Faith Formation
The Regional Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship for St. Anne Church and Holy Family Church is Adelle Slebodnick. If you need anything related to Faith Formation, Sacraments, Sacramental preparation, Baptism, or OCIA (formerly RCIA) please contact her.
Adelle Slebodnik: 724-244-9434 or [email protected] or Maureen Ruschak, Regional Faith Formation Coordinator @ [email protected]
Children’s Faith Formation (PreK-5th Grade) Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is back in session. CGS is a hands-on, experiential way for our youngest to meet Jesus and grow in the love and knowledge of the Good Shepherd. Sessions are held on Monday evenings at St. John the Baptist. For more information, contact Adelle Slebodnik at [email protected]
Traditional classroom sessions will return the week of February 15. Families are encouraged to continue with the Bible Reading Challenge while on break…..if you haven’t started yet, it is always a good time to start. For more information, contact Adelle Slebodnik at [email protected]
CALLED Youth Ministry (6th – 8th Grade) Youth Ministry is back. We gather on Sunday evenings at St. John the Baptist. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a friend. For more information, contact Adelle Slebodnik at [email protected]
IMPACT Youth Ministry (9th – 12th Grade) Youth are encouraged to join us on the 2nd and 4th Sunday at St. John the Baptist to continue to grow in faith and relationship with Jesus.
Faith Formation classes are open to public school children of the parish who are in first through eighth grade. Our program builds a foundation for living the Catholic life by helping the child to grow in holiness; to develop a relationship with God; to grow in the knowledge of and thereby foster a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; to know the teachings of the church; and how, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus works in and through the sacraments.
The diocesan policy for reception of the sacraments of reconciliation and first Eucharist is that they are conferred in second grade. A prerequisite is that your children must be actively involved in our parish faith formation program or enrolled in a Catholic School in First Grade.
Liturgy of the Word for Children
Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word for Children occurs during our 11:00 a.m. Mass. Liturgy of the Word for Children begins with the children being called forward after the opening prayer and then dismissed from the assembly. They gather in a special room to hear the word of God proclaimed to them on their own level, followed by a time of reflection, which opens the children to the good news of Jesus’ love for them.
The children also respond to a profession of faith and the prayers of the faithful. The children then return to the assembly in time for the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Liturgy of the Word for Children is a liturgical experience for the children and not a religious education opportunity. All children ages 5 through 11 are welcome to participate. No sign up is necessary.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION – On SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025 10:00 AM these children received their 1st Holy Communion: Holy Family Parish, West Newton: Jason Matthew Diemert
Church of Saint Anne, Rostraver Township: Aria Mila Clawson, Luca Nicholas DeCecco, Emmett Minor Fouch, Gwendolyn Fuller, Jax Edward Garris, Natalia Mae Hancharik, Jase Indof (will make his First Holy Communion at St. Sebastian Church on May 4, 2025), Leo Patrick Lazar, Stella Marie Levi, Juliana Maria Quinto, Rylee Renee Rerko, Ella Grace Ricker, Tahlia Belle Rose Smith, Joseph Stefanik, Kash R. Tomaino, Mason James Whetzel
