Volume XIV, Issue XXXXV November 10, 2025 | |
Echoes~
Your Weekly Catechetical News from the
Office of Christian Formation
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Doctrinal Note on Marian Titles/ Mary’s role in salvation
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope Leo XIV, issued doctrinal note on Tuesday regarding Mary’s cooperation in the work of salvation. A doctrinal note offers clarification on accuracy and offers guidance to bishops, priests, deacons, and the lay faithful who teach. Entitled, Mater Populi Fidelis (Mother of the Faithful), this note clarifies the role of Mary and makes clear Mary’s role in the work of salvation.
Without inserting new doctrine or dogmas, the note seeks to balance devotion with theological accuracy. It reaffirms all that we know about Mary as a model of the faith and as a maternal intercessor while carefully explaining her cooperation in salvation history. It addresses the rather debated title of “Co-Redemptrix” that has crept into dialogue about Mary, which seems to imply that Jesus Himself was not sufficient to accomplish salvation. While the cooperation of Mary in the plan of salvation, her fiat as well as other titles of Mary are reaffirmed in the writing…”Spiritual Mother,” “Mother of the Faithful”, Mother of Believers…to name a few, the title Co-Redemptrix is deemed inappropriate and problematic. Similarly, the “Medatrix” is not acceptable without a solid explanation of the centrality of Christ in the work of salvation.
Read the doctrinal note:
Mater Populi Fidelis
Summary articles:
Catholic News Agency
USCCB
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Discover Your Path to Service, Leadership and Faith Formation
The Diocesan Lay Ministry Program (MFP) is a path for those who desire to be recognized leaders in faith formation in the Diocese of St. Augustine. Now entering its 35th year, the MFP has formed several hundred of the faithful for service to the mission of Jesus Christ.
As we begin our initial recruitment for suitable candidates for the Class of 2029, we invite pastors and current leaders to help us look for these individuals and to invite them to at last learn about the benefits of commissioned lay ministry. if we are planning for the current and future mission of the Church, we need capable and formed people to lead the way.
The MFP Office is hosting 6 information sessions across the diocese for people to learn more about the program, its benefits, its requirements, and to begin a period of discernment for this upcoming year that begins in August.
Sessions will be held at:
December 9 Catholic Center 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
January 20 Holy Spirit Parish 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Sunday, February 8 at Holy Faith, Gainesville 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm (following 11:15 am Mass)
February 17 at San Sebastian parish, St. Augustine 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
March 3 at Mary Queen of Heaven Parish 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
March 24 at Sacred Heart, Fleming Island 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm
A RSVP is very helpful, but not absolutely necessary. Please share.
Email Ann at Lay Ministry Email
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January 12, 2026 6:30- 8:30 pm
St. Catherine of Siena
1649 Kingsley Blvd
Orange Park
Family Life Center
It Starts at Home: Empowering Parents with Confidence and Tools
Teachers and Catechists traditionally have had an exclusive focus on child faith formation. But we know engaging parents in a child’s faith is critical. Consider why parents are so important and how we can support and contribute, in practical ways, to equip parents to pass on the Catholic faith in their family.
This will be open to all: those who teach, but also parents looking for some practical tips on creating the domestic church.
Jotform to register
Dr. Kathie Amidei serves as Pastoral Associate at St. Anthony on the Lake Parish in Wisconsin. She was formerly the Associate Director for Catechesis and Child Ministry for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She has served in a number of parishes as a teacher and a director of religious education. She holds a BS in Education, a MA in Theology and a Doctorate in Education and Leadership. Kathie is a national speaker and writer for Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division. She is the co-author of, The Journey: A Guide for Persons, Partners and Parents, and Learning Together: Forming Faith in Families.
Her passion is to help families engage in their journey of faith in meaningful and practical ways and to infuse parish catechetical ministry with effective and relevant approaches and programing.
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January 13, 2026
Catechetical Leader Gathering
Hurley Conference Room
Catholic Center
Dr. Kathie Amidei
Sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Moving the Needle on Family Faith Formation
Every Catechetical Church document is clear about the importance of the role of families in cultivating faith. Research is mounting about the urgency of parent involvement to effectively pass on faith from generation to generation. Yet, it remains a challenging paradigm shift in our parishes to integrate family involvement and move toward a partnership between parents and parish. This session will offer several approaches parishes can consider that integrate intergenerational family formation into traditional models of religious education. It will offer practical ways to encourage family faith practices and enhance communication with parents, through ideas that resonate with families to nurture faith.
Jotform to register
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OCIA Conference
The details for this conference are now available. With a generous donation from the Catholic Foundation and budgeted training monies, we are able to address the additional workshops you requested last year.
We are also teaming with Initiation Ministry Partners out of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Our host site will be:
Sacred Heart Parish, the Family Life Center
5752 Blanding Blvd.
There will be 4 workshops. Each one is $10 and you can register for one, two, three, or all four. The price for all 4 is $35 which includes lunch on Saturday.
Friday, January 30, 2026 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Forming an OCIA Teams, skills for Group Facilitation, and Engaging the Entire Parish (Erin McGeever~ English only)
Saturday, January 31 9:00 am - 10:45 am
Year-Round Catechumenate/One Year Catechumenate
(Darleine Arca Hernandez and Lorraine Miller ~Spanish and English)
Saturday, January 31, 2026 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
The Rites of the OCIA (Fr. Tom Willis ~ English only)
Saturday, January 31, 2026 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
OCIA with Children
(Darleine Arca Hernandez and Lorraine Miller ~Spanish and English)
Jotform to register if you are bringing your whole team, contact Erin for a deal.
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Office of Christian Formation is participating in IGive Catholic on Tuesday, December 2
Like many of the ministries of the diocese, the OCF is participating in IGive Catholic. Our goal this year is $3,000 to be used to defray the costs of our Persons with Disabilities Conference to be held in April. This bilingual conference is a joint project with the NCPD, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. There will be 4 distinctive areas covered at this conference: inclusion, adapting classrooms, autism, and mental/physical delays.
The office has already received a grant from the Lilly Foundation to fund the Spanish Track for this conference.
Any monies raised above our goal will be used for materials for those attending the conference as well as for our resource center.
Lots of good things to give to...I hope you will consider this one which will benefit so many.
Advanced Giving begins on Monday, November 17 and will continue until December 1. Giving Tuesday is December 2.
DOSAformation Giving page
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Circle of Grace Lessons
The date for the completion of the Circle of Grace Religion/Safe Environment lessons is December 15. Proof of completion: the evaluation sheets or a note to the respective office (Education, OCF, or Youth) giving dates and number of participants is due by that date.
If an extension is needed for a short period of time, please contact the respective office.
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New Resource from the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis
“Inviting Young Adults into Dialogue: A Guide for Bishops and Church Leaders”
In response to the USCCB mandate’s special focus on young adults and the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis’ priority on reaching young adults, a resource has been created with recommendations and best practices for engaging and dialoguing with young adults. Titled Inviting Young Adults into Dialogue: A Guide for Bishops and Church Leaders, It is available here for Download
A webinar for discussion of the resource will be hosted by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Chairman, and Bishop Francis J. Kalabat, Chair of the Young Adult Outreach working group on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 3:00pm-4:00 pm eastern time.
Register for the Zoom here
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Tom Quinlan~ The Evangelizing Catechist
Over the years I have frequently shared some of Tom's resources. And, here I am again. The catechetical leaders received a copy of his recent booklet, At Home in the Heart of God: Family, Jesus, and the Eucharist, to begin this year. Tom actually provided those free to us. Tom and his wife Kristi have been involved in catechetical ministry for a number of years. And yes, he is another Chicagoan.
Tom recently shared this set of short Youtubes on First Reconciliation. These would be ideal for Family Faith gatherings or parent meetings in preparation for the Sacrament.
Link to the 7 Youtubes
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Embracing the Great Commission
A Day of Formation for Parish Ministers
San Juan de Rio Parish along with the Augustine Institute are providing this day of formation on Saturday, November 15 starting with Mass at 8:30 am.
Austin Habash, founder of Sent Evangelization and Think Catholic will lead the day. The day will include:
The Great Commission and the Evangelical Sequence that follows it.
Engaging Inactive Parishioners
An introduction to the Kergyma
Resources for Embracing the Great Commission.
More info and to register for this free event
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Liturgical Year Book Orders Year A
Did you forget to order?
Did you not order enough?
Do you just like books?
Well, we have spares of just about every title, including a case or two of lector workbooks for the coming liturgical year. These are all at our normal good discount pricing of between 30-35% off.
Jotform to order or you may call the office
| | Basic Certification (Level I) | | Standard Certification (Level II) | | Continuing Formation (Level III) Opportunities | | |
The Notre Dame Office of Life and Human Dignity is excited to announce our Fall 2025 Conversations that Matter series —
“Witnessing to Hope and Reconciliation: Human Dignity and the Death Penalty.”
In a prophetic call to all believers, St. Pope John Paull II urged all followers of Christ to be “unconditionally pro-life,” by proclaiming, serving, and celebrating the “Gospel of Life in all situations,” including through the abolition of the death penalty (Pope John Paul II Papal Mass, St. Louis, Missouri, January 27, 1999).
Join us for this special two episode series cosponsored by Catholics Mobilizing Network. We’ll explore the state of the death penalty in the United States in light of Church teaching, feature stories of hope and reconciliation, and share how you can get involved in the movement to abolish the death penalty. Speakers for each episode:
November 19
Robert Dunham Death Penalty Policy Project
Monique Lee-Coleman Sister of exoneree Ryan Matthews
Margaret Pfeil Professor of Ethics at Notre Dame
Link to register
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Finding Holiness in the Everyday: Ministering to the Tired, Busy Suburban Dad
by: Tyer Blanski
November 11, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Show in my time zone
How can ministry leaders better reach the men who feel too busy, too tired, or too ordinary to see holiness in their everyday lives? In this webinar, Tyler Blanski, author of "Find Your Fight", invites you to rediscover fatherhood as a sacred calling rather than an obstacle to sainthood.
With insight, humor, and deep pastoral wisdom, Blanski explores how ordinary moments—mowing the lawn, driving kids to practice, helping with homework, romancing your wife, and showing up at work—can become pathways to grace. You’ll learn practical ways to help fathers encounter God right where they are and to awaken the spiritual potential hidden in the routines of suburban life.
Go to Webinar
| | I will be away from the office until November 17. | | | | |
