The mission of Religious Education at St. Anne Parish is to teach as Jesus did. The purpose is to prepare young people for an encounter with the Living Christ. The goal of catechesis is to introduce God as Our loving Father who has given us His own life through Baptism, and the child comes to know Jesus as his or her best friend. This leads to a joyful awareness that the spirit of Jesus is present in the Church and within us, calling us to speak to God Our Father and to praise Him by living as his children.

The methods used include regular class meetings as well as special liturgical events such as Penance Services, Holy Week Prayer Service, Christmas Pageant, children's Stations of the Cross, Christmas outreach program, May Procession and mini-retreats. Weekly attendance at Mass is an integral part of the Program.

The following is a brief outline of the program focus year by year.

Level	Major Focus
Pre-K	St. Anne Pre-K is an informal class designed to give students an opportunity to come and pray and learn about a loving God. The lessons are based on stories about Jesus. The children are provided with a book. The class is meant for children the year prior to entrance into Kindergarten. The Pre-K meets during the 10:00 Mass on Sunday October through April.
Kindergarten	I am Special, God's World is Good, Jesus is Good, Families are Good, God is Good. Basic Prayers—Sign of the Cross, Our Father
Transition	Introduction to Jesus, Apostles, Family, and Holy Days. It is a modified Grade One Program. Basic Prayers—Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Prayer.
Grades 1 & 2	These years are devoted to the Sacramental Preparation for First Penance and the reception of First Communion. Students are learning about the life of Jesus, the Ten Commandments, the gifts of God the Father, the importance of the gift of the Holy Spirit that they received at Baptism, the concept of forgiveness and being forgiven and the great gift that Jesus gave us when He died on the Cross—the Sacrifice of the Mass and the giving of His Body and Blood for us. Children also learn about the lives of the Saints and Mary as models for us. Parent meetings are scheduled during the preparation process including a Parent-Child retreat prior to the reception of First Communion. It is the discretion of the Pastor to determine if a candidate is prepared to receive the Holy Eucharist. Weekly attendance at Mass is an essential component of the preparation for the reception of the Eucharist. Basic Prayers—Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Prayer, Act of Contrition, Grace Before Meals Thanksgiving Prayer after Communion
Grade 3	Review of Grades One and Two, the Creed, Liturgical year, Sacraments, Ten Commandments, the Rosary. Basic Prayers—All of the above and the Apostles Creed, Corporal Works of Mercy and the Mysteries of the Rosary
Grade 4	An in depth look at the Ten Commandments, Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, Psalms, Sacraments. Basic Prayers—Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, Acts of Faith, Hope and Love.
Grade 5	An in depth study of the seven Sacraments, Ten Commandments, Liturgical year, Social Justice and Mission. Basic Prayers—the Beatitudes, Jesse Tree, O Antiphons, Nicene Creed
Grade 6	Salvation history is introduced. Students will become familiar with the Bible—Old and New Testament. Social Justice, Moral Development and outreach to the Poor are also discussed in depth. Basic Prayers—In addition to all of the above—Precepts of the Church; Theological Virtues, Capital Sins Apostles and Nicene Creed, Parts of the Mass, sacred vessels and objects used at Mass and in the Church.
Grade 7	The Bible
Grade 8	Relationship with Jesus Concept of being Catholic
Grade 9 & 10	Preparation for Confirmation: The preparation for Confirmation consists of meetings, service, and retreats. Special presentations are offered to the group on topics such as respect for life, service to others, and experiences with the sacraments. Families are involved in the preparation process. At the beginning of each year both the candidate and parent are encouraged to sign a Confirmation Covenant. The covenant details the requirements for preparation and encourages the parent to pray for and support their candidate throughout the preparation process. Parents are also invited to participate in special presentations and with service projects.

During the 10:00 Family Mass, young children have the opportunity to listen to and break open the Gospel Reading on a level that is age appropriate for them. Typically an activity or project is included to help reinforce the learning. Children will be dismissed from Mass after the Opening Prayer by the Priest to follow a Catechetical Leader and return at the Offertory. The children will recite a simple Creed and Prayers of the Faithful.