Youth Ministries & Faith Formation

Elise Chapman

Youth Minister

Latest Youth News:

• All current youth events are in the Youth Newsletter

Jesus’ last words were “Go, and make Disciples of all Nations.”
As Catholics, we make the intentional choice to be ACTIVE followers of Jesus.  This includes a

commitment to form our families and ourselves as disciples.  At St. Ann, we take this command seriously by providing quality faith formation opportunities for every age and stage in life. 
      We welcome your family’s participation as learners, mentors, parents, catechists, aides, youth leaders, food providers and prayer supporters.  Contact us to learn what opportunities await YOU!

• Linda Mingos: Pre-K to 5th Grade Faith Formation & Children’s Sacraments

• Mrs. Elise Chapman: 6th-12th Grade Formation, Youth Ministry & Youth Sacraments

• Dr. Patricia Clement:  CF Director, Adult Faith Formation, RCIA & Adult Sacraments

 

LIVING LIFE ON THE EDGE

 

"Living Life on the Edge" is St. Ann's core Faith Formation program for all Middle and High School youth.  "Living Life" is for High School and "On the Edge" is for Middle School.  Both programs are adaptations of the nationally acclaimed Life Teen and Edge programs for Catholic Youth.

 

Living Life on the Edge meets every Sun. night, Sept - Apr, from 6:30pm to 8pm, with an optional meal at 6pm

 

The goal for "Living Life on the Edge" is to walk with parents as they form their children in the Catholic faith by keeping God's Commandments, celebrating the sacraments, developing a prayer life, and by loving God and our neighbors. The sessions are presented in an engaging and interactive format that includes skits, games, journaling, disucssions, scripture study, catechism teasers, outreach projects and multi-media experiences.  Our hope is that all of St. Ann Youth will discover and embrace the role that Jesus plays in their lives and make HIM the center of all that they do!

 

          Class Calendar:  Fall Semester 2015

Sat Sep 12      Confirmation Day Retreat #1

Sun Sep 13     Living Life on the Edge Kick-Off Event with Fr. Tony Ricard    6:30-8:30pm.

Sep  20     NO Class - Parish Picnic

Sep  27     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Oct     4     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation) Pet Blessing 5pm

Oct   11     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Oct   18     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Oct   25     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Nov    1     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Nov    8     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Nov  15     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Nov  22     NO Class 

Nov  29     NO Class   (Thanksgiving)

Dec    6     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Walk Through Bethlehem

Dec  13     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Dec  20     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Dec 27-Jan 10     NO Class   (Christmas)

 

Class Calendar:  Winter Semester 2016

Jan  17     Living Life on the Edge    6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Jan  24     Living Life on the Edge    6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Jan 31      Living Life on the Edge    6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Feb   7      Living Life on the Edge   1:30-3pm.   (time change due to Super Bowl - no supper)

Feb  14     NO Class

Feb  21     Living Life on the Edge    6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Feb  28     Living Life on the Edge    6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Mar    6     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Mar  13     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Mar  20     NO Class 

Mar  27     NO Class

Apr     3     NO Class

Apr   10     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Sat Apr 16  Confirmation Day Retreat #2

Apr   17     Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Apr   24     Final  Living Life on the Edge   6:30-8pm.   Optional supper at 6pm ($3 donation)

Effective July 1, 2010, the Diocese of Richmond established policies regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation for adolescents who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. 

• In order for an adolescent to begin preparing for Confirmation, he or she must be currently enrolled in the 10th grade and at least 15 years of age.  Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation will occur in the spring of the year in which the candidate has completed the preparation.

• All Candidates seeking Confirmation must be concurrently enrolled in a religious education program during the year in which they prepare for the sacrament.

 

     Click Here for St. Ann's Confirmation Page.                  Click Here for the Diocesan Confirmation Page

 

St. Ann’s Confirmation Preparation consists of 5 events (plus full participation in "Living Life"):

1. A Fall Day Retreat at St. Ann Parish                 Saturday,  Sep 12, 2015

2. A Weekend Multi-Parish Confirmation Retreat  Fri - Sun,  Jan 8-10, 2016   at Blackstone, VA

3. A Spring Day Retreat at St. Ann Parish             Saturday,  Apr 16, 2016

4. A Confirmation Celebration Rehearsal               tba

5. The Confirmation Celebration                            tba

 

Please note that participation in all three retreat experiences is required. Advanced notice of any conflicts will help to make alternative arrangements for make-up retreats/sessions. 

 

 

 

 

The St. Ann Youth Ministry team uses a number of tools to keep you up-to-date on all events:

 

• Living Life on the Edge Newsletter:  All the latest news is published monthly in a youth newsletter.  It is posted on this website and sent via email to all youth and their families.  If you would like to receive the newsletter, send your email address to Elise Chapman.

• St. Ann Parish Website:  All last minute weather changes will be posted on the Home Page of the website. Current youth events will be featured at the top of the Youth Page.  All event flyers, calendars, permission slips and forms will be linked to the Youth Page.

• Youth Board (display in Church Commons):  Find current events, flyers, permit forms & sign-up sheets here

• Sunday Bulletin: Pick up a church bulletin to keep upcoming youth events in an easy-view location

• St. Ann Facebook Page:  Event updates, photos from youth events & cool Catholic Youth links are here

• Auto-Reminder Text Messages:  If you want to receive a mini auto-reminder text message, just sent a text to the following number 1 (804) 681-2079 , and text the appropriate code listed below.  If you want reminders for more than one category, you must repeat the process for each one.
  MIDDLE SCHOOL "On The Edge": @f8edf4
  HIGH SCHOOL "Living Life": @37f91
  CONFIRMATION:@e1a44
  LIVING LIFE on the EDGE Catechists:  @catechi

Every effort is made to create a safe and welcoming learning environment for our children, youth and families:

• All staff and volunteers who work with minors must complete a background check and VIRTUS training

• The gathering spaces are inspected regularly by the Diocesan Office for Risk Management and parish staff.

• AED devices, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and telephones are available in the Education building and church.

• Several staff members and volunteers are trained and certified in CPR and the use of the AED devices.

• Procedures for the safe and orderly pick-up and drop-off of children are defined in parent & catechist handouts.

• All diocesan policies and prodedures for the safe supervision of children and youth are followed.

• All diocesan policies for the transport and supervision of youth during "off campus" activities are followed.

If you identify a potential safety issue that is not being properly addressed, please contact Dr. Clement immediately.

Click Here to Learn More About the Diocese's Safety Policies

 

VIRTUS: 

VIRTUS® is a national Catholic training program for the prevention of the abuse of minors.  The Diocese of Richmond requires that all adult volunteers who work with minors must complete a background check and take the 3 hour VIRTUS training course. Please see www.virtus.org for more information or to register.