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Dear Pastoral Assistants of Faith Formation and Catechists,
In this month we celebrate the day of love and friendship on February 14 and we remember St. Valentine as the patron saint of lovers who defends and blesses love as God created it and purifying everything that today is
invented by humanity but has nothing to do with true love.
As catechists and formators in the faith, we have a great opportunity to rescue the true meaning of authentic friendship and love so that they may flourish in our person, in our families and in our community.
Pope Francis' new apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia contains some beautiful phrases that fill the faithful with hope in the face of the difficulties and diverse situations of families and marriages in the twenty-first century. Let's read some inspiring quotes and use some in our classes:
Inspiring Quotes from Amoris Laetitia
Other resources:
Valentine Resources - A Valentines for God
Catholic ideas for Valentines Day at Home
Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day for Children
Let's Live the Joy of Love
Carlos Carrillo
Director of the Department of Lifelong Learning
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February 25, 2025
10:00AM – 11:30 AM
online via Zoom
| The new translation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults was published on November 1, 2024, with mandatory use by Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Carlos Carrillo, Director of Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Seattle, and Corinna Laughlin, Liturgy Consultant, will walk us through the new translation as we prepare to use these rites during Lent and Easter 2025. Learn more. | |
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May 7, 2025
9:00AM - 12:00PM
Hotel Murano, Tacoma
| We will then explore the entire contents of the OCIA -- Parts I, Part II, and appendices. How do we choose the “right rite”? What are particular circumstances? How do we respect the baptismal status of those seeking full communion with the Church? What's new in the 2024 edition? What's not? These presentations are part of the annual NW Region Canon Law Conference. Learn more. | |
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Christian Initiation/OCIA Parish Family Workgroup
Is your parish family already doing a combined Christian Initiation process? Would you like to participate in a workgroup that develops best practices for your fellow colleagues in the Archdiocese of Seattle? This Christian Initiation Parish Family Workgroup will meet online and present these best practices at a future webinar for parish ministers.
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Annual Faith Formation Retreat - March 11-12, 2025
The gift of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises invite us to experience God’s loving presence and to deepen our relationship with Jesus who accompanies us through all the joys, sorrows and challenges in our lives and ministry. Our retreat will be a gentle place to lean into God’s grace that leads to greater spiritual freedom. We will present prayer forms to support you in your call to serve God’s people. There will also be spiritual directors available to help you discern how God is inviting you to more abundant life.
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Safe Environment Program News | |
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Catechetical Certification Program RENEWAL
If you become certified between 2017 and 2021 in Catechesis or Adult Faith Formation from our updated program and you are still active in teaching the faith, it’s time to renew your Certification at no cost. Please complete the renewal form and ask your pastor or Pastoral Assistant of Faith Formation to complete the practicum form.
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Don't forget using the new manual is required:
March 05, 2025 - Order of Christian Initiation of Adults texts must be used
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SAVE THE DATE
CHRISM MASS: Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7:00PM at St. James Cathedral
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PAFF Support and Christian Initiation/OCIA Support Meetings | |
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PAFF Support
Please see below for the dates for the PAFF Support meetings. Anyone working in Faith Formation can join these meetings to network, share ideas, ask questions or just visit with others working in faith formation. Meetings are at 12:00 noon.
February 11, 2025
March 11, 2025
April 8, 2025
May 13, 2025
June 11, 2025 (Wednesday)
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Passcode: 471593
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OCIA Support
Parish staff working in OCIA can share good practices, ideas to improve current processes, suggestions in how to deal with difficult circumstances, and ideas to celebrate the Rites. Meetings are at 12:00 noon.
February 18, 2025
March 18, 2025
April 15, 2025
May 20, 2025
June 17, 2025
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Passcode: 589327
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Confirmation Retreat Dates
Confirmation retreat dates and locations have been set! Please fill out the parish interest form if you are interested in bringing your Confirmation youth to a retreat. Dates and locations are below. Find more information in the interest form. Dates that still have room are listed below.
March 22nd at St. Frances Cabrini, Lakewood
May 10th at Mary, Queen of Peace, Sammamish
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The At Home with Faith newsletter will be sent separately outside of the Faith Formation newsletter. If you would like to receive it directly, please email lisa.hillyard@seattlearch.org. | |
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New dates scheduled!
October 24-26, 2025 & February 27 - March 1, 2026
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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 specifically in the month of FEBRUARY.
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Please note: If you receive this newsletter before the beginning of the next month, content on the webpage will not update until the 1st of each month. | | |
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Presentation of the Lord -
February 2
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St. Paul Miki & Companions -
February 6
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St. Josephine Bhakita -
February 8
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Our Lady of Lourdes -
February 11
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St. Peter Damian -
February 21
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Chair of St. Peter -
February 22
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February Monthly Devotion - The Holy Family | |
February 2nd - World Day for Consecrated Life | |
February 8 - World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking | |
February 7-14 - National Marriage Week | |
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The upcoming observances of National Marriage Week (February 7-14, 2025) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, February 9, 2025) are opportunities to focus on building a culture of life and love by supporting and promoting marriage and the family.
- USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth offers many resources.
- For Your Marriage theme for 2025 is “Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!” Visit website.
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For more feast days & observances not included here, visit the Liturgical Calendar resource page. | |
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Entering Lent with the New OCIA Webinar - February 25, 2025, 11:00 am, online via Zoom.
Annual Faith Formation & Youth Minister Retreat - March 11-12, 2025 at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way - info coming soon!
Middle School Encounter - March 15, 2025 at Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien - registration coming soon!
A History of Initiation Practices and an Examination of the OCIA - May 7, 2025, 9:00am at Hotel Murano, Tacoma
PAFF Conference - June 10, 2025, at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way - info coming soon!
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ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE
Lifelong Formation
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