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EDUCATION |
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 Baptismal Preparation Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of Christian Initiation, the beginning of a person’s journey of faith. The newly baptized “put on Christ.” They are “born again through water and the Spirit.” Because the celebration of this sacrament is so special, so meaningful, parents who request Baptism for their child attend a preparation workshop. Baptismal Preparation workshops are scheduled once a month on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 until approximately 2:30 PM in the Children’s Chapel. Parishioners who are part of the Baptismal Preparation ministry facilitate the workshop, Baptism 101. They discuss with parents the meaning and history of baptism as it was initiated by Jesus and as it continued in the early Church. Parents learn about the sacrament’s symbols, water, fire, the white garment, oils, and the sign of the cross. They see how beautifully these symbols are incorporated into the celebration of the sacrament and they review the rite of Baptism so that they know what to expect on their little one’s special day. Facilitators also discuss the role of godparents, the role of parents as primary educators of their children in the faith and the many ways in which the parish offers educational support. This ministry provides a wonderful opportunity to welcome children with love into the family of the Church.
Come join the parish’s Bible Study group and feel your hearts burn with excitement and wonder as you explore the depth and meaning of God’s Word. The group meets monthly on a Saturday morning in our parish center library. Join us and together we can open our hearts in a meaningful way to Our Lord's Word.
 Engaged Couples Workshop Working with engaged couples as they prepare for marriage is a real opportunity for sharing. Members of the Engaged Couple Conference Team are able to share some of the blessings received in marriage with those who are preparing for this lifetime commitment. Once known as Pre-Cana, because Jesus worked his first miracle at the wedding feast at Cana, these preparation sessions are now called Engaged Couples conferences. Together with a priest or deacon, volunteer married couples facilitate discussions at each conference on the many facets of married life. Topics include personal growth and adjustment, communication, finances, intimacy and the Sacrament of Matrimony. The couples who share their time and insights so generously do not consider themselves experts, nor do they believe they have perfect marriages. Their goal is to help engaged couples to focus on preparation for the commitment of marriage. One of the true joys of each conference is, the couples tell us, that “we all come away filled with more love for each other.” The West Haven Deanery, made up of the Catholic parishes of Milford and West Haven, conducts the conferences six times each year for couples planning to be married in a Catholic ceremony.
Jesus Loves All the Children is the title of Doris Malota’s beautiful painting in the Children’s Chapel. Through our Mighty Mite Ministry, which meets in that same room from October through early May, Saint Ann’s proclaims that we, too, “love all the children.” Through Mighty Mites, adult volunteers provide our young parishioners, ages 3 through Kindergarten, with a liturgical experience designed just for them. Working in rotating teams, Mighty Mite Ministers welcome the little ones on Sunday mornings during the 9:30 Mass. Using Seeds, the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies program, they help nurture the love of God through a positive church experience. Every session opens with the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father and the Hail Mary and with song. Ministers present the Gospel story of the day in age-appropriate language and follow up with a related activity. Through Mighty Mites little ones learn about God on their own level.
 SALT VOLUNTEER SALT (Saint Ann Learns Together) is our innovative, whole-parish approach to faith formation. Gathered together, like Christ’s earliest followers we share a meal and learn more about God and about our Catholic faith. It is a religious education program for people of all ages. We are all called to continue to learn about our faith, grow in faith and live our faith. Many of our parish religious education programs fall under the SALT umbrella: Baptismal preparation, Intergenerational learning sessions (six per year), Sacramental Program and other special learning programs. SALT learning is centered on liturgical and sacramental events. Materials are provided to encourage learning at home. Perhaps you love to organize, or prepare or serve a meal. Maybe you can help assemble home kits or plan Sacramental Program Receptions. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide as you prayerfully consider sharing your gift all in the service of the parish family!
 SainT Ann Read and RejoiceSTARR, one of the parish’s newest ministries, offers wonderful and varied opportunities for Stewardship. Our adult reading room, STARR encompasses a library, a media center, an internet “cafe” and a resource for faith formation. STARR’s plans also include a reading group which will meet to discuss a selected book. The reading room is located in the Parish Center. If you love the Lord and love to read we invite you to share your time as a STARR steward, helping us to staff and maintain this marvelous parish resource. |
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The Bible Study group invites you to journey to the
center of your faith by reading Scripture, the Word of God. Share
the wonder of the two disciples who traveled with Jesus on the road
to Emmaus. After Jesus had left them they exclaimed, “Were not our
hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and
opened the scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32) 
