Religious Education/Faith Formation

Sacramental Preparation:

•   Infant Baptism:

Baptism is the first Sacrament of Initiation and the beginning of a life-long journey.  Infant Baptism sessions are held every other month, with Baptism to follow on the fourth weekend of that month.  Interested parents and godparents must attend three Baptism Preparation Sessions.

•   First Reconciliation/First Communion:

Prepares children at the age of reason (7 years) and older to join the larger faith community to feast at the table of our Lord.

•   Confirmation:

The goal of Confirmation is to lead persons, high school age and older, to a closer relationship with Christ so to better live as disciples in the Church and the larger community.  High School Confirmation is currently a two year program.
[Original Order:  We are currently in Phase 2 of all Diocesan Parishes fully initiating children age 7 and older with the Sacrament of Confirmation.  The program will be fully implemented in our parish in 2019].

•   RCIA—Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults 

For adults who are not Catholic, (but have an interest in becoming Catholic), baptized Catholic, (but not brought up in the Catholic faith), or for anyone (including non-practicing Catholics) interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.  Interested persons are instructed in Catholic doctrine and practices to enable them to discern better the call of God to conversion of life.  This includes the preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  

•   RCIC—Rite of Christian Initiation for Children:

For children age 7 or older who are not Catholic, (but have an interest in becoming Catholic), baptized Catholic, (but not brought up in the Catholic faith), or for anyone (including non-practicing Catholics) interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.  Interested persons are instructed in Catholic doctrine and practices to enable them to discern better the call of God to conversion of life.  This includes the preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  The usual length of preparation is between one to two years.

• Catechists:

We are a group of volunteers who have a basic understanding of Catholic teaching, Scripture and Catholic Tradition.  We maintain honest and caring relationships with young people in our parish and keep current on effective teaching techniques and strategies.
Catechists are trained and mentored. 
Catechists are duly commissioned.

• Sunday Kids Word:

Children are dismissed after the opening prayer of Mass to go to the Day Chapel and experience the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ through teaching, activities, and stories that are age-appropriate for their level.

• Religious Education Program—Kinder to Grade 8:

The Religious Education Program is lectionary based and encourages children to live the Sunday Gospel message.  The program is intended to children kinder to grade 8 who attend public or non-Catholic schools, although Catholic school children are also invited to attend.

• Comprehensive Youth Ministry—Middle to High School

[Saint Anthony Parish will be moving towards Comprehensive Youth Ministry with the implementation of Original Order in our parish].

• Parish Youth Ministry—Grades 9 and above:

The Comprehensive Youth Ministry program aims to empower the youth in our parish community to live as Disciples of Christ by offering teens a venue for gathering with their peers to share their faith and have fun in a supportive atmosphere.  Gatherings are in the Parish Hall on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

• Adult Faith Formation/Scrub Bucket Ministry:

Designed to educate, evangelize, and to serve in assisting adults, young and old alike, to deepen their relationship with the Lord through various enrichment opportunities.  Speakers present various topics related to the life and teachings of the Church.

• Fruit of the Vine—Bible Study:

We are a group of parishioners who meet every Tuesday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Makai Room to read and reflect on the Sunday readings of the Catholic Lectionary in preparation for the Sunday Liturgy.  Scripture study participants gain a greater knowledge of Scripture, by combining prayer, scripture study, reflection and group sharing.

• Women Walking with Jesus:

We are a Scripture-Prayer Group open to all women in the parish.  We meet every Monday morning in the Makai Room from 9:00-10:30 a.m., to study and reflect on books in the Bible that will inspire us to deepen our relationship with Jesus and His Church, and to support each other in our faith and in friendship.