G.I.F.T. Ministries - Growing in Faith Together

G.I.F.T. - Growing in Faith Together
GIFT is Religious Education for children in Kindergarten through Sixth grade. Sessions are held on Sundays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 6:30pm. to 7:45 p.m. The sessions are held in the school classrooms and scheduled Family Prayers are held in the Social Hall. Parents are required to attend an orientation meeting on the first class. Call Mary Socorro Briseño, 439-0124 ext. 119, for addtional information.

• GIFT Religious Education Forms - English
• GIFT Religious Education Forms - Spanish

GIFT Announcements:

First Communion Preparation - We commend all of the children preparing for First Communion this year along with their parents who have completed 12 sessions and 2 retreats during the year along with 2 years of Religious Education studies. We had our First Communion Retreat on March 30th, and we reflected on the scripture of John 6:48-58 - The Body of Christ, Bread of Life; The children and parents went on a “Scripture Walk” discussing Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes and Matthew 25: 34-45 - The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and on how they could put these into practice in their daily lives; The teachers had a review with the children on the Eucharist while their parents and a few sponsors had a group meditation; Later we all gathered to hear the gospel of John 6:1-15 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand as we all shared bread; The parents presented a small cross to their children and blessed them in a Rite of Signation, and we ended with the lighting of candles reminding us that we are all called to be the light of the world. It was a wonderful opportunity to gather in Jesus’ name and receive God’s graces. Please pray for these children and their families receiving the sacrament of First Communion on April 26th.

PICNIC COMMITTEE FOR G.I.F.T. - The end of the school year for our GIFT program is quickly approaching, and even though it is not until May 4th, we are now looking for volunteers to help plan the end of the year family picnic. We would like this to be a memorable event for the children and their families, and we need your help. If you like planning events or just want to help, consider volunteering, please call Mary at 439-0124 ext. 119.

GIFT - Family Prayer - Families from our GIFT-Religious Education program gathered to celebrate our Lenten Family Prayer this past Sunday. We shared scripture of the Beatitudes, and the widow who had very little to share, yet she believed in the word of God spoken through the prophet Elijah, and she shared the little she had. The children’s ideas of what kinds of things we could share with others where things such as love, time, prayers, and material items. We also joined in praying the Stations of the Cross, and we related them to the suffering in today’s world. Thank you to everyone who participated, especially to all the teachers and volunteers. We even had live music! The Tuesday Family Prayer will be on March 4th and the Spanish-Sunday Family Prayer will be on March 9th during regular class times. Please check your calendars. No class today, Sunday, March 2nd due to the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim.

Congratulations - To the children who celebrated the sacrament of First Reconciliation on Saturday, January 19, 2008. All of these children are in their second year of study in the Growing In Faith Together (GIFT) Religious Education Program. Thank you parents and guardians. You have worked so hard in attending and participating in classes so that these children may experience forgiveness and the many graces that our Lord, Jesus embraces us with. What a true blessing you are to these children!

Music Anyone? - The GIFT Program for Children is looking for musicians and singers who would like to give of their time and talent to form a group that would play for the prayer services and others events as needed throughout the GIFT school year. If you are interested in joining or would like to help in other areas, please contact Mary S. Briseno at 439-0124 ext. 119.

• GIFT Religious Education Forms - English
• GIFT Religious Education Forms - Spanish

“Let the little children come to me....” Luke 18:16 - Interested in becoming a volunteer to teach or assist children? We will be needing many volunteers for next year for both English and Spanish programs. Also, the Diocese of Fresno will be having a Basic Catechist training course beginning in June. Please contact Mary Briseño at 439-0124 ext. 119 if you would like additional information.

Children’s Christmas Eve Mass - All children are invited to come as angels and shepherds to our Children’s Christmas Eve Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24th at 4:00 p.m. Come early to find a seat! If you want to participate as an angel or a shepherd, please arrive in the main church by 3:00 p.m. for a rehearsal. Please come dressed with your own outfit. If you need more information please call Mary Briseño at 439-0124 ext. 119.

Jesus Loves the Little Children - Have you ever thought about sharing your time with God’s little children? We would love your help as part of our team in teaching the children. If you would like more information, please call Mary Briseño at 439-0124 ext. 119. Consider if the Holy Spirit is calling you for this ministry and continue to pray for our children, their families and teachers.

2007 - 08 GIFT Registration Forms:
In order to view the GIFT Registration Forms, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or better. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader click the button below and download the free version of Adobe Acrobat. Click here for more information on PDF files.

• GIFT Religious Education Forms - English
• GIFT Religious Education Forms - Spanish

G.I.F.T. Announcements:

• Teachers and Assistant Teachers are needed for the upcoming year in grades Kindergarten through Sixth. Training is available. Couples, singles and young adults are needed to work in this ministry. Call Mary Socorro Briseño, 439-0124 ext. 119, for additional information.

Children’s Liturgy of The Word - Children’s Liturgy of the Word has resumed. On Sundays, during both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Masses, all children in grades K - 3 are welcome. Children are dismissed after the opening prayer and walk together to the choir loft. They return to their families after the prayers of the faithful. No registration is required and no fee is involved. Please join us!

St. Anthony’s Sunday Pre-School Program - Our Sunday pre-school program offers children, ages 3 through 5, the opportunity to learn about Jesus, His life, His Commandments and how He wants us to live, in a manner that they can understand. The program is taught through crafts, music, art, role playing, discussion and praying. Enrollment for our Fall through Spring program begins August 21st. Sunday Pre-School will begin October 2, 2005 during 9:30 Mass in Room 14. Please call Cathi at extension 173, for questions. Please complete the following forms for Pre-School Registration:

• Sunday Pre-School Registration Form, Pg. 1
• Sunday Pre-School Registration Form, Pg. 2
  

Spanish G.I.F.T.
This is Religious Education for children in Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Sessions are held on Sunday from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. These sessions are held in the school classrooms. Registration takes place in mid August through September. Parents are required to attend an orientation meeting on the second class. Call Mary Socorro Briseño, 439-0124 ext. 119, for additional information.

• GIFT Religious Education Forms - Spanish

Sacrament Preparation
Children attend the G.I.F.T. sessions and work with their parents at home in their Eucharist and Reconciliation books. Parents attend scheduled sessions along with their child. In accordance with Diocesan guidelines children preparing for sacraments attend sessions for two years in grades First through Sixth. Registration takes place in mid August through September. Parents are required to attend an orientation meeting on the first class. Call Mary Socorro Briseño, 439-0124 ext. 119, for additional information.

Spanish Sacramental Preparation
Children attend Spanish G.I.F.T. sessions on Sunday. Parents and child who are receiving the sacraments of First Communion and Reconciliation attend sessions on Tuesday evening from 6:30pm – 7:45pm as scheduled. Sessions are held at the school classrooms. Registration takes place in mid August through September. Parents are required to attend an orientation meeting on the second class. Call Mary Socorro Briseño, 439-0124 ext. 119, for additional information.

Baptism of Children 7 Years and Older
Children attend G.I.F.T. sessions and are prepared for the Sacraments of Initiation. Parent(s) work with their child at home in addition to what is covered during class session. This is a two year preparation for Sacraments. Call Mary Socorro Briseño, 439-0124 ext. 119, for additional information.

For additional information on the G.I.F.T. program, contact:

Mary Socorro Briseño
439-0124 ext. 119
Dept. Religious Education of Children
mbriseno@stanthonyfresno.org

Click here to view photos from Christmas Eve
Children's Mass at St. Anthony's

 

• Sonshine Summer Bible Camp 2006
• Sonshine Summer Bible Camp 2005