February 2021
Faith Formation/Youth Ministry Update
|
|
This monthly e-newsletter serves catechetical and youth ministry leaders in the Diocese of Green Bay by furnishing them with updates, events and other resources helpful to them in their ministry of fostering households and communities of discipleship.
Discover Jesus. Follow Jesus. Worship Jesus. Share Jesus with others.
|
|
 |
St. Joseph notecard image; Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Manitowoc |
|
|
|
Our Year of St. Joseph Continues
March 19, 2020 to March 19, 2021
"Be in good spirits under the fatherly mantle of St. Joseph, a place of safest refuge in trials and tribulations."
--St. Joseph Marello (1844-1895)
Founder, Oblates of St. Joseph
|
|
|
|
Notices, Updates, Events
Generally useful information.
|
|
Meeting ID: 869 9363 0041
|
|
RE/YM Office Hour: Drawing Families Back to Mass
Thursday, February 11at 1pm
|
Looking forward to seeing you!: We'll talk about an issue that has surfaced often during our virtual parish visits: the hope and concern that families return to Mass post-pandemic. Bring your best thoughts, ideas, practices to share, and we'll let you know what the Diocese' plans are to re-engage with our folks.
See you there!
|
|
Vaccination Eligibility
Dear Catechetical Leaders and Youth Ministers,
While we are by no means requiring parish staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, we wanted to let you know that per the USCCB, that the two earliest COVID-19 vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, have been cited as "morally permissible because of the remoteness of material cooperation" (see https://www.usccb.org/moral-considerations-covid-vaccines).
If you, your catechists, or youth ministry volunteers would like to receive the above-mentioned COVID-19 vaccines and are wondering under which group you will be eligible then hopefully this communication will help.
Currently, our state is in Phase 1a of vaccine distribution, and only frontline healthcare personnel, residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, police and fire personnel, correctional staff, and adults over the age of 65, are eligible. If you or any of your catechists or youth ministry volunteers fall into any of those categories they are eligible now and should contact their medical care provider or local county health department for information on where and how they can be vaccinated, if they desire the vaccine.
Catechetical leaders, youth ministers, catechists, and youth ministry volunteers should be included in Phase 1b of the state's distribution plan under the category of education and childcare, and specifically under the "out-of-school time programs" designation. This means that once teachers and childcare workers are eligible to receive the vaccine, catechetical leaders, youth ministers, catechists, and youth ministry volunteers should also be eligible if they would like to receive the vaccine. The rollout schedule in our state is somewhat fluid especially as it will depend on vaccine supplies. However, as of right now per Wisconsin DHS's site, all those who fall under the education and childcare category (see above) should be eligible around March 1st, 2021 depending on the availability of the vaccine. If you want the vaccine please check with your medical care provider or your local health department about where and how you can receive the vaccine once you are eligible.
Thank you all again for your hard work and for all that you do to advance the Kingdom of God in our diocese.
God bless,
Maximus Cabey
Child and Youth Faith Formation Director
|
|
Worried about ACRE Next Month? Don't Be.
|
Due to the uncertainty, disruptions and additional procedures and adjustments required by the current COVID pandemic, the ACRE requirement for 2021 for all parish religious education programs and all Catholic Schools has been waived. |
|
|
|
|
Virtual Parish Visits: Continuing in February
Please schedule yours!
|
Our team (Callie, Carol and Maximus) have been meeting with Catechetical Leaders/Youth Ministers across our diocese via Zoom.
So far, we've met with over 3 dozen parishes, with many more on the schedule for the rest of February, but there's still plenty of slots available. Please use the link at left to get on the calendar.
God willing, the available dates this month are: February 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24. We'll send you a confirmation/reminder of the Zoom link once you've scheduled the visit.
|
|
Feedback from the visits has been positive, and we appreciate time spent with you. |
|
Praying for Families
Novena Starts Today (Feb 1)!
|
Everyone's thinking about ways we can draw our families back to the Lord and the Liturgy. Here's one way to do that: Pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Good Help! This novena invites you to respond to Mary’s request to Adele Brise at Champion. In it, we pray for families, who are the doorway, or “threshold” of the faith. Through this doorway, we welcome Christ into our family and embrace him. Links:
|
|
Our Lady of Good Help,
Pray for Us
|
|
A Rich Resource that Costs Nothing! |
The two excellent video series by Father John Girotti are now available online! No charge; no password required. Feel free to use these series in any HS or Adult Faith Formation programs.
Of course, if you prefer actual DVD recordings of these series, they're still available for sale. $150 buys them both!
Our office also has a few copies of Fr. Girotti's paperback "A Shepherd Tends His Flock" for sale as well. $15 ea.
|
|
Study Guides also available at no cost.
|
|
|
|
Rural Life Essay/Drawing Contest: Deadline February 12! |
This year’s theme is: How do farmers and rural communities support their neighbors during a pandemic? The deadline is February 12, 2021. For more information on the contest, go to www.gbdioc.org/rurallife.
|
|
|
|
And, Rural Life Scholarship Money ($500) . . . Deadline March 15!
This scholarship worth $500 is sponsored by the Rural Life Committee of the Diocese of Green Bay. High school seniors are eligible to apply. All information about the scholarship, the application, and the pastoral recommendation form can be found HERE. The scholarship deadline is March 15, 2021.
|
|
Parish Life Line: February Topics
Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30; via Zoom
|
One thing we've heard in our virtual visits is that catechetical leaders value the Parish Life Line. |
|
|
Tentative topics for February are:
- February 3: Jonathan Blevins, "Gaming & Evangelization"
- February 10: Elisa Tremblay & Dr. Jim Healy, "Healthy Relationships"
- February 17: Fr. Jim Neilson, Ash Wednesday Lenten Retreat
- February 24: Sr. Anne Marie Lom, OSF, "The Art of Spiritual Companioning"
|
|
Professional Catechetical Leaders and Youth Ministers = ProCLAYM
Next event: February 18!
|
ProCLAYM's mission is to encourage, support, and advocate for catechetical leaders and youth ministers as they evangelize, catechize and form disciples.
Online Member Gatherings (February 18) are an opportunity to gather and learn new trends, best practices, advocacy, and ideas that will inspire and enrich parish programs.
|
|
For more information about joining ProCLAYM and enjoying the benefits of membership, please e-mail: [email protected]
|
|
The National Conference of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL) |
The NCCL is a national Catholic community dedicated to evangelization and catechesis. It welcomes all those who embrace its mission - to transform the world by reflecting Christ. It commits to standing in solidarity with all God's people. authentically witnessing faith, and approaching organizational decision-making with a spirit of discernment. Join them to share resources, grow as ministers and transform the world. Click image to learn more.
|
|
Lent is nearly here!
Ash Wednesday is February 17
As catechetical leaders and youth ministers, you're always trying to plan one step ahead. The World Mission Office of Catholic Foundation offers many Lenten resources, including everything you need to know about the Rice Bowl (including a virtual rice bowl), Lenten calendar, and a World Missions Projects booklet to assist you in considering Lenten lesson plans, activities.
|
|
WI Catholic Youth Rally 2021
March 12; New Berlin
|
This will be a in-person AND livestream event, held March 12/13 at Holy Apostles Parish, New Berlin.
Slated to be a powerful and prayerful, day-long worship experience for high school and middle school students from all over Wisconsin.
|
|
|
Green Bay Youth Conference (GBYC) Reminder:
Save the Date: June 5, 2021
|
Set for June 5, 2021. It will still be at the Shrine for Our Lady of Good Help and Sonar Worship will still be our band. Our hope and prayer is that by June of next year COVID numbers will be reduced sufficiently to allow us to have GBYC safely.
|
|
Camp Tekakwitha is open for summer camp and retreat season! Whether you’re looking for a Catholic summer experience for your students or desiring a retreat day spent in the great outdoors, Camp would love to welcome you. Feel welcome to email [email protected] or visit camptekakwitha.org for questions and further information. Come join us!
|
|
Angels in Catholic Teaching & Tradition
Course Being Offered Locally
|
For any one looking for their annual ongoing formation or just enrichment for themselves or their catechists, there is an online Christian Angelology course being offered by Dr. Chris Gustafson. It will run for seven Thursdays, 6:30 pm - 8 pm, February 11 - March 25th. It is a virtual course sponsored by St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. The fee is $16.95 plus tax. Please see the flyer for details.
Please note, if you're using this course as Ongoing Formation, don't forget to submit the completion form to our office so it can be acknowledged and recorded.
|
|
|
Calendar
Upcoming dates you should know about.
|
|
Our upcoming events have been updated and will continue to be updated throughout the year.)
Dates to Keep in Mind:
Jan 31-Feb 6: Catholic Schools Week
Feb 11: Office Hour (see above)
Feb 17: Ash Wednesday, of course!
Feb 18: ProCLAYM Online Member Gathering (see article above)
Feb Dates: Have you scheduled a virtual visit with Maximus and Callie? Dates in February still available; see article above.
**FCC and Ongoing Formation schedules are available through www.gbdioc.org/fcc Please contact hosting parish/school to register for a class or get more information about location, parking, etc.
|
|
Catechetical Certification
Discover Jesus: One course per year for steady growth!
|
|
Looking for Something to Do Online?
Links to Online FCC Courses
|
|
|
Online courses follow the same lesson plan as classroom sessions and may be used to take the entire course or specific sessions as make-ups. Participants are responsible for submitting completion form. |
|
Resources
Studies, media, and materials to help you do what you do.
|
|
Our at-home resource page can be found HERE!
it gets updated as new information becomes available.
|
|
|
Bishop Barron's new Lenten Gospel Reflections is available for FREE (plus S&H). Order now.
Sophia Institute is offering 70% discount on shipping for early orders of Spirit of Truth and A Family of Faith. Order by April 30th, (receive shipment by May 31st and get 70% off shipping and deferred payment until September 30th.
|
|
|
|
Catholic Current is your one-stop-shop for ministry needs that gives your parish/organization access to an incredible online library filled with relevant, reliable content that supports the liturgical calendar and more. From prayers to social media graphics, you’ll find everything you need on this project of the USCCB.
Don't forget that the Compass offers worksheets and other resources for use by teachers and catechists as part of Compass in the Classroom. See a video explanation and testimony.
|
Share Your Wisdom!
Have a resource that you've found helpful in training staff or engaging students? Watched a video that deepened your faith and led you closer to Jesus?
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you need anything; prayers, a listening ear, or other support, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate ALL that you are doing to advance His kingdom!! May God bless you this Lenten season!
Maximus Cabey, Director
Callie Kowalski, Assistant Director
Child & Youth Faith Formation
|
|
|
|
Find us on facebook!
"Diocese of Green Bay RE/YM"
|
|
Families & Schools of Discipleship | Diocese of Green Bay
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
