Volume XV, Issue XXIII June 15, 2026 | |
Echoes~
Your Weekly Catechetical News from the
Office of Christian Formation
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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 in church
6:30 pm Dinner and Social
Jotform to register Deadline is Tuesday, June 16 for the food count
This invitation has been sent to all of the neophytes...please encourage them to respond to this invitation.
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The Eucharist as a Source of Unity
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, and as the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage continues across the country, it's worth asking the question, What does the Church have to say to a fractured nation? And what does it ask of us?
Dr. Timothy O'Malley, Associate Director for Research at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, opens the series with a timely reflection on the Eucharist as a source of unity. In this video, Dr. O’Malley offers three concrete ways Catholics can move beyond the divisions of our moment and become agents of unity in public life.
Link to this talk
There are others posted and new ones will be posted periodically.
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18th Annual Summer School of Theology
Fr. Art Purcaro is an Augustinian priest who has spent many of his years ministering in the desert and the Andes of the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Peru (1971-2015). During some of that time, he served as a member of the General Council of the Order of St. Augustine in Rome. Fr. Art worked closely with Rev. Robert Prevost, O.S.A., now Pope Leo XIV in both Peru and in Rome.
Fr Art has been involved in the pastoral renewal program sponsored by the Better World Movement based on promoting the spirituality and ecclesiology of communion. He has taught in various formation programs and seminaries in many parts of the world. He is currently serving as Assistant Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University where he also teaches theology.
Schedule each day is 9:00 am - 3:30 pm with Mass celebrated each day prior to lunch.
Our new theme will be: "Building a Better World: A Contemporary Augustinian Perspective
A new outline is being developed.
Jotform to register Last day to register is June 17, 2026
When you register, we will provide the book for the week
This is a Level III (Continuing Formation Opportunity)
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Webinar: Magnifica Humanitas: Disarming AI, Being Fully Human, and Integral Ecology across the Curriculum Workshop
June 9, 2026 ✦ Online ✦ 6:30 pm CST
Join the conversation on Pope Leo’s new encyclical!
This papal document invites each of us into a conversation about how to be fully human in a world where AI is growing at an unchecked rate, elite and non-state actors control data, and the common good is not prioritized.
Join the conversation with Kim Daniels, JD, from Georgetown, Scott Hurd from Catholic Charities USA, Nichole Flores, PhD, from University of Virginia, and Paul Schrez, PhD, from Notre Dame, who will help us to consider deeper questions about our relationships with God, each other, creation, and technology. (A live Spanish interpretation offered!)
En español
En su poderosa nueva encíclica, Magnifica Humanitas, el Papa León nos invita a un diálogo sobre cómo ser plenamente humanos en un mundo donde la inteligencia artificial crece en un ritmo desenfrenado, donde las élites y los actores no estatales controlan los datos, y donde no se prioriza el bien común.
Kim Daniels, JD de Georgetown, Scott Hurd de Catholic Charities USA, Nichole Flores, PhD, de la Universidad de Virginia, y Paul Schrez, PhD de Notre Dame nos ayudarán a reflexionar sobre cuestiones profundas acerca de nuestras relaciones con Dios, con los demás, con la creación y con la tecnología.
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The Heart of the Family Video Series
The McGrath Institute for Church Life announces the launch of The Heart of the Family, a seven-part video series created as part of the Holy Family Initiative for Family Catechesis to help families reclaim their identity as domestic churches, places where faith is lived, shared, and passed on at home.
Rooted in formation, community building, prayer, and action,The Heart of the Family meets families where they are in their journey and invites them into a deeper understanding of Christian parenting and family life.The program, available in English and Spanish, can be used by individual families, as well as by cohorts and in large parish or Catholic school gatherings. A leader's guide provides instructions to facilitate each session.
The video series grew out of years of pastoral experience and in-person family sessions offered in Spanish and English through evening gatherings. Members of the McGrath Institute team partnered with dioceses and parishes to develop new models of affiliation that respond to generational divisions between immigrant parents and first- and second-generation Hispanics born in the United States.
The series emphasizes inviting families to see their daily routines of mealtimes, bedtime rituals, sacrifices, and celebrations, not as obstacles, but as sacred moments of pilgrimage and grace.
Each session includes:
- Guided video reflections
- Scriptural meditations on family life as a domestic church
- Downloadable handouts with reflection questions and at-home family activities
- A closing prayer
Families/parishes can participate at their own pace, choosing when and how often to gather, whether daily or weekly.
English
Spanish
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For your planning and to include on your OCIA calendar of gatherings:
Neophyte Day of Reflection: Sunday, May 30, 2027 from 2:00 pm - 7:00pm location TBD. All neophytes expected to attend.
Candidate Day of Reflection: Saturday, June 5, 2027 from 9:00 am - noon. All candidates brought into full Communion are welcome.
From our friends at the Tribunal: Easter is early this coming year. Therefore, the deadline to submit all, that is all paperwork for a full annulment will be July 15, 2026. Recall, this also does not mean an annulment will be automatically granted after 8 months or that it will only take 8 months. This is a best guess.
A Workshop on Marriage Law for Parish Professionals
An Introduction for parish workers, particularly those who are involved in OCIA, on the annulment process will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the St. Cahterine Room on Saturday, July 25 from 9:30 am - noon. This workshop will aid you in accompanying people through the annulment process, especially those in the OCIA, covering the following:
~ The basics of the process
~ Key terminology
~ A look at the various types of annulments
~The timeline
$5 donation for handouts taken at the door.
Jotform to register
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Textbooks for Use in DOSA
As this academic and faith-filled year winds down, we begin to automatically think of the coming year. Here are some friendly reminders when selecting curriculum series as well as the sacramental preparation materials:
~ These materials must be found on the USCCB Conformity list (see link below). The pieces must all be in conformity: So, for a school, that would be the initials S and TM (student and teacher manual) For a parish, the necessary initials are P and CM (parish student and catechist manual)
~ Parishes with schools should be using the same materials
~ The entire series must be on the Conformity list in order to use the entire series.
~ Publishing companies exist to sell books. Therefore, look at the list and not to the company representative for direction.
I just received the newest sacramental series from Loyola. I know many of you use Loyola for sacramental prep. I have samples of all of the First Sacrament materials. The materials are bilingual and have 2 age levels ~ primary and intermediate with an eye toward OCIA with children. The Confirmation materials are also avaialble. You can let me know if you want to look at them.
As new offerings that are found in conformity are sent to me, I will publish here.
Conformity Review
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Cleaning out the bookshelf
It is that time of the year...see if there is something on here you can use.
We will add new titles each week.
Lector workbooks for 2026 $3.00
Adaptive classroom 50% off
Anointing of the Sick ritual books
More...
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Adult Confirmation Dates for 2027:
Saturday, January 16 at 5:00 pm
(Epiphany Parish, Lake City)
Sunday, May 16 at 2:00 pm (Cathedral Basilica)
August 14 4:30 pm (Location TBD in Jacksonville)
A
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Education and Formation of Catechetical Leaders
As the program year comes to a close, NCCL is looking forward to offering a variety of new formation programs for catechetical leaders in 2026-27. Here's what's coming soon:
Welcome to Catechesis - a 4 Session Online Course in August for beginning leaders
· For information and registration go to: Welcome to Catechesis
NEW: Certificate in Family Faith Formation - October 2026
· A new three-course Certificate program focused on faith formation with families and parents.
· The first cohort launches in October. Stay tuned for more information.
NEW: Certificate in the Practice of Catechesis - In Spanish
· A new Certificate program designed around the needs of Hispanic catechetical leaders in Spanish-speaking parishes. The program will be taught in Spanish.
· The first cohort launches in early 2027: Stay tuned for more information.
NEW: Certificate in Adult Faith Formation - In 2027
· A new three-course Certificate program focused on faith formation with adults in parish communities.
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Faith & Freedom Family Kit from Sadlier Religion Publishing
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a faith-filled family resource from Sadlier Religion. This FREE downloadable kit helps children and families explore the Catholic story of America through engaging activities, prayer, and reflection.
Inside the kit:
- Saints & Catholic Heroes Matching Game
- Catholic History Timeline
- Patriotic Rosary Activity
- Prayers for Freedom and Our Nation
- Family faith activities
Perfect for Catholic families, parishes, schools, and summer faith formation.
Fill out the form to download your FREE Faith & Freedom Family Kit now.
Download available in English and Spanish
Get your free download
| | Basic Certification (Level I) | | |
Basic Certification (Level I)
Locations in the next academic year:
August: St. Patrick, Jacksonville
August 8, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Faith Development and Practical Skills
August 9, 2026 noon -5:30 pm Liturgy and Sacraments and Basic Beliefs
August 22, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Scripture and Church
August 23, 2026 noon - 5:30 pm Role of the Catechist and Practical Skills
Jotform to register
Registration will open soon:
September: Holy Family School and San Jose School
September 12 and 13 at San Jose School
September 26-27 at Holy Family School
November: St. Matthew Parish
November 7 and 8
November 21 and 22
January: St. Anasatasia
January 9 and 10
January 23 and 24
June: St Patrick School, Gainesville
| | Standard Certification (Level II) | | Continuing Formation (Level III) Opportunities | | | | |
