Volume XV, Issue XXXVII September 7, 2026

Echoes~

Your Weekly Catechetical News from the

Office of Christian Formation


 Greetings!            


42nd Annual Faith Formation Day

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Bishop John J. Snyder High School


Registration is now open for our 42nd Annual Faith Formation Dayy


Highlighted speakers this week:

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Scott Hefelfinger is our keynote presenter. Dr. Scott Hefelfinger serves the Augustine Institute as Head of Content and as professor in the Graduate School of Theology. He specializes in moral theology, marriage and family, and prayer.


“Fruitfulness in Marriage and the Culture of the Home.” Here’s a short description:

 

It’s commonplace for Catholics to speak of fruitfulness in marriage. When we do, we typically mean children, one of the great goods of marriage. But what about the culture of the home? Can it also be a kind of fruitfulness? If so, how does it relate to children? This session will focus on these questions to shed light on the important connection between children and culture within the home and how both are critical dimensions of the good of marriage.

Teresa Lee has over 20 years of experience in catechetical ministry in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia. Currently, Teresa is the Director of the Office of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Richmond.


Terese will present a morning and an afternoon workshop.


Morning:

Receiving the grace of the Sacraments: Preparing children and families for a lifetime of receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist




Afternoon:

Receive the Holy Spirit: Making the Pentecost event present for our youth today in the Sacrament of Confirmation



Two different types of registrations:


Individual ~ Individual


Groups of 4 from the same location to save money~ Multiples of 4 Save $$$$$. Multiples of 4 are:

4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24.


Statistical Report due by October 5, 2026

2026 Annual Faith Formation Statistical Report

Circle of Grace Safe Environment Lessons for Children and Youth



Circle of Grace Power Point for Training






Log in information:


www.cogpartners.org


SaintAugustineDiocese


PartnersCOG*SaintAugustine63!


Opening of the Catechetical Year Gathering Tuesday, September 22 beginning with Mass with Bishop Pohlmeier at 9:30 am in he Marywood Chapel.

Attendance by all leaders expected, if possible.


DRE/CRE/ARE registration

Catechetical Sunday September 20, 2026


If you were unable to attend the webinar last Wednesday on Celebrating the Catechetical Sunday theme all year round, here is the recording: Zoom recording


Background on Catechetical Sunday



Catechetical Sunday was inspired by the Vatican document Provido sane consilio (On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education) published in 1935.

This document asked every country to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists.


In the United States, Catechetical Sunday was first observed with national catechetical congresses held in conjunction with the Vatican celebration.

Beginning in 1971, the USCCB’s Department of Education began producing materials to help parishes celebrate the event at the local level. When the Committee on Catechesis, now named the Committee of Evangelization and Catechesis, was named by the Conference as a standing Committee, it continued to publish Catechetical Sunday materials each year.


Those whom the Community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the third Sunday in September as Catechetical Sunday which this year is September 20.


Link to USCCB downloadable resources

Our Lady of La Leche ~ Day of Marian Spirituality


All are welcome to celebrate the east day of our Diocese and of or Shrine!

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Doors open at 2:30 pm

Speakers

Flower Procession with Our Lady of La Leche

Rosary with meditations

Mass with Bishop Pohlmeier


8th Annual Homeschool Mass and Dinner


We look forward to welcoming the homeschool families of the Diocese of St. Augustine to a gathering on Monday, September 21 at San Jose Parish. Bishop Pohlmeier will celebrate Mass at 5:30 pm and a reception with entertainment for the children will follow.


In preparation for the liturgical ministries at Mass and the food that will be served at the reception, please fill out the following Jotform.


Registration will close on September 14.


Jotform to register your family


NCCL Resources


There are many NCCL projects coming to fruition to begin this new academic year.


In additon to the Family Grant resources:


NCCL Family Grant Resources


the first set of videos, Accompaniment in Faith: Practices and Skills for Catechists and Educators are being posted this week. These free resources, with study guides, will be an excellent resource for group study with faculty. These are geared for those who work with grades 1-8.


NCCL.org Going live this week


The first fruits of the Prayer and Worship Lilly Grant are also now available. These are supplemental lessons and activities to enrich the curriculum.


NCCL Catholic Kids



Basic Certification (Level I)

Basic Certification (Level I)



September: Holy Family School and San Jose School

September 12 and 13 at San Jose School

September 26-27 at Holy Family School


Jotform to register



November: St. Matthew Parish

November 7 and 8

November 21 and 22


Jotform to Register (now open!!!)



January: St. Anasatasia

January 9 and 10

January 23 and 24



June: St Patrick School, Gainesville


Standard Certification (Level II)

Standard certification is achieved either through courses through the McGrath Institute (STEP) or through the University of Dayton (VLCFF).


Standard Certification Options


STEP through the McGrath Institute


STEP Camino Courses Comprehensive list for the year.


Beginning with the Spring 2027 term, STEP (and our sister program in Spanish, Camino) will move to a revised calendar consisting of five sessions per year: two in the spring, one in the summer, and two in the fall. The remainder of this 2026 calendar will continue as usual, with the new calendar taking effect in Spring 2027.

For your reference, these are the dates for our 2026-2027 sessions:

  • Fall 1: August 31 - October 16, 2026
  • Fall 2: October 19 - December 4, 2026
  • Spring 1: January 11 - February 26, 2027
  • Spring 2: March 8 - April 30, 2027 (with a Holy Week break, March 22-28)
  • Summer: June 7 - August 1, 2027 (with a summer break, July 5 - 11)



VLCFF through the University of Dayton


VLCFF Calendar

Continuing Formation (Level III) Opportunities

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass~ A Deeper Understanding


The Diocesan Liturgical Commission, in conversation with Bishop Pohlmeier, will be providing this workshop on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.


Bishop Pohlmeier will speak on the following 4 topics:


The Shape of the Sacrifice

The Assembly and the Priest

Full, Conscious, Active Participation

Silence and Reverence


Saturday, September 19 9:00 am -12:30 pm at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Orange Park in the Family Life Center.


No registration is required and there is no fee.


Does Every Life Mean Every Life? (Yes)


Note: Emmjolee will also be presenting 2 workshops at the Faith Formation Day.

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