Launch is St. Ann's Children's Ministry or elementary religious education program that was designed and created by the staff here at the Catholic Church of St. Ann.

We serve students from three years old to fifth grade. After fifth grade, students attend Edge (middle school program) or Life Teen (high school program).

Launch is 90-minute program that runs once a week, typically from end of August or early September (depending on when Labor Day falls) to end of March or early April (depending on when Easter falls). We offer five available session times to help accommodate families. You only need to attend ONE of the sessions, since they are all the exact same class, just offered at multiple days and times. Sessions are offered at: 

Sundays, 8:45am-10:15am

Sundays, 10:45am-12:15pm

Mondays, 3:30pm-5:00pm

Mondays, 5:30pm-7:00pm

Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30pm

The answer is, it isn't, and it is. Launch hasn't changed the religious education teachings we all grew up with. Our faith is our faith, and that is the same. However, Launch is different than the WAY you were taught growing up. Utilizing modern day teaching practices, techniques, and research, our goal at Launch is to engage your child in their faith using MULTIPLE teaching strategies. Does your child like to paint, sing, dance, act, think, sort, find, discover, discuss, or solve? Then Launch is for your family! 

See what Launch looks like in action: Scroll to the very bottom of the page for our photo album and worship video sample.

Our staff wanted to create a new name for religious ed that inspired children to be excited about learning their Catholic faith. Launch was a verb that we felt was full of adventure, excitement, and passion. The definition of the word "launch" means to "set in motion", and that's what our goal here in children's ministry is to do, to set in motion children's faith journeys. We want to IGNITE children's Catholic faith! We want them to journey to the Son ... Jesus, and do so with a fire in their souls.

We are currently using the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops-approved book series Image of God by Ignatius Press for pre-K & kindergarten; Alive in Christ from Our Sunday Visitor for first grade; the Blessed series by Dynamic Catholic for Year 2; and Faith & Life from Ignatius Press for third-fifth grade. Our staff of certified teachers and theology majors are modifying and adding to the book lessons to create customized plans that meet the needs of our St. Ann's students.

In pre-K-second grades, children begin with prayer and have a quick discussion over the day's topic. Then they join their peers in energetic praise and worship in our Flight Training room. Next, they return to their classes and read or listen to a lesson from their text books that relates to the weekly Gospel message. This is followed up with another small discussion. Then, they spend the remainder of class having choices between four stations that are Gospel-themed and involve either art, reading, thinking, acting, technology or discovery.

In third-fifth grades, students begin in prayer, then read and discuss the weekly Gospel message in whole group and small group conversations. Next, students engage in the material through a whole group or small group activity, such as a game, service project, skit, or artistic creation. Finally, they end their session in the Flight Training room with their peers. The closing session may entail meditative adoration, energetic worship songs, a skit or video introduction of the day's topic. 

We have seen it work for years, and here's why:

The lessons are interactive and hands-on.

Students do not sit down and work on reading, worksheets, or workbooks the entire time. They may only do so for 5-20 minutes depending on their age and grade.

Students are moving around a large portion of the time.

Students get a choice as to what station they want to complete and for how long, so they focus on an activity that interests them.

Younger children devote a large portion of their session to Gospel-themed play, and we all know children can play for hours.

If you still feel there may be a complication, please contact the Launch director at jkiehl@st-ann.org to work out accommodations that will meet the needs of your family.

Launch is $120/student for the entire year of religious education. We do offer an early bird registration discount of $100/student if you register in the month of July. Additionally, pre-K students ages 3 & 4 are FREE! If the registration fee is putting a financial burden on your family, and if you would choose to withhold your child from religious education for financial reasons, please contact the Launch office at jkiehl@st-ann.org to get information on scholarships available. Religious education is a RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE.

Access the Launch calendar here. It will show you any days that we are in session or closed for breaks. We typically follow the Cobb County break schedule, but for any weather closings please check your emails, texts, our Facebook page or the website for information.

We sure do. Go to https://www.facebook.com/stannslaunch/ to be directed to our page.

Yes. Carpool dropoff starts 15 minutes prior to a Launch session and concludes at the start of each session. Carpool pickup begins once a Launch session has concluded and continues until 15 minutes after a session's end.

Yes! We would LOVE to have you come and see what we are doing, or stay and lend an extra pair of hands. Prior to you entering a classroom, we would need you to fill out a background check and attend a VIRTUS training to be in alignment with archdiocesan rules. Click here to fill out the background check. For more information on completing these steps, please contact Linn Hodges, lhodges@st-ann.org, 770-552-6400 x6039.

Yes! If your child is in fourth grade or older and still needs to receive First Communion, you will enroll your child in a typical Launch class that corresponds to their grade AND enroll in a class called Voyage. Voyage is a series of additional workshops that help prepare your child to receive their sacraments. Please email Jackie Kmet, jkmet@st-ann.org, for more information on Voyage classes.

Yes! However, which Launch class they should enroll in may vary depending on the situation and age of the child. For a complete answer on this question, please contact the Launch office at 770-552-6400 x6039 or email Jackie Kmet, jkmet@st-ann.org, or email the director, Jenny Kiehl, jkiehl@st-ann.org.

Our goal is to have the majority, if not all, students be mainstreamed into classes with their peers, but to provide a one-on-one buddy (trained volunteer) that can assist your child in accommodations or modifications to the lesson given. We cannot promise that we are trained, equipped, or fully capable of meeting all special needs that a child may be facing, but we will do our best with what God has given us. Our deepest desire is that you and your family feel welcomed here, and with your help and guidance, we will provide the love and support that we can to make you feel at home here at St. Ann's. Learn more here. 

Launch is an upbeat and energetic hands-on and choice-filled option that is similar to a vacation Bible school. Therefore, if you are looking for a true Montessori option that is more calm and relaxing, then Catechesis of the Good Shepherd may be the program you are looking for. To get more information on CGS, please visit st-ann.org/launch/catechesis-of-the-good-shepherd.

We follow the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops rules and guidelines of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People's Promise to Protect. This was created in 2002 and revised in June of 2018. To find more information about this charter go to usccb.org or archatl.com.

All volunteers and staff are background checked and VIRTUS Safe Environment trained when assisting with children.

We follow the You Plus 2 rule at Launch, which states that no adult is left alone with a child that is not in a public or easily visible area. Adults need to be with another child or adult witness to protect all involved parties.

All volunteers and staff are Mandated Reporters, which means if they suspect ANYTHING inappropriate has or is happening to a child at home, in school, in the church, etc., they MUST report it to the Department of Family and Child Services to investigate.

Click HERE to access our registration system.

Please contact the Launch office for more help at 770-552-6400 x6023 or email Director Jenny Kiehl, jkiehl@st-ann.org.