Volume XIII, Issue XXXII August 19, 2024 | |
Echoes~
Your Weekly Catechetical News from the
Office of Christian Formation
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Refresher, Reminder #8
What is mystagogia and how can we make it fruitful for our people?
This Greek term simply means "to lead through the mysteries" and it is the final stage of the OCIA. While this is basically a lifelong endeavor, in the OCIA mystagogia usually goes until Pentecost Sunday, although some parishes host once a month gathering for their neophytes. (newly planted) Everything that we plant needs a lot of care and attention at the beginning so that the roots take hold and bear a good fruit. Here are some suggestions for your neophytes:
- Ask neophytes to share their experiences of the sacraments and to reflect on the Easter Vigil.
- Help the neophytes see the sacraments in light of the Scriptural images of them: Baptism (Living Water, water from Jesus' side, the crossing of the Red Sea) or Eucharist (manna in the desert, multiplication of the loaves, the Last Supper, the Road to Emmaus)
- Pray together: Eucharistic Adoration, Liturgy of the Hours, Guided Meditation, Ignatian Prayer, other Catholic devotions.
- Discuss the evangelizing mission of the Church and their part in it.
- Tell stories of the saints who were baptized as adults Augustine, Elizabeth Ann Seton...) and discuss the Universal Call to Holiness.
- Discuss the Catholic world view on contemporary moral issues.
- Encourage the neophytes to continue to ask questions.
- Make a pilgrimage to Our Lady of La Leche. Visit the Cathedral again and take a full tour with them.
- Share opportunities for parish engagement or service opportunities. Accompany.
- Follow up with them on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Insist that sponsors maintain regular contact with their neophyte
- Keep in touch, create a Facebook page or newsletter that keep the groups communicating.
- Have an annual retreat.
- Ask them to assist with the coming year's group of inquirers.
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 next week:
Updated interview question sheet for inquirers
New data collection sheet for inquirers.
(both will be available in Spanish)
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Opening Gathering for Parish Catechetical Leaders (DREs, CREs, and AREs) will be on Tuesday, September 10 beginning with Mass in the Marywood Chapel celebrated by Bishop Pohlmeier at 9:30 am. Every parish should send their leader or delegate to this gathering. To register:
Jotform to register
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Sacramental Preparation for School Aged Children
The full policy is below. Here are some highlights based on questions that are coming into the office with the beginning of the academic year:
There are two types of preparation that go on simultaneously when children and youth are discerning or being prepared for sacraments: Remote and Immediate
Remote preparation is simply the curriculum for that their current grade level. this is taught whether they are in a Catholic School, a parish Faith Formation Program or if they are being homeschooled. Here is the link to that current Pre 3 - 8 Curriculum
Immediate Preparation is that preparation that is specific to the reception of that partic7ualr sacrament. This preparation is done at the parish with all three of the groups listed above being formed together for the particular sacrament.
The National Directory for Catechesis outlines what needs to be covered for each of the 3 sacraments:
Immediate preparation outlines These outlines assume that the parish is using a textbook from the USCCB Conformity list. A Confirmation retreat is mandated for those preparing for Confirmation. A certain number of hours, as a minimum, are also listed in the policy for each sacrament.
Children over the age of reason (7-8) who are lacking sacraments are placed in the parish's OCIA process where their parents accompany them.
Sacramental Preparation Policies for School Aged Children
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The Catechetical Leader Day of Reflection scheduled for Tuesday August 6th has been re-rescheduled to Tuesday, December 10.
It will now be an Advent Day of Reflection.
Fr. Ben will still be the presenter.
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Liturgical Year (C) Book Sales/Pre-Orders for OCIA
We are pleased to offer yet another option for ordering the annual liturgical year materials, a webpage. Try it...you will see a picture of the item, receive a confirmation of your order as well as the amount due when you receive the materials in early September. Please note, the OCIA materials will not be available until after November 1.
Deadline for orders is August 20.
Webpage to order We will still be billing the parish. Please note, if you have an outstanding balance, we will not process your order.
Paper order from for 2024-2025 Fax, scan, email to office with information on the form.
Orders due by tomorrow (August 20)
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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.
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 am
Friday, September 27 at 3:00 pm
Zoom links will be provided closer to the dates.
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Coming Soon: Our Created for Greatness (Theology of the Body) training course through the McGrath Institute. | |
40th Annual Faith Formation Day
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 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:
Keynote: Dr. Kevin Dowd (sponsored by Pflaum) Our identity as Members of the Body of Christ
Clergy Session: Fr. Tom Willis, V.F. will present on the new ritual, Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside of Mass.
Dr. Alex Groppe will present: The Wedding of Heaven and Earth" A Journey Through the Mass.
Fr. Jhon Guarnizo will present: Do You Know Who I am? (in both Spanish and English)
Denise Pressley, M.P.S. will present: Parents and Families sharing of Insights and Suggestions in working with Families.
Dennis Johnson will present: Bring Joy to Catechesis: Catholic Identity Begins with You. (in both Spanish and English)
Paul Truckenbord (sponsored by the Augustine Institute) will present: The Crucial Path to Fruitful Evangelization
Dr. Kevin Dowd (sponsored by Pflaum) will present: Teaching Kids to Respect Others
We will also have two units of Basic Certification:
Role of the Catechist (Sam Matthews)
Scripture (Pat Cook)
Flyer with full workshop Descriptions
Jotform for Individual Registration
Jotform for Groups of 4 from same location (bargain hunters click here)
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The Elephant in the Room,
Parent Edition
Raising Catholic kids in today's culture brings challenges (and joys) for parents. Join other parents for a frank parent-oriented Q and A discussion with Fr. Remek in an informal, fun atmosphere.
Please submit your questions in advance to: Fr. Remek Email
Wednesday, August 21, 6:15 pm in the San Jose Parish Hall, 3619 Toledo Road. Light appetizers will be provided.
Two bonuses:
The parish has a Mass at 5:30 pm.
Bring kids to the gym at 6:00 pm to watch a family friendly movie. Popcorn included.
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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 (2024 not posted yet)
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6th Annual Blessing of Homeschool Families Mass and Reception
Monday, September 23 at 5:30 pm at San Jose Parish Registration is open:
Link to register a family
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US Bishops National Catholic Mental Health Campaign - October 2024
The US Bishops' National Catholic Mental Health Campaign will once again call for awareness and prayer this October around World Mental Health Day. In response to the bishops' campaign, Catholic Charities USA and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM) are collaboratively inviting interested parishes to offer Whole Hearted, the free trauma awareness seminar for all, on a single Sunday of their choosing this October.
An informational one-hour meeting offering full details will be led virtually by Dr. Mike Carotta on Monday, August 19th at 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT for parishes interested in responding to the US Bishops' Mental Health Campaign in this way.
· To attend and learn more, click here to register.
· For more information about the Whole Hearted resource and to download it, go to the Catholic Charities website.
· For resources from the US Bishops' Campaign go the USCCB Mental Health webpage.
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Basic Certification (Level I) | |
Standard Certification (Level II) and Beyond | |
The Office of Christian Formation maintains agreements with the University of Dayton and the University of Notre Dame so that anyone in the Diocese of St. Augustine can take classes at a 50% off rate (STEP and VLCFF classes). Both classes in Spanish and English.
STEP UPCOMING COURSES
Courses Begin August 26
STEP classes at McGrath Institute
Cycle 6: September 2, - October 6, 2024
(Registration: Opens July 17, 2024; Closes August 28, 2024)
VLCFF link to page
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Continuing Formation (Level III) Opportunities | |
From our Publishing Partners:
Pflaum is pleased to offer a variety of webinars to support parish and diocesan faith formation leaders, parish catechists, Catholic school teachers, and parents.
Pflaum Webinars
Sadlier is excited to announce their new professional development courses tailored for dioceses, Catholic schools, catechists, and parish communities.
Catholic Identity
Theology of the Body
Did you know that most of our religion publishers will provide training on their materials for FREE for your catechists? Reach out to our reps today to get on their schedules.
Email the office if you need rep contact info.
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St. John Vianney Seminary, Lay Division presents: "Reading the Classics, Living Like Saints
Online and in person offering beginning in September with informational sessions being held prior.
Video recordings will also be available.
Visit SJV Lay Division for more information and to register.
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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)
Monday, August 19 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Saturday, September 21 Noon - 2:00 pm
Wednesday, October 9 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Faith Meets AI Registration
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