Resourccs

Bishop Barron Youtube on Pentecost/Holy Spirit (15 minutes)

Catholic Icing Pentecost Activities

Holy Spirit Novena (there's an app for that)



Real Life at Home: helping children recognize the Holy Spirit in their lives

The Religion Teacher Pentecost Activities

Sadlier Pentecost Activities (classroom and home) bilingual

Adult Confirmation Schedule 2025

Bishop Pohlmeier will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on adults who have already received First Communion, aged 18 and up on two occasions in 2025:

Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the 5:00 pm Mass at St. Patrick Parish in Gainesville.

Sunday, June 8, 2025 at a 2:00 pm Mass in the Cathedral Basilica

Families and the Sacraments

We have been discussing at the last few catechetical leader gatherings ways of engaging parents/families more fully in sacramental preparation. One thing we have discussed a few times is how to help families engage more fully in the days leading up to the sacraments and on the actual day of the sacrament. Please find below some good resources I have found and one I created.

The two prayers below can be personalized for your location. The only difference between the two are the pronouns. These would be ideal for when parent/family members, etc are waiting for Mass to start. Please find both the English and the Spanish below. Please credit the Office of Christian Formation when printing.

Confirmation

Confirmation Day Prayer (Daughter)

Confirmation Day Prayer (Son)

Oración del Día de la Confirmación (Hija)

Oración del Día de la Confirmación (Hijo)

First Communion

First Communion Day Prayer (Daughter)

First Communion Day Prayer (Son)

Oración del Día de la Primera Comunión (Hija)

Oración del Día de la Primera Comunión (Hijo)

Some other resources that I have found:

Parents Prayer for First Communion (courtesy of Loyola Press)

Ways Parents can Prepare their Children for First Communion (Courtesy of Teaching Catholic Kids)

Novena to the Holy Spirit for Families (courtesy of Good News Ministries)

Pray More Novenas websitece article copy here. Be sure to make the articles short and concise as people tend not to read much more than a couple of paragraphs. Place article copy here.

Introducing our updated religion curriculum

After 10 months of work, I am pleased to share with you the updated religion curriculum to be used in our parish religious education programs and Catholic Schools beginning July 1, 2024. The committee was tasked with focusing on the key elements of the new Directory for Catechesis. We have maintained the spiral (circular) model while making each of the objectives student centered rather than instructor centered. While knowledge of the tenets of the faith will always be a main part of any curriculum, we have focused more on the integrating of these tenets into life.

Bishop Pohlmeier introduction letter read what our Bishop has to say on the purpose of curriculum

Superintendent and OCF Director outline the curriculum this letter provides a basic outline

Curriculum

Developmental Stages of Children (classroom)

Developmental Stages of Children (Parent Guide) This is a new component to help families understand how their children are developing in their faith with tips on how to foster this in the home.

Grade Level Prayers It is strongly urged that this document be provided to families so that they may build their domestic church on prayer.

Overview of religion curriculum for parents (brochure) This will also be available in Spanish, soon.

"Catholic School Special"

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

Coming next week: Schedule for next academic year. Some locations we will be at: St. John (Atlantic Beach), Holy Faith, St. Luke.

Summer is not a break from our Faith

by Erin McGeever, published in St. Augustine Catholic Summer, 2022. Full article available by clicking link below.

As the Easter Season ends and the school year winds down, vacation begins. But it is not a vacation from our Catholic faith. How and where do families find spiritual enrichment during the summer months? While we are entering the Ordinary Time of the Church’s liturgical year, there is nothing ordinary about the feasts we have over the summer months that can be highlighted in the home. 

Pentecost Sunday, which is May 19^th this year, is followed on May 26^th by Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is a great day to remind children (and adults) of the triune nature of God. Two common prayers accent this for us: the Glory Be and the Sign of the Cross.  Review the significance of these common prayers as a family and create a family table centerpiece of three interwoven circles or another Trinity inspired design. The family itself is an image of the Holy Trinity: “The ‘Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father, and the Son in the Spirit.” (CCC 2205) For more ideas: https://www.catholicicing.com/trinity-resources-for-catholic-kids/

Summer Formation Article (cont)

The Diocesan Liturgical Commission 

invites everyone to explore

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

WEBINAR SERIES

offered by the 

Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commission

(FDLC)

_____________________________________________

Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22, & June 5, 1:00 - 2:15

Webinar is free and once you registered

you will have access to the recordings following

each of the presentations. 

You will be able to access them at any time convenient! 

Link to register

The Eucharist and Catholic Schools Virtual Conference

The Eucharistic Revival has been important to parishes around the United States. But what does the Revival have to do with Catholic education? With the life of the school? In this six-week virtual conference, Catholic educators will be invited to explore these themes over the course of six weeks. Each week will include opportunities to reflect, watch interviews with theologians, educators, and pastoral leaders related to the Eucharist, read classic texts related to the theme, and practice what you’ve learned through short assignments. In addition, there will be a live session each week on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM Eastern Time, where you’ll be able to dialogue with leaders throughout the United States. Those who complete each of the assignments at the end of each week will earn a certificate from the McGrath Institute for Church Life.

This six-week course is only $40.

This online Conference runs from June 10 through July 24, 2024.

The Eucharist and Catholic Schools

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

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

 The road for us as disciple-ministers is filled with many challenges. But also much grace. Let us gather to explore the movement of God in our lives. We will consider how Jesus invites you to deeper intimacy. With the help of story and theological reflection, quiet time and sharing, we’ll call upon the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts for what lies ahead on this great and mysterious journey of ours. Receive this brief retreat as a gift of time to be nourished…for yourself and also for your ministry.

Link to page to sign up

The Spirit of Mentoring Ministry Helpers

M. Donna MacLeod

May 28th 2:09 PM

Jesus could have done the sacred work of the Father without seeking others to join his efforts but he chose to have helpers. Whether you offer Seasons of Hope Catholic grief support or lead other ministries, join M. Donna MacLeod, a seasoned team developer, bereavement ministry specialist, and author, to explore how to guide, support, and inspire helpers to bring the Lord’s compassion and joy to all they do in ministry. Using examples from Seasons of Hope that put Jesus’ soulful model of leadership into action, we’ll offer insights on what it takes to be the best mentor you can be and consider ways to turn the challenges of mentoring into opportunities for spiritual growth.

Go to Webinar