Annual Faith Formation Statistical Reports due by October 7

Please find below two ways to submit the annual Faith Formation Statistical Reports: via jotform and via a fill in the blank pdf that you should save and print/scan to the office.

Note some updates:

Submit both your remote preparation (curriculum) calendar and your sacramental calendars via email after you submit the stats.

Please ascertain the actual years of service for your catechists. At your recommendation, we will begin to honor catechists this year in 5-year increments: 5, 10, 15, 20, etc.

Jotform version

PDF Version (save, then print)

Religion Curriculum ~Religion Textbook

Repeat from June

Lots of questions to the office about what "curriculum" to use for faith formation classes. The answer is simple, use the Diocese of St. Augustine's religion curriculum. Many folks are equating the textbook with the curriculum...big mistake. The curriculum is the established list of objectives issued by the local Bishop for his diocese. The textbook is meant as a tool to try and achieve the curriculum in the best possible way at each school and parish.

Our new diocesan curriculum for Pre K- 8 is available on the websites and here via link. It is effective starting July 1 for all entities in the diocese. Curriculum 2024

To achieve this curriculum, a textbook (s) must be chosen from the USCCB list of textbooks found to be in Conformity. All components, teacher and student manuals, must be found in accord. Here is the current list: Current USCCB Conformity List as of May 9, 2024 (this updates automatically on the www.dosaformation.com website when new materials are assessed). This is the current list including curriculum texts and sacramental preparation texts.

Parishes also choose a textbook from the Conformity List for the Immediate Preparation for the Sacraments.

There are no youth ministry programs, like LifeTeen or YDisciple on the Conformity List as they are not meant to provide curriculum. They are meant to be used for youth ministry programming.

Stay tuned here for ways to incorporate family formation into the remote and sacramental preparation as ideas flow from both the NCCL certificate program as well as the NCCL Parent Grant. We will be sharing these as best practices. Our 40th Annual Faith Formation Day will feature a showcase of these best practices.

Refresher, Reminder #11 Catechumens

N.S. = National Statutes

~The term catechumen is strictly reserved for the unbaptized who have been admitted into the order of catechumens. (N.S. #2)

~ Catechumens are joined to the Church by their admission to the catechumenate and are part of the household of Christ (RCIA, 47), their status is taken seriously. Their names are to be recorded in the parish Register of Catechumens, along with the names of the sponsors, minister, the date and place of the celebration of the Rite of Acceptance (RCIA, 46). Every parish must have such a registry.

~ The period of the catechumenate lasts from at least the Easter season of one year until the next; preferably it should begin before Lent in one year and extend until Easter of the following year (NS,6).

~Abbreviated form of the RCIA is for when there are extraordinary circumstances that would prevent the catechumen from completing all the steps of the catechumenate, or when the catechumen has reached a depth of Christian conversion and a degree of religious maturity that would seem to not require the complete catechumenate, only the diocesan bishop can permit the use of the abbreviated form of the RCIA. Permission is to be requested from the diocesan bishop, through the Office of Christian Formation.(RCIA, 331-369; NS, 20-21).

~ Catechumens are members of the household of Christ (RCIA, 47). Should they die before the completion of their initiation, the funeral liturgy, including the funeral Mass should be celebrated as usual, omitting only language referring directly to the sacraments which the catechumen has not received (NS, 9).

~ The marriage of catechumens, whether with other catechumens or with baptized Christians or even non-Christians, is celebrated at a Liturgy of the Word and never at the Eucharistic liturgy (NS, 10). A Catholic party who marries a catechumen must request a dispensation (disparity of worship).

~ The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not celebrated for catechumens, although they may take part in non-sacramental penitential celebrations.

~ In accord with the ancient practice followed in the Roman liturgy, adults are not to be baptized without receiving confirmation immediately afterward, unless very serious reason stands in the way (RCIA, 215; NS, 35).

~ The diocesan bishop is the proper minister of the Rite of Election (RCIA, 12). There is a Rite of Sending to Election provided in the ritual book for parishes to use in sending catechumens to election (RCIA, 106-116; 530-546).

~The Scrutinies may not be omitted. For a serious reason, the diocesan bishop may dispense an individual from one scrutiny, or in an extraordinary circumstance, even from two (RCIA, 34). At Masses where the Scrutinies are celebrated, the “A” cycle of readings is considered normative, even during years “B” and “C” (RCIA, 146).

~ Dismissals The catechumens are dismissed after the homily and before the General Intercessions. After the dismissal formulary, the catechumens leave in procession. They do not disperse, but rather shar in the breaking open of the Word of God with trained RCIA team members. (RCIA, 67; 83.2)  

New resources:

Initial interview Guiding Questions English

Initial interview Guiding Questions Spanish

Data Form: Initial Data Form English

Date Form Initial Data form Spanish

Annulment cheat sheet Simple Annulment cheat sheet

Save the date for the Neophyte Mass which will be held at Corpus Christi Parish on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 22, 2024.

Sample Syllabus for an OCIA Process

Coming soon to a deanery near you: team training on the changes found in the new OCIA: December 14, 15, January 4, 5. So, 4 chances to "be in the know before Lent. If you are interested in hosting and have space for a couple of hundred, please email Erin Erin's Email

NCCL’s Parents and Families at the Center of Faith Formation Project is focused on exploring how to strengthen family religious and spiritual transmission in the first two decades of life and create parish communities that intentionally accompany and support parents and the whole family. Ten of our parishes are participating in this grant over the next 3 years.

Data studied at the Family Summit in August, 2024 Recordings of talks will be available soon.

Circle of Grace Safe Environment Programming

Over 2 years ago, the Diocese of St. Augustine adopted the Circle of Grace Program as the vehicle it will use for helping children and youth understand the sacredness of their body and to be more aware of things that might be harmful to them. These lessons were designed by the archdiocese of Omaha and are mandated to be a part of every religion class, faith formation class, and youth program.

In the Diocese of St. Augustine, these religion lessons are to be done prior to December 15 in all locations, preferably during the beginning sessions. An extension may be granted by either the School Office, the Youth Office, or the Formation Office.

To assist these groups in having leaders prepared to lead their teams in how to use these lessons, the OCF has again scheduled two trainings for leaders, which will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Omaha via Zoom:

Friday, September 20 at 10:00 Zoom link below

Erin McGeever, St. Augustine Diocesan Director is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Circle of Grace Leadership Training #1

Time: Sep 20, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84629329691?pwd=UNjlAyraN6r4btTGsnfEnJ8bERy3jj.1

Meeting ID: 846 2932 9691

Passcode: d4WXcV

Meeting ID: 846 2932 9691

Passcode: 354651

Friday, September 27 at 3:00 pm (link coming next week)

Created for Greatness/Theology of the Body

Since 2015, the Diocese of St. Augustine has been providing St. John Paul II's teaching on the Theology of the Body for middle school students through an adaptation called Created for Greatness. A course of Theology of the Body is also offered in the Catholic High Schools.

The OCF worked with Notre Dame's McGrath Institute to create a training 6-week training course for those who instruct in the program. This year, this course will run from October 7 - November 4. It is particular to our diocese, so it does not appear in their regular catalog.

Link to course Our code is "augustine"

Bishop Pohlmeier has just issued the new curriculum for Pre-K - 8 and so we will also be updating during this coming year, our offerings for Created for Greatness. Stay tuned. Plese see below the basic overall of what we hope to achieve with this program.

Created for Greatness PPT

40th Annual Faith Formation Day

Our Identity as Members of the Body of Christ

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Bishop John J. Snyder High School.

Registration is now open for this special formation event. There is truly something for everyone in the workshops that will be presented.

Clergy only session:

Fr. Tom Willis, V.F., Diocesan Director of Liturgy, will provide the clergy only session on the Revised Ritual: Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside of Mass.  This ritual becomes mandatory as of December 1, 2024. This workshop will look at the theology of the rite as well as the revised translation and new ritual elements of the rite.

Flyer with full workshop Descriptions

Jotform for Individual Registration

Jotform for Groups of 4 from same location (bargain hunters click here)

Catechetical Sunday, September 15, 2024

Catechetical Sunday is celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of September as a way for parishes to acknowledge and commission those who serve the parish and school community as catechists.

 In his Apostolic letter, Antiquum ministerum, Pope Francis describes the role of the catechist as:  “Catechists are called first to be expert in the pastoral service of transmitting the faith as it develops through its different stages from the initial proclamation of the kerygma to the instruction that presents our new life in Christ and prepares for the sacraments of Christian initiation, and then to the ongoing formation that can allow each person to give an accounting of the hope within them. At the same time, every catechist must be a witness to the faith, a teacher and mystagogue, a companion and pedagogue, who teaches for the Church. Only through prayer, study, and direct participation in the life of the community can they grow in this identity and the integrity and responsibility that it entails.”

Annual Theme

“Lord, when did we see you hungry"

Matthew 25:37

"Señor, ¿cuándo te vimos hambriento? "

Mateo 25;37

Commissioning of Catechists

We encourage using Catechetical Sunday to publicly commission and pray for those who will serve as catechists and teachers in the parish community. A commissioning rite is available to use at the Sunday Masses or in a special prayer service:

Commissioning Service (English) 

Servico de Comisión (Spanish)

Catechetical Sunday also offers an opportunity to recall that all of the baptized have roles in handing on the faith in their daily life, families, work, and church involvement. 

Resources

The USCCB provides resources (prayer cards, certificates, mostly available as free downloads) for parishes to use for the celebration of Catechetical Sunday: 

Resources from USCCB

Other resources:

Sadlier Free Catechetical Sunday resources in Spanish and English. Embody Christ's love through discipleship.

Hope does not Disappoint (Rom 5:5)

On Ascension Thursday of this year, Pope Francis proclaimed the upcoming Jubilee 2025 calling the Bull of Indiction---Spes non confundit. “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5). In the spirit of hope, the Apostle Paul addressed these words of encouragement to the Christian community of Rome.

A Jubilee Year is proclaimed by the Pope every twenty-five years. The concept of jubilee or holy year has a long history first prescribed by Moses. Here is a not so brief history of jubilee Years in the Catholic Tradition:

History of Jubilee Years

Papal Bull declaring Jubilee of Hope

The Paulists are providing a three-part series on the virtue of hope:

Upcoming locations and dates:

St. John the Baptist, Atlantic Beach



September 21 and 22

Jotform to register

St. Luke, Middleburg

November 9 and 10

November 23 and 24

Jotform to register

St. Matthew, Jacksonville

January 11 and 12

January 25 and 26

Jotform to register

The Diocesan Liturgical Commission

is offering an opportunity for Formation, Dialogue, and Reflection with 

Dr. Steven Janco

Musician, Composer, Liturgist, National Speaker 

More about Dr. Janco

Dr. Janco will be offering two presentations in Gainesville and two in Jacksonville 

#1 First Presentation:

- For Music Ministers - 

"Beautiful Sounds of Music"

"Assembly's Singing at Mass and the

Quality of Our Music"

Saturday, September 28 (10am-noon)

Holy Faith Catholic Church - Gainesville, FL 

(inside the Church)

Monday, September 30 (6:30-8:30 pm)

Bishop Snyder High School - Jacksonville, Fl 

#2  Second Presentation:

- For All Other Liturgical Ministers & Assembly - 

"What Happens Now?"

The Real Presence After the Eucharistic Revival

Saturday, September 28 (1:00-3:00 pm)

Holy Faith Catholic Church - Gainesville, FL 

(inside the Church)

Tuesday, October 1 (6:30-8:30 pm)

Bishop Snyder High School - Jacksonville, Fl 

FREE & NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED 

Our Place at the Table:

A Contemporary Approach to the Eucharistic Mystery

Sep 17, 2024 02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Have you ever wondered what is really going on in the Mass? Whether you are suddenly feeling drawn to the faith or are a lifelong Catholic, many people have questions about the Mass, but are unsure when and how to ask them. Join us for a conversation about the meaning of the liturgy and our role in the celebration.

Free

Link to Webinar

Faith Meets AI

Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, Ph.D will be providing a 2 hour workshop on three occasions. This workshop will discuss the benefits as well as the challenges in he use of AI i a faith based environment.

Individual costs are $35 or groups can register for $30.

Here are the dates of times of the three opportunities (each offering is the same)

Saturday, September 21 Noon - 2:00 pm

Wednesday, October 9 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Faith Meets AI Registration