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St. Anne Catholic Church

 Forms

 St. Anne Catholic School

 
St. Anne Catholic Church
 
GIFT
Growing In Faith Together

 

 

G.I.F.T.

NOT your typical religious education

 

  

 

 

All ages learning, growing, and living in faith through common experiences, age-specific learning, and interactive sharing.

Our Religious Education for the whole parish will focus on the Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) program and the GIFT Gatherings. The GIFT gatherings will change the focus of our religious education efforts from children to adults and families. The GIFT gatherings will be for families, singles, youth, and the elderly (in other words for everybody). Parts of the gatherings such as meals and prayer will be done together, while people will divide up into groups according to age or interest for other parts.

Our 7 GIFT Gatherings will be on Jesus' deepest passion-taking care of the poor and marginalized in our society. Jesus passed the mission of caring for the most vulnerable to his followers when he told them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (Matt. 25:40) And the world's bishops, meeting in 1971 in synod, declared that "Social justice ranks with the celebration of the sacraments and the preaching of the word as a ministry in the Church." (Justice in the World) Justice is an essential part of who we are as disciples of Jesus.

 

What is a GIFT Gathering?

 

1.  WE ALL EAT TOGETHER!
 
  No potluck, no cooking, serving or cleaning up.  Just come, eat, and enjoy!
 
  2. OPENING: ALL AGES EXPERIENCE
 
  Introduction to the topic to be learned to all ages using prayer, film story, activity, etc.
 
3.  EVERYONE PARTICIPATES IN AGE-SPECIFIC LEARNING ACTIVITIES
 
Sometimes we learn all together  
OR
Sometimes we split into different groups to learn about the same topic
according to our stage in life:  Families with young Children, Adolescents, Adults
 
 
4. WHOLE GROUP SHARING EXPERIENCE
 
The different age groups come together to share what they have learned and receive Home Kits to continue to live what they have learned.
 
 
            CELEBRATION
 
Celebration occurs in the future, after the Gathering event as all generations engage in a more meaningful participation in church liturgies and events.  They continue to reflect and apply the significance and meaning of these events  in their daily lives as Catholics.
 

2007-2008 GIFT Gatherings

September 12 & 16 Called to Serve

October 10 & 14 Rights and Responsibilities

November 7 & 11 Option for the Poor

January 16 & 20 Dignity of Human Life

February 13 & 17 Solidarity

March 5 & 9 God's Creation

April 16 & 20 Peace

The GIFT Gatherings are a 1 day class that last 3 hours.
The Wednesday classes are from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
The Sunday classes are from 2:00 - 5:00 PM
 

 

Does this include ME?

Yes, GIFT is for all ages including:

Singles

Couples

Middle Schoolers

College Students

Teenagers

Kids

Moms and Dads

Single Parents

Grandmas and Grandpas

Students

Empty Nesters

Divorced People

Newcomers

Families

Non-Catholics

Retired People

In other words

All St. Anne Parishioners

    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What happens if I want to change to a session other than the one I’m registered for?

No problem!  Just let us know 2 weeks in advance so we can arrange for supplies, food facilitators, etc.

May I attend if I don’t have children or if I am single?

YES!  Each GIFT Gathering  will include sessions for adults who have older children or who have no children or who are single.

What is a “home kit”?

A “home kit” is a packet of materials for each household to take home and use to supplement their learning from the time of the Gathering  to the actual event.

Is the price of food included in my registration fee?

No.  At each Festival there will be a free will offering to help cover the cost of the food.

How can I help?

There are many different roles for volunteers...You can help facilitate a small learning group, help prepare/serve food, help assemble the home kits, etc.

For questions or more information call:

St. Anne Office:  (316) 522-2383 
 

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(Register online)