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Parish Ministry Leaders,
As we enter the month of April, we continue our journey through the sacred season of Lent and prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter. Let us especially remember in prayer the catechumens and candidates preparing to receive the sacraments and enter into full communion with the Church. May the Lord pour forth his Spirit upon them and renew the face of the earth! Below are some of the key highlights for this month:
Please join Bishop Spalding and hundreds of faithful from across the diocese for the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 15th at 6:30 p.m. at Sagrado Corazón. For details, please visit dioceseofnashville.com/chrism.
- Lay Ministry Formation Meeting
Please join us for the next Lay Ministry Formation Meeting on Thursday,
April 24th. Dr. Frank Moncher will speak on, "Pastoral Care of Young People Affected by Sexual Confusion and their Families". Dr. Moncher currently serves in the Diocese of Arlington and is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Arlington and Washington, D.C. area. Please register by Wednesday, April 16th here.
Registration is also open for our Retreat Day with Fr. Peter Stryker, C.P.M. and Sister Peter Marie Chrismer, O.P. at Bethany Retreat Center on Thursday, May 8th. Please register with Bethany Retreat Center here.
The retreat theme is, "Hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5). The day will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. Please register by Monday, April 28th.
Congratulations to Ian (Office and Event Coordinator) and Christina Cawthon who welcomed a new baby girl, Anastasia Rose, on March 18th!
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions and know of our prayers for you and your ministry!
The Office of Faith Formation
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On the Tuesday of Holy Week, we will gather as a diocese around our bishop as he blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens and consecrates the Sacred Chrism. Among the Fathers of the Church, St. Cyril of Jerusalem speaks most eloquently of the chrism oil and the effects of anointing saying, "Having been counted worthy of this Holy Chrism, you are called Christians...because you were truly anointed by the Holy Ghost". May St. Cyril intercede for those who will be anointed with this Sacred Chrism in baptism, confirmation, and holy orders.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, pray for us!
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"But beware of supposing this be plain ointment. For as the Bread of the Eucharist, after the invocation of the Holy Ghost, is mere bread no longer, but the Body of Christ, so also this holy ointment is no more simple ointment, nor (so to say) common, after invocation, but it is Christ's gift of grace, and, by the advent of the Holy Ghost, is made fit to impart His Divine Nature. Which ointment is symbolically applied to your forehead and your other senses; and while your body is anointed with the visible ointment, your soul is sanctified by the Holy and life-giving Spirit."
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem
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Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage
The Diocese of Nashville, in partnership with 206 Tours, will host a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year of Hope and the transitional diaconate ordination of seminarian Reed Robinson September 29 - October 7, 2025. The pilgrimage will include visits to the Vatican Museums, the four major Roman basilicas, the catacombs, and other sites significant to both Church and Roman history. A tour of the Abbey of Monte Cassino, the birthplace of western monasticism, and Castel Gandolfo, the former papal summer residence, will also be included. For registration information and further details, please visit nashvillefaithformation.com/jubilee.
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Catechesis of the
Good Shepherd
Level One Formation Course
June 23 - 28, 2025
Overbrook Catholic School
Click here to download the flyer and register.
For more information, please contact Sister Marie Therese, O.P. at srmtherese@overbrook.edu
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Catechesis of the
Good Shepherd
Level Two Formation Course
July 6 - 12, 2025
Aquinas College
Click here to download the flyer and register.
For more information or to register online, please visit aquinascollege.edu/cgs
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Taller Diocesano para el Ministerio Hispano
Como parte de la implementación del Plan Pastoral para el Ministerio Hispano/Latino en nuestra Diócesis el próximo 26 de abril en Ascension Hall del CPC se celebrará el Taller de capacitación a nivel diocesano para líderes parroquiales laicos en español de 9:00 AM a 4:00 PM. Esta capacitación tiene como objetivos:
- Presentar un resumen del Plan Pastoral Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/Latino a los líderes diocesanos y movimientos eclesiales laicos.
- Identificar las respuestas y estructuras pastorales actuales.
- Reflexionar sobre la visión pastoral y las líneas de acción para la pastoral hispana/latina.
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Preparar a los líderes parroquiales y locales para implementar el Plan Pastoral Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/Latino.
Con el fin de poder cumplir con estos objetivos es necesario que al menos 4 personas de cada una de sus parroquias puedan estar presentes en este taller que se desarrollará el día antes mencionado. Cabe añadir que este proceso del Plan se está desarrollando para las oficinas diocesanas, sacerdotes y diáconos en otros momentos. Por tanto, el presente taller está dirigido a los laicos que sirven en el ministerio hispano.
Favor de ver el volante o la liga para registro y mayores detalles:
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Please click here to download a flyer of all the Spanish Masses in the diocese.
Haga clic aquí para descargar un folleto de todas las misas en español en la diócesis.
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NFCYM Region V Formation Day
Youth Ministers and Campus Ministers are invited to join Erin and other youth leaders from NFCYM Region V dioceses for a day of formation and fellowship!
We are so excited to have Mark Oestreicher, veteran youth minister, founding partner of The Youth Cartel and author of many books, including What's Right about Youth Ministry, as the presenter for our Region V Youth Leader Formation Day on Tuesday, April 8th.
We will gather from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Registration is $30 and includes breakfast and lunch. You are welcome to stay at the camp Monday night for no extra charge or drive to camp on Tuesday morning. Lodging will not be available Tuesday night. If you do choose to come on Monday, please note this when you register to reserve your accommodation.
Follow this link to register. Select the "Tuesday Only" option for $30. See the "Download Event Flyers" link under the calendar below or more information, or contact our office.
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58th Annual Youth Leadership Workshop
Parishes, priests, and campus ministers should have received a YLW packet via mail or email in the last week. See below for deadlines. Information about YLW can be found on our new website: nashvillefaithformation.com/ylw. Please contact us with any questions.
April 14: Last day for ministry leaders to personally invite current sophomores and juniors to apply and send list of invitees to Erin Sprenger.
May 19: Last day for invitees to apply.
May 23: Applicants will receive notification from our office regarding their acceptance on or before this date. This allows us to cross-reference their application with your list of invitees to be certain that only those who were invited are registering.
June 2: Last day for accepted applicants to register and pay $325 fee.
June 30 - July 3: YLW 2025!
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Young Adult Table at Cor Iesu
Come support the culture of vocations in our diocese while getting to know other young adults!
When purchasing your ticket, type "Young Adult" for the group name (end of Step 2) to be seated at a table with other young adults from around the diocese.
Click here to purchase a ticket.
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Follow us on Instagram! @dionashyouth @dionashyoungadults
Send us any of your events which you'd like us to share on our page.
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Easter Joy Never Ends: Celebrating the Resurrection in Family Life
Catholic families don't just celebrate Easter once a year. Every Sunday we celebrate Jesus' Resurrection. We are called to live as Easter people, filled with joy, hope, and love. Children learn faith through experience. Help them see Easter as an all-year season of love, not just a one-time event.
Here are some simple and meaningful ways to share the joy of Easter intentionally within your home:
- Use an "Alleluia" jar: write moments of joy and gratitude on slips of paper throughout the Easter season and read them together at Pentecost.
- Encourage your children to practice "Resurrection kindness": look for ways to bring life and joy to others by performing simple acts of kindness such as helping a neighbor, inviting a new parishioner to dinner, sitting with a new student at lunch, giving something away every month, or collecting needed items for a local shelter or charity.
- Share the joy of the sacraments: share baptism photos and talk about the day Christ claimed each of you as His own. Share memories of your First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation, or Confirmation.
- Easter story-telling: read the Scripture passages of Jesus' post-Resurrection appearances and discuss what they impact your faith
- Resurrection meals: set Sunday dinners apart as joyful gatherings, perhaps using a tablecloth and candles to remind everyone of the light of Christ.
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Engaged Couples Retreat
The Office of Marriage and Family Life hosts a retreat for engaged couples as they prepare for marriage. Our next retreat will be on Saturday, June 7th. Please encourage the engaged couples in your parish to join us! Details can be found on our website here or call Maria Oliva with questions.
Various resources are also continually being added to our website. Please explore the Marriage and Family Life page to discover helpful tools to assist your ministry and parish.
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Rachel's Vineyard Retreat for Healing after Abortion
If you or someone you love is suffering grief or trauma from an abortion, come experience the healing love of Jesus Christ on a Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreat during this Jubilee of Hope. Participation is strictly confidential and offers a beautiful opportunity to experience God's love, forgiveness, and compassion. The cost is $200; however, financial assistance is available and no one is ever turned away due to financial need. For more information or registration, contact the confidential hotline (270-474-4707) or email retreats@hopeafterabortionky.com.
Upcoming Retreat dates:
May 16-18,2025
St. Bernard's Abbey (Cullman, Alabama)
September 5-7, 2025
Passionist Retreat House (Whitesville, KY)
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Maria Oliva
Associate Director of Faith Formation
615-645-9752
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April 14, 2025- HLMFM: Luis Menjivar, "RICA"| Catholic Pastoral Center
April 15, 2025- Chrism Mass | Catholic Pastoral Center, Sagrado Corazon
April 24, 2025- LMFM: Dr. Frank Moncher, "Pastoral Care of Young People Affected by Sexual Confusion and their Families" | Catholic Pastoral Center
May 8, 2025- LMFM Day Retreat | Bethany Retreat Center
May 19, 2025- HLMFM: Manuel Lazo, "Espiritualidad Mariana" | Catholic Pastoral Center
May 20, 2025- Cor Jesu Dinner | Catholic Pastoral Center, Unity Hall
June 7, 2025- Engaged Couples Retreat | Catholic Pastoral Center
July 12, 2025- Engaged Couples Retreat | Catholic Pastoral Center
August 9, 2025- Priesthood Ordinations | Cathedral of the Incarnation
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