ST. ANN PARISH
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
HANDBOOK
2015 – 2016
Dear Parents:
Thank you for registering for the St. Ann Parish Religious Education program.
We recognize that as parents and guardians, you are the first and most
important educators of your children. Thank you for placing your trust in us
as partners in your children’s faith formation. Together, we can support each
other to pass along our faith that is so rich and wonderful.
As we begin a new school year, we are excited to continue to focus on
deepening your child’s knowledge of the faith and help them understand and
experience the abundant love that Jesus has for them.
This handbook contains a great deal of information that will be helpful in
answering your questions about the program this year. It also might be useful
for you to keep it in a safe place to refer to throughout the year.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
God Bless,
Rachel Langenohl
Coordinator of Religious Education
Grades K – 6
873-7633
Rachel.Langenohl@stanns-school.org
Cathie Truehl
Coordinator of Religious Education
Grades 7 - 12
873-7633
Cathie.Truehl@stanns-school.org
2
Parish Staff
Pastor: Father Randy Budnar
Coordinator of K-6 Religious Education: Rachel Langenohl
Coordinator of 7-12 Religious Education: Cathie Truehl
Director of Liturgy and Music: Katharine Smiley
Pastoral Care & Enrichment Coordinator: Shaun Kleitsch
Parish Accountant: Joe Donlin
Parish Secretary: Connie Weiss
Maintenance: Gary Quam
Our Parish Mission is:
 To grow.
 To grow in faith.
 To grow in members.
 To grow in love.
3
Introduction to K–11 Programs

Kindergarten - These children will spend most of the year learning all about
Jesus. Using the Ignatius Press Image of God series as our guide, their
classes are focused on Gospel readings with short periods of sitting and
listening and longer periods of conversation, art projects, instructive play,
music and prayer. Some Old Testament and seasonal lessons are also
incorporated. They will learn the Sign of the Cross, The Our Father and The
Hail Mary.
Grades 1 and 2 – These students will also be learning from the Ignatius
Press Image of God series. This is one of four textbooks that our Diocese has
approved. The standards of the Diocese will be covered throughout the year.
These standards can be located at the Madison Diocese website.
http://www.madisondiocese.org/Ministry/EvangelizationandCatechesis/ParishCatechetical
Leaders/CatecheticalStandardsandBenchmarks.aspx

***IMPORTANT DATES FOR SECOND GRADE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS:
PLEASE REFER TO THE SECOND GRADE SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION SECTION
ON PAGE 6 FOR REQUIRED MEETING DATES***
Grades 3-4 will be using new textbooks approved by the Diocese called Be My
Disciples. Some of the topics covered are as follows:


Grade 3: Different types of prayer, the Church’s liturgical calendar and God’s
greatest commandment to love (love God, love one another).
Grade 4: The Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, the gifts of the Holy Spirit
and a study of the Lord’s prayer.
Grades 5-6 will continue to use the Blest Are We series this year. Some of the
topics covered are as follows:


Grade 5: Sacraments, Sacramentals, Saints, different forms of prayer, the
Liturgical Calendar and Holy Days. Prayers: Rosary, Litanies.
Grade 6: Catechists and students will use Blest Are We materials, NEST
and Encounter DVD’s and the Catholic Youth Bible to explore some heroes of
our Judeo-Christian heritage such as Abraham, Moses, David and Jeremiah,
and the books of the bible. They will learn how to use the Bible for reading,
prayer and research in both the Old and New Testament.
4
Grades 7 and 8 - Catechists and students will use the We Live Our Faith series
by Sadlier Publishing.

Grade 7: We Live Our Faith As Disciples of Jesus centers on Jesus' life,
His teachings, and the sacraments He instituted. It presents Jesus' call to
each person to become His disciple and the ways in which His teachings, His
sacraments, and His Church nourish people for discipleship. Near the end of
the year, the youth study the DVD series Theology of the Body for Teens
(middle school edition) which is a revolutionary teaching given by Saint John
Paul II. The lessons remind the youth that we are all created in the image of
God and helps them understand how to respect the beauty and dignity of
every person.

Grade 8: We Live Our Faith As Members of the Church presents the
Church from its beginning at the Pentecost event through its history,
encompassing its teachings and tradition. It presents the mission of the
Church, entrusted to her by Jesus, as the responsibility of all baptized
Catholics.
Grades 9 and 10 – The curriculum for 9th and 10th grade will be based on The
Didache Series, published by Midwest Theological Forum. Since 9th and 10th
grades are considered to be pre-Confirmation classes, we will also be using the
“Chosen—Your Journey Toward Confirmation” DVD program (Ascension Press)
and the “Decision Point” DVD series (Dynamic Catholic).

Grade 9: Ninth grade studies will include information from the first book in
the Didache series: Introduction to Catholicism, A Complete Course. This
book explores what it means to be Catholic. Near the end of the school year,
the youth will have the opportunity to study the Theology of the Body for
Teens (high school edition) which is a revolutionary teaching given to us by
Saint John Paul II. This curriculum helps youth learn to receive God’s love so
they can give and receive it with others in our lives. Instead of seeing the
body as bad or dirty, and treating sexual desires like they should be
repressed or ignored, the Theology of the Body reveals that our body and its
desires actually point us to the meaning of life.

Grade 10: Tenth grade studies will include information from the second book
in the Didache series: Our Moral Life in Christ, A Complete Course. This
book provides students with the formation necessary to live a moral life.
These youth will also watch the first four lessons of T3: The Teen Timeline,
an adventure through the Bible. This series unpacks God’s Word in a manner
that teens can relate to by showing them the “big picture” of salvation history
and then how it applies in their everyday lives.
5
Grade 11 Confirmation – Our Confirmation program is presented as a sacramental
celebration of the process by which young Catholics come to accept for themselves
the faith that was given to them in Baptism. The preparation for and celebration of
Confirmation is seen as playing a central role in that journey and as a powerful force
to help these young adults make the difficult transition of faith of childhood into
the active, personal faith of adulthood. We will be using the “Chosen—Your
Journey Toward Confirmation” DVD program (Ascension Press) and the “Decision
Point” DVD series (Dynamic Catholic). Students preparing for Confirmation will
have an opportunity to contemplate their faith journey and share their thoughts in a
small group setting. In addition, they will watch the remaining four lessons of T3:
The Teen Timeline, (see 10th grade explanation). This class will meet 8 times for
mini-retreats of 3 hours each. In addition, they will attend a Confirmation retreat
(either one sponsored by St. Ann’s or another suggested retreat). Confirmation
candidates are also encouraged to attend events and activities sponsored by the
Parish throughout the year.
Second Grade Sacramental Preparation
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will be a joint effort between
parents and catechists, with additional help from the CRE via parent catechesis, written
material and prayer opportunities. In addition to preparation in Religious Education
classes, candidates use a book to prepare at home with the help of their family for each of
these sacraments. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is designed to
occur in grade 2 – although older children are always welcome to take part in the process.
You will need to provide a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate in order for them
to receive First Communion (unless your child was baptized at St. Ann’s).
All grade 2 families should note the important dates below:
Sunday, November 8, 3-5:00 pm: First Reconciliation Meeting
Sunday, December 6, 1:30- 4:30 pm: 1st Reconciliation Retreat for students and
parents with CELEBRATION OF FIRST RECONCILIATION AT END OF RETREAT
Sunday, February 28, 3-5:30 pm: First Eucharist Retreat
Sunday, April 17, 3-5:00 pm: First Eucharist Final Meeting, Picture and Practice
Saturday/Sunday, April 23 & 24, 2016
First Eucharist celebrated at all three weekend Masses.
6
Related K-11 Programs
Children's Liturgy of the Word - During the weekend Masses, children are
invited to leave the general assembly for a separate, child-appropriate sharing of the day’s
main Bible stories. They discuss the readings, pray petitions together and then return to
the assembly. Appropriate age range is 4 years old to 4th grade, although all children are
welcome. This is a part of worship. No registration is required.
Vacation Bible School- Vacation Bible School is a summertime opportunity for
children ages 5 through 5th grade to learn more about the Bible while having fun. Each
year’s program is arranged around a theme. Children will have fun learning through games,
interactive Bible stories, snacks, music, science and crafts.
Journey of the Heart – Journey of the Heart is entering its 17th
year of service to others through an annual mission experience for high
school students. It is coordinated with the help of Youth Works offering
students and parents the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to
others in another part of the country. In past years, the group has
traveled to Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas and
West Virginia. They have spent time assisting residents with home and community
projects and running day camps for kids. Preparation takes about nine months for the oneweek trip in July.
The destination for the July 2016 trip has not been determined. Watch the bulletin for
announcements on upcoming meetings or contact Cathie Truehl at 873-7633.
Love Begins Here - “Love Begins Here” is a summer mission trip program planned
and organized by the Diocese of Madison (just completed 7th year). Middle and high
schoolers work and stay in a parish in the Diocese. Middle school weeks include 4
days. High school weeks include 6 days. Service work is completed during the day;
examples of jobs that have been done in the past are weeding, raking and other yard work,
painting, washing windows, washing houses, cleaning garages, visiting nursing homes. In the
evenings, there are activities planned to strengthen our relationship with God. And, of
course, sprinkled throughout the day is a lot of fun. Dates are announced around the first
of the year.
7
Protecting God’s Children:
“Safe Environment” Training for Kids & Adults
Overview: All parishes in the diocese of Madison participate in a basic “Safe
Environment” pledge established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in
their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Adult Catechists and
volunteers who work with children are required to:
(1) Submit permission for a general background check to be submitted to the diocese,
which then keeps that information confidential; and
(2) Read the diocesan booklet of policies regarding a safe environment and sign a
statement that they understand and will abide by these policies.
(3) Attend a 2-hour video/discussion session that uses a program called “Protecting
God’s Children,” alerting participants to possible child endangerment and signs of child
sexual abuse. Information and required registration are found at www.virtus.org.
The Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People also requires that
every parish religious-education program incorporate into its curriculum educational
programs for children on sexual-abuse prevention. These lessons will take place in your
child’s regularly scheduled Religious Education class in the beginning of November.
8
K-12 General Policies
Attendance Policy: We expect students to be present at classes. However, we also
understand that ill health and other commitments sometimes occur. If a student will be
absent for a class, we ask that parents call or email to excuse the absence. If a student is
habitually absent, they will be asked to make up lessons independently. Please call the
religious education office (873-7633) or email Cathie.Truehl@stanns-school.org or
Rachel.Langenohl@stanns-school.org if you know that your child will not be attending class
on any scheduled day or evening.
Participation in Sacraments: The total religious formation and spiritual development
of Catholic children comes not only from instruction, but most importantly from personal
example and participation in the larger faith community. Regular Mass attendance and
participation in other sacraments is considered essential for this development to take
place.
Registration & Records: The registration form completed by parents/guardians
constitutes our permission to teach religion to your child(ren), and must be submitted for
all children who participate in any of our Religious Education programs.
Child Safety: Children in Grades K-3 must be accompanied to the classroom by an adult
or teen, remaining until an adult volunteer is on duty. This is to comply with diocesan
standards for child safety and to insure children are not left stranded if classes are not in
session.
No peanuts, please: Due to an increasing number of children in our parish suffering
from life-threatening allergies, we ask you to refrain from bringing or sending in snacks
that contain peanuts or peanut oils.
Cancellations: Generally, Sunday morning classes for grades K-6 and monthly
confirmation classes will not be cancelled unless there is a major storm severely
restricting travel. If this occurs, an email will be sent to you indicating that classes are
cancelled. Wednesday night classes will be cancelled if regular school classes have been
dismissed early or cancelled due to bad weather. You can check for cancellations on our
parish website: www.stannparish.weconnect.com.
Prayer, retreats, field trips: There will be numerous opportunities for students in
6th – 11th grades to attend Parish-sponsored and other activities and celebrations.
Announcement of these activities will be made in the classes and e-mails will be sent to
parents. We strongly encourage students to participate in these activities as a part of
their religious education experience.
9
Communication: If you have provided an e-mail address, we will use this method to
communicate about a lesson, schedule change, service project or other important
information. In addition, your child may bring notes home with pertinent information.
Please read any and all e-mail or notes sent or brought home to you. Also, the weekly
church bulletins will often contain announcements about religious education activities.
Pictures and information are also included at our parish website:
www.stannparish.weconnect.com. Asking children or young persons what they talked about
in class is a good way to keep informed and to let them know you are interested in this
aspect of their development as Catholic Christians. You may occasionally be invited to
attend their special activities, and you are welcome to visit the classes.
Discipline: The most important rule we expect to have observed at all times and by all
people attending classes is respect for themselves, their catechists, their classmates
and their meeting space. This includes: 1) Following directions of catechists, aides, and
other catechetical personnel; 2) Keeping hands, feet, objects, smart remarks and putdowns to themselves; 3) Listening to others when it is not their turn to be speaking; 4)
Staying in their own space. Swearing, using obscene gestures, willfully hurting or even
suggestions of such action, damaging property, stealing, refusing to follow directions, or
any action that causes a group to stop functioning will be cause for immediate dismissal
from the session. Parents or guardians will be called to pick up your child immediately and
to discuss re-admission into sessions.
Transportation: Parents are responsible for the safe transfer of their children to and
from religious education sessions and activities. A properly signed permission form will be
required for your children if they participate in any activity that is away from the parish.
Special Needs: If there are any special needs or special circumstances that might
affect your child's learning or behavior, please share this information with the appropriate
CRE. We would like to make the time that each child spends in religious education groups a
positive experience, and being sensitive to special needs is one way to do this. If such
information needs to be shared with the catechist, it will be done on a confidential basis.
Volunteers  are the heart of our activities. We appreciate all who help us in our
efforts to share the Catholic faith with the children of St. Ann’s Parish.
10
Service Hours (grades 7-11): Jesus told His disciples, "Freely you have received,
freely you are to give" (Mt. 10:8). We have each received many gifts and we are asked to
share those gifts by serving others. All students in grades 7-11 are requested to perform
15 hours of service each year. There will be periodic group service opportunities that
students are encouraged to participate in. Students can also serve others by participating
in activities through St. Ann’s or in the Stoughton community. Examples include reading or
serving at weekend or youth masses, helping with the Parish Festival or other fundraisers,
helping at the Nazareth House, helping to teach elementary religious education or doing
yard work for an elderly neighbor.
The Journey of the Heart mission trip fulfills the service hour requirement due to the
amount of service required prior to making the trip and the service performed on the trip
itself. See page 7 for more information on Journey of the Heart.
Attendance at a Love Begins Here mission week also counts toward service hours based on
the number of hours spent serving others. See page 7 for more information on Love
Begins Here.
Please see the form at the end of this handbook, which will help you keep track of service
hours. Once the 15 hours are completed, we ask the youth and parent to sign the form.
All service hour forms for the 2015-16 school year are due by August 15, 2016.
11
2015-2016 Calendar for Grades K-6
Regular Class Time: 9:15-10:15 am
Sunday mornings
Sept. 13: First Class – Regular Class Time
Jan. 10: Regular Class Time
Sept. 20: NO CLASS - PARISH FESTIVAL
Jan. 17: Regular Class Time
Sept. 27: Regular Class Time
Jan. 24: Regular Class Time
Catechist Appreciation Brunch
Oct. 4: Regular Class Time
Jan 31: NO CLASS
WOMEN’S CEW RETREAT
Oct. 11: Regular Class Time
Feb. 7: Regular Class Time
Oct. 18: Regular Class Time
Feb. 14: Regular Class Time
Oct. 25: Regular Class Time
Feb. 21: NO CLASS
MEN’S CEW RETREAT
Nov. 1: Regular Class Time
Feb. 28: Regular Class Time
*First Eucharist Retreat 3-5:30 pm
Nov. 8: Regular Class Time
*2nd Grade Reconciliation Meeting 3-5:00 pm
Mar. 6: Stations of the Cross during
regular class time
Nov. 15: Regular Class Time
Mar. 13: Reconciliation during class time
for grades 2-5 (Grades K & 1 have regular
class)
Nov. 22: Regular Class Time
Mar. 20: NO CLASS – STOUGHTON
SPRING BREAK (Palm Sunday)
Nov. 29: NO CLASS-THANKSGIVING BREAK
Mar. 27:
Dec. 6: Regular Class Time
*First Reconciliation Retreat and Service
1:30-4:30 pm
April 3: Regular Class Time
Dec. 13: Regular Class Time
April 10: Regular Class Time
Dec. 20: Regular Class Time
April 17: Final Class
*First Eucharist Meeting 3-5:00 pm
Dec.27: NO CLASS – CHRISTMAS BREAK
April 23 & 24: First Eucharist celebrated at
all weekend Masses
Jan. 3:
NO CLASS – CHRISTMAS BREAK
12
NO CLASS - EASTER
ST. ANN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR 2015 – 2016
GRADES 7 – 10
Wednesday Classes Meet 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
September
September
September
September
October
October
October
October
9
16
23
30
7
14
21
28
Kick Off Informational Event--Parents and youth attend
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
No Class—Parent/Teacher Conferences
November
November
November
November
4
11
18
25
Class
Class
Class
No Class--Thanksgiving Break
December
December
December
December
2
9
16
23/30
Class
Class
Class
No Class—Christmas and New Year Break
January 6
January 13
January 20
January 27
Class
Class
No Class—SHS finals week
Class
February 3
February 10
February 17
February 24
Class
Class—Ash Wednesday
Class
No Class--Parent/Teacher Conferences
March
March
March
March
March
Class
Class
Class
No Class—Holy Week
Class
2
9
16
23
30
April 6
April 13
April 20
April 27
Class
Class
Class
Final Class
13
ST. ANN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR 2015 – 2016
11th GRADE CONFIRMATION -- 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
September 13
Class—Information and open house for Parents and youth from
5:30-7 p.m. Youth stay for class until 8:30 p.m.
October 4
Class
October 24-25
Confirmation Retreat at Camp Gray
November 8
Class
December 6
Class
January 10
Class (Sponsors attend class with youth)
February 14
Class
March 13
Class from 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Living Stations of the Cross at 6:45 p.m.
March 16
Living Stations of the Cross at 6:45 p.m.
April 10
Class
TBD
TBD
TBD
Rite of Sending (during Mass at St. Ann’s)
Reconciliation and Confirmation Practice (at St. Ann’s)
Confirmation Mass—location TBD
14
ST. ANN PARISH
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 2015-2016
Grades 7 – 11
Please return this form by August 15, 2016
Record of Service Hours
Outside
Stoughton
Hours
In Stoughton
Community
Service Provided
In St. Ann’s
Community
Name _____________________________________Grade __________
To be completed by the student after finishing 15 service hours: The service that I
provided has helped me to understand that . . .
___________________________________________________________________
Student Signature
Parent Signature
15