 | Happy New Year to all! The New Year is traditionally a time to resolute to better ourselves in some way...diets, habits, etc. But what about our spiritual life? Pope Francis gave a beautiful homily in 2013 to catechists about starting anew with the heart of a catechist. With our theme this year of being "Hearts on a Mission", I felt this homily was a wonderful reminder of the what it means to be a catechist...and catechetical leader. I hope you have time to read the entire homily, but in the meantime, our prayer service this month summarized the three main points Pope Francis makes. |
The reading is from this past Sunday's liturgy, the Baptism of Jesus, and is used for our prayer service as a reminder that our missionary hearts begin with baptism. The image I used here is actually from our prayer table, and as a group, we blessed the water and then ourselves as a reminder of that through our baptism we are God's beloved, and that with the gifts of the Holy Spirit are called to share that love. Take time to read this month's prayer service and you may want to share it with your catechists.
January Prayer Service - "Hearts Anew" pdf
 Scott Rutan, RCL Benziger | Scott Rutan gave a wonderful workshop for one hour discussing the 8 styles of learning and how they can be used as the bridge between class and mass. Understanding one's own learning preferences and respecting others' learning preferences gives insight to how people engage in the mass. The learning styles include: interpersonal, intrapersonal, verbal, nature, logical, musical, kinesthetical, and social. Scott created an activity which allowed us to see the variance of distribution that occurs among groups...a sort of microcosm of the congregation. This was an interesting reminder that our liturgies can have opportunities to engage different styles of learners. It was a wonderful presentation, very informative and "engaging"! |
Year of Mercy - Syr E-Resources and Emmaus Calendar
Are you receiving the monthly email from the diocese? There are valuable resources to share in your social media forums and as handouts. If you are not receiving the email resources, follow this link to the diocesan webpage to subscribe. Once you get to the website, click the "Subscribe" button. Complete the SHORT registration form. You will need to check your email to verify that you are a real person.
Are you receiving the monthly email from the diocese? There are valuable resources to share in your social media forums and as handouts. If you are not receiving the email resources, follow this link to the diocesan webpage to subscribe. Once you get to the website, click the "Subscribe" button. Complete the SHORT registration form. You will need to check your email to verify that you are a real person.
| (Click Green Titles to open links) Diocesan Monthly Themes: January: The Dignity of the Immigrant February: Forgiveness Restores Dignity March: The Dignity of Persons with Disabilities April: The Dignity of Creation May: The Dignity of Mothers June: The Dignity of Fathers" Emmaus Calendar for Works of Mercy: This is the calendar that was recommended as a resource to include Works of Mercy each month. |  Click here for suggest activities for January's theme, The Dignity of the Immigrant. |
Upcoming Workshops & Events:
January 14, Thursday 1-2:30pm OR 6:30-8pm
Diocesan Leadership Development Meeting
at St. John the Evangelist Auditorium (church basement)
Flyer / (There is no registration)
January 20, Wednesday 3-4pm Office of Faith Formation Wednesday Webinar Series. Madonna Hurchla presents "The Year of Mercy: A Time for Working Out (Spiritual & Corporal Works of Mercy for Teens)
Flyer / Registration
January 21, Thursday 9:30am - 3:30pm "Lead in the Light" Western Region Winter Workshop Day
Keynote Fr. Joseph Phillips followed by morning workshops and afternoon workshops. Lunch provided. See flyer for more details.
Flyer / Registration
January 21, Thursday evening 6:30- 8:30pm RCIA Meeting and workshop with Scott Rutan, Eastern Region Office.
Scott Rutan will explain how "Apprentices in Faith" and "Young Apprentices in Faith" can be used in your RCIA program and beyond.
No flyer / Register by email
January 23, Saturday 9:30am - 1:30pm Winter Warm-up for Catechists , Northern Region at St. Joseph's
Morning and afternoon workshops with breakfast and lunch included. See flyer for more details.
Flyer / Registration by email
January 28, 6:30 - 8:30 "Mercy- the Beating Heart of the Gospel" with Fr. Mark Kaminski at the Eastern Region Office
See flyer for more details.
Flyer / Register by email
February 10 Ash Wednesday
Share what you are doing in your parish on this slide presentation. Use this as a resource. You can add links, images, resources, etc.
Open slides to view and edit here
February 25 & 26 CL FEB/MAR MEETING
We are combining the February and March Meeting to be at the end of February. Thursday evening begins at 6:30pm with prayer. Friday morning begins at 9:30am with prayer. Both meetings have time before and after for snacking and socializing.
Guest Speaker: Andrea Jacobs, Youth mInister at Holy Cross Church and Kevin Frank, Brady Faith Center, will speak about the "Summer Servant" program. We will also begin some planning for the 2016-17 year for regional youth activities, and share what is happening in our parishes. (Break open the Leadership Day possibly)
February 26 - March 12 Volunteers needed! Andrea will be out of the office from February 26 - March 12. I will periodically check email.
January 14, Thursday 1-2:30pm OR 6:30-8pm
Diocesan Leadership Development Meeting
at St. John the Evangelist Auditorium (church basement)
Flyer / (There is no registration)
January 20, Wednesday 3-4pm Office of Faith Formation Wednesday Webinar Series. Madonna Hurchla presents "The Year of Mercy: A Time for Working Out (Spiritual & Corporal Works of Mercy for Teens)
Flyer / Registration
January 21, Thursday 9:30am - 3:30pm "Lead in the Light" Western Region Winter Workshop Day
Keynote Fr. Joseph Phillips followed by morning workshops and afternoon workshops. Lunch provided. See flyer for more details.
Flyer / Registration
January 21, Thursday evening 6:30- 8:30pm RCIA Meeting and workshop with Scott Rutan, Eastern Region Office.
Scott Rutan will explain how "Apprentices in Faith" and "Young Apprentices in Faith" can be used in your RCIA program and beyond.
No flyer / Register by email
January 23, Saturday 9:30am - 1:30pm Winter Warm-up for Catechists , Northern Region at St. Joseph's
Morning and afternoon workshops with breakfast and lunch included. See flyer for more details.
Flyer / Registration by email
January 28, 6:30 - 8:30 "Mercy- the Beating Heart of the Gospel" with Fr. Mark Kaminski at the Eastern Region Office
See flyer for more details.
Flyer / Register by email
February 10 Ash Wednesday
Share what you are doing in your parish on this slide presentation. Use this as a resource. You can add links, images, resources, etc.
Open slides to view and edit here
February 25 & 26 CL FEB/MAR MEETING
We are combining the February and March Meeting to be at the end of February. Thursday evening begins at 6:30pm with prayer. Friday morning begins at 9:30am with prayer. Both meetings have time before and after for snacking and socializing.
Guest Speaker: Andrea Jacobs, Youth mInister at Holy Cross Church and Kevin Frank, Brady Faith Center, will speak about the "Summer Servant" program. We will also begin some planning for the 2016-17 year for regional youth activities, and share what is happening in our parishes. (Break open the Leadership Day possibly)
February 26 - March 12 Volunteers needed! Andrea will be out of the office from February 26 - March 12. I will periodically check email.
Confirmations in the East
Schedule of Confirmations
Music Guidelines - please pay attention to these. The Bishop REALLY wants to hear the confirmands as they approach him.
Liturgy Notes
Sample Intercessions
Liturgy Form / Planning Sheet
Confirmation Retreats
Share your information regarding retreats so that I can share with others!
Click this link and type when and where your retreat is, contact info and any other important information needed. (This document has been shared since September).
If you are looking for a Confirmation Liturgy for students or a retreat, please check the Schedule of Confirmations first and make contact with parishes from that. It would also be very helpful if everyone would share their retreat information on the collaborative document so that information can be easily accessed.
Schedule of Confirmations
Music Guidelines - please pay attention to these. The Bishop REALLY wants to hear the confirmands as they approach him.
Liturgy Notes
Sample Intercessions
Liturgy Form / Planning Sheet
Confirmation Retreats
Share your information regarding retreats so that I can share with others!
Click this link and type when and where your retreat is, contact info and any other important information needed. (This document has been shared since September).
If you are looking for a Confirmation Liturgy for students or a retreat, please check the Schedule of Confirmations first and make contact with parishes from that. It would also be very helpful if everyone would share their retreat information on the collaborative document so that information can be easily accessed.
REBOOT in the EAST!
The Office of Youth Ministry has scheduled Chris Stefanik (author of "Chosen"), to speak to teens and their families on April 12 from 6:30 - 9pm at St. John the Evangelist Church Auditorium (church basement). This is a special opportunity to hear a national speaker of this caliber.
PDF file from Rick Hensel - invitation letter, flyers, and more information
Tickets are being handled by Rick Hensel, Eastern Region Coordinator of Youth Ministry. Please email him at rhensel@syrdio.org
See Reboot Live! at Reallifecatholic.com
The Office of Youth Ministry has scheduled Chris Stefanik (author of "Chosen"), to speak to teens and their families on April 12 from 6:30 - 9pm at St. John the Evangelist Church Auditorium (church basement). This is a special opportunity to hear a national speaker of this caliber.
PDF file from Rick Hensel - invitation letter, flyers, and more information
Tickets are being handled by Rick Hensel, Eastern Region Coordinator of Youth Ministry. Please email him at rhensel@syrdio.org
See Reboot Live! at Reallifecatholic.com
Complete Digital Folder in Google Docs
 | You can view ALL documents that were in this month's meeting notes from this one folder. If you have google drive, you may save it directly in your google drive files. If you would like an syrdio.org google account, please let me know. Click the image or click here to open the Google Folder for 2016-01 meeting. Information from the Youth Ministry Office will be available within a day or two.... thank you for your patience! |
