Dear Pastoral Assistants of Faith Formation,

September is a busy month for all of our Pastoral Assistants of Faith Formation since most of the programs at the parish will be launched this month or on the first weeks of October. We value entirely your commitment and ministry. 

The Bishops of the United States each year promote a rite to commission our catechists and dedicate a Sunday to recognize this ministry. This year the Catechetical Sunday theme is: "This is my body given for you" Lk 22:19.

Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. This year, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 18, 2022. 

Bishops want to remind us that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.

We hope that all of our parishes celebrate this Catechetical Sunday at their parishes and provide pictures of the event to publish in our webpage and Facebook page. Here are few resources that you can download, use and share with your catechists and volunteers.

7-706 English Prayer Card.pdf (usccb.org)

Commissioning Service | USCCB

The Eucharist and the Kerygma DOC_Pauley.pdf (usccb.org)

USCCB ART ENG fin DOC-Orozco_1.pdf

To learn more and find other resources, visit the USCCB website.

Office of Faith Formation Team.

Confirmation Retreats 2022-2023

If you would like to bring your youth to one of the upcoming Confirmation Retreats provided by the Office of Faith Formation, please take a moment to fill out the short survey below to help us in the initial planning and logistics. A later email will be sent to you to ask more specific information about the participants and to confirm your attendance.

Overnight Retreat:

September 24, 2022 ( Middle School - Camp Don Bosco, Carnation)

Day Retreats:

March 4, 2023 (Middle School - Camp Hamilton, Monroe)

April 15, 2023 (High School - Camp Hamilton, Monroe)

April 29, 2023 (Middle School - Camp Hamilton)

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Lisa at lisa.hillyard@seattlearch.org.

PAFF Support Meetings

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. If you know someone who could benefit from these meetings, please share the information.

September 13

October 11

November 8

December 13

January 10

September 20

October 18

November 15

December 20

January 17

New Ministers Orientation and Fall Gathering for Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, and Young Adult Ministry

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way

Schedule available in the links below:

New Minister Orientation:

https://forms.office.com/r/qK3KeSXP99

Fall Gathering for Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry

https://forms.office.com/r/Mk6g5jadD4

Encuentro Catequetico 2022

The Office of Faith Formation is launching the catechetical year with an Encounter in Spanish facilitated by Marilyn Santos, Associate Director of the Evangelization and Catechesis office from the USCCB on September 24th from 9am - 2pm at St. Louise in Bellevue. If your parish offers catechesis in Spanish, please share this information with your coordinators. View flyer

September 24, 2022

9am - 2pm

St. Louise in Bellevue

Faith Formation Job Opportunities

The Archdiocese is looking to fill some key positions. Please share and spread the word!

Social Media Specialist - The Social Media Specialist supports and coordinates social media and other digital communications efforts for the Archdiocese of Seattle, which includes managing channels for the Archdiocese and Northwest Catholic. Willingness and ability to support the mission of the Church by extending the ministry of the Archbishop of Seattle. Essential duties include coordinating and executing social media strategy, pages and posting for Archdiocese of Seattle and Northwest Catholic, including maintaining content calendars, creating and scheduling organic and paid posts, sharing posts, and managing the respective communities. Also coordinates all testing, boosting and ad buys, as well as influencer management for each channel. Tracks and updates social media metrics and reports for the Archdiocese and Northwest Catholic social media and other channels as necessary to drive data-driven strategies. This role also provides support for other Chancery department channels and assists parishes with digital media education. Please click here for a full job description and to apply.

Director of Youth Ministry Services - The Director for Youth Ministry Services for the Archdiocese of Seattle develops and executes vision and plan for positively influencing, forming and engaging youth to become disciples of their Catholic faith. Develops, organizes and implements all youth ministry programming, supporting parishes and the Archdiocese in evangelization, forming, and supporting youth on their faith journey. Ensures all Archdiocesan youth ministry efforts extend the ministry of the Archbishop, are rooted in the New Evangelization and designed to support the mission and vision of the Archbishop and the Archdiocese. Particular importance is given to providing opportunities for, and supporting parishes in, their ministry to bring youth into a meaningful and transformative relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. Please click here for a full job description and to apply.

Director of Young Adult Ministry - The Director of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Seattle creates and executive a vision and strategy to engage young adults in the Liturgy and Catholic community of faith. Creates programs that support and form young adults as missionary disciples. Works collaboratively with parishes, and other identified groups to facilitate young adults developing and deepening their relationship with Jesus. Facilitates engagement of young adults in Catholic social teaching and furthering Pope Francis’ call to care for the environment. Please click here for a full job description and to apply.

Gregory the Great - September 3

Teresa of Calcutta - September 5

Andrew Kim - September 17

Matthew - September 21

Padre Pio - September 23

Vincent de Paul - September 27 

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 September.

Back to School Ideas

A Student's Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas

9 (Non-Spiritual) Skills Kids Learn At Mass That Prepare Them For School

The Role of Crafts in Catechesis

Praying with Children- Tips to Remember

Catholic Ice Breaker Games

Season of Creation

The Sea son of Creation begins September 1st with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and ends on October 4th, the Feast Day of St. Francis. The Creation Care Network and the USCCB both have several resources to learn more about and celebrate God's Creation.

New Minister Orientation - September 7, 2022 at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way. This orientation is for any parish staff working in the areas of youth, young adult, and adult faith formation, hired within the last year.

Faith Formation Lenten Retreat - March 15-16, 2023 at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way. More details to come!

PAFF Annual Conference - June 8, 2023 at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center. More details to come!