Volume XV, Issue XVI April 13, 2026 | |
Echoes~
Your Weekly Catechetical News from the
Office of Christian Formation
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For your planning, the catechetical leader calendar for 2026-2027 is linked below:
Calendar 2026-2027
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10th Annual Sr. Celinie Joubert Catechetical Awards
A reception will be held on Monday, April 20 beginning at 4:30 pm in the St. Luke Parish Hall to honor the following people who will be presented with this award:
Dr. Jack Daniels ~ Cathedral Basilica ~ DOSA
Peg DeCurtins ~ St. Mary, Mother of Mercy
Georgeanne Donnelly ~ St. Luke Parish
Kathleen Drop ~ Mary Queen of Heaven Parish
Diane Foley ~ San Jose Parish
Lisa McQuagge ~ Queen of Peace Parish
Deacon Doug Nullet ~ Cathedral Basilica
Regina Taylor Murphy ~ St. Pius V Parish
Together, these catechetical leaders have provided over 170 years of service to the faithful.
The reception is welcome to all, but an RSVP is necessary. Please use the Jotform below:
Link to RSVP to attend due by April 14
Thank you to all who nominated so many great candidates for us to choose from.
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Ministry Formation Information Session via Zoom
We are still receiving requests for additional information nights from people discerning the MFP. We have scheduled a Zoom opportunity for Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 pm. Anyone wanting to attend in person may also come to the Catholic Center (11625 Old St. Augustine Road) that evening.
Please share this information. Anyone interested should RSVP to Ann's Email to receive the Zoom link and the handouts for the session.
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Closing of the Catechetical Year Gathering
The Catechetical Leader Closing Celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 12. By popular demand, we will return to the Hilltop Restaurant in Orange Park for our gathering. We will start at 11:30 am.
This year, we have a bit of a different menu. You should choose your selection on the Jotform when you register.
Chicken Florentine Served over Pasta with Asparagus
Grilled Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce Served with Seasoned Rice and Asparagus
Jotform to register
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Pleased to announce this Conference on Inclusive Formation
This conference is being offered in a fully bilingual format.
In partnership with the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities (NCPD) and the Catholic Foundation, the Office of Christian Formation will be hosting this bilingual opportunity for all who work in formation and education in the Diocese of St. Augustine.
There will be 4 workshops offered in both Spanish and English. The Spanish workshops are partially sponsored through a Lilly Grant.
You will be able to sign up for 1, 2, 3, or 4 workshops. Lunch will be provided for those who sign up for the entire 2 days.
Jotform to register
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Rites of Election, 2027
Our diocese continues to experience significant growth in those seeking to become Catholic, with four full Rites of Election celebrated at the Cathedral this year. With this blessing comes the need for stronger accompaniment and a move away from a “one size fits all” approach toward what the Church envisions for the OCIA process. Beginning in 2027, only catechumens will be presented at the Rite of Election. Those already baptized may be received into the Church without receiving many of these rites that are meant for the catechumens. The Rite of Election book will now be used only to record the signatures of the Elect (catechumens)
Two Zoom meetings are scheduled, one on May 4 at 9:30 am and the other on May 5 at 6:30 pm. All coordinators must attend one of these. Pastors always welcome as we work toward welcoming people at wherever they are at on their faith journey,
Link for May 4
Link for May 5
Letter sent to pastors and published on Pastoral Briefings:
ROE English
ROE Spanish
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Neophyte Mass~ Day of Reflection
Bishop Pohlmeier, in his role as Shepherd of the Diocese, oversees all sacraments, but in particular he is to take care that the newly baptized adults, children of catechetical age, are aware of his concern for them as they are "newly planted." (OCIA 247-251)
All catechumens who were initiated at the Easter Vigil this year are invited to an afternoon of Reflection on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at San José Parish 3619 Toledo Road Jacksonville, FL 32217
Schedule:
2:00 pm Gathering in the parish hall
Reflecting on the Journey with Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier
5:00 pm Celebration of the Mass inchurch
6:30 pm Dinner and Social
This invitation has been sent to all of the neophytes...please encourage them to respond to this invitation.
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18th Annual Summer School of Theology
For obvious reasons, we invited an Augustinian to provide this year's Summer School of Theology. Fr, Gary McCloskey, O.S.A., Ph.D is a well-known leader in Augustinian spirituality and pedagogy having shared his ministry on 6 of the 7 continents. He is a frequent retreat master.
Our theme will be: "Before all else, Christ came so that people might learn how much God loves them." The week will be guided by the pastoral insights of Pope Leo XIV as he laid forth in his Address to Educators on the Occasion of the Jubilee of the World of Education, St. Peter's Square, October 31, 2025:
"I would like therefore, to share my experience with you by focusing on the doctrine of Doctor Gratiae (the Doctor of Grace ~ St. Augustine) that I consider fundamental to all Christian education: interiority, unity, love, and joy."
The 5 days, June 22 -26, will have a daily focus:
Monday: Introduction to Pope Leo's insights
Tuesday: Interiority
Wednesday: Unity
Thursday: Love
Friday: Joy
Schedule each day is 9:00 am - 3:30 pm with Mass celebrated each day prior to lunch.
Jotform to register
When you register, we will provide the links to the readings for the week.
This is a Level III (Continuing Formation Opportunity)
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Gender Accompaniment series from the McGrath Institute
Developed by McGrath Institute for Church Life Professor Abigail Favale, Ph.D., bestselling author of The Genesis of Gender, The Gender Accompaniment Project is a ten-part series featuring the stories of Christians who experience a sense of discordance with their gender.
Blending personal testimonies with thoughtful commentary from experts in theology, psychology, and medicine, The Gender Accompaniment Project illuminates forms of accompaniment rooted in Christian anthropology and models how to speak about gender with both compassion and depth.
You can watch the trailer to get a good idea of the series. You can access the series on: spotify, Apple Podcats, or Youtube. See link below.
Gender Accompaniment Project
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Updated Certification Record Forms for Basic, Standard, and Continuing Formation (Level I, Level II, and Level III)
We have updated these forms to "fill-in-able" forms. This is in order help you create a more professional presentation when you submit them. Yes, many that we receive are difficult to decipher.
After May 31, only the "fill in able" forms will be accepted. Forms can be typed into, saved on your computer, and eventually printed and scanned in.
Basic (level I)
Standard (level II)
Continuing (Level III)
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Fostering Spiritual Maturity in Your Parish Webinar
Apr 15, 2026 01:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Julianne Stanz joins us as we explore what genuine spiritual maturity looks like and how parish leaders can intentionally cultivate it. You’ll learn the marks of a growing disciple, why so many parishioners plateau spiritually, and the leadership practices that move people from passive participation to active, missionary faith.
Learn practical strategies for:
• Creating pathways for spiritual growth
• Developing encounter and accompaniment experiences
• Sacramental Prep that transforms lives
• Forming leaders who make disciples
If your goal is not just activity, but true spiritual renewal, this conversation is for you.
Register for this Zoom
| | Basic Certification (Level I) | | |
Basic Certification (Level I)
Summer Offering:
Catholic School Special~ St. Paul, Jacksonville Beach, June 15 -18, 2026
Registration is now open:
Jotform to register
Dates and locations for next year are in the works. If you location would like to host, please contact Erin at Erin's Email We ae obligated to cover the 17,000 square miles of the diocese, so...
| | Standard Certification (Level II) | | Continuing Formation (Level III) Opportunities | |
Cultural Competence in Catechetical Ministry: Key Insights From Research and Practice
April 14 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT
Free
The Catholic Church in the United States is increasingly diverse, both linguistically and culturally. This calls for a new set of skills in the catechetical leader. Join Fr. Agustino Torres and Dr. HosffmanOspino, two well-known experts in catechesis with culturally diverse communities, in this conversation facilitated by Ana Arista, OSV’s Senior Catechetical Consultant. We’ll discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in bicultural and bilingual parishes and proven strategies for effective ministry.
Register for this Webinar
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Journeying with St. Óscar Romero
Todd Walatka
April 14, 2026
2:30 PM ET
St. Óscar Romero lived in a time not so different from our own. He lamented a society and Church that had become sharply polarized; he saw a world increasingly marked by violence and lies; he named the many ways we refuse to put our faith at the center of our lives, turning to money, comfort, and power instead. In the midst of all of this, he became a master preacher of Catholic social teaching, a bishop who walked with his people, and a prophet of hope.
Todd Walatka--a professor of theology and expert on St. Óscar Romero--will help us explore Romero's vision for the Church and what it might mean for our own times.
Go to Webinar
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American and Native American Catholic Witnesses Master Class
2-Part Master Class hosted by Father Maurice Henry Sands
Starts April 14. ENROLL NOW!
In this FREE master class, Father Maurice Henry Sands explores the powerful witness of African American and Native American Catholics and their lasting contributions to the history of the Church in the United States. Participants will discover inspiring stories of faith, perseverance, and holiness that continue to shape the Church today.
AGENDA
CLASS 1—Six African American Candidates for Sainthood
April 14, 2026 at 5 p.m. EDT
We’ll explore the remarkable lives of:
- Venerable Pierre Toussaint
- Venerable Mother Mary Lange
- Venerable Henriette DeLille
- Servant of God Julia Greeley
- Venerable Father Augustus Tolton
- Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman
Learn how these men and women lived lives of heroic virtue and how their witness continues to inspire Catholics today.
CLASS 2—The History of Native American Catholics
April 15, 2026 at 5 p.m. EDT
We’ll discuss:
- Early Spanish and French missionaries in what is now the United States and Canada
- The life and legacy of Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint
- The impact of U.S. government policies on Native American Catholics in the 19th century and how the Church responded
- The ongoing work of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions as part of the Black and Indian Mission Office
There are two ways you can attend the master class:
- Attend the classes LIVE via Zoom (where you can ask questions during the class and connect with other attendees)
- Access the master class videos, reflection questions, and featured resources the day after each live broadcast
Watch both classes and receive a Certificate of Participation. Details will follow.
Join, the Advance Your Expertise In Catechesis Facebook Group so you can connect with other educators and get additional support throughout the master class and beyond.
About the Father Maurice Henry Sands
Fr. Maurice Henry Sands is the Executive Director of the Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington, DC. Fr. Sands is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He is a full-blooded Native American who grew up on a beautiful island known as Bkejwanong First Nation, located on the St. Clair River, just north of Detroit. He is a member of the Ojibway, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes, and he is an enrolled member of the Little Traverse Bands of Ottawa Indians. Fr. Sands also serves as a Consultant to the USCCB Subcommittee on Native American Affairs, as a consultant to the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, and as an ex officio board member of the Tekakwitha Conference.
Fr. Sands's work focuses on supporting ministry programs that serve African American and Native American Catholics in dioceses across the United States. He travels throughout the year to visit parishes, schools, diocesan ministry offices, and national organizations that serve African American and Native American Catholics. Fr. Sands has a particular interest in supporting and strengthening Catholic schools serving African American and Native American communities.
Register for this master class
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