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St. Anthony on the Lake Lifelong Faith Formation Newsletter
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Faith Formation Connections
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From the heart of our Pastoral Associate... Dr. Kathie Amidei
Dear Mom...
I have wondered a thousand times if I have done the right thing as a mom, a wife, a friend. Did I say things in a way that encouraged and lifted up those I love or discouraged them? Did I anticipate their needs and respond adequately? Was I warm, welcoming and kind?
Sometimes I forget to give myself credit for the small, simple things that I do for those I love. But even more often, I am not mindful of the things others do that remind me they love and care for me. I forget to say thank you. If I stop, for even a minute, I see how full of love my life is and it changes my perspective on most everything.
My husband emptied the dishwasher before I got home from work. (Actually he also turned it on before he left for work so the dishes got cleaned in the first place!) My son sent me a text yesterday just to ask how I was doing. My colleague understood when I was late on a deadline. My days are full of benedictions I walk past in a fog because I am thinking of the next thing on my agenda.
I thought of this because at my sister's memorial last week, my nephew, Patrick, who has special needs, had his big brother read a note from him. It read:
Dear Mom,
I love you.
I miss you.
Thanks for making my lunches.
Love,
Patrick
Thanks, Patrick, for reminding me to say thank you for the little things that make life rich. Thanks for reminding me to appreciate the million simple ways we say "I love you" transforming common acts into the blessings they are.
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  October is Respect Life Month and the month of the Rosary.
Read Cardinal Dolan's Respect Life Month statement "Moved by Mercy
here
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Open Gym fun yesterday! Join us again November 30, 10am. More info
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Open Gym Baby Style |
Guardians and Angels Playgroup:
Wednesday, October 19; 10:00-11:30 in the childcare room. Moms, dads, grandparents, and caretakers, are all welcome to bring your little angels for play, a faith-based story time, craft and snack.
Church, Cheerios and Children: Sunday, Oct. 23, 10:15-11:15
Partnering in Parenting; Spirituality of Children will be the topic for parents of toddlers and preschoolers. Children will play and learn together with some Cheerios fun!
Sign up here
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We have expanded on our Prayer Memorization Program to include all students grades 1-5 in each of our Family Programs. The "Teach your children memorized prayer" handout can be found here.
Server Training: Youth can be trained as servers beginning in 5th grade. Training will be offered Oct. 16, 12-1pm.
Sign up here
First Reconciliation parent/child session:
Our first parent/child preparation session for First Reconciliation is tonight, Thursday, October 13, from 6:15-7:45. Child care is provided for siblings preregistered with Kathy Paro
Want to provide childcare for this evening, sign-up here
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Would you like to know what the youth in grades 6 - 8 are learning in their family program classes? You can follow our
blog
to find out! There you'll find the learning objective for the day, ideas for continuing the discussion at home, and an occasional photo. For information on all the extra-curricular activities, such as Middle in the Middle, please see the parish
page for grades 6 - 8.
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| Saint scarecrows |
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Middle in the Middle
Middle in the Middle met last night. In honor of the upcoming All Saints Day, we shared and learned about some saints and created scarecrows to be used at the end of the month! Our next Middle in the Middle is November 16.
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Mission Trip Registration is OPEN!
Have you heard about the life-changing experiences of a youth mission trip? Do you want to find out more? Did you miss the meeting on Oct. 2? Find out meeting details here and register today for a 2017 summer Mission Trip.
See the
website
for images from our trips last summer.
CYM: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Did you know the Archdiocese sponsors a recreational Basketball League for high school youth? It is called CYM (Catholic Youth Ministry) Basketball. Our parish will once again participate, and new this year, we are preparing to have both male and female teams. The registration will be open online beginning at the end of October and will close by November 15. We will be looking for volunteers to coach the teams. Please contact the Faith Formation office if you are interested.
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Confirmation Preparation
The Wednesday night sessions for Confirmation Preparation begin October 19th for grade 11.
Fall Service Day Nov. 6
Please print and return to the Faith Formation office by Oct. 17.
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Spark
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament designed especially for teens and young adults, but all are welcome
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oin us! 10/
24 5:30-6:30pm in the Chapel.
Find out more
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Scripture Studies have begun, additional people welcome! Read about the options, and see which is best for you.
More information...
A Home for All: Are you an adult interested in becoming Catholic, or an adult baptized in the Catholic Church wanting to complete your initiation in the faith through First Communion and Confirmation? St. Anthony R.C.I.A.
(Right of Christian Initiation of Adults) team is here for you! Contact
Ben Brzeski and begin the conversation.
 Firstfruits returned to St. Anthony on Tuesday, October 11! Great energy filled the building as women gathered together. Joan Carey opened the day with a reflection on home. She reminded us that God wants us to abide in him as he abides in us. She expressed gratitude to be back at St. Anthony. Mark your calendars for May 15-16, when Firstfruits will return to St. Anthony. Additional venues are available in between.
Firstfruits website
Marriage Enrichment: Date Night Fun! 
A great time was had by all that attended the Wine/Beer Social last Saturday. Thank you to the marriage enrichment committee for organizing and for the wonderful childcare providers! Cheers for all marriages! 
Open gym: Buckets & Beliefs
Open gym night for those in their 20's and 30's takes place on Mondays from 7:30 - 9:00pm. Please bring gym shoes and an ID. We ask you to sign a waiver the first time you join us and to check in each time. Enter the gym from the lower parking lot. Questions? Contact Ann Fons
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| Family Program |
 Pray with nature.
How wonderful are your works, oh Lord!
Resources from our sessions are located in our blog: Praying with nature prayers, folder contents, and Father Tony's handouts on temperments from the last program can be found
here.
Looking to complete your
payment
for Family Program? You will receive an email from Maureen Michaels soon letting you know how much you still owe and how to make that payment.
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In the Classroom
Students in our 2nd grade Sunday morning Family Program class begin with prayer with their catechist Stacie Payne.
Middle School youth explored the Holy Spirit as the Breath of God, the Third Person of the Trinity.
They identified symbols
of the Holy Spirit and discussed how they turn to the Holy Spirit as a helper and guide.
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Family Inspiration
"Stay near to God and God will be near to you." At one of the morning masses last week,
Fr. Tony shared our "pray always all ways" theme with the school children. He asked if they had a good friend and how important it was to talk to him/her and keep communicating in order to nurture that friendship. He reminded the community that we have many meaningful and rich Catholic prayers and traditions (Rosary, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Adoration, Our Father, etc) as ways to talk to God. He encouraged the Mass goers to be open to the possibilies of being quiet, feeling God's presence in nature, praying with another person, and exploring new ways to feel God's love strengthening and nurturing them. We are called to be a people of prayer.
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| La Petite Family Program |
Once a month, while children are in peer level classes, parents meet in small groups and discuss chapters from a CFM (Christian Family Movement) book. Topics include Christian parenting, communication, family time, technology and our kids, service to the community and more.
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-Oct. 16th/17th
Family Program. Adult speakers will be Bob Bluhm and Dr. Kathie Amidei, giving witness to the power of prayer in their growth. All adults welcome Monday evening 6:25-7:25, PLC.
-Oct. 19th 6:30-8:15pm 11th Gr
Confirmation Session (PLC, FH).
-Nov. 1 All Saints Day
Masses at 8am and 7pm
-Nov. 6th/7th, Family Program
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sign ups available for several upcoming activities including Repairers of the Breach bag lunches and Senior Holiday Envelope Decorating.
Nov. 6th 12-3pm all 9th and 10th grade teens and their Confirmation group leaders will serve senior citizens by doing yardwork. If you know of a friend or neighbor that could benefit from this Fall Service Day, please contact
Laura Smyczek
, 262-691-9170 x1103.
Celebrate life
in October with our Parish by taking part in the Baby Bottle Boomerang Fundraiser. Bottles can be picked up in the Gathering Space, filled with change, dollar bills or checks and returned at any weekend Mass between now and October 30th. 
Families needed to be Hospitality Greeters
Here at St. Anthony, "All are Welcome!" and...let's all be welcoming!
Come welcome our visitors and parishioners before Mass.
Sign up as a family to h
elp open the doors and prepare the way for what will happen in the sanctuary during Mass!
More details and sign up
Training is available for new servers and for anyone who would like a refresher.
Oct. 16, 12-1pm
Children's Choir is open for all 3-8th graders. Join us for rehearsals on Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 or 4:30-5:30. Contact
Julie Farrell to register.
Childcare Volunteers
St. Vincent DePaul Meal Servers are needed every 4th Sunday.
This is a great opportunity for all, individuals, families, teams etc. Children 8 or older may help if supervised.
More...
Come Along on the Faith Journey of our Children
Feeling called to share your faith? Contact our faith formation department for opportunities.
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Congratulations to the 8th grade girls' and boys' volleyball team on their invitations to the Elizabeth Seton Volleyball Championships, to be held early November.
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| Thank you for kind deeds and encouraging words. May we understand the difference we make when we use them. |
| Prayers for Anna Snopek as she recovers from surgery and for Eli Hansen that his white cells continue to increase. Prayers of healing and strength for all those dealing with loss, illness or struggles. |
If you are going to be absent from family program, it is really helpful if you send us an
email
. If you missed the last newsletter, you can find it under
faith formation communications.
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Walk with us! October 15
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Scholastic Book Fair at St. Anthony
October 22-23, open for shopping before and after all Masses. Stop in!
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Parenting Speaker
October 19, 7-9pm at Mount Mary University Inspirio Youth Ministries, Inc. is proud to present Dr. Timothy Elmore for a presentation on Mistakes All Parents Can Avoid.
Details here.
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Trunk or Treat, October 27th 6-8pm
Kids will trick or treat from vehicle trunks in the upper church parking lot. Lot will open at 5pm for trunk decorating. The lot will close at 6pm so the event can safely begin! There will be a portion of the lot outside of the trunk or treat area to park for those not participating in the trunk decorating. Don't forget the treats!
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Welcome to our Faith Formation Newsletter! You are receiving this newsletter because we have you listed as having a child age 5 or younger, or are enrolled in our Confirmation or Family Program. We are also sending this to catechists, group leaders, and staff. We hope you find this helpful, informing and nourishing. Here you can expect to find connections: ideas to help your family connect to God; ways to connect to our faith community; connections between faith and family life. You may not find all the information directly relevant for your family at this moment; feel free to click to the sections that are. This new method of communication is meant to reduce the number of emails a family receives, while showing a bigger picture of our parish. On the right are some quick links which will lead you to our website with additional information and items of interest.
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