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Dear Pastoral Assistants of Faith Formation and Catechists,
Peace and joy to each of you as we begin the month of December and enter into the season of Advent! This time of year challenges us with contrast and juxtaposition: it is both an end and a beginning, as the calendar year winds down and a new liturgical year commences; it is both hectic and calm as we hurriedly plan the details of Christmas celebrations, yet quietly prepare our hearts; it is both dark and light as the coldest and bleakest days are upon us, yet warmth, light and hope overflow because we are intensely aware that our Lord is present. Advent is not a time of either/or, but both/and. It invites us to recognize and appreciate how the divine enters into our earthly reality and radically transforms us. The Prayer of St. Francis nicely articulates this encounter and its ability to change all things. I am praying for you this Advent - may you experience the fullness of each blessing!
A huge thanks to our Resource Specialist Lisa Hillyard for thoughtfully compiling resources for you in this newsletter each month! Features of this edition include a recap of last month’s Catholic Youth Convention, an overview of local activities for the close of the Jubilee Year, and information about pilot projects you can participate in with the Magis Center and a new diocesan resource for Confirmation candidates and their sponsors.
The Lifelong Formation team is here to support you – please let us know if you have any questions or if there is any information or resources you’d like us to provide. We are here to accompany you as you walk with those you serve.
Wishing you blessings and joy in ministry,
Kimberly
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New Confirmtion Preparation Resource - Candidate-Spondor Encounter
We invite you to participate in an exciting pilot project as we develop a new resource for Confirmation preparation! This resource places a spotlight on human dignity and is designed to help our candidates recognize their dignity in their relationship with God and with one another. It will set the stage for outreach to others and for continued, lifelong engagement post-Confirmation. Click below to learn more and how to participate.
| | Currently seeking Confirmation catechists and teams to conduct the activity portion of this resource with their students and share their feedback with us. | | | |
Lifelong Formation ParishStaq Training: Sacrament Records and Process Queue Templates
This will be the topic covered at our December 9th Faith Formation Support Meeting at noon. Please join us!
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Christian Initiation Support Meeting - January 20 at noon
Topic: Sacrament Records Entry and Process Templates
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Catholic Youth Convention 2025
Read the Northwest Catholic article on this year's Catholic Youth Convention - it was a huge success with almost 500 people in attendance and an important message that we are all Saints in the Making!
| | Fill out the evaluation form to provide feedback! | | | |
Magis Center: Science & the Catholic Church Video Series
New supplemental series developed by Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. Ph.D. to help youth and young adults prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation and their faith life beyond by introducing science-based apologetics. The course provides contemporary scientific evidence supporting the existence of God, Jesus, the afterlife, and the Catholic Faith. This resource could be used as a supplemental resource in your parish programs.
| | Contact formation@seattlearch.org if interested in reviewing the materials. | | | |
Closing Mass of the Jubilee Year
On Sunday, December 28, at 10 am, in union with bishops throughout the world, Archbishop Etienne will celebrate a solemn Mass marking the end of the local observance of the Jubilee Year 2025 at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. It is the last opportunity to make a Jubilee Year pilgrimage to the Cathedral.
| | Pope Leo XIV will formally close the Holy Doors in Rome on January 6, marking the end of the Jubilee Year for the universal Church. | | | |
Archdiocesan Children's Prayer Book
- Credit card payments can be taken at time of ordering or choose to pay later (parish invoiced).
- Order form is available online so you can refer parents/guardians to visit the webpage and order directly.
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Spanish/English & Vietnamese/English bilingual versions are available online only.
| | Contact Lisa Hillyard with any questions. | | | |
Confirmation Retreat Dates
There is still room at the upcoming Confirmation retreats listed below. Please take a moment to fill out the form if interested. These retreats are one-day events ending with Mass, by 5:00 or 6:00 PM based on retreat and Mass start times. Click on the button below to learn more and submit your response.
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March 7, 2026 at St. Frances Cabrini, Lakewood
April 18, 2026 at Mary, Queen of Peace, Sammamish
May 2, 2026 at St. Nicholas, Gig Harbor
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Lifelong Formation Support Meetings
Starting in the fall, our support meetings will now occur quarterly! Please see below for specific dates and Zoom information for each meeting. All meetings start at 12:00 noon.
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PAFF Support
Anyone working in Faith Formation can join these meetings to network, share ideas, ask questions or just visit with others working in faith formation.
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DECEMBER 9, 2025
MARCH 10, 2026
JUNE 9, 2026
2nd Tuesday of the month
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 864 5781 8172
Passcode: 536483
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OCIA Support
Parish staff working in OCIA share good practices, ideas to improve current processes, tips on how to deal with difficult concerns, and ideas to celebrate the Rites.
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JANUARY 20, 2026
APRIL 14, 2026
3rd Tuesday of the month
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 842 6568 4119
Passcode: 559697
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M&FL Support
Anyone working in ministry with Marriage and Family Life can join these meetings to network, share ideas, ask questions, or just visit with others.
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FEBRUARY 24, 2026
MAY 26, 2026
4th Tuesday of the month
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 832 3928 5444
Passcode: 140295
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Three in One: A Valentine's Day Retreat for Parents
Parents will leave this retreat restored, encouraged, and more able to experience peace and hope amid the joys and challenges of family life. Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Lifelong Formation Ministry and led by Rebecca and Jason Burdullis, this weekend-long retreat coincides with Valentine’s Day. Mass will be celebrated on Valentine’s Day with an opportunity for married couples to have their marriages blessed. Time for adoration and confession will also be offered. To learn more and register, click here. For a printable flyer, click here.
| | | | Registration is open for the February 2026 date. | | |
Important Message from Retrouvaille: It has been brought to our attention that several Marriage and Family life offices across the country have received packets from Rediscover Retrouvaille. They are slick and look amazing. They are continuing to use the Retrouvaille logo and name after being served with cease and desist letters from our attorney. They appear to offer an array of marriage help including but not limited to a 6 week course to a marriage cruise not just a weekend. This is not from Retrouvaille but from a competing company that is not sanctioned by the Vatican.
Please contact seattle@helpourmarriage.org with any questions.
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Be sure to check the Liturgical Calendar pages in both English and Spanish. These pages will contain who and what the Church celebrates each month.
| | Please note: If you receive this newsletter before the beginning of the next month, content on the webpage will update on the 1st of each month. | | St. Francis Xavier - December 3 | | St. Nicholas - December 6 | | Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12 | | St. Stephen the Martyr - December 26 | | The Feast of the Holy Family - December 28 | | For more feast days & observances not included here, visit the Liturgical Calendar resource page. | | December Devotion - Immaculate Conception | | | | Click on image to view video | | Click on image to view video | | Click on image to view video | | |
Betrothed Marriage Preparation Retreat - February 27- March 1, 2026 at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way
Annual Lifelong Formation Lenten Retreat - March 16-17, 2026 at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way
Middle School Encounter - March 21, 2026 at Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien
Annual PAFF Conference - June 10, 2026 at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way
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ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE
Lifelong Formation
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