January 8th we covered the Blessed Trinity.  Pat Vanderpool covered the classic icon “Trinity” by Andrei Rublev and how it reveals the unity of persons in one God.  The upper grades got into a discussion of the Father as architect; Jesus as the Logos, which comes from logic, and how Jesus is the Father’s Word of Himself.  The younger grades used a banana to show three aspects of the banana while still one banana. We got together as a class and covered Trinity as metaphor; including a computer, a mouse and a hard drive as a metaphor for the Trinity.  Parents will continue to use the 19 page guide including the art-icons which are available at https://stannaugusta.org/family-resources

December 4 we talked about the Incarnation of Jesus.  Bobby Kinkela talked about Jesus being a gift to humanity.  Extra tip- ask your children about the greatest most valuable wrapped gift is under your tree... then make sure a nativity with the Christ child is there!  Drive the point home. Myriam Lerma-Troncoso gave a talk about Our Lady of Gaudalupe (Dec 12) including the multiple churches build and the scientific analysis of the miraculous image on the tilma for which science fails us and faith explains all.  Her powerpoint can be viewed here.
You can get a digital copy of the 24 page guide for families here

November 13th was our first trial run of Whole Family Catechesis on the topic of the importance of the Liturgical Year.  Families were given guides this week to teach their own children the faith at home; and catechists will call/meet with them as mentors to ensure they feel confident being their children's first catechists.  Catechists taught about advent (with glitter:) Pat Vanderpool led a discussion on the liturgical year. At the end of the night, we started a well attended novena for Father Marott.  You can get a digital copy of the 15 page guide for families here

We had lots of books and internet resources from our Catholic Resource Bootcamp on November 6th.  Steve Goffeney was selling books from Newman ( Steve Goffney sold plenty of  books, but at Newman Bookshoppe he still has some Meal Boxes, which are great conversation starters which children love), Tom Zavitz presented an overview of the Bible; Pat Vanderpool covered different catechism; Bobby Kinkela highlighted the parish library as a resource and how to watch episodes on Formed.  Our online resources are at https://stannaugusta.org/ under “LEARN.”  You can read Mrs. Pat Vanderpool’s handout out here : https://stannaugusta.org/family-resources

Pat Vanderpool talked to parents about the Saints as examples of faith and a possibility for each of us.  Students acted out a play about St. Tarcisius, a martyr from the 3rd century Rome who died while shielding the Holy Eucharist in his clothes.  Mrs. Crandell presented a powerpoint about the wide variety of Saints (saints younger than 25, saints with an interesting conversion story, saints with the stigmata, etc.)  You can read Mrs. Crandell’s powerpoint: https://stannaugusta.org/family-resources

Father led a talk to parents on Charity, specifically the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and what the saints have said about charity.  Students talked about the corporal works of mercy, by having Dr. Kinkela bury them! Then students rejoined the parents Mrs. Troncoso gave more examples of charity.  You can listen to Father’s talk: https://stannaugusta.org/family-resources

Father led a talk to parents on Prayer and the importance of having a regular habit of prayer.  Students talked about the the importance of praying with the saints and formed the correct prayer cards.   Finally Brendan Barnes taught us how to do mental prayer as a family so we can continue to form our own prayers to God at home.  You can read Father’s handout about Prayer https://stannaugusta.org/family-resources

Father led a talk to parents on Scripture, specifically how to pray with Scripture through Lectio Divina.  Then students rejoined the parents and they discussed how many books, especially children's books, have been influenced by Scripture.  Finally Mindy Kulasa had the whole family practice Lectio Divina as a family.   You can listen to Father’s talk and read his Lectio Divina powerpoint at https://stannaugusta.org/family-resources

Whole Family Catechesis Nights 1 & 2 September 2019

Thank you all for the first two nights of Whole Family Catechesis here at St Anns!  In September we kicked off our Whole Family religious education program with introductions and prayer the first night.  The catechists talked about how Jesus invited people, and Matthew responded by inviting Jesus to his table, as we all invite each other to the table of Jesus.   The second night we played a game “A place at the table” to get used to talking to our family members about our faith. We also have talks the first two nights available from Fr. Marotti “Family Teaching through Prayer” and Fr. Haro “The Family as a School of Virtue” at https://stannaugusta.org/family-resources