catholic community -...

PATHS CONFIR M ATION PROGR A M

Saint AnneCatholic Community

2017-2018

Meet the

staff...

Archbishop Blase J. Cupich

Archdiocese of Chicago

Father Bernie PietrzakPastor of Saint Anne Catholic Community

Michael HugoDirector of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Karen PoglitschYouth and Young Adult

Ministry Assistant

Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the

Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a

more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit—his actions, his

gifts and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming

the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis

for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging

to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the

parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the

preparation of confirmands.

– Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1309

Prayer for GenerosityLord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not to ask for any reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will.

– St. Ignatius of Loyola

October 23, 1491 – July 31, 1556

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Requirements for AcceptanceTo begin St. Anne’s confirmation program, each candidate must meet the following criteria:

Is a registered parishioner of St. AnneThe student’s family must be registered parishioners of the parish, if not when they begin the program, certainly before they are confirmed by the bishop.

Must be at least a freshman in high school Students can also begin the 2 year program in their sophomore or junior year of high school.

Table of ContentsPATHS Calendar for 2017-2018 ..........................................................................................1

Welcome to Saint Anne Confirmation Process ...................................................................2

The Philosophical and Theological Foundation of the Paths High School Confirmation Program: Community, Conversion, Catechesis, Compassion, Christ-Consciousness ...................................................................................3

Educational Expectations for Paths Confirmation Candidates ...........................................6

Educational Expectations for Catholic High School Candidates ........................................8

The Small Home Group Format Information for Parents, Candidates and catechists .......................................................9

Daily Examen of Consciousness Based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius ..........................................................10

Saint Theme of the PATHS Program ..................................................................................11

Community Service Hours The Why and How of community service .......................................................................13

Year 1 Expectations Gifts of the Holy Spirit Essay: Due by December 3, 2017 .................................................15 Confirmation Sponsor Selection: Due by December 3, 2017 ...........................................17 My Personal Creed Essay: Due by March 4, 2018 ............................................................18

Year 2 Expectations My Saint Essay: Due by December 3, 2017 ......................................................................20 Confirmation Name Selection: Due by December 3, 2017 ..............................................22 Community Service Essay: Due by March 4, 2018 ...........................................................23 Letter to Fr. Bernie: Due by March 4, 2018 ......................................................................24 Spiritus Retreat: Date selection begins the end of November ........................................24 Communal Reconciliation ..............................................................................................24 Confirmation Interview: Date selection begins mid March ...........................................25 Community Service Hour Suggestions ............................................................................26

Youth Ministry Opportunities ..........................................................................................29

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Event Date NotesCatechist Meeting (Teachers Only) 9/7/17 Hospitality Room 7:00 - 9:00PM

1st Year PATHS Candidate, Parent 9/10/17 Parish Center Gym

and Catechist Orientation. Mandatory 6:30 - 7:45PM

2nd Year PATHS Mass of 9/17/17 5:15 Mass – followed by

Candidacy followed by meeting in Parish Center Gym

Large Group until 7:45PM

1st Year PATHS Large Group 9/24/17 Parish Center Gym 6:30 - 7:45PM

2nd Year home group session (1) 9/24 - 9/30/17 Location/Time TBD per group

1st Year home group session (1) 10/1 - 10/7/17 Location/Time TBD per group




1st & 2nd Year Large Group 10/29/17 Parish Center Gym 6:30 - 7:45PM





1st & 2nd Year Large Group 12/3/17 Parish Center Gym 6:30 - 7:45PM

Essays, assignments DUE DATE 12/3/17 Submit online & also to your catechistsCatechist Meeting (Teachers Only) 1/10/18 Hospitality Room 7:00 - 9:00PM

Spiritus Retreat 2nd Year 1/21/18 Jesuit Retreat House

8:30AM - 8:30PM (attend one) Barrington Hills


1st & 2nd Year home group session (6) 1/28/18 - 2/3/18 Location/Time TBD per group

Spiritus Retreat 2nd Year 2/11/18 Jesuit Retreat House

8:30AM - 8:30PM (attend one) Barrington Hills

1st & 2nd Year home group session (7) 2/25 - 3/3/18 Location/Time TBD per group

1st & 2nd Year home group session (8) 3/4 - 3/10/18 Location/Time TBD per group

Essays, assignments DUE DATE 3/4/18 Submit online & also to your catechists1st & 2nd Year Large Group 3/11/18 Parish Center Gym 6:30 - 7:45PM

2nd Year Group Reconciliation 3/17/18 Main Church

Confirmation Interviews 2nd Year 4/4, 4/5, 4/7, & 4/9/18 Time selection will take place mid March

Confirmation Rehearsal 4/20/18 6:15 - 7:15PM or 7:30 - 8:30PM

Confirmation 4/21/18 10:00AM or 1:30PM Mass time selection will take place the end of January

Important Dates for 2017-2018

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Welcome to Saint Anne’s Confirmation Process

Thank you for taking the time to consider your full initiation into the Roman Catholic Church. We believe that you are a significant part of our community and have been given special gifts by God for the benefit of our Church community.

We hope the time that you experience with others within our preparation process will help to nurture and support you in your faith. Confirmation is the final leg of the tripod of your initiation into the Catholic Church. The first two legs are the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. These three are the sacraments of initiation. Confirmation is an important step for you in your faith journey. Committing yourself to our Christian Catholic community comes with much responsibility. Through the nurturing of a faithful community, including your parents and relatives, we hope that you also see the value of this commitment. We pray that you enter into the process openly and freely. Be assured of the support of all the members of the Saint Anne Community that includes our pastor, associate pastors, our professional staff and all of Saint Anne parishioners.

The true meaning of Confirmation emphasizes the desire of the Candidate to freely and without coercion enter into and make a commitment of the activity of the Christian community. The challenge for us today is to make this an authentic experience for the willing Candidate. What confronts us is our strong cultural instinct to simply “get confirmed” without showing any signs of spiritual maturity or being involved in the Christian community wither prior to the reception of the sacrament or any sincere desire to be involved in the community once one is confirmed. Any baptized member can fully participate in the life of the Catholic community. No one gets “left back” for not having celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. Therefore, the Sacrament of Confirmation does what it is meant to do—to let the Saint Anne community know that this candidate is serious about his/her commitment to the Catholic faith. This marks the beginning of a journey toward a deeper knowledge of God.

To have a successful and meaningful Confirmation process, a candidate would already be showing signs of their interest, desire and readiness in being confirmed through the following ways:

• Signs of trying to live a life according to that modeled by Jesus

• Regular attendance at Mass

• Involvement in the life of their Church community

• A life of prayer

• Knowledge of our fundamental Catholic teachings

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The Philosophical and Theological Foundation of the PATHS High School Confirmation Program

Community, Conversion, Catechesis, Compassion, Christ-Consciousness

Confirmation is the final of the three sacraments of initiation. The person’s entry into the Catholic community is through Baptism, in which the life of sanctifying grace enters the soul. This grace is the very life of God, the seed of God’s love that, if nourished by love

over the course of one’s life, will bring the person into final unity with God, and those God loves forever. The second sacrament of Initiation is the Eucharist, the meal of remembrance of Jesus’s last day on earth in which he imparted his very life into bread and wine to nourish that baptismal life in those that follow him. “The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live forever.”

In the sacrament of Confirmation one moves through the final of the three gates into full adult membership in the Catholic community of believers. Throughout the history of the Church, this sacrament has been celebrated at a variety of places in a person’s life cycle—from immediately after infant baptism all the way up to adulthood. Saint Anne has chosen to position Confirmation during a person’s high school years, specifically sophomore year. The reason for this is simple. A sophomore in high school, more than a younger person, is better able to make a decision about whether he/she is willing to fully embrace the call of Jesus to become a disciple.

Guiding principles for the PATHS program are captured in the words: Catechesis, Community, Conversion, Compassion and Christ-Consciousness. Let’s talk about the place of each of these in the life of the Saint Anne Confirmation candidate.

Catechesis concerns itself with the imparting of knowledge of the Catholic faith to the candidates, best expressed in the words of John Paul II: “Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life.” The word literally means “oral instruction”. PATHS’ catechesis is taught by lay and religious members of the Saint Anne community.

Candidatess meet on the campus of Saint Anne for major presentations held 4 times throughout the year in the Parish Center gym. There is a two year cycle of presentations in which both 1st and 2nd year candidates attend three of the four sessions together. The first session for the 1st year candidates is a dramatic presentation on the life of Jesus. The first session for the 2nd year candidates will follow the 5:15 Sunday Mass of Candidacy and will focus upon this final year of preparation. The remaining themes embrace the full continuum of Christian life offered in a way that ties into the adolescent experience. Each of these large group presentations is followed by two small classes of 10-12 candidates that meet in a catechist’s home. To supplement this confirmation specific program are our Community Events held throughout the year. We

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encourage parents and their children to attend these as they can and when topics catch their attention.

Our parish calls itself the “Saint Anne Catholic Community” which is all that needs to be said about the second element of the PATHS program. Community means that we are all in this “Catholic thing” together. We worship, pray, work and learn together. The hope is that candidates do not see this third sacrament of initiation as a sacrament of “exit” from the community until they need it again, but an “entrance” into the fullest participation in the community in the remainder of their high school years and beyond. There are a variety of liturgical and community events our high school students can be involved with and attend. There is a youth ministry program that fosters ongoing growth through retreats and peer ministry. Being part of community means that we both receive and give—teens need to learn about how to be generous in their giving back to others.

Compassion has been said to be the word that best describes our Trinitarian God. The Psalms attest to the compassion of God in so many of their verses, such as in Psalm 102, “The Lord is merciful and full of compassion.” Compassion means “to suffer with” but even more than that. It means a person wants to relieve the suffering of another. Our candidates, in order to fully understand the Christian calling, must be willing to “lose oneself” as Jesus demands and serve others. “The greatest one among you is the one who serves the rest” (Matthew 20); and “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.” (Matthew 25) A major component of the candidate’s preparation is to choose to be involved in service hours and minister to other people. Ideally this is a ministry that takes them outside their comfort zone, to work with people whose abilities, economic means and physical abilities are different than those who serve them. This service has manifold ways to be done—individually or in a group. The summer service trips offered at Saint Anne to Chicago, Kentucky or West Virginia capture student’s zeal for compassion and service. Upon completing the service hours, a reflection will submitted and become part of the candidate’s Confirmation portfolio.

At the very core of the Christian kerygma, the proclamation of religious truth is the call to conversion, to learn to see the world as God sees the world, as Jesus saw the world when he walked the earth. The Ash Wednesday rite of putting ashes on the faithfull’s forehead is announced with these words, “Repent and believe the Good News.” Repent means to be sorry for how one has failed to see the world and act in it as God would have us; but it contains a second important act—to change one’s ways. Our candidates must learn the great truth of their faith—“To love God with one’s entire heart, soul and mind and one’s neighbor as oneself.” This can only be accomplished by conversion, and conversion can only be accomplished by God’s grace sought through persistent prayer and the reception of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Hopefully throughout the course of the program, with the steady influence of catechesis, discussion, speakers, Mass and prayer the candidate will find him/herself turning more and more to God. Another aid in this process is the Spiritus retreat which is offered in the second semester of the second year of the program. It provides a more intensive immersion in catechesis, conversion and community. It is a peer and adult led retreat that offers witness talks that penetrate deeply into the candidates that listen to these talks of witness and conversion.

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A final and less tangible aspect of the PATHS program is Christ-consciousness. If the first four facets spoken of above are fully operational what begins to occur is that the candidate begins to see, feel, taste, smell and hear the world differently than he/she did before. The hope is that one’s consciousness of a loving, caring, merciful God will slowly envelope the candidate and, as St. Ignatius of Loyola said, one will “find God in all things”. A Christ- consciousness senses the world differently, a concept woven throughout the sayings of Jesus: “The first shall be last and the last first”, “The greatest one is the one who serves others”, “Blessed are the poor, woe to you rich”, and so forth. Thus being a Christian is not reserved solely for Sunday morning Mass; but an attitude that is pervasive throughout one’s entire week—24/7 as is said. Every place and every time becomes a way of encountering God. One’s consciousness therefore doesn’t separate sacred and profane, but as St. Paul said, “”Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the honor and glory of God.”

These are the guiding principles of the PATHS confirmation program. They are touchstones of a process that intends to prepare Saint Anne’s young people for this most important sacrament of initiation. Prior to the rite itself, each candidate will be interviewed by a member of the Saint Anne community. During this interview the candidates’ experience of confirmation preparation will be reviewed through the lens of these five “C’s” as well as through the assignments that will be required over the two years.

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Educational Expectations for Paths Confirmation Candidates

The program consists of 4 large group sessions per school year that are held in the Parish Center gym on Sunday evenings. (Plus the initial first year gathering to welcome candidates). These large group sessions consist of a combination of speakers, music

and video. There are also 8 small group sessions per school year which are lead by catechists in their homes.

• The expectation is for candidates to attend all of the large and small group sessions. If there are extenuating circumstances which would result in an absence contact your catechist prior to the start of the missed session. Please be on time for all sessions as they are relatively short in duration. If a candidate has a significant number of absences we reserve the right to delay Confirmation to another year.

• When a large group session is missed your catechist will give you a short assignment to have you reflect on the material which was covered at the session. When a small group session is missed you will be expected to read the material covered for that day and any written journaling or reflections. Your catechist will collect all homework assignments. Please make sure they are completed in a timely basis.

• The small group sessions will focus upon both the large presentation in the parish center gym, material from* Decision Point (Matthew Kelly), other selected materials and short readings of holy men and women—saints, prophets and witnesses. There will be an expectation for you to read short passages before each session so as to be able to discuss the material. Please do these readings since they are important for small group discussion.

• Both 1st and 2nd year candidates have requirements which will become part of their Confirmation Portfolio. The Portfolio will be used at their Confirmation interview.

– Write 4 essays over the course of 2 years. (See pages 15-23 of this booklet.) As with your assignments at school, the expectation is that these are done thoughtfully on a word processor and turned in on time.

– Choose an appropriate Sponsor and Confirmation name. (See pages 17, 22 of this booklet.)

• In addition 2nd year candidates are required to complete the following:

– Attend a 1 day Spiritus Retreat. (See page 24 of this booklet.)

– Write a letter to Fr. Bernie. (See page 24 of this booklet.)

– Attend the PATHS communal reconciliation service. (See page 24 of this booklet.)

– Complete their Confirmation interview. (See page 25 of this booklet.)

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If at any time you have any questions or concerns about your sessions, please feel free to email me or call: Michael Hugo, 847-620-3073; [email protected] or Karen Poglitsch, 847-620-3072; [email protected]. We hope your experience is a positive one.

*The entire content of Decision Point can be found on line at dynamiccatholic.com. This includes the book material plus all the videos attached to the lessons within the book. This presents an ideal way for parents (and sponsors) to participate in the ongoing education that the candidate is receiving. Good and thoughtful discussions can arise from this co-education approach.

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Educational Expectations for Catholic High School Candidates

We realize that our Catholic High School students are attending theology classes on a daily basis within their respective schools. Though these are not specifically pre-Confirmation classes, they do offer students a good foundation of religious education.

For that reason the expectation for Catholic High School candidates is:

• Attend all of the large group sessions. If there are extenuating circumstances which would result in an absence contact Karen Poglitsch prior to the start of the missed session. Please be on time for all sessions as they are relatively short in duration.

• When a large group session is missed Karen Poglitsch will give you a short assignment to have you reflect on the material which was covered at the session. Please make sure they are completed in a timely basis.

• Write 4 essays over the course of 2 years. (See pages 15-23 of this booklet.) As with your assignments at school, the expectation is that these are done thoughtfully on a word processor and turned in on time.

• Choose an appropriate Sponsor and Confirmation name. (See pages 17, 22 of this booklet.)

• In addition 2nd year candidates are required to complete the following:

– Attend a 1 day Spiritus Retreat. (See page 24 of this booklet.)

– Write a letter to Fr. Bernie. (See page 24 of this booklet.)

– Attend the PATHS communal reconciliation service. (See page 24 of this booklet.)

– Complete their Confirmation interview. (See page 25 of this booklet.)

Matthew Kelly’s program and book, *Decision Point will be given to the candidates as well as the other selected materials that will serve as a supplement to their study. They can either do home study or, preferably, attend the small home sessions. With this latter option, they can keep in contact with their junior high friends as well as process the confirmation material together with the other candidates. They are not required to attend these home group sessions, but we highly recommend it. If you do select the small group option, there is an expectation that the candidate attends all meetings and participates in the discussions.

All of your assignments will be turned in to Karen Poglitsch in the Youth Ministry office.

* The entire content of Decision Point can be found on line at dynamiccatholic.com. This includes the book material plus all the videos attached to the lessons within the book. This presents an ideal way for parents (and sponsors) to participate in the ongoing education that the candidate is receiving. Good and thoughtful discussions can arise from this co-education approach

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The Small Home Group Format

Information for Parents and Candidates and Catechists

Goal: To create a safe and hospitable environment for candidates that will facilitate discussion on the themes of the session and develop group cohesion. To introduce them through a “user friendly” manner, what is being asked of them if they are to take seriously their confirmation vow.

ConfidentialityIn the first session it will be important to establish some basic elements of these sessions. A primary one is that candidates should know that anything shared amongst them is to remain within the group and not to become conversation outside the group. This is vital for creating safety within the group. Of course if one was to share feelings of wanting to hurt him/herself or another, this would be important for the leader to discuss this with them and eventually have them talk with his/her parents. Every adult is a mandated reporter and by law must do this. However, most conversation will not fall into that category and will remain within the group.

Respect and ResponsibilityAttendance is expected at all meetings. Absences should be kept to a minimum or not occur at all since you are meeting for so few sessions.

Tied in with this is the importance of respect for the group members for one another and their adult leaders. We laugh with people and not at them. Put downs, sarcasm and any other negative behavior is to be discouraged and addressed by the group leader.

Small Group Meeting Format

Opening Prayer

• Opening prayer initially led by adult leader and in time, it can become the responsibility of one of the candidates. Sources for the prayer should come from sacred scripture or from any number of books on spirituality and prayer ideally related to teens.

• Another option is to begin with a musical score with lyrics provided for candidates. That piece can then be a start off point for reflection. Candidates then could take responsibility for the next week’s song. The music should be their own that has some redemptive meaning in their lives.

• The next important part of this section of the time would be having the candidates share highs/lows of their past week (s). The format is to start with a volunteer and then proceed clockwise or counterclockwise and go through the entire group. The adult should always share. It is important to give the candidates some time to come up with some stories from the week, and over time, they should feel more comfortable sharing.

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Major Theme of the Session

• In this time the major theme of the day from the book Decision Point would be discussed. Candidates will be asked to read the material before coming to class.

• There will be short biographies on the lives of saints, prophets and witnesses that candidates will need to read. This too can be found on the web site under the candidates particular year of the program.

• Two additional resources are also provided. Year 1 Candidates receive “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens” and Year 2 Candidates receive “Mission-Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way”.

• The dynamic for discussion will always be to go around the circle so everyone can speak.

Session Ending

• Do a go around with the candidates. What did you remember about tonight’s session that was new interesting, upsetting, disconcerting, troubling? This is a time to determine what they are taking away from the session.

• This question above could first be journaled for a few minutes and then discussed.

• Complete each session with the* Examen of St. Ignatius, led by the adult leader. This should always be done so candidates can begin to develop the ability to reflect upon the place of God in their lives on a daily basis.

Session Conclusion

• Join hands and say the Lord’s prayer or Pass a candle for prayers of petition.

* Daily Examen of Consciousness Based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. IgnatiusThis is to be done with reverence, silence and very deliberately — not rushing through but giving each sentence time for the students to ponder them.

1. God I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me. Pause

2. God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and this morning. Pause

3. God, help me be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth. Pause

4. God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me and continue to bless me. Pause

5. As I look to the remainder of this day or tomorrow, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be. Pause

6. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.

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Saint Theme of the PATHS program

Overview:Another component to the PATHS program is the focus upon the lives of the saints. In each small group session, time will be spent reviewing and reflecting upon the life of a person who has been formally canonized by the Catholic Church or, in some instances, is a person whose life reflects heroic holiness and courage—whether Catholic or non-Catholic.

The purpose of this exercise is to help remind us who are seeking Confirmation as a Catholic Christian, that there are many people who have sought to live the challenging life of loving God and neighbor and have succeeded. The pioneer of our faith is Jesus. For many Christian, his way of life seems too hard to achieve. Yet when one reads the lives of one of these holy people, it can appear that being a faithful follower of Jesus is realistic and possible.

“We believe in the community of saints” is a doctrinal belief found in the Nicene and Apostle’s Creeds that is said during our Sunday liturgy “The Church in the Modern World”, states that all people are called to holiness, that is, to become saints. With this double pronged focus upon living a saintly life, we would do well to reflect upon those people exemplify the virtuous life and seek to follow their example.

Format:

Each week candidates will be expected to read a short biography of a saint taken from the book “All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for our Time” by Robert Ellsberg. Reflection points will be provided for the reading and become the foundation for part of the group discussion that will take place in the small group. There are simply certain people that Catholics should be familiar with if they are full members of the Church. These brief bios are posted on the Saint Anne Website under Faith Formation & Education-Youth Ministry - Confirmation Preparation at the bottom of the page are listings for Year 1 or Year 2.

Saints, Prophets and Witnesses

St. Francis of Assisi (1st year) Franz Jaggerstatter (2nd year)

Hans and Sophie Scholl (1st year) Edith Stein (2nd year)

Dorothy Day (1st year) Fannie Lou Hammer (2nd year)

Therese of Liseaux (1st year) Mahatma Gandhi (2nd year)

St. Ignatius (1st year) Oscar Romero (2nd year)

St. Damien (1st year) Thomas Merton (2nd year)

Baal Shem Tov (1st year) The Jesuit Martyrs (2nd year)

Maximillian Kolbe (1st year) Bishop James Walsh (2nd year)

Anne Frank (Alternate) (1st year) Thomas More (Alternate) (2nd year)

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Points of reflection to ponder upon completing the reading:

• What is it in this person’s life that they did or how they lived that makes them heroic in the practice of love, that in a way makes them holy?

• It is said that during certain periods in history, God brings forth saints who become “prophetic” voices to the culture of the day that stands in opposition to how God desires humans to live and behave. In your mind, does this person represent one of those prophetic voices and if so, what element of the culture do they stand in opposition to?

• What is an element or quality in this person’s story that you most admire?

• Is there any aspect of this person’s life that seems similar to your life or to the person you aspire to be? Another way to pose the question, can you relate with this person, does any aspect of his/her life intersect with your own life? If so, what is it?

• Is this a person you would like to meet if you could do so? What question would you like to ask them?

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Community Service Hours

The Why and How of community service

A major component of the Paths confirmation program is that we require each candidate to volunteer in community service over the course of two years. We want candidates to do a minimum of 16 hours of service during the two year program. We desire that the

candidates be part of something that is primarily focused on interacting with people who are in need. The idea of service is inextricably connected to being a follower of Jesus. At the close of the second year, candidates will be expected to write an essay on how this project impacted them and their faith life.

Here are some pastoral and practical guidelines for your community service work that is to be completed by mid March of the second year.

The First Epistle of St. John defines God as love: “God is love, the one who lives in love lives in God and God in him/her.” Love is the root and core of being a Christian. When you accept Confirmation you accept your calling to be a witness to love. In the Letter to St. James the author states clearly, “My friends what good is it to profess faith without practicing it? Such faith has no power to save one.”

Thus the expectation of a candidate is to put your love into action serving other people. In making your decision as to what to do, our guiding principle is the corporal works of mercy, first found in chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel. The spiritual works of mercy can be used with some selectiveness—specifically “instructing the ignorant”. A good example of this one would be tutoring students who have educational disadvantages.

Community Service hours for both Year 1 and Year 2 candidates need to be entered online and printed forms turned in to your catechist by March 4, 2018.

• You are free to choose a site to do your work at alone or you can do it with others, either from your small group or outside your small group.

• Sixteen hours is a reasonable expectation over the course of 2 years. This minimum would give you enough time to truly experience service in a meaningful way. You are welcome to do more. Transportation that exceeds one hour to the work site also counts for time spent.

• The target of your service should be for those who most need our help, the “challenged” I refer to above. Tutoring students in an underserved elementary school is okay. Tutoring students at your high school or local elementary school is not really meeting the correct criteria.

• You should begin your service hours in your first year and begin to work on it immediately.

See pages 26-28 in this booklet for recommended locations to perform your service hours. If there is a different work site you are interested in please discuss this with your catechist, Michael Hugo or Karen Poglitsch prior to beginning your service hours.

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The Corporal Works of Mercy• Feed the hungry

• Give drink to the thirsty

• Clothe the naked

• Shelter the homeless

• Visit the sick

• Visit the imprisoned

• Bury the dead (Today: Comfort the bereaved)

The Spiritual Works of Mercy• Admonish the sinner

• Instruct the ignorant (tutoring)

• Counsel the doubtful

• Comfort the sorrowful (hospice work)

• Bear wrongs patiently

• Forgive all injuries

• Pray for the living and the dead

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Year One Expectations

Gifts of the Holy SpiritAssignment for 1st year candidates • Due by December 3, 2017 Enter essay online and print a copy to turn in to your catechist.

Background:

As you anticipate your confirmation in another year, it is important to meditate upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit, seven graces that are poured out upon you when you receive the sacrament. These seven gifts are not magic-dust that give you super hero powers. They do however give you God’s power and the content of each of these seven gifts. Like any gift, however, if one doesn’t care for it—whether a toy truck or a Barbie doll—the gift will fall into disrepair—a truck will rust if left in the rain, the Barbie lose hair and limb if left around for the dog to play with.

Such it is with the seven gifts. If they are not nourished with both prayer and practice, they will fade into oblivion. We are not robots—robots cannot love. God gave us free will and God will never force us to do anything that we don’t want to do. So if you choose not to nurture these seven gifts after you are confirmed, they will fall away from you as rotten fruit falls off a tree or is consumed by birds or insects.

In this assignment we want you to reflect upon a person in your life, or a person in history that you admire — living or deceased — and how he/she has exemplified any of these seven gifts. Simply, who is a heroic person in your life that you admire. This can be an aunt, uncle, sister, brother, mother, father, grandparent, coach, teacher, celebrity—anyone who, in your mind, has lived out any or all of these seven gifts in a profound manner—a heroic manner.

Assignment:

Your essay should contain these reflection points:• A little background on the person you are writing about. Where they grew up, some of the

challenges they faced in life, the work they do (did), a story from their life.

• What are the aspects of his/her life that exemplify some of these gifts of the Holy Spirit? Connect these gifts to the person. For example, “My Uncle Joe exemplifies for me the gift of courage. As a fireman, he is always putting his life at risk to save others.” Or “My mother is a great example of the gift of fortitude in that she has been caring for her sick mother for the last three years, going over to her home daily with dinner.”

• Share how you have seen this person live out these gifts, or write about how he/she lived out these gifts through his/her life.

• A good effort at this project would be about a page and a half, 12 point font—longer if you are inspired.

• Candidates in the past have often given their essay to the person they wrote about. One such person had the essay framed for their home. Do a nice job.

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The gifts are listed below for you to study and determine how you might use them in writing about your heroic person.

What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

As Baptism, we receive seven special gifts from the Holy Spirit. These gifts are freely given to us to help us live as followers of Jesus and to build up the Body of Christ, the Church. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed and strengthened

within us at Confirmation. These seven gifts help us to respond to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to make good choices, and to serve God and others.

Wisdom is the gift of knowing the right choices to make to live a holy life. The gift of wisdom helps you to avoid the things that could lead you away from God.

Understanding is the gift of comprehension, or the ability to grasp the meaning of the teachings of the Church. The gift of understanding helps you be tolerant and sympathetic of others. It helps you sense when someone is hurting or in need of compassion.

Right Judgment, or Counsel, is the gift of prudence. The gift of right judgment helps you make choices to live as a faithful follower of Jesus.

Courage, or Fortitude, is the gift that helps you stand up for your faith in Christ. The gift of courage helps you overcome any obstacles that would keep you from practicing your faith.

Knowledge is the gift of knowing and enlightenment. The gift of knowledge enables you to choose the right path that will lead you to God. It encourages you to avoid obstacles that will keep you from him.

Reverence, or Piety, is the gift of confidence in God. This gift of reverence inspires you to joyfully want to serve God and others.

Wonder and Awe, or Fear of the Lord or Fear of the Lord is the gift of wonder and respect that encourages you to be in awe of God. The gift of wonder and awe moves you to so love God that you do not want to offend him by your words or actions.

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The Confirmation Sponsor

To be selected in year 1 of the program • Due by December 3, 2017Enter online and print a copy to turn in to your catechist.

First year candidates are asked to submit their sponsor’s name in the first semester of the program.

The Church’s requirement for the sponsor for Confirmation is as follows:

• An exemplary Catholic who is himself/herself already confirmed

• Has received the Eucharist

• Is at least 16 years old.

• Should not be their parent

• That only one person act as your sponsor

• Need not be of the same gender It is recommended (but not necessary) that the candidate take as a sponsor one of the godparents who represented them at Baptism. The role of sponsor is not an honorary status, but one carrying real obligations.

• Canon 879: The sacrament of Confirmation impresses a character and by it the baptized, continuing on the path of Christian initiation, are enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit and bound more perfectly to the Church; it strengthens them and obliges them more firmly to be witness to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith.

– The sponsor is to be the one who gives the right example — a role model of the Catholic faith — one who can and should be looked up to, someone involved in the spiritual formation of the candidate.

– The function of the sponsorship is adjunctive, to assist parents in the Christian upbringing of their children. Sponsors represent the larger faith community of the Catholic Church as it supports parents and candidates.

• Canon 892: As far as possible a sponsor for the one to be confirmed should be present; it is for the sponsor to see that the confirmed person acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with this sacrament.

– If the person you choose to be your sponsor cannot attend the liturgy itself, arrangements should be made to have someone else to be his/her proxy, i.e. to stand in the place of your sponsor.

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My Personal CreedEnter online and print a copy to turn in to your catechist.

Assignment for 1st year candidates • Due by March 4, 2018 Background:

As a young person growing up in a family, it is pretty well understood that we often quietly and unquestioningly accept the beliefs of our parents and their religious framework of life. That is appropriate and the true task of parents. Through their initial decision to bring you into the Catholic community and through your baptism, they have attempted to impart to you all that the Catholic faith embraces. We call the core beliefs of our faith our creedal beliefs. Creed comes from the Latin word “credo”—which means “I believe”.

Now is a good time for you to examine these beliefs in earnest as you anticipate your further and final entry into the Catholic community through the third sacrament of initiation—Confirmation. The core of our Catholic beliefs are found in our two creeds: the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed. They are essentially the same with some minor variations. The Nicene Creed has some more flourishes of philosophical language within it to distinguish it from the simpler, plain language of the Apostle’s Creed.

What we are asking you to do with this assignment is to fashion and create your own, personal creed that represents who you truly see yourself at this time of your life. This is meant to bring together your perspective on a variety of things that constitute your life in this world. In order for this to be a successful project, it will only be so if what you write represents yourself.

Assignment:

Reflect on these points before writing:• What do you believe about God—God’s existence, origins, place in our lives, how God

communicates with human beings. • What do you believe about Jesus? Son of God? Just a good man? Did he resurrect from the

dead? Is he part of a Trinitarian Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit?• Which of the creedal statements in the Apostles Creed do you believe in?• What do you believe about evil in the world, why it happens, why innocent people suffer,

about whether there is an evil spirit called the devil and this spirit’s impact on the world?• What do you believe about money, power, wealth, poverty? Are there “deserving and

undeserving poor”, do wealthy people need to be more generous with their wealth, are poor people poor because of some flaw in their character?

• What do you believe about death and the world to come, or if you believe there is even a world to come?

• In short what are some of the essential, core beliefs that drive your life and guide you in how you live?

This should be a typed, well thought out essay. There is no expectation of length. However it should be thorough and cover the various points listed above. This will be part of your Confirmation portfolio that will be brought to your final interview before you are confirmed.

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The Apostles Creed

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy Catholic Church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

1l. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

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Year Two Expectations

My Saint EssayAssignment for 2nd year candidates • Due by December 3, 2017 Enter essay online and print a copy to turn in to your catechist.

Background:

A great British writer, Leon Bloy, in his work “The Woman Who Would be Poor” stated this in the last line of the book: “There is only one unhappiness, and that is not to be one of the saints.” This one sentence captures the goal that every confirmed Christian should be about—“loving God and neighbor with one’s whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Catholics believe that a person who does this consistently, faithfully and devotedly throughout his/her life will, upon his/her death, be with God and all those who love God forever. Eternity is a profound concept—no, it is a profound reality. Please try to imagine time that has no end point, or a universe that is finite. Your confirmation and the fulfillment of its expectations has a most wonderful and beautiful prize—eternity with God and God’s friends.

One of the dogmatic beliefs of Catholics (dogmatic means this truth is indisputable) found in our creed is the “community of saints”. These saints, or preferably and more familiar to us, these friends of God are our models of how we can live by faith. These are the people that, in the face of horrible oppression or suffering, continue to witness to the conviction that God is love and that God will have the final word. Their stories contain valuable lessons for Christians on the “how to” of becoming saints. Jesus can seem so distant to us as a role model due to the period of time in which he lived—over two thousand years ago—as well as in the fragments contained in the Gospel accounts of his life. When one reads the story of a person who lived in the last 50 to 100 years, their heroic life can seem more achievable or attainable—they can seem to be more like us.

One of the rituals of the confirmation rite is for the confirmand (the candidate) to choose a new name to reflect his/her reception of the Holy Spirit and its graces to transform his/her life to be more like Jesus’. The Church also suggests that if no new name is chosen, the candidate can take of their baptismal names (first or middle) and use that as the confirmation name. In this assignment we would like you to write an essay on the saint’s name you intend to use for your confirmation name. You can either choose a new name of reinforce your baptismal name.

It would be important that you discuss this name choice with your parents since they may have some thoughts on what they think would be a good name. Some families have traditions associated with confirmation names.

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Assignment:

Your essay should contain these reflection points:

• A little background on the saint you are writing about--where they grew up, some of the challenges they faced in life and the work they did that defined their life.

• What was it about this person that characterized them as being worthy of being a saint (either formally canonized or beatified, the stage before canonization)?

• What is it within this person‘s life and story that you are personally attracted to, that appeals to you and that you might want to emulate in your life?

• A short story from his/her life that you found interesting.

• What is it in this person’s life that they did or how they lived that makes them heroic in the practice of love, that in a way makes them holy?

• It is said that during certain periods in history, God brings forth saints who become “prophetic” voices to the culture of the day that stands in opposition to how God desires humans to live and behave. In your mind, does this person represent one of those prophetic voices and if so, what element of the culture do they stand in opposition to?

• What is an element or quality in this person’s story that you most admire?

• Is there any aspect of this person’s life that seems similar to your life or to the person you aspire to be? Another way to pose the question, can you relate with this person, does any aspect of his/her life intersect with your own life? If so, what is it?

• Is this a person you would like to meet if you could do so? What question would you like to ask them?

• There is not required minimum length to this essay. However, I can suggest that to cover the above points it can be at least 1and a half to two or more pages. If you want to go more, please do so.

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Choice of the Candidate’s NameTo be selected in year 2 of the program • Due by December 3, 2017Enter online and print a copy to turn in to your catechist.

The choice of the Confirmation name can be an exciting activity for both the candidate and his family. A child does not choose his baptized name—his parents do. However, with Confirmation, a candidate has a chance to choose a new name that will confirm his decision to follow Jesus more intentionally, or keep his/her baptized name, giving it more emphasis in Confirmation. The choice of the name has two paths:

• A candidate can simply confirm the name that his/her parents chose at his/her birth. This has been occurring more often in recent years.

• The advantages of this route are that the candidate can take a closer look at his/her name and why his/her parents chose it. There may be a good story behind this about his/her parent’s own faith journey.

• Going this route may also be an opportunity for the candidate to “add on” to his/her baptized name. For example, if the child was named John, he could choose to complete this name John with, John the Baptist, John Vianney, John of the Cross, John Bosco etc. The same would be true for female names.

• The disadvantages might lay in the fact that the Baptismal name does not represent a saint or Biblical name, which will lack the connection to the community of saints.

• The candidate can choose a completely different name from his/her baptized name. This can be an occasion for some research on the part of the candidate and his/her family.

• This is where the concept of the patron saint comes into play. If a family has a strong affiliation with their ethnic culture they could choose a name of a saint from that country—Maximillian Kolbe (from Poland), Anthony (Italy), Gregory (Germany), Theresa (France), Rose (Peru) etc.

• If a candidate is a male athlete he could choose the name “Sebastian” who is the patron saint of athletes. There is a patron saint with pretty much every vocation or avocation. This is where the candidate can invest in some online research about saints’ names.

What is important in this consideration is that the parents and the candidate talk about this choice with each other to come up with a thoughtful name that will be inspiring to the candidate.

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Community Service EssayAssignment for 2nd year candidates • Due by March 4, 2018 Enter essay online and print a copy to turn in to your catechist.

Background:

Now that you have completed your service hours, we would like you to sum them up in a short essay. Within the essay we would like you to address the following points.

Assignment:

Your essay should contain these reflection points:

• First, write a description of the organization (s) where you did your service work. What is its name, a little of its history, its clientele etc.

• What was the nature of the service that you did? Were you involved with much person to person work, was it clerical work, was it work you were familiar or comfortable with?

• Of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy listed below, what did your service work most reflect of these works of mercy?

• Were there any new insights gained of yourself, others and God through the work you did? If so, what were these insights?

• Was there a particular person that you established a relationship with? Talk about that relationship and person briefly and how it impacted you.

• Has this experience altered your view of the world or what you might consider doing with your life in the future? Has your political, spiritual, philosophical perspective or value system been changed by the work you have done?

• Each of the above thinking/talking points should merit at least one paragraph or more. This also could become the good basis for part of your college essays in the next year or two. Please give it some good attention.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the hungry• Give drink to the thirsty• Clothe the naked• Shelter the homeless• Visit the sick• Visit the imprisoned• Bury the dead

(Today: Comfort the bereaved)

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

• Admonish the sinner• Instruct the ignorant (tutoring)• Counsel the doubtful• Comfort the sorrowful

(hospice work)• Bear wrongs patiently• Forgive all injuries• Pray for the living and the dead

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Letter to Fr. BernieAssignment for 2nd year candidates • Due by March 4, 2018Enter online and print a copy to turn in to your catechist.

The capstone to the second year candidate’s portfolio is to write a letter to our pastor Father Pietrzak. In this letter the candidate should, in a thoughtful and personal way, tell the pastor why he/she wants to be confirmed. Honesty is of prime value in this letter. That means the candidate can talk about any doubts that might be present about their faith or struggles they may have had in the program. It is a chance for the candidate to evaluate the prior two years and write about some of the highlights. This is a good time to talk about any new insights the candidate may have come to as a result of the Paths program and the study and service they had done over the two years. Finally they can talk about what their relationship with Jesus looks like at this point in time. The pastor enjoys reading these letters. Make them as personal and honest as you can.

Spiritus RetreatFor 2nd year candidates Attend either January 21 or February 11, 2018 Retreat Date selection will take place the end of November 2017

The Spiritus Retreat provides our candidates a chance to spend an entire day with the other candidates exploring confirmation, its meaning and demands in a concerted and intense fashion. It is held at the Jesuit Retreat House right here in Barrington on Lake Cook Road. It is set up around a series of small talks, given primarily by junior and senior students who have been confirmed; small group discussion groups led by these upper class men and women; some interactive games; two meals together and a final Mass with parents and candidates together at the retreat center. It begins at 8:30 AM and concludes at the close of the 7:30 PM Mass. Student evaluations have been quite positive about this day. Many students are prompted by the experience to want to do a Kairos retreat or be a leader of a Spiritus retreat in the future.

Communal ReconciliationRequired of 2nd year candidates • Being held on March 17, 2018 - Two Services are held at 10:00AM and 12:30PM

Confirmation is the final part of the triad of the sacraments of initiation that began with Baptism and Eucharist. Another important, and often poorly utilized sacrament is a sacrament of healing—Reconciliation. In our reconciliation service for our second year candidates we will provide a service that will offer students a chance for an examination of conscience and individual reconciliation with a priest. This is intended to provide some solid spiritual preparation for the impending sacrament of Confirmation in the next month. To be a vital and living Catholic demands great attention to our need for both an examination of our habits and behaviors and forgiveness for our sins of commission and omission.

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Confirmation InterviewRequired for 2nd year candidates • Being held on April 4, 5, 7, or 9, 2018 Date selection will take place mid March

At the close of the second year of the program, candidates will have an interview with a staff member or parishioners committed to the youth ministry program in their capacity as catechists/retreat leaders/mission leaders or other related areas. This is a simple exercise in which the candidate talks with an adult to share how the process has been for them over the two year program, to have them comment on their own faith development and to provide an opportunity for the parish to welcome them into the full life of the Catholic Church.

In order to be eligible for Confirmation, Candidates must complete all essays and assignments prior to selecting their interview day and time.

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Community Service Recommendations

House of HopeResale Store where proceeds benefit Saint Anne’s Project Hope community outreach ministryLocated in Deerpath Commons, 955 S Rand Rd, Lake ZurichSaturday morning or afternoon shifts

Help in the store, whether it is sorting clothing, moving furniture to people’s cars or any number of other tasks.

Contact: Deborah Bolton [email protected] or 847-550-2000

Night MinistrySoup Supper for the homelessTransported by Parish van from Saint Anne’s to the South Shore neighborhood in ChicagoWednesday afternoon into evening shifts.

In conjunction with “The Night Ministry” we help in the Curbside Soup Kitchen which serves a hot soup meal to Chicago’s homeless, people on the verge of homelessness and those in need of food assistance.

Contact: Amanda Niro [email protected] or 847-828-9630. For more info see http://stannebarrington.org/faith-formation-education/soup-suppers/

Community MealChristian Hospitality offered at local churchesWednesday afternoon or evening

Interdenominational organization which serves community members in need of companionship or food. Help set up, serve food or clean up after the event.

Contact: Sandy Hasse 847-525-8004 or www.thecommunitymeal.org/volunteer/

Autumn LeavesAssisted Living for senior citizens with dementia or Alzheimer’sLocated at 215 Bartlett Road South BarringtonMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday afternoons; Saturday or Sunday morning or afternoon

Assist in social time for residents. Play games, do art projects, play music instruments, sit and visit, bring your talents and interests. Activities that fit your hobbies and interests.

Contact: Jenny 847-844-1205

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SolanoAssisted Living for senior citizens with dementia or Alzheimer’sLocated at 21840 West Lake Cook Road, Deer ParkMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday afternoons; Saturday or Sunday morning or afternoon

Assist in social time for residents. Play games, musical instruments, art projects. Will modify activities to fit your interests.

Contact: Gil 847-841-9577

Lake Barrington WoodsAssisted living for senior citizensLocated at 22320 Classic Ct. Lake BarringtonSaturday or Sunday morning or afternoon

Socialize with residents, play games.

Contact: Linda 847-842-8900

Walk on FarmTherapeutic riding center for children with special needsLocated at 26665 W Cuba Rd, Lake BarringtonMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons/ evenings; Saturday morning or afternoon

Assist with sessions and care of horses. Must attend a training session.

Contact: Mary Rachel 847-381-4231 or http://walkonfarm.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/

GIGI’s PlayhouseAchievement center for people with Down’s SyndromeLocated at 2350 W Higgins Rd, Hoffman EstatesThursday evenings or Saturday morning or afternoon

Assist with classes and social time. Must attend a training session.

Contact: Alison 847-885-6149 or gigisplayhouse.org/hoffmanestates/hoffman-estates-volunteer-form

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Fair Trade SalesQuarterly, sale of fair trade products. Creating awareness of the justice issues surrounding labor and trade between people living in this country and those living in the developing worldLocated in the Saint Anne gathering spaceBefore and after Sunday Mass on specified Sundays

Assist with the set up and sale of goods.

Contact: Paul Kalmes 847-382-3626 [email protected]

Special OlympicsSports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilitiesLocated at high schools in Lake, McHenry, and North Cook 00CountySunday morning or afternoon

Help at sporting events.

Contact: Jordan 224-234-8635 or www.soill.org/volunteer-events/

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Youth and Young Adult MinistryRetreats, Service and Other Opportunities

2017-2018

Peer Ministry

A major component of Saint Anne Youth Ministry for many years is the Peer Ministry Program. This is based upon a more traditional concept of the parish youth group. The Sunday evening 5:15 Mass is a student ministered Mass. Afterward students come to

the Parish Center for an evening of reflection, play and fellowship. This is open to students in high school.

The Peer Ministry program has proven to be a place where kids can comfortably hang out with others of their same age with a common church background (we accept all students no matter what religious or non-religious background they may have). If one cannot make the Mass, the program begins at 6:30 and goes until about 8 PM. It is casual, informal and fun. The meeting dates are listed on the Saint Anne website. There is no need to register for the group—you can attend as often or as little as you desire. Twice a year Peer Ministry sponsors a pancake breakfast after all the Sunday morning Masses.

Contact: Karen Poglitsch at 847-620-3072 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

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Kairos RetreatsNovember 16-19, 2017March 1-4, 2018

Saint Anne seeks to provide spiritual support and opportunities for students throughout their four years of high school (and beyond). One of the most effective tools of evangelization, i.e. having students come to know what the message of Jesus is and how to live it, is the Kairos Retreat. Kairos is a Greek word that means “the right time”, “the opportune moment” or as our retreatants like to simply say, it means “God’s Time”. This is available for juniors and seniors in high school. It is offered in the fal and spring semesters.

This is for juniors or seniors only. The format is somewhat simple. Eight to twelve student leaders (seniors) plus 4-6 adults prepare extensively for the retreat weeks before. In the course of the 3 day retreat, a series of personal talks, or “witness” talks are given by both students and adults. These talks delve into the person’s life and how they have grown, failed to grow and how God has intersected in his/her life in this process of growth. Following each talk, the retreatants convene within small groups of 8-10 students, led by the senior leaders, and discuss the content of the talk and its impact upon them. Add to this prayer time, meal time, recreation time, Mass and reconciliation the retreat becomes an overwhelming experience of insight and joy for its participants.

If your confirmation candidate is a junior or senior, they are welcome to attend the Kairos retreat. They can substitute this for the Spiritus retreat or they are welcome to do both.

We encourage you to talk with your son/daughter about the retreat when they are of age to make it. It can be a profound experience and for many kids and will change their lives forever.

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Summer Service Mission TripJune 24-30, 2018

Another profound opportunity for our students at Saint Anne is for them to choose to attend one of our summer service mission trips. In the past four years we have taken trips to the Appalachian Mountain regions of West Virginia and Tennessee to work within the local communities there helping people rehab homes and properties and immersing ourselves in the local culture. It is our effort to put the corporal works of mercy into practice. These trips are available to students who have completed their sophomore, junior and senior year of high school.

For the freshmen we have a local trip to the inner city of Chicago. It is a program called Teen Service Week and is open to students from all over the Chicago metropolitan area. Here Saint Anne students can work side by side with students from other parishes and communities. This is a great way for students to both get service hours that might be needed for school as well as, more importantly, to make a difference in other people’s lives where the need is great. Closer to home, great friendships develop in these trips as well.

Finding us on the Saint Anne Website

All the necessary forms can be found on our website http://stannebarrington.org. The material related to Youth Ministry can be found under Faith Formation and Education-Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the various sub categories.

Saint AnneCatholic Community

120 N. Ela Street • Barrington, IL 60010t • 847-382-5300

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