank you” cards to our church secretary in appreciation of her generous snack donation. We are grateful for her kindness. We are blessed with the opportunity to make learning engaging for our students.

Third and Fourth Grade RE Students

Our 3rd & 4th grade Religious Ed class engaged in a hands-on learning experience by creating stained glass window designs. This creative activity spanned the entire class period and provided an enriching opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of three key topics: 

• The Sacraments, 
• The Teachings of the Church, and 
• The Roles of Bishops and Priests. It was a meaningful and engaging way to connect faith with art.

Fifth and Sixth Grade RE Students

Our 5th & 6th grade students arrived eager to learn this week. As part of their ongoing study of the Saints, they explored the life and legacy of St. John Bosco whose feast day is celebrated on January 31st. Through this discussion, students gained a deeper appreciation for his contributions to 

education and youth ministry.

Seventh Grade RE Students

During Religious Ed, our 7th graders gathered in the Sanctuary to pray the Rosary. As part of their lesson on Praying Communion with Mary, this experience provided a meaningful way to deepen their understanding of prayer and devotion. 

What a beautiful way to incorporate the Rosary into their faith Journey! 

Kindergarten Explores the 5 Senses with God

Our Kindergarten class is continuing their journey through the 5 senses with God.  This past Sunday, they explored the sense of taste with a fun and delicious activity.  

Judging by the number of treats they  enjoyed, we’re guessing a few skipped lunch that day!  It’s wonderful to see their excitement as they learn about God’s gifts in such creative ways. 

Welcome to our New Students

This past Sunday, we were blessed to welcome a new student into our First Holy Communion class.  It is always a joy to see our Religious Education program grow and to share in the journey of faith with our  students.  Please keep these young learners in your
prayers as they prepare for this sacrament. 

Celebrating First Penance

From our fun-filled First Penance Retreat to the special day of making the Sacrament, it has been an exciting journey for our students. During the retreat, the children explored the Parable of the Lost Sheep through a creative and engaging escape room that led them to the church

confessional. They also enjoyed making meaningful crafts and sharing a snack with every activity reinforcing lessons about sin and forgiveness.

A heartfelt thank you to Fr. Sean for dedicating his Saturday morning to hear confessions, making it possible for our students to receive this beautiful Sacrament. We are also deeplygrateful  to the parents for their unwavering support and commitment to their children’s faith journey. Your presence and guidance are a true blessing.

A Wonderful Gift From God

On January 12th, God worked in wonderful ways by bringing our entire 7th-grade class together for the first time in a while!

What a joyful and inspiring gift the Lord has given us. Let us continue to celebrate the blessings of unity and faith in our Religious Education program.