December 2017
News and Views for
    Catechetical and  
         RCIA Leaders 
 
Published by  
The Catechetical Office
  Department of Youth Faith Formation 
Archdiocese of New York  
 
This Month
For All in the Ministry
Catechumenate (RCIA_
Catechist Formation
Webmaster's Column
Guest Columnist
New York Catholic Bible School

Save the Date 

 
 
Friday, March  9
Day of  
Professional Enrichment
St. Joseph Seminary 

Of Special Note   

 

  NYC Public Schools Sex Education Mandate  

 

Columns & Quick Links

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Director/Coordinator,                                             
    It is hard to believe that the great feast of Christmas is but a few short days away. Like most, I am sure you are busy preparing in a thousand and one ways. You are busy buying and wrapping gifts, preparing special foods, getting ready to visit family and friends and to welcome them into your home.  More 
For All in the Ministry
Retreat Day for Catholics who teach in public schools set for Feb. 3  
If you teach in a public school or you know another Catholic who does, note and share this date: 
 Saturday, February 3 
That is when the annual Retreat Day for Catholic teachers in public schools takes place at Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers Building.  Fr. Ugo Nacciarone, SJ. will be the speaker.   
 
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Address: 55 Ryder Road, Ossining, NY 10562

Spread the word among your colleagues, parents and family members who teach in the public schools and invite them to register here for a day of spirituality and enlightenment.
 
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Free "CATECHETICAL" App
Directors and coordinators of religious education, along with pastors and catechists, can have all the offerings and news of the Catchetical Office on their smartphones and tablets. The new Catechetical Office App, "Catechetical," available free at Google Play or the App Store, was created by the Catechetical Office webmaster, Jim Connell.

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Visit our website 
Have you checked out the Catechetical Office website today? There are all sorts of informative and enlightening webinars and other learning opportunities, plus up-to-date information on all things catechetical. Be sure to visit www.nyfaithformation.org
Catechumenate (RCIA) 
Rite of Election at Cathedral Sunday, Feb. 18
His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan has invited catechumens who have participated in their parish RCIA process and are ready to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist to join him at the Rite of Election in St. Patrick's Cathedral on the first Sunday of Lent, Feb. 18, at 2pm. Pastors have been notified through the December mailing from the Vicar General.
  Advance registration is required. The deadline is Monday, Feb. 5. Participating parishes also are asked to send a hospitality volunteer to assist at the rite. All details on the rite, including registration, are available at the RCIA website.  
 
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Winter and Spring Institutes Scheduled 
RCIA Winter Institute      
New York Catholic Center (12th Floor)
1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022                
(between East 55th and East 56th Streets)                
Course : Methodology for the RCIA
Date Saturday, March 3, 2018, 10am - 4pm
 
RCIA Spring Institute
Regina Coeli Church (School Building)
2 Harvey Street, Hyde Park, NY12538               
Course: Methodology for the RCIA
Saturday, April 14, 2018, 10am - 4pm
 
These institutes offer opportunities for parish RCIA leaders, team members, and catechists to take the Catechist Formation course titled: Methodology for the Catechumente (RCIA) which covers the goals and history of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the order and the ministries needed for the Catechumenate, methods for evangelizing, and liturgical catechesis. Experiences of a Rite of Acceptance, Rite of Sending, Dismissal Catechesis, and a Scrutiny will be offered. The RCIA Winter/Spring Institutes are available at no charge to all participants. More details and registration information are here.
Adult Confirmation 
Classes set for sites in Manhattan, Ulster and Westchester 
The Archdiocesan Adult Confirmation Program is designed to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation adults (18 years or older) who have been baptized, received their First Holy Communion, and have attended either parish religious education classes or a Catholic school.     
     Often, due to circumstances beyond their control, people miss out on this sacrament. Catechetical and RCIA leaders often encounter parishioners, parents, friends or relatives who would like to be confirmed. Beginning in March, classes will be offered at the Catholic Center in Manhattan and Holy Family Church in New Rochelle. Classes at St. Joseph Church in New Paltz start in April. Schedules, requirements and other information, including dates and locations for the Confirmation Masses are available here.  

 
By Jim Connell, Webmaster
   
The new buzz phrase in Catholic circles is "missionary disciples."  Leaders of dioceses and parishes are considering ways in which the Church can form missionary disciples to animate the Church and engage the culture.  New technologies lend themselves as aids in animating and engaging.  There is no doubt that the Church needs to be present where people are - and they are on their electronic devices!  Daniella Zsupan-Jerome, Ph.D. is professor of pastoral theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.  Her research focuses on social communication and ministry, especially digital culture and its potential for faith formation. The USCCB has released 8 videos in which Dr. Zsupan-Jerome considers Bringing the Good News to the Peripheries by exploring what good church communication should look like in the digital age. Each video is about 3 minutes and reflects on aspects of the Gospel in light of the digital age.  They would make great discussion starters for a catechist meeting or regional meeting and are free of charge.  You can view them from this link: https://goo.gl/XSiAvJ 
G uest columnist 
The Crib of Peace 
By Sr. Patricia McCarthy, CND
Columnist, Rhode Island Catholic
 
Christmas cards, pageants, songs and decorations usually portray the same mix of people, angels and animals in an attempt to create visual images of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. The story never gets old. The familiar sounds and sights of the feast stir up deep memories. We need to see it and hear it again every year. The Nativity set gets taken down from the attic, dusted off, carefully unwrapped and arranged often in the same way year after year. More 

New York Catholic Bible School
 The New York Catholic Bible School, which is part of the Catechist Formation program, provides Levels 3 and 4 Catechist Certification.
  If you are a catechist who has completed Levels 1 and 2 OR you are a director or coordinator of religious education and have completed the Catechetical Leadership Program, you are eligible for a significant discount. Your tuition will be $50 per trimester, three trimesters a year. There is no registration fee.
   Note that the Bible School welcomes all adults, not just those in the catechetical ministry. For these persons, there is an annual registration fee of $35; tuition is $150 per trimester. 

Class now forming in Orange County  
 Visit the Bible School website for more on this program and then complete either an  "I'm Interested" or "I'm Ready to Apply" form on line. Be sure to indicate the locale in which you are interested. If you have any questions, contact Maureen McKew, the director.