The 8^th Annual Sr. Celinie Joubert, SSJ Awards ~ Know a worthy candidate?

Nominations are now open for the 8^th Annual Sr. Celinie Joubert, SSJ Award for Excellence in Forming the Faithful. Pastors, DREs, and Catholic School Principals are welcome to invite those they know who meet the criteria and excel in catechetical ministry. 

Deadline for nominations is April 3, 2024. This award is named for one of the 8 original Sisters of St. Joseph who were invited by Bishop Verot to come and provide formation here in the Diocese of St. Augustine. A reception honoring this year’s recipients will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Letter to pastors, catechetical leaders, and principals

Nomination Form

Deacon Matt Halbach returns to DOSA

Deacon Matt Halbach, senior catechetical consultant for Sadlier and director of deacon formation for the Diocese of Des Moines, will be in DOSA for a week in March. He will be providing a series of workshops on family catechesis.

Catechetical Leaders Gathering on March 12 at 10:00 am at the Catholic Center.

Title: Forming Eucharistic Families

The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life,” CCC, 1324). Unfortunately, recent Pew and McGrath Institute polls have shown, at least half of Catholics do not believe/understand the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist. In addition, Catholic families are struggling to make the Eucharist/Mass a priority in their lives. Therefore, this presentation will focus on how catechists and catechetical leaders can help families make meaningful connections with the Eucharist in terms of belief and devotion, and in terms of applying Eucharistic faith to daily living.  

Jotform to RSVP for Catechetical Leader Gathering

Clergy session on March 13 at Marywood in the Wisdom Center.

Continental Breakfast at 9:30 am. Presentation at 10:00 am

Title: The Art of Accompaniment: Walking With Families in Your Parish

 This presentation will introduce the “art of accompaniment” (Joy of the Gospel, no. 169) by focusing on how Jesus accompanied his disciples in the Gospels. Next, we will look at accompaniment as a way of evangelization that is rooted in the cultivation of relationships based on respect, trust, and love and mediated through the actions and attitudes we choose to adopt. Finally, we will discuss practical ways to effectively accompany families and how to mobilize the art of accompaniment in your parishes. 

Jotform to RSVP for Deacon Matt clergy session

Title: Practicing the Art of Accompaniment in Your Family

Family session on March 14 at 7:00 pm

St. Joseph Parish, Cody Center, the Glenmore Room

This presentation will introduce, what Pope Francis has referred to as the “art of accompaniment” (Joy of the Gospel, no. 169) by focusing on how Jesus accompanied his disciples in the Gospels. Next, we will look at accompaniment as a way of evangelization that is rooted in the cultivation of relationships based on respect, trust, and love and mediated through the actions and attitudes we choose to adopt. Finally, we will reflect on practical ways that family members can more intentionally accompany one another.

Jotform to Register



Dcn Matt is being sponsored by Sadlier Religion Publishers

Adult Confirmation

Bishop Pohlmeier will confirm adults on the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 19, in the Cathedral Basilica at a 2:00 pm Mass. This celebration is for those over the age of 18 who have been baptized Catholic and who have already received First Holy Communion.

Registrations, completed by a member of the parish staff, are due by April 12, 2024 for inclusion. All registration forms are to be typed and completely filled in prior to submission.

Check list for parishes

Registration Form

National Eucharistic Revival Pilgrimage

If you are still interested in attending this national event July 17-21, 2024 in Indianapolis, we still have plenty of tickets for our group. There are several options available through our travel group CTS:

Direct flight from Orlando, hotel for the 4 nights with breakfast, and the entrance ticket. This package will include airport transfers and motorcoach from the hotel to the venue each day.

Hotel with ticket, which includes transportation from the hotel to the venue each day.

Ticket only and you are on your own for all meals and transportation. We bought a large block of tickets at the $200 early bird fee.

Our travel agent will be closing all options on April 15 or when we have sold out, whichever comes first.

Read more

Eucharistic Revival Resources

First among the resources being provided for the parish year of revival is the video series on the Mass which was prepared by our committee. These were taped live last year, and we edited them into smaller 15-minute segments with reflection questions. These are downloadable from the following link: Video series link

Locally, we have also provided two resources for children and youth. These can be found, with other resources at: Revival Resources

Ministry Formation Program information sessions for the Class of 2027

The Diocesan Ministry Formation Program (MFP) is frequently called the best kept secret in the diocese. Now in its 32^nd year, it should not be. In October 1990, Bishop John J. Snyder tasked some local leaders to create a program that would help the laity to live out their baptismal call to evangelize. He wanted this program to focus not only on theological background, but also on the development of pastoral application, leadership skills, and personal spiritual growth. One can expect from the MFP:

Three years of comprehensive growth in theological topics, human development, pastoral skills, and spiritual formation through classes, group study, skills workshops, prayer experiences, and retreats.

We are hosting 5 information sessions across the diocese to share more information and practical steps:

Sunday, March 3 Queen of Peace Parish following 10:00 am Mass

Monday, March 11 St. Catherine of Siena Parish 6:30 -8:00 pm

Monday, March 18 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish  6:30 – 8:00 pm

An RSVP is nice, but not a requirement: Lauren's Email

We are pleased to announce the time and location for the annual "Catholic School Special. Registration has opened. (early, but to get people thinking about their new hires)

June 10 -13, 2024

San Juan de Rio Parish Hall, upstairs meeting room hosted by San Juan del Rio School

Monday, June 10, 2024 Faith Development and Catechetical/Legal

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 Role of the Catechist and Practical Skills

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Scripture and Church

Thursday, June 13, 2024 Liturgy/Sacraments and Basic Beliefs

Jotform to register

We will be offering a few "pop up sessions" during the spring. If you have a teacher/catechist who needs one or two classes to finish, please email me at Erin's Email

Red Bird Ministries (RBM) is a non-profit, pro-life, and pro-family, Catholic grief support ministry serving individuals and couples who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood. We help ordinary families who have been given an extraordinary cross to carry.

Red Bird Ministries Activities 2024

This conference aims to equip Church leaders with essential skills and resources to establish or enhance mental health ministries in their local parish, diocese, and Catholic communities. To accomplish this goal, we've planned engaging keynote sessions, workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and practical resources. This event is an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for mental health ministry. 

This event is being sponsored by the USCCB, the NCPD, and the ACMHC.

Link to register

These two books are great resources for families and ministers regarding suicide. Dcn Ed Schoener, who edited both, is a good speaker on topic:

https://ncpd.org/resources_and_toolkits/book-responding-suicide-pastoral-handbook-catholic-leaders

https://ncpd.org/resources_and_toolkits/book-when-loved-one-dies-suicide-comfort-hope-and-healing-grieving-catholics

Two other interesting events:

1.NCPD 2024 Conference Retreat: Building a Culture of Community: Equipping Leaders for Mental Health Ministry, will take place from April 25th - 27th. Gathering will be at the Conference Center at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, in Mundelein, IL.

Event is sponsored by the Association for Catholic Mental Health Ministers, The National Catholic Partnership on Disability, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Registration is not open yet according to the website.

2.  In collaboration with the McGrath Institute, a 6-week (free) series of workshops,

 “ In Communion: Advancing the Full Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Church” focusing on ministering to those with disabilities. These will be on Thursdays in March and April. Eventually, this will become a course at the McGrath. But, free for now.

https://ncpd.org/events/communion-advancing-full-participation-persons-disabilities-chur

"Lord, when did we see you hungry"

Matthew 25:37

"Señor, ¿cuándo te vimos hambriento? "

Mateo 25;37

Our theme reflects our call to missionary discipleship.  As St John Paul II reminded us: The universal call to holiness is closely linked to the universal call to mission. Every member of the faithful is called to holiness and to mission. We are called to be eucharist by word and action to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our times cry out for this kind of holiness, one inflamed by the ardent determination to bring as many of our brothers and sisters as possible to Christ.

Nuestro tema refleja nuestro llamado al discipulado misionero. Como nos recordó san Juan Pablo II: La llamada universal a la santidad está estrechamente vinculada a la llamada universal a la misión. Todo fiel está llamado a la santidad y a la misión. Estamos llamados a ser eucaristía por palabra y acción para nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo. Nuestros tiempos claman por este tipo de santidad, inflamada por la ardiente determinación de llevar a Cristo al mayor número posible de nuestros hermanos y hermanas.

September 15

15 de septiembre

16th Annual Summer School of Theology

June 17-21, 2024

Dr. Joshua McManaway

McGrath Institute for Church Life

He has Spoken to Us through a Son:

Christology, Salvation, Revelation

Registration is now open for the Summer School with the usual early bird special. The School meets daily, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Wisdom Center at Marywood.

Summer School of Theology Brochure

jotform with more info and to register

Leadership Skills & Practices

for Catechetical Leaders

Dr. Dan Ebener

Thursdays March 7 & March 14

Building Intercultural Competence in Catechetical Ministry

Sr. Ruth Bolarte, D.Min.

Thursdays April 11 & 18 

Inviting, Forming, and Supporting Parish Catechists

Jayne Mondoy

Tuesdays May 7 & May 14

Tuition for each course is $50. Link to register for these: NCCL Courses