Religious Formation

Adult Faith Formation Team Back
Contact: Ann Finley 261-1077 x208

The Adult Faith Formation Team gathers the needs of the parishioners and plans a variety of
learning experiences that would address current questions and provide challenges to grow in
knowledge and love of God as contemporary disciples of Jesus. Scripture, faith, spirituality,
prayer and how to live the Gospel values of Christ are some of the topics that are addressed.

Commitment: Approximately six meetings held on Saturday mornings.

Baptism Team Back
Contact: Kathy Raniere 368-1133

The Baptism Team is a ministry of hospitality where we welcome, share our faith, and assist
the parents in the preparation of their baby's Baptism. There are varied aspects of member-
ship on the Team. You are always invited to attend the monthly meetings that take place on
Tuesday evenings. During these meetings we share prayer and grow in a deeper understanding
of the treasure of the Sacrament of Baptism. Team members volunteer their time and talent
in assisting with the Sacramental celebration held on certain Sunday afternoons and offer to
attend a preparation meeting with the parents where they act as leaders of prayer, greeters
and share information regarding the Christening of their child. Each team member arranges
these dates so that it is always a convenient time. If you are the parent of little ones and find
it difficult to attend meetings but would be interested in assisting at the Sunday afternoon
celebrations of Baptism, that is fine. Your participation is always welcomed!
The Baptism Team is a rewarding ministry. Parents look to other parents to support them on
their journey of faith with their children. You are a beacon of Christ's light for them! Many of
them are new in our parish and a smile and friendly conversation can help them feel more a
part of our faith community.

Commitment: Monthly team meetings (Tuesday evenings), Monday evening of Baptism
Preparation with the couples (on a rotating basis, approximately 3 times per year) and some
Sunday afternoons at the Celebration of Baptism.

Catholics Returning Home
Contact: Ann Finley (261-1077 x. 208)
Catholics Returning Home is an experience of faith sharing where Catholics
who have been away from the church join a group of parishioners who wish
to share and explore their faith with them. The program is aimed at helping
Catholics return to the Church. The program uses a nonjudgmental approach
that is designed to recognize the feelings of each participant and to help them
understand they are not alone.

Team Commitment: Training session and becoming part of the Catholics
Returning Home community when needed.

Evangelization Team Back
Contact: Austin M. Finley, Sr 261-6576
Team members take an in depth look at Evangelization in the Church. They formulate ways
that St. Anthony's can become a more evangelizing parish.

Commitment: Monthly meetings about 1 1/2 hours. These meetings include prayer,
education history, development of Evangelization, and goals the team creates that they wish to
work toward. More members are welcome!

The Men's Group:
Contact: Austin M. Finley, Sr. (261-6576)
The mission of The Men's Group
(Men Exploring Natural Spirituality) is to explore
questions, share spirituality and reflect on how
to grow as Christian men on our life journey
together in a faith community. We hope to expe-
rience peace while gaining insight to strengthen
our values and relationships.

Commitment: Meetings are held on the third
Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm for an hour
and a half.

MOMS: Developing a Ministry Back
Contact: Lyn Quinn 261-0952

Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) is a gentle program of self-awareness and awakening to
the spirituality of motherhood which brings about a sense of belonging, hospitality, faith
sharing, and genuine community. It is an eight-week experience for mothers to come together

once a week for an hour and a half to share their stories, and bond by gaining insight into
their current experiences. Through the process of personal and spiritual growth, women
have the opportunity to clarify their values, claim their giftedness, and bring these new
strengths to their family relationships and to the Christian community. "Moms" is offered in
the spring and fall.

Pre-Cana Back
Contact: Alabelle & John Pilkington (368-8596)

A six week marriage preparation program is offered for engaged couples. Pre-Cana is con-
ducted in the fall (October - November) and winter (February-March). Large group opening
and closing. Four small (4-6 engaged couples) group in-home sessions covering communi-
cations, conscience formation, sexuality and spirituality Also needed "Hospitality" couple or
person to setup for the large group opening and closing. As well as, an "Administrative"
couple or person to coordinate the arranging of the small in-home groups.

Commitment: Two hours each evening of the six sessions. Twice a year: October - November
and February-March. First two Pre-Cana sessions would be "OTJ" with an experienced married
couple followed by Diocesan training from 15 to 60 hours depending on experience.\

RCIA Back Web Site
Contact: Judy Corbellini (261-1306 x225)

Those who are interested in becoming Catholic or in completing their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) meet weekly for formation, information, and prayer. The process is begun when the person first contacts us. Sacraments are received at the Easter Vigil. Gatherings continue through Pentecost - usually early June. A follow-up
process is available.

Commitment: For those who would be sponsors the time commitment is an hour and a quarter on Wednesday nights. Some Sunday liturgies when the Rites are celebrated are also necessary. Most important is an openness to "walk the journey" along with a catechumen or candidate, our model being the disciples on the road to Emmaus walking with Jesus.

Religious Education Back
Contact: Eileen Schlee (261-1306 x227) or Patricia Seibert (261-1306 x266)

Various programs are available: Pflaum Gospel Weekly Program is offered in Trinity Regional School on Saturday at 9 AM -10 Am and 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM or on Tuesday 4: 30 PM - 5: 30 PM. The Confirmation Preparation Program is offered weekly at both Saturday sessions or on Wednesday at 4:30PM - 5:30PM. Catechists who share their time are essential in all programs to share
faith and facilitate class sessions within the guidelines of the grade level curriculum. Monthly
catechist meetings are provided for assistance and ongoing support to catechists.

Religious Education Family Programs Back
Contact: Judy Corbellini (261-1306 x225)

Penance and Eucharist Preparation, Levels 1 and 2.

Children prepare to receive these two
sacraments over two years. Parents or guardians participate with their own child thus updat-
ing their own sacramental understanding.

Family Program -

Third through Sixth Grade.
Families with children in these grades may come together for an enrichment experience
independent of any specific grade. Parents or guardians act as catechist in their own home
being responsible for weekly lessons.

Commitment: For Family Programs, a greeter family who can direct sign-in and handouts
from one half hour before through the end of the program is helpful from among the
participating families. Penance and Eucharist class is Saturday morning. Family Program 3-6
is Thursday night. For the Thursday group, facilitators are also needed for a 15 minute
lesson review which is in groups of about 12 children on a specific grade level. These facili-
tators are usually from among the participating parents. There are three Family programs a
month. There are two Level 1 and two Level 2 groups on different Saturday mornings.

Scripture Study Back
Contact: Ann Finley 261-1077 x 208

This program involves: study, prayer, and sharing. It is informational as well as experiential,
encouraging people to recognize how God is active in their present circumstances. This
Scripture study encourages active engagement of God's word to our lives.
Commitment: 6 weeks of weekly meetings, lasting 1 1/2 hours each. The daily preparation
for the study is about 1/2 hour. Volunteers are needed to be trained as facilitators.

Small Christian Communities Back

Contact: Lorraine Rieth (261-2681)

These groups provide an opportunity to gather with other parishioners in a Small Christian
community. The Scriptures for the Sunday Liturgy are read and members of the group share what the word of God is saying to them. It provides a prayerful preparation for the coming Sunday Mass. Our Parish provides various opportunities of deepening out faith and prayer life within the context of a Small Christian Community. Some groups meet weekly during the season of Advent and Lent. Some groups have decided to meet once a month (Praying Alone and Together). Other groups meet from September through June.

"We gather to slow down, to notice our lives, to become more deeply connected with the presence of God in our daily lives, to be more related to one another as people of faith. John Paul II regards small church communities as "true expression of ecclesial communion and the center of evangelization" (Christifideles, n.26)."

Vacation Bible School Back
Contact: Patricia Seibert (261-1306 x226)

One week each summer we have a Bible School for children (5-10 yrs. old) 9:30 AM -12:30PM.
Commitment: In addition to the commitment for the week, we are always looking for individ-
uals with imagination and love for children (both as teachers and aides). Teens are always
welcome! We meet three times prior to the Vacation Bible School; each meeting is one hour.
We end the week with an evaluation meeting: Besides meeting to brainstorm and plan, part
of our time is spent praying for the children/families who take part in this activity.

Youth Ministry Back
Contact: Joe Chiovarelli (261-1077 x)209

Our Youth Ministry team strives to accomplish three goals: a) to empower our youth to live
as followers of Christ; b) to draw our youth to responsible participation in the faith commu-
nity's life, mission and work; and c) to foster the youth's personal and spiritual growth. Open
to teens in Grades 7-12.

Commitment: Assisting Youth Minister with administrative duties, transportation and
chaperoning.