Annual Catechetical Leader Day of Reflection

Called to Minister in Jesus' Name

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

9:30 am - 2;30 pm

Marywood in the Wisdom Center

Our retreat speaker will be Brian Lemoi, Executive Director of the Franciscan Center in Tampa. Brian has served in many areas of the Catholic Church, beginning in education, then parish life, and then to the Pastoral Center in the Diocese of St. Petersburg where he served for 27 years in the areas of faith formation, evangelization, family life, and lay ministry. You will enjoy Brian's presentation as well as his fun sense of humor.

The day is open to all parish ministers.

Jotform to register

Family Faith Formation

As we work as a diocese to implement more fully what us asked for in the Directory for Catechesis, I share a few things as you begin to plan the new catechetical year.

Goal of all Catechesis:

Catechesis makes the initial conversion ripen and helps Christians to give a complete meaning to their existence, educating them in a mentality of faith in keeping with the Gospel, to the point of gradually coming to think, feel, and act like Christ." #77

A key element in the Directory is offering faith formation that is family centered and family friendly.

As mentioned, 2 years ago, the better title for programming with children/youth is some variation of Faith Formation. As the quote above tells us, it is more than rote memorization and doctrine. It is about the whole child and forming them to think, feel, and act like Christ.

Baby Steps a few simple ways to start followed by some more challenging proposals. Erin's local document.

NCCL Webinar ~ Forming a Team for Family Faith Formation power point and guide available in both English and Spanish

NCCL Seasonal Family Activities

Families Forming Disciples The Archdiocese of Atlanta has developed a year-by-year program that involves parents at every step. This is quite intensive and not the model used by their parishes, but it has a lot of great ideas for singular events and parent take homes.

Preparing Catechists and Teachers for the new Formation Year

Every catechist and teacher should be provided with a copy of the curriculum that they are expected to teach. You may find each grade, Pre -K - 8 at the following link. The high school religion curriculum will be under review this coming year.

Documents: These are also all found on the www.dosaformation.com website.

Bishop Pohmeier Letter for Curriculum

Director Letter for Curriculum

Curriculum (large file)

Guide for Parents to the Curriculum

Grade Level Prayers

Developmental Stages of Children for teachers/catechists

Developmental Stages of Children for Parents

Minor photo and media release (updated)

Adult Photo and Media Release (updated)

From our friends at the Tribunal: Easter is early this coming year. Therefore, the deadline to submit all, that is all paperwork for a full annulment will be July 15, 2026. Recall, this also does not mean an annulment will be automatically granted after 8 months or that it will only take 8 months. This is a best guess.

A Workshop on Marriage Law for Parish Professionals

An Introduction for parish workers, particularly those who are involved in OCIA, on the annulment process will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the St. Cahterine Room on Saturday, July 25 from 9:30 am - noon. This workshop will aid you in accompanying people through the annulment process, especially those in the OCIA, covering the following: 

~ The basics of the process

~ Key terminology

~ A look at the various types of annulments

~The timeline

$5 donation for handouts taken at the door. 

Jotform to register

Nuts and Bolts of the OCIA Process

This workshop is the introduction to the process of OCIA for new team members or for those who need a refresher.

Saturday, August 15 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Hurley Auditorium

Topics will include:

Overview of the process

Sorting the people into categories

Terminology

Best Practices

Fee is $10 per person, 3/$25. 6?$50...yes, we want you to sign up the whole team.

Jotform to register

OClA new online course for sponsors and godparents

Called to Accompany: A Guide for Sponsors and Godparents in the Catechumenate

We're launching a new online course just for sponsors and godparents in the catechumenate! Team Initiation’s new online training course, "Called to Accompany," consists of 32 short videos divided into an introduction and 4 training modules:

• Introduction (2 videos, available now for free)
• Module 1: Qualifications (4 videos, available now for free)
• Module 2: Job Description (7 videos, available now for free)
• Module 3: Important Dates for a Sponsor or Godparent (10 videos)
• Module 4: The Spiritual Life of the Sponsor or Godparent (9 videos)
• 
  

The Introduction and Modules 1 and 2 are free and open to everyone right now! Just Sign up here and share this link with your sponsors and godparents.

Another resource from Team Initiation:

Five Powerful Discernment Tools for OCIA

Education and Formation of Catechetical Leaders

As the program year comes to a close, NCCL is looking forward to offering a variety of new formation programs for catechetical leaders in 2026-27. Here's what's coming soon:

 Welcome to Catechesis - a 4 Session Online Course in August for beginning leaders

·    For information and registration go to: Welcome to Catechesis

NEW: Certificate in Family Faith Formation - October 2026

·    A new three-course Certificate program focused on faith formation with families and parents.

·    The first cohort launches in October. Stay tuned for more information.

NEW: Certificate in the Practice of Catechesis - In Spanish

·    A new Certificate program designed around the needs of Hispanic catechetical leaders in Spanish-speaking parishes. The program will be taught in Spanish.

·    The first cohort launches in early 2027: Stay tuned for more information.

NEW: Certificate in Adult Faith Formation - In 2027

·    A new three-course Certificate program focused on faith formation with adults in parish communities.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Adult Formation Course for Level 1-02832

for catechists working with children ages 3-6

St. Patrick

Roman Catholic Church

500 NE 16^th Ave

Gainesville, FL 32601

Dates:  

    Part 1: 2026: Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19, Jan 8, Feb 20 (9am-5pm)

    Part 2: 2027: Mar 20, Apr 17, May 15, June 19, July 17 (9am-5pm)  

The instructors will be: Theresa Grndin and Sara Ragan. You can contact Sara with questions: Sara's email

Brochure for CGS

Bible Basics for Catholics~ A New Picture of Salvation History

Looking for an engaging and clear introduction to the Bible? Look no further as Ave Maria Press and John Bergsma have created a great small group resource.

This is an expanded version of an earlier edition that includes: study questions, videos, and group resources. It can be used by groups, families, individuals. It is a 7 week series.

Bible Basics for Catholics is in their Bulk Rate program, which makes each book $2.99 plus shipping. Cover price is normally $19.95. The videos from Bergsma are new and capture his well-loved teaching style and drawings. They do not have licenses for the videos, you only pay $15 for the entire series, and you can show it in a group setting.

Parish book programs (you ca check out all of their $2.99 bulk (over 100 copies) offerings.

Video access

Basic Certification (Level I)

Locations in the next academic year:



August: St. Patrick, Jacksonville

August 8, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Faith Development and Practical Skills

August 9, 2026 noon -5:30 pm Liturgy and Sacraments and Basic Beliefs

August 22, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Scripture and Church

August 23, 2026 noon - 5:30 pm Role of the Catechist and Practical Skills

Jotform to register

September: Holy Family School and San Jose School

September 12 and 13 at San Jose School

September 26-27 at Holy Family School

Jotform to register registration is open

November: St. Matthew Parish

November 7 and 8

November 21 and 22

January: St. Anastasia

January 9 and 10

January 23 and 24



June: St Patrick School, Gainesville

Standard certification is achieved either through courses through the McGrath Institute (STEP) or through the University of Dayton (VLCFF).

Standard Certification Options

STEP through the McGrath Institute

STEP Camino Courses Comprehensive list for the year.

VLCFF through the University of Dayton

VLCFF Calendar

In these videos, Fr. Daniel J. Mahan answers the most frequently asked questions about Catholicism.

These accompanying videos to the book by the same name feature Fr. Daniel J. Mahan bringing key teachings to life and support multiple learning styles.

- Reinforces core concepts

- Easy to incorporate into faith formation sessions

- Ideal for both group and individual use



Journey Through the Catechism