Confirmation Meeting September 22 & 25 for Spring 2014 Candidates (8th grade or High School), Parents, and Sponsors

Preparation for the  Sacrament of Confirmation normally begins in the 7th grade and is celebrated in the eighth grade at St. Francis.  The preparation meeting for 8th grade students, (or High School), their parents, and sponsors (if available) is scheduled for (please choose one of these meetings to attend with your child):

Sunday, September 22 at 3 p.m.
or Wednesday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m.
in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

This parent and student meeting will review the requirements for Confirmation, provide Confirmation preparation materials, including the “Celebrating our Faith” Confirmation book, and present information on completion of the book.  If your youth’s sponsor is able to attend the meeting, please invite and encourage them to come along with you and your son or daughter. 

Retreats (Oct. 11-13 and Nov. 15-17)

The retreat experience is a key part of the preparation for Confirmation.  We are again fortunate to be able to schedule overnight weekend retreats at Bethany House in DeWitt.  Modeled after a well-rounded youth ministry program, the retreats are scheduled for the weekends of October 11-13 and Nov. 15-17 and will allow for a fuller experience of faith and relationships of trust with God and with one another.  The focus of the retreats is the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Retreat forms are available on-line and from the Religious Education Office.  Retreat forms are due by September 25.  Please register early to ensure space in the weekend of your choosing.

Questions?  Please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2132.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2013

2013 Theme:  Year of Faith with St. Paul's Missionary Travels supported with resources from Group's VBS Athens & Pauline's St. Paul Adventure and Comic books

Our 2013 Stats
260 delightful PreK-5 children
15 nursery children (very cute toddlers & adorable babies)
76 middle school helpers (grades 6-8)
59 high school volunteers (grades 9-12)
53 Adult volunteers

Thank you to all those who participated in this year's VBS either through mighty deeds of wonder, generous kind words of encouragement, or by simply sharing the joy of your attendance!  We are grateful for all of you!  God bless your summer with overflowing abundance of God's Love!  

Click on the picture to see more photos from the week!

Questions? Contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

Children's Book Collection on July 20/21

We Need Your Donations of Children’s Picture & Chapter Books for Our Sister Parish

On the weekend of July 20/21, we will be collecting donations of children’s picture and chapter books

in new or excellent condition for our sister parish, Corpus Christi in Highland Park.  Please bring donated books to Mass on Sat/Sun, July 20/21 to place in the basket near the altar at the time of the offertory (when Father calls the children forward to bring can goods for the poor).  Our parish children will pack the books during Vacation Bible School –held that coming week.

For more information, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 821-2132 or Chris Mollo at cgmollo@yahoo.com  (Children's book may be dropped off early in the RE or Parish offices). 

Thank you for your generosity!

2013 VBS

Sign Up Now for 2013VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Who?  For Children in grades preK-5 (please use 2013-2014 grade) What?  Athens (Paul's Journey to Share the Truth) When?  Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 from 9 a.m.-12 noon* (*please note that Friday is longer with the closing program & picnic starting at 12 noon  and continuing to about 2 p.m.) Where?  St. Francis Parish grounds How?  Download the paper Sign Up form here! Cost?  $35/child or $70/family  (Price includes t-shirt) (Children of adults who volunteer all week attend free of charge) Nursery for infants & toddlers available for Adult Volunteers) Interested in Volunteering?  Adult, HIgh School, and Middle School Youth are needed to volunteer for VBS week.   Adult Volunteers: Sign up here! High School & Middle School Volunteers:  Sign up here! Questions? Contact Ellen Ward at ward [at] stfrancisa2 [dot] org or call 734-821-2132.

First Holy Communion Reception Help Needed for Sat, May 11 & Sun, May 12

2013 Confirmation Group Photo Form

2013 Confirmation families:
Please plan on attending the rehearsal on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. in church.

If you would like a group photo of the 2013 Confirmation youth, please download the order form here and return it to the Religious Education Office on or before April 17.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Religious Education classes resume Sunday, April 7.   Happy Easter!

Review our salvation history and some thoughts regarding the paschal mystery (life, death, and resurrection of Jesus) in our blog on the History Channel's "The Bible" series at:

StFrancisAnnArbor.blogspot.com