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GIFT 2024-2025

Another year of GIFT is in the books! With help from familiar faces like Nancie Chmielewski and Mike Kolze and new ones like Dr. Lorrie Wenzel and Leah Sealey, this community has grown in understanding of the Eucharist in a way that allowed us to celebrate both gratitude and sacrifice. And celebrate we did! Donut Sunday was a delightful success as was our community lunch following the second annual Parish Spring Clean.

None of this could have been possible without our amazing catechists, catechist subs, childcare supervisors, and GIFT Core Team. Thank you for all that you do to support GIFT!

Thank you to every household that joined us this year. Whether you were here for the entire season or participated in select sessions, we are so glad that you were here. We truly came together as the Body of Christ and discovered that we are Eucharist.

We hope you join us for another year of formation and fellowship as a part of GIFT! The calendar for 2024/2025 is locked in as is our theme: “Prayer, Hope & Justice.” We are hard at work rounding up a dazzling line-up of presenters to lead you in your faith formation. While we secure the line-up, be sure to register for the 2024-2025 season of GIFT!

All sessions are 9:05 am-10:20 am, unless otherwise noted.

Session One: September 15

Hope and Prayer lead us to Justice with Mike Kolz

Hope is the power to want something that is positive and lifegiving.

Prayer is the power to keep hope alive. Justice is the outcome of hope prayed for. In other words: hope is the initiator, prayer is the sustainer, and justice is the will of God for God’s hope filled prayerful people. One who is filled with hope and prays is destined to find justice. Today we will examine the concepts of hope and prayer as a means to live a just life.

Michael Kolz currently teaches theology and scripture at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, and previously taught at Pius XI Catholic High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Cardinal Stritch University and a masters in pastoral studies from University of Loyola University of Chicago. He is a proud father of three young men. And most importantly he is the blessed husband of his wonderful wife Lisa for 36 years. His passions are coaching, participating, and watching multiple sports. He believes that sports and the bible are excellent ways to shape young people’s lives.

Session Two: October 6

TBA

Session Three: October 27

TBA

Session Four: November 17

TBA

Session Five: December 8

TBA

Session Six: January 12

TBA

Session Seven: February 2

TBA

Session Eight: February 16

TBA

Session Nine: March 16

TBA

Session Ten: April 6

Celebrating God’s Presence Amongst Us with Mike Kolz

TBA

Session Eleven: April 26

9:00 am-12:00 pm

TBA

Session Twelve: May 4

9:00 am-12:00 pm

TBA

GIFT FAQs

What is GIFT?

  • GIFT is Generations in Faith Together
  • An innovative approach to faith formation for everyone!
  • GIFT is our program of faith formation.
  • It is an intergenerational learning experience as singles, seniors, couples, and families/households of all varieties and forms gather to grow in faith together.

Our gatherings include:

  • An opening experience that is an introduction to the theme of the session.
  • Learning sessions on the topic that are age appropriate.

Why GIFT?

  • To offer Catholic Christians a method of faith formation that speaks to both their lives and the world we live in.
  • To strengthen those who still feel that faith is a priority, but struggle in commitment.
  • To make sense of all that is part and parcel of Catholicism.
  • To live our faith and grow in it in the day to day of family life, jobs, school, etc…
  • To impart our faith to the young people in our community which accompanies. them on a life-long faith journey, as research shows that those who grow up discussing faith with adults are more likely to remain engaged in their faith.

When is GIFT?

  • We gather 12 times per year, between September and April/May, approximately every 3–4 weeks.
  • We meet on Sundays between the 8:00 am and 10:30 am liturgies
    (from 9:05 am-10:20 am).
  • Households with school aged children: our expectation is that you will be in attendance the entire 10 sessions each year.
  • If your child is preparing for the sacraments of reconciliation and first Eucharist, you will also participate in a separate preparation program.

1st grade parents

2nd grade parents

How much does GIFT cost?

Season Pass (Good for all 12 Sessions plus snacks and supplies! )

  • $ 120  Household…1-2 Adults
  • $ 200  Household with 1 child (K4-Gr. 11)
  • $ 280  Household with 2 children
  • $ 360  Household with 3 children
  • $ 440  Household with 4 or more children
  • *** NO FEE for seniors in high school ***
  • $ 100  Senior Household (65 years and older)
  • Payments can be made in full, quarterly, or monthly through WeShare. Balance needs to be paid in full by June 16, 2023.
  • Tuition scholarships are also available.

How can I get involved with GIFT?

GIFT Core Team

The GIFT Core Team assists, plans, and evaluates each monthly GIFT session. Some experience in planning processes and our Catholic teachings is helpful. A sincere desire to explore and plan for the whole community is necessary. This team meets every other month.

Contact:

Steve Szymanski………………………………………..(414) 545-4316, Ext. 127

GIFT Catechists

Adults (21 and older) are needed to teach our faith for K4-K5 yr. olds, Gr. 1-2, Gr. 3-4, Gr. 5-6, Gr. 7-8, Gr. 9-10, and Confirmation. Guide plans and materials for each session are provided.

Catechists are asked to work together to implement and evaluate each session. In-service training, safe environment training and continuing education are needed. The catechist should be a person of faith actively involved in the liturgy and life of the parish.

If you enjoy working with children and youth and desire to share your faith, you are invited to call our faith formation directors for more details.

Contact:

Steve Szymanski…………………………. Grade K4-Grade 6

GIFT Aides

Teens and adult helpers are needed to assist the catechists with the activities and needs of the children and youth.

Teens and adult helpers are needed to assist the catechists with the activities and needs of the children and youth.

Contact:

Steve Szymanski………………………………………..(414) 545-4316, Ext. 127

Returning Household Registration

If you are a returning household, please click here to register for GIFT. Use this form to update any changes to your household. We will update ages and grades of children automatically in our database.

If you prefer to print out a form and turn it into the Parish Office, click here to download. Households with children have an additional form. This form must be signed by hand. Hard copies are available at the Parish Office. If you prefer to print out a form and turn it into the Parish Office, click here to download.

If you are new to GIFT, please use the registration form below.

Register for GIFT 2024-2025

If you prefer to print out a form and turn it into the Parish Office, click here to download. Households with children have an additional form. This form must be signed by hand. Hard copies are available at the Parish Office. If you prefer to print out a form and turn it into the Parish Office, click here to download.

Fill out my online form.