What’s Happening with Saint Anne Faith Formation?
This past year has been challenging for everyone, especially so for parents trying to manage remote learning with young children. Focusing on three key areas, we provided resources and support to help families hand down our faith to the next generation.
Grow –
We all need to continue to grow in our faith regardless of our age or life stage. For our children especially, they mimic their parents. Partnering with parents empowered them to be their children’s primary faith formers and role models.
Partner –
In partnership with families, we provide resources and support to help children learn to follow Jesus, providing a firm foundation to guide them throughout their lives.
Imagine –
In reimaging how faith formation is provided, we offered families flexibility, resources, independence, and support. Children in early grades were largely kept off technology with formation coming from parents and physical resources such as books and worksheets. Middle school youth have a strong need to be with peers. While Zoom was employed to provide a group setting, all session plans were reworked to make activities Zoom-friendly.
So how did it work out?
For example, last fall we provided a virtual First Eucharist retreat for families with children preparing to receive this sacrament. It was magical!
The children were all very well prepared and excited, and the connection within their families was so rich.
For the younger children, many, many parents have expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to have this faith-sharing opportunity with their children. For some it has been difficult with all of life’s demands during this time. All were offered support, understanding, and flexibility as we navigate these uncharted waters together.
For middle school, our Journey leaders have truly led with their hearts in spending time with these youth each week and helping them see how faith sustains us amidst the consequences of a pandemic.
What’s next?
The best elements from this year will be carried forward while we pray that by fall we can include in-person events and service opportunities for families and youth.
Faith Formation registration for 2021-22 will be available soon.
Please watch the bulletin and your email for further information.
Wishing you and your loved ones abundant blessings this Easter season!
For information or questions, please contact:
Mary Jane Kurowski, Director of Lifelong Faith Formation
mjkurowski@stannebarrington.org