Preparing for a Gathering

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Visit the Gathering Guides page for the current guide. For our Hope in Christ series, the readings to prepare beforehand will be included in the guides themselves, drawing on Ascension’s material, Scripture, and the Catechism. No separate Journey Through the Catechism reading is assigned for this series. We will move at a pace that gives us time to understand, pray, and talk together.

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We ordinarily meet Tuesdays from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center at St. Anne Catholic Church, with our Encounter Nights in the Church the second Tuesday of the month. Please check each listing below for changes in location or schedule.

Newcomers are always welcome! You don’t need to catch up before joining us.

 

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This October, we’ll explore what Catholics believe about what is called The Four Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell as we prepare for three connected days, sometimes called the “fall triduum.” Triduum simply means “three days.”

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October 31 is All Hallows’ Eve, better known as Halloween. Its name means the evening before All Saints’ Day.

On November 1, All Saints’ Day, we honor all the people who are now with God in heaven. We call them saints. Some are well known, like St. Francis or St. Thérèse, but many lived quiet lives and are known only to God. Their lives remind us that God calls each of us to become holy and share His life forever.

On November 2, All Souls’ Day, we pray for those who have died, especially those still being prepared for heaven. Catholics call this preparation purgatory: God’s work of cleansing us from everything that keeps us from loving Him completely. These souls are assured of heaven, and we help them through our prayers. It’s one way we continue to love and care for people after death.

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These days bring us face to face with questions many of us carry: What happens when we die? Will we see those we love again? What does Jesus’ Resurrection mean for us?

We’ll make room for these questions as we learn together. You don’t need to know the teachings already or have everything figured out.

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Tuesday, October 6 | Preparing for the Rites 6:30–8:30 p.m. | St. Anne Parish Center, Rite Preparation and Q&A with Dcn. Brian and Emily

Dcn. Brian and Emily, our liturgical coordinator, will help us prepare for Sunday’s Rites of Entrance and Welcome. We’ll learn what to expect, understand the meaning of what we’ll be doing, and have time to ask questions.

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Sunday, October 11 | Rites of Entrance and Welcome, 11 a.m. Mass | St. Anne Catholic Church

During Mass, the parish will welcome those taking this next public step in their journey of faith. Join us as we celebrate with them and pray for them as they continue preparing for the sacraments.

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Tuesday, October 13 |Encounter Night: Alive in Christ 6:30 p.m. | St. Anne Catholic Church

A quiet, guided evening beginning at the baptismal font and continuing among the statues of the saints in the nave of St. Anne. We’ll reflect on the life Christ gives us in Baptism and how we belong to one Church across death. Saint Monica’s request to be remembered at the altar and the prayers of the Mass will help us entrust those we love to Jesus. The evening ends with silence and an invitation to light a candle for someone we have lost or the souls of the departed.

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Tuesday, October 20 | The Life God Offers Us 6:30–8:30 p.m. | St. Anne Parish Center
Reading and Table Conversation.

What does Jesus’ victory over death mean for us? We’ll explore what the Church teaches about death and judgment, heaven and hell, and God’s promise of bodily resurrection and a renewed creation. Through prayer with Scripture and conversation around the tables, we’ll consider how this hope shapes our response to God today.

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Tuesday, October 27 | Why We Pray for the Dead 6:30–8:30 p.m. | St. Anne Parish Center
Reading and Table Conversation

Our love for someone can continue through prayer after they have died. We’ll explore purgatory, the final purification of those assured of heaven, with help from Saint Catherine of Genoa’s teaching. We’ll learn how the Church prays for the departed, including at Mass, and introduce the meaning of indulgences as we prepare for our Hillcrest cemetery visit.

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Sunday, November 1 | Prayer for the Faithful Departed 12:15 p.m. | Hillcrest Memorial Park
Cemetery Prayer, Followed by Lunch at Growler Guys Taphouse (531 NE F St, Grants Pass, OR 97526)

On All Saints’ Day, we’ll gather to pray for those who have died, entrusting them to God’s mercy. This shared prayer puts our Christian hope into practice. Lunch together will follow!

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Tuesday, November 3 | No Tuesday Gathering

Serving together at the parish bazaar replaces our usual Tuesday gathering. We’ll help with setup and teardown, putting our faith into practice through service to our parish. Service dates and times will be shared when confirmed.

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Saturday November 7th | Servant Saturday: Helping set-up/tear-down for our annual parish Bazaar. Time TBA

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Tuesday, November 10 | Encounter Night: Living in Hope 6:30 p.m. | St. Anne Catholic Church

We’ll bring our Hope in Christ series to a close with a quiet evening before the Lord. Reflecting on Christ’s promised return and the resurrection, we’ll bring him our questions and the people we love. Our cemetery prayer and parish service will help us consider how hope in everlasting life shapes our daily choices. The evening ends with silence and an invitation to light a candle.