|
Catechetics News & Updates
March 2025
|
Dear Coworkers in the Vineyard,
It was wonderful to connect with many of you during the Staff Mission Days over the past couple of weeks! As someone new to the team, I truly appreciated hearing your questions and insights on how our office can better support you. We are currently reviewing all the feedback from the notecards and are eager to start developing some of the resources you highlighted.
In my preparation for the season of Lent, I found myself reflecting on my past experiences and the significance of this time for spiritual growth. One of the key lessons I've learned is the importance of being intentional and specific in my Lenten practices while relying on accountability partners both at home and at work. One of my favorite Lents I attended daily Mass with a group of my high school teens. This meant attending at 6:30am so they could get to school on time (and I lived 25 minutes away at the time). While it started as something to help them have a transformative Lent, they also helped hold me accountable to attending since I knew they wouldn't let it down if I slept in.
It cannot be overstated that ministry is rewarding, but it can sometimes feel isolating. Having companions on this journey can make a world of difference. There were many years I didn't have an accountability partner and found myself stumbling easily. What can we do to help at least one other colleague, whether at our parish or within our deanery have a transformative Lent? Anh has already promised to drag me (if needed) to daily Mass here at the pastoral center.
On behalf of the entire team, we wish you a blessed Lenten season ahead. We hope to see you at our Equip Day on March 18th (more details below). Please remember that our team is here to support you! We encourage you to reach out via phone or email with any questions, concerns, or ideas you'd like to brainstorm together for your ministry.
Yours in Christ,
Andrew (with Anh and Doug)
|
|
|
Equip Day
Faith Formation for All: Embracing Children with Disabilities
March 18, 2025 | 9:30AM - 2:30PM | MMCPC
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 11
|
|
The National Directory for Catechesis reminds us: "Every parish should seek out its parishioners with cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities, support them with love and concern, and ensure that they have ready access to a catechetical program suited to their needs and abilities" (NCD 61).
How prepared are you to welcome and catechize children and youth with disabilities? Do families impacted by disabilities feel supported and included in our parishes?
Join us for this Equip Day to learn from speakers:
- Larry Sutton, Ph.D., an ordained deacon and licensed psychologist who specializes in Autism.
- Bridget Brown, a national speaker and co-founder of Butterflies for Change.
|
12 Hours of Reconciliation | Wednesday, April 9th, 2025
|
|
During the season of Lent of this Jubilee Year, Archbishop Grob has asked that the faithful of the archdiocese observe April 9 as a Day of Reconciliation, Reparation, and Fasting. On that Wednesday, area priests will be available for the sacrament of Reconciliation at 11 parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Please help promote this to your parish!
|
|
- Pope Francis' 2025 Lenten Message - The following is the text of the Holy Father's Message for Lent on the theme "Let Us Journey Together in Hope."
- The Seven Last Words - In The Seven Last Words- a weekly Lenten video series from the St. Paul Center- Dr. Scott Hahn explores the final words that Jesus uttered while He hung dying on the Cross, and shows how those words reveal the heart of our salvation.
- Sunday Gospels During Lent - Sophia Teachers provides free monthly resources to help you live and teach the liturgical seasons.
- Ten Meatless Meals - Here are some veggie-friendly, family-friendly recipes for Fridays.
|
Franciscan at Home Workshop
4 Part Series: The Vocation of the Catechist
|
|
The work of catechesis is more than the passing on of information - it is assisting others into a relationship with Jesus. Catechesis is about encouraging a deep-seated understanding of Christ and conversion of our lives to follow His example. It is to foster a love of Christ.
It is a supernatural work, beyond our natural capacities. "Catechesis...is consequently a work of the Holy Spirit, a work that He alone can initiate and sustain in the Church" (CT 72). And sustain in you.
This foundational workshop offers inspiration, insight, and guidance to encourage catechists as they strive to live out their privileged vocation.
Zoom calls are now Thursdays from 10:00-11:00AM
Part 1: March 20th
Part 2: April 10th
Part 3: May 1st
Part 4: May 22nd
|
|
Love Beings Here (LBH) Missions help middle and high school teens encounter Jesus Christ through a week of local service lived in a joyful, Catholic Community. Inspired by the life and witness of St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta, LBH invites teens to serve those in need in their own homes and communities. We are searching for a Coordinator (23+) and young adult core team members to help run our Love Begins Here weeks this summer. If you or someone you know might be interested in one of these compacities, please reach out to Andrew.
Interested in hosting LBH at your parish? We are looking for parishes interested in hosting LBH in 2026 or 2027 for their community. Reach out to Andrew to learn more.
|
27 Spots Remain!
The National Catholic Youth Conference is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teens held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The schedule includes keynote addresses, prayer, workshops, opportunities for reconciliation and Eucharistic adoration, recreational activities, concerts, exhibits, and stadium Mass. Parish and Catholic high school groups in the archdiocese register, travel, and participate as part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee delegation.
Group registration is now open! Grab tickets for your parish via the link below. A $285/person deposit is required within two weeks. To learn more about bringing a group with us click here.
|
As a concrete sign of hope for us all, the pope has established that special indulgences be granted throughout the Jubilee Year of 2025.
What is a plenary indulgence? Why is it important and a sign of hope for us? What is a pilgrimage?
Find the answers at our Archdiocesan Jubilee Year overview page and read more about the five local pilgrimage sites in our archdiocese!
|
|
Upcoming Events & Other News
|
Our offices sponsor many events for you to receive deeper training and support to help you and your parishioners encounter Christ and be formed in ways your parish might not be able to do alone. Learn more about them below, and help us share the word to your parishioners (or come yourself!):
|
|
Events & News from the Archdiocese
More Updates from Our Friends
- The Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University is offering several FREE webinars to support catechists, teachers, and leaders! Here are the dates:
- Tuesday, March 11 at 12:00pm - From Surviving to Thriving: Parish Mission that Aim for Deep Renewal
- Tuesday, March 18 at 1:00pm - Engaging in Battle: Helping Catholic Men Develop the Courage, Clarity, and Virtue to Serve to be Effective Witnesses
- Tuesday, March 25 at 1:00pm - In Spanish: Cómo responder cuando nuestros estudiantes vienen con heridas // How to Respond When Our Students Come to Us with Wounds
- Tuesday, April 1 at 1:00pm - Theology of the Body for Ages 4-10 - Part 2 (for Catholic School Teachers, Administrators, and Home Educators)
Position Changes: if your parish has changes to your catechetical staff (DREs, YMs, Adult Formation, etc.), please let us know! We want to make sure they get added to the correct email lists, and we often only know if you tell us.
Know someone who should be getting these emails? Email Steffany at garcias@archmil.org and we'll add you to our list!
|
|
|
|
|