It's August and the gears are beginning to crank as we get ready to move into the new Catechetical year.  Registration, mailings, permission forms, book orders, calendar planning, etc....there is so much to do!  

Planning can be a collaborative effort as well with other ministries in your parish, among parishes in your PCA and in the region.  Last year, we began to think collaboratively as many of the regional CL's worked to plan some catechetical regional events for adults and for the youth.  As you plan your calendar, please keep in mind these dates. 

A Summer Prayer
Long warm days...
The pace of life slows...
A time for picnics and rest in the shade...
Lord, help me to rest awhile
in the cooling shade of your presence.
Slow down my restless heart and fill me
with gentle compassion for all your people. Amen.
- Author unknown

Please note that we will be beginning Summer Office Hours...

Opening Prayer: Easter Joy...Alleluia! (click to open)
This month's meeting focused on referring to the Catechetical Leaders' Handbook as a way to make sure record keeping is completed for this year and to look towards what needs to be done in preparation of next year.

The first question in the discussion was "How was everyone's year? Were you able to schedule 30 hours of direct contact for each grade level?"

Most parishes are fitting in the thirty hours encouraged by Bishop Cunningham.  With today's schedules for families, holidays, etc...

When March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb!  Well, we definitely came into March like a lion, but I think we can begin to celebrate the entering of Spring!  We have so much to celebrate at this time.  This month, Sr. Martha Larkin, CSJ will be celebrating her 60th jubilee year.  We had much fun celebrating with her this past meeting.  We are also coming toward the end of this catechetical year.  We want to thank all those who make catechetical programs as successful as they are, from our pastors 

Welcome to the February notes for Catechetical Leaders! This month's meeting began by celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life.  Our prayer service honored all those in the Eastern Region who have answered the call to Consecrated life.  I hope you take the time to watch the opening and closing prayer videos in the links found below in this months blog posting.  The first video gathers us into prayer using a commitment song and includes images of consecrated life as well as discipleship.  I then included the prayer 

The Treshold of a New Year and a New Vision...
As we meet the New Year and anticipate a new diocesan vision, we need to call upon Wisdom.  Wisdom allows us to see with God's eyes the possibilities the future holds, while still embracing the stories of old.  
    We all know that the changes will be part of the new pastoral care environment.  How we embrace change and continue to be a community that is thriving and strong will be a challenge for all of us, but if we open our hearts to the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit, great things are possible.
    And that is where our CL conversation carried us this month...

December's meeting was filled with the "advent" of a new style of published materials for HighSchool/Confirmation programs. The focus of the meeting's agenda was to review a couple of new programs on the market, specifically "Chosen" by Ascension Press and "Decision Point" by Dynamic Catholic.    It should be noted that although each is called  a "Confirmation Program",  it is a high school faith formation program which does include the component sessions that can be pulled out for the  "Direct Preparation of the the Sacrament."  You will find in this month's folder the links for 

No Meeting November, but lots of Notes!

We did not have our eastern region retreat, but that's okay.  It is a busy time of the year.   We still have much going on in the Eastern Region!  Please see the November Notes files, that include flyers for upcoming events, information regarding the December CL & YM meeting, bookclub interest survey, and a special collaborative project for all to participate in using Google Slides!  

The  Extraordinary Synod for Families and Evangelization is well underway this week!  As we continue to reach our families through the ministry of our catechetical programs and work with parents, I encourage catechetical leaders to visit the Strong Catholic Families website and visit the Parents tab, 
http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/parents.html
Our meeting this month focused on parent meetings, while also looking at the comprehensive aspects of our ministry. 

Welcome back to another Faith Formation year!! Our God is glorious and this year we celebrate God's abundant love, grace and forgiveness.  We have much to be thankful, especially for God's unceasing ability to forgive.  This brings us much peace, joy and hope.
     This year, we begin a new phase in our office and as we do, Cheryl and I are grateful to all the support the catechetical leaders and catechists continually share with us.  We thank you.
     Please take time to review the "Meeting in 10" and know that all handouts and/or links are available in this post.