Faith Formation Connections


From the heart of our Pastoral Associate...Dr. Kathie Amidei
In the blink of an eye...
I asked a group of parents, "Who has their youngest child on Confirmation Retreat this weekend?". I knew this meant their son or daughter was bringing closure to childhood formal faith formation and inaugurating the journey of faith as a young adult. It also meant the parent's job description was about to change. I said, "Doesn't it seem like time has passed in the blink of an eye since you brought your child for First Communion?" I knew from their body language that this struck a chord. I also thought, there isn't a parent out there with younger children, who maybe had driven 12 carpools this week, negotiated temper tantrums and had years left of formation classes, who believed me. It's one of those things you can only know in time, that parenting children goes by very very quickly. One hears it over and over, but we don't fully grasp the meaning until we've lived through it. One way to get a sense of this, is to subtract your child's age from the number 18, the age they will be when they leave high school and begin the journey of becoming independent. That number represents the brief time of childhood.
I don't know how to explain- that through time- the parent child relationship radically changes, but the ties between you don't loosen the tiniest bit.
In Psalm 90 it says, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." I think that while the attachment, affection and love between parent and child does not change, the responsibility and influence does. And as it does, we, as parents, begin to grow in wisdom and mature in gratitude.
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Lent begins with ashes marked on our forehead, reminding us we will not be walking this earth forever. Lent may also be an opportunity to reflect on the time we have together. The days may be long but the years go fast.... in the blink of an eye. We are wise to treasure the moments.

Have you heard the song Slow Down by Nichole Nordeman? This was recently shared with me, and it made me cry. May you enjoy a moment of reflection as you listen. 
Upcoming Events:

March 23, 5-5:45pm Schola.

March 24, 8am
Active at St. A

March 24, noon
Alpha at St. A

March 24-26, Junior Retreat.

March 24, 12-2pm Alpha at St. Anthony.
 
March 25, 11:15am-Noon  Schola.
 
March 26, 7-8:30  Buckets & Beliefs.

March 27, 5:30-6:30pm  SPARK.
(Come for 15 min or stay the hour!)
 
March 27, 6:30-7pm Vespers.
 
March 28, 9:30-11am  Moms Group.

March 28, 6:30-8pm  Women's Bible Study.

March 28, 6:30-8:30pm Alpha at Queen of Apostles.

March 29, 9am Reconciliation with the students.

March 29, 5-6pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Church).

March 29, 6pm Mass.

March 29, 7:30pm  Mom's Night Out , Spring City Wine House.

March 30 2:30&/or 4:30pm  Children's Choir rehearsal. Gr. 3-8 welcome to join at any time!
 
March 30, 5-5:45pm  Schola.
 
March 31, 10-11:30am  Molly Ministry FT, The Big Backyard.
 
March 31, 12-2pm Alpha at St. Anthony.
 
April 1, 8am-noon Forming the Catechetical Spirit.
 
April 1, 9am-Noon  Men of Christ Conference with the Men of St. Anthony, Milwaukee Theater.
 
April 1, 9am-1:30pm Bread Baking Retreat and the Great Picnic.
 
April 3, 10-11:30am  Molly Ministry Planning Meeting.
 
April 3, 6:30-7pm Vespers.

April 3, 6:30-8:30pm Common Leadership Night

April 4, 9:30-11am  Moms Group, Mary's Way of the Cross.

April 4, 6:30-8:30pm Alpha at Queen of Apostles.

April 4, 6:30pm All School Concert

 
See full Calendar
In our community...
 
 


Lent 2017:  Resources for your Lenten journey are available in the gathering space, and on our Lenten Prayer Opportunities page .
 
 



The Men of St. Anthony invite you to join them for the 
Men of Christ Conference  More details and registration             

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Buckets and Beliefs: Open gym at St. Anthony for those in their 20's & 30's will take place at 7pm on Monday, March 26

St. Anthony On-Site Community Garden
Individuals, families, and groups are needed to help build, plant, and care for the garden and to get our produce to those who are in need. If interested, contact Kathy Waters or call her at 262-695-8314.

Employment Opportunity:
St. Anthony on the Lake is currently looking to fill the position of Hospitality/ Food Service Ministry Coordinator.  For more information, please contact  Art Scheuber  at 262-691-1173.

Eucharistic Adoration is open for anyone to stop in. Can you give an hour each week?  Contact Nancy Kelley at 549-0981 or Dave Lechtenberg at 424-6162. 

St. Anthony Athletics

Track: 
2017 Track and Field - Grades 5th-8th
Click here for information regarding the track season and program.  Registration is open.

Athletic Committee Members Needed
We have several vacancies on our Athletic Committee for the 2017/2018 school year.  Volleyball Coordinator, Basketball Coordinator, Track & Cross Country Coordinator, Basketball Tournament Director, and Pep Rally Coordinator are all open.  General committee members are also ALWAYS welcome.  Please consider joining this fun group and support our many athletic programs.  We can't do it without YOU!  Go MUSTANGS!
For additional information and questions please contact Darcy Dampier or call at 262-212-4123.

Want to help welcome our little ones and their families?Baptism hospitality
 ministers and volunteer helpers in our childcare room are needed. Contact Kathy Paro.

Planning for summer?


Bible Camp will again be offered this summer! Our theme is "Camp Covenant". We will begin with a Pentecost Party the evening of Tuesday, June 13, 6:30-7:45. Then our 9:00-12:00 program with kids will be June 14-16! 
Want to help with the planning? Join us March 30, from 6:00-7:30pm in MR-G (the meeting room behind the Fellowship Hall kitchen).  Email Debbie if you are unable to make it, but would like to help.






Volleyball Camp with Coach Casey is returning. .
Boys and Girls Currently in 3rd-8th Grade
Cost:  $85, Location : St. Anthony Gym
JULY 17-20 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Make a Difference

Greeters at Mass
All families are invited and needed to sign-up to be greeters at Masses. Help be a welcoming presence as we open the doors for visitors and parishioners coming for Mass. Your smile may make someone's day! More information and video here.
Ministry Highlight: Human Concerns
Click on the link above to get a glimpse of the many ways our parish reaches out and within.

GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER During the summer, the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary, provides fresh produce for the Amani District/53206 area code.  If you think you could help out, please contact Tom Bohmann @ 9209189932 for more information. 
"When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat"

PERU FLOODING PERU FLOODING Many people have been asking if the recent flooding in Peru has affected our friends in Piura and we are sad to say that it has greatly.   This link helps.  

RIGHT TO LIFE RUMMAGE/ BAKE SALE  Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 8 AM to 5 PM at St. Joseph's Gym (841 Martin Street, Waukesha, WI).

Read more about these initiatives in this coming week's bulletin
As we prepare to mark this exciting moment, we are embarking on a living history project. Do you have a memorable story from St. Anthony history? Is your family tied to the origins of our parish? Do you have photos, documents or other artifacts that represent important moments in our history and development over the years? Contact Ben Brzeski or Art Scheuber to share your story!
Molly Ministry/Early Childhood
          
Moms Group: Tuesday, March 28  9:30-11am. Childcare is available while the moms meet for discussion, prayer, support and faith sharing on this shared journey of parenting.  New moms, at any stage of mothering, always welcome.  We will have our traditional Lenten moms group doing Mary's Way of the Cross on April 4 this year. We will meet in the chapel at 9:30.

Mom's Night Out: 
March 29 at 7:30. Join other moms for an evening out at Spring City Wine House in downtown Waukesha.

Field Trip:  March 31 at 10:00.  We will meet at The Big Backyard in New Berlin.   The Big Backyard brings the outdoors inside with huge play equipment, riding toys, balls, playhouses, infant toys, and more. Cost is $8.00 for the first child, $7.00 for each sibling.  Adults and infants under 1 year are free. 

Guardians and Angels: Playgroup for toddlers and preschools with a parent or guardian, meets on Wednesday mornings from 10-11:30. New participants always welcome. Come when you can. We gather in April on the 5th and 26th, 
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Molly Ministry Planning Committee meets on Monday, April 3, 10-11:30. The discussion of strategic planning for Early Childhood Ministry will continue. Please join us to share your thoughts.

Preschool families in LaPetite last weekend worked with their children and traced their hands to make Palm Branches as they learned about Palm Sunday.

Grades 1-5

Please pray for the children who are preparing for their First Communion.

First Communion:
A reminder for students to keep working on their First Communion workbook!
The Bread Baking Retreat for First Communicants is April 1, 9-1:30.  If you haven't turned in your paperwork for this retreat and picnic, please do so now. 

Planning for summer? Save the dates June 13-16 for 
Bible Camp at St. Anthony. Registration now available.   
Middle School Ministry

Currently in 7th or 8th grade? Want to make a difference this summer?

  Register now for our middle school mission experience:  Summer Outreach Camp!   Camp begins the evening of July 25 with fun and orientation, We'll stay overnight at St. Anthony and spend the days of July 26 and 27, serving in Waukesha County. We close with a family celebration the night of the 27th. This is a half week Christ-centered mission, offering 7th & 8th graders an opportunity to serve our  neighbors and community through hands-on assistance and work.
 
Middle in the Middle will not be meeting in April, enjoy Holy Week services as a family.

Save the date for the 7th and 8th grade Retreat, the evening of May 19.

Students in Family Program middle school classes finished their year with some lively faith fact competition! Congratulations to our winners and all on a fun last class. We are grateful for our wonderful catechists that share their faith and time so generously.  For more photos and info on our classes, see the  Middle School Blog .
If you would like to review faith facts at home please contact Angie; we have sets of flash cards you can use.
High School Ministry

SPARK:  Eucharistic Adoration with music, is offered here on Monday evenings, twice a month. This is teen-friendly; all are welcome! 
Next date: Monday, March 27, 5:30-6:30pm 

 
Jr. Retreat:   The Junior Retreat is this weekend, March 24-26. Please keep our Juniors and all the High School seniors, college students and adults leading them in your prayers. 

Summer Mission Trips:  Preparations are underway for the  high school mission trips !  Final payments are due now.   Selling Shares and Volunteering are expectations for mission trip participants.  The next meeting is April 24. 

Confirmation Group Selfie: This photo was submitted by two small group leaders following their last confirmation meeting for the year. Their small group had a terrific discussion on friendship, so they decided to take a group selfie. Love those radiant faces!

High School youth in family program gathered for a speaker to close our year. Grace Urbanski spoke on the power and methods of prayer and closed with a guided meditation.


Family Program

The family activity for our last family program session for this season was on the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Read more and see photos on the 
Family Program Blog.  

It was so nice to receive the photo to the left from one of our families who set up their shrine at home with the message "We love our gift!". Please share photos with us as your bulb grows at your home. Photos can be emailed to Angie.

Fr. Tony concluded our adult session with an image of a moving sidewalk.on which the business of life is moving quickly. It's important to take a step to the side and reflect on where we are coming from and where we are going. Taking time for silence is critical, as hard as it is. Fr. Tony shared a story of going to the hermitage at the Redemptorist Retreat Center.  

Thank you to each of you for the part you played in making this a wonderful year of family program. Our hearts are filled with joy at the thought of each of us growing in prayer together this past year. Thank you for being catechists, bringing snacks, setting up, taking down, showing up and sharing generously with one another. Your presence made a difference and we are grateful!

Registration will be open for Family Program 2017-18 beginning April 1. 

We look forward to seeing you at Mass and connecting with you through our newsletters and some additional events. We are currently working on a family service project, helping Blessings in a Backpack. More information will be available in the next newsletter.
LaPetite Family Program
LaPetite families prayed the Stations of the Cross together 


Families in the Pre K & K centers learned about Holy Week and Easter. They even washed each other feet!


An end of year favorite for LaPetite! 
Families with students grades 1-3 played a friendly game of Trivia as their review for the year.


All the students in grades 1-3 who memorized prayers this year! We are so proud of you!
Family Inspiration:
Be refreshed by the barren beauty of Lent!
 
Resource from Dynamic Catholic on what you need to know about Lent: 
STAY CONNECTED: