Parish School of Religion (formerly CCD)
Formerly known as our "CCD" program, the St. Ann Parish School of Religion (PSR) offers children of non-Catholic academic schools in grades K-8 an opportunity for formal religious education. Our classes meet once a week and are taught by volunteer catechists who share the vision of teaching the Gospel of Jesus to those we meet. Our program also provides for those children ages 5 and up that are in need of religious education for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation.

Adult Catechumenate (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
More than a program of merely Catechesis, the process of Christian Initiation seeks to involve the community and the entire person, allowing them to evolve into dedicated followers of Jesus Christ. To become a disciple of Jesus means that one has truly come to know Jesus, His Catholic Church, and is eager to embrace all that discipleship stands for. The "process," which varies with each individual, seeks to inculcate not only information about Christ and His Church, but formation of individual and transformation into an active, joy-filled member of the Catholic Church.

Persons who have been baptized Catholic, but perhaps never learned about the Church; individuals baptized into another faith, but seeking knowledge pertaining to Catholicism; those who have never been baptized, but are being summoned by God's Holy Spirit - all are warmly invited to inquire through weekly gatherings ministered by St. Ann parishioners. There is much, much more to the RCIA process - far too much to portray here. But then, there is likewise a lot to cover on each of our individually spiritual journeys of this life. You or perhaps someone you know and care about might be well served by joining us. We ask that you prayerfully consider God's call.

Small Church Communities
Small Church Communities are a place where ordinary people help each other connect everyday life and faith regularly. Small groups of eight to twelve parishioners develop over a period of time into a small church through a three-phase process.

Getting started, an initial experience aims to get people comfortable with each other so they can begin to share what they are thinking and feeling. In short, the goal is for members to belong, that is, know that others really want to get to know them better and will miss them if they are absent.

At the end of Phase One, however, a small group is still a small group - not the Small Church Community we are aiming for. Phase Two builds on the accomplishments of Phase One: belonging, trusting, and reflecting on life. Phase two becomes more explicitly religious and focuses on helping members to pray as a group and as individuals. The specific goals at this stage are: to enable people to recognize God communicating to them through their life experience; to begin to talk about God in a personal way; and to voice a prayer response in a group setting.

In Phase Three, the group begins regularly to take the Sunday Scriptures as their point of reference in reflecting on their lives and sharing faith with one another. The point is for the group to make the Church's story a touchstone in their individual lives and the life of their Small Church Community. The goal is to remain faithful to that experience of the church as we find it in the New Testament over time.

Respect Life
The St. Ann Parish Respect Life Ministry seeks to assist the Pastor and Pastoral Council in their efforts to disseminate information to the Parishioners as regards all Life matters. Our Catholic belief that life begins at conception and is sacred is under attack in our secularized society. It is therefore an important pastoral concern that parishioners remain informed.

The ministry in particular will participate in the following activities:

Recruit volunteers to hand out the NCCB's Respect Life Month literature after each mass on a designated Sunday in October.
Assist the Pastoral Council and Pastor in disseminating any petitions, letters, etc. as requested by the Bishop.
Assist the Pastor, Pastoral Council, Parents Clubs and School Administration with acquisition of Pro-Life literature, audio-visuals, and guest speakers.

Ladies' Prayer Group
The Ladies Prayer Group meets every Wednesday morning at the parish house located at 4940 Meadowdale Street. The Ladies gather to pray for the special intentions listed on our Parish Prayer Line and sick family and friends of the parish.

Men's Prayer Group
The Men's Prayer Group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at the house located at 4940 Meadowdale Street. These men gather to pray for the intentions of all St. Ann Parishioners. New members are always welcome to join the St. Ann Men's Prayer Group.

Vocations
The Vocation Committee is charged with promoting vocations within our parish for the priesthood, deaconate and religious life. The committee receives guidance from the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations in recruiting participants for such programs as Called By Name, Possibilities Days, and Journey. In cooperation with the Parish Director of Religious Education, the committee sponsors school and PSR-related activities during Vocations Awareness Week in January.

Prayer Line
The St. Ann Prayer Line is an association of parishioners linked by phone to support individuals through the power of prayer. Members of the phone chain accept prayer intentions that are relayed to all participants along the chain. Individuals/intentions can remain anonymous. The members of the Prayer Line commit to daily prayer for those individuals and/or intentions. If you would like to join or need the help of prayerful support, the Prayer Line is available for you. Simply call the church office to add your name, the name of an ill person or your own special intention.

Please remember that we now have a sign-in book in the Shrine, called Deliver Those in Need. This book is available to all visitors to the Shrine. Your personal special intentions may be added to the book in writing during regular daily hours of the church and we pray for those written intentions at the weekend masses.

Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is a two-week fun-filled summer session including bible stories, music, games, arts and crafts and much more! Children entering grades K-6 are welcome to attend. Volunteers entering grades 7-12 serve in the program as craft coordinators, teachers and aides. The VBS program runs from 9:15 a.m. to 12 noon. Details are available in the parish bulletin. Registration is required.