September 14, 2015  
Volume IX, Number 36

SAINTS
Monday, September 14- Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Tuesday, September 15- Our Lady of Sorrows  
Wednesday, September 16- St. Cornelius
Thursday, September 17-  St. Robert Bellarmine
Friday, September 18- St. Joseph of Cupertino
 
Tasks Of Catechesis
"Jesus formed his disciples by making known to them the various dimensions of the Kingdom of God.  He entrusted to them 'the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven' (Mt. 13:11); he taught them how to pray (Lk. 11:2); he opened his 'meek and humble heart' to them (Mt. 11:29); and he sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.  (Lk. 10:1)  The fundamental task of catechesis is to achieve the same objective: the formation of disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus instructed his disciples; he prayed with them; he showed them how to live; and he gave them his mission.

Christ's method of formation was accomplished by diverse yet interrelated tasks.  His example is the most fruitful inspiration for effective catechesis today because it is integral to formation in the Christian faith.  Catechesis must attend to each of these different dimensions of faith; each becomes a distinct yet complementary task. Faith must be known, celebrated, lived, and expressed in prayer.  So catechesis comprises six fundamental tasks, each of which is related to an aspect of faith in Christ.  All efforts in evangelization and catechesis should incorporate these tasks" National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) 59-62.

As an attempt to utilize the inculturation process outlined in the NDC, CL Weekly will attempt the discovery of the tasks of catechesis in relation to the modern world's movements.  "Inculturation involves listening to the culture of the people for an echo of the word of God.  It involves the discernment of the presence of authentic Gospel values or openness to authentic Gospel values in the culture" NDC 64.  
  
The Catholic Church Mobile App 
This new app created by the USCCB invites us to technology.
Download the informational powerpoint on this new app!
Catechesis Promotes Knowledge of the Faith
Pope Francis' Message on World Communication's Day
"How, then, can communication be at the service of an authentic culture of encounter? What does it mean for us, as disciples of the Lord, to encounter others in the light of the Gospel? In spite of our own limitations and sinfulness, how do we draw truly close to one another? These questions are summed up in what a scribe - a communicator - once asked Jesus: "And who is my neighbour?" (Lk 10:29). This question can help us to see communication in terms of "neighbourliness". We might paraphrase the question in this way: How can we be "neighbourly" in our use of the communications media and in the new environment created by digital technology? I find an answer in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is also a parable about communication. Those who communicate, in effect, become neighbours. The Good Samaritan not only draws nearer to the man he finds half dead on the side of the road; he takes responsibility for him. Jesus shifts our understanding: it is not just about seeing the other as someone like myself, but of the ability to make myself like the other. Communication is really about realizing that we are all human beings, children of God. I like seeing this power of communication as "neighbourliness".

Gaudium et Spes
"When man develops the earth by the work of his hands or with the aid of technology, in order that it might bear fruit and become a dwelling worthy of the whole human family and when he consciously takes part in the life of social groups, he carries out the design of God manifested at the beginning of time, that he should subdue the earth, perfect creation and develop himself. At the same time he obeys the commandment of Christ that he place himself at the service of his brethren."
Catechesis Promotes a Knowledge of the Meaning of the Liturgy and the Sacraments
The new app allows people to find parishes with ease.
Catechesis Teaches the Christian How to Pray with Christ
The new app provides daily scripture readings.
Catechesis Promotes Moral Formation in Jesus Christ
Pope Francis' Message on World Communication's Day

May the image of the Good Samaritan who tended to the wounds of the injured man by pouring oil and wine over them be our inspiration. Let our communication be a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts. May the light we bring to others not be the result of cosmetics or special effects, but rather of our being loving and merciful "neighbours" to those wounded and left on the side of the road. Let us boldly become citizens of the digital world. The Church needs to be concerned for, and present in, the world of communication, in order to dialogue with people today and to help them encounter Christ. She needs to be a Church at the side of others, capable of accompanying everyone along the way. The revolution taking place in communications media and in information technologies represents a great and thrilling challenge; may we respond to that challenge with fresh energy and imagination as we seek to share with others the beauty of God.
Catechesis Prepares the Christian to Live in Community and to Participate in the Life and Mission of the Church
The Church and Social Media: An Overview (Resource from the USCCB)

"Social media offer both opportunities and challenges to Catholic organizations. These can be grouped into three primary categories:
  • Visibility
    The key question that faces each church organization that decides to engage social media is,  Ho will we engage?
     
  • Community
    Social media can support communities in a myriad of ways: connecting people with similar interests, sharing information about in-person events, providing ways for people to engage in dialogue, etc.
    With the rapid acceptance of digital social networks, the "digital continent" has become very crowded. The Church can be successful in being heard above the fray by creating engagement.
     
  • Accountability
    Social media provide tools for building community. Membership in communities also requires accountability and responsibility. Users of social media expect site administrators to allow dialogue, to provide information, and to acknowledge mistakes. 
    Social media's emphasis is on the word "social," with a general blurring of the distinction between creators of content and consumers of content. Many communication experts are describing the adaption of social media as a paradigm shift in how humans communicate, a development as important as that of the printing press and the innovation of electronic communication."
Catechesis Promotes a Missionary Spirit that Prepares the Faithful to be Present as Christians in Society
Pope Francis' Message on World Communication's Day

"Effective Christian witness is not about bombarding people with religious messages, but about our willingness to be available to others "by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence" (BENEDICT XVI, Message for the 47th World Communications Day, 2013). We need but recall the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. We have to be able to dialogue with the men and women of today, to understand their expectations, doubts and hopes, and to bring them the Gospel, Jesus Christ himself, God incarnate, who died and rose to free us from sin and death. We are challenged to be people of depth, attentive to what is happening around us and spiritually alert. To dialogue means to believe that the "other" has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective. Engaging in dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the claim that they alone are valid or absolute."

 
NCCL NEWS

PRACTICAS EN LA CATEQUESIS FAMILIAR CON HISPANOS
Best Practices for Family Catechesis with Hispanics
September 17 
10:00 am Pacific, 11:00 am Mountain, 12:00 am Central and 1:00 pm Eastern times. 
Register now!

The Federation for Catechesis with Hispanics is proud to invite you to participate and/or invite your Spanish-speaking Catechetical Leaders to this great webinar, presented in Spanish. For more information about this webinar please visit our website.
 
PRACTICAS EN LA CATEQUESIS FAMILIAR CON HISPANOS
La participación de los padres es un factor determinante para tener una evangelización y catequesis eficaz en los programas de Formación de la Fe para los niños en nuestras parroquias.  ¿Qué podemos hacer para capacitor a las familias para que tomen la responsabilidad de ser los primeros educadores de la fe en el hogar?  Estaremos explorando maneras que nos pueden ayudar a envolver a los padres y a los catequistas de una manera más profunda y comprometida con la evangelización y formación catequética de sus hijos.

Catechetical Sunday Reflection Booklet and Pin  

FINAL CHANCE FOR THE BLOWOUT SALE!*
The  National Conference for Catechetical Leadership has a reflection booklet on the Sunday readings, wit h a corresponding pin, available for purchase. The reflections begin on Catechetical Sunda  y and continue throughout the whole year.  A great spiritual tool, and wonderful gift, for all catechists.  Based on the Catechetical Sunday theme, " Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Person," each catechist will be inspired to echo the faith in their daily living.
To  take advantage of this BLOWOUT SALE:  
Visit the NCCL website for all details and the appropriate order form.  
* Reflection booklet now: $1.75  AND last chance to order pins! Only 100 lapel pins left in stock!
"Eucharist:  Food That Satisfies Our Deepest Hunger"
(Part One of Two)
September 15, 2015
2-3 PM Eastern
 
Join Tom Quinlan for this mini-retreat that explores the rich beauty of the Eucharist, both sacramentally and liturgically.  Tom will draw upon Scripture and stories from his personaljourney of life-in-faith to help reveal the intimate and saving power of Jesus in the Eucharist.  The goal of this retreat-style experience is to invite you into reflection on your own life of journey and communion with God and practically model for catechetical leaders what can be done in parent First Eucharist prep sessions to foster conversion in them. (A Certificate of Attendance will be offered to all participants.)

Register now!
If you have any questions, please contact David Bisono.
 
 
Tom Quinlan is the Director of the Religious Education Office in the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois.  He was the founding chair of NCCL's Evangelization Committee.  Tom holds a Masters of Divinity from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and has presented at national conferences and for dioceses across the country on a variety of faith and ministry topics.  He is an avid traveler and photographer of western North America.  His wife, Kristi, is a parish catechetical leader.

Prepare to Attend a Catholic Parent Revival! September 23 or 24 - Onsite or Online
The Catholic Parent Revival is coming to the Philadelphia area this month during the World Meeting of Families to support, motivate, and revive the faith of parents and grandparents through stirring music and song, inspiring messages and stories, and deep and powerful prayer. Join hundreds of other adults for an evening of CPR and inhale a breath of new life into your vocation as a parent.

The Revivals will be held  free of charge  from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23 or Thursday, September 24. Attend in person or watch online. Seating is available on a first come-first seated basis.

Spread the word using the CPR flyer and encourage groups of parents to gather in homes and parishes to participate together via the live stream feed. A Host Guide and other material for online groups is now available at the CPR website.
 
 
Reach Out to Parents in Faith - Host a CPR in Your Area
Visit the CPR page and read through the Outline for Hosts and Speaker/Performer List and then contact Michael Theisen to discuss details and options that fit your budget and ministerial needs. The CPRs are a great way to respond to and follow up on the World Meeting of Families and the Synod on the Family occurring this fall.
 

A partnered initiative with NCCL and RCL Benziger.
Learn more about how to purchase Echoes 3.0 through this Quick Start Purchasing Guide.

Register Now...Only $350 For Members!
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