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Volume 4, Number 5 January 20, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Calendar
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Totus Tuus – Parish Summer Program
- Book Review
- Online Courses and Enrichment Opportunities
- Lent Resources
CALENDER OF SCHEDULED EVENTS
Jan 31 Deadline for Circle of Grace Reports
Feb 5 *Adult Confirmation Retreat
8 *Passport to Success Workshop
19 *Adult Confirmation
8 *Passport to Success Workshop
19 *Adult Confirmation
26 *Rite of Election
Mar 3 *Introduction to Ministry of the Catechist (1)
9 Introduction to the Ministry of the Catechist (2)
16 Introduction to the Ministry of the Catechist (3)
19 Lent Retreat (details coming soon)
*See links below.
Thursday, April 27, 2023 -- Gathered Event
Timothy O’Malley, Ph.D., Notre Dame University,
McGrath Institute for Church Life
Author: Real Presence and Becoming a Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life
Time and Place---TBA
Spring Confirmation material was mailed to regional coordinators on January 20th.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – NEW Level I, Part 1 June 5 – 10, 9 am-5 pm at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Worcester. For more information contact: mheelan@worcesterdiocese.org
TOTUS TUUS
Would you be interested in hosting a week-long vacation program this summer?
Choose your week now! The parishes that hosted last summer have already signed up again! Visit our website for more information: Totus Tuus - Diocese of Worcester - Worcester, MA (worcesterdiocese.org)
If you have any questions, contact Darleen Farland: dfarland@worcesterdiocese.org
BOOK REVIEW
Under the Influence of Jesus
Joe Paprocki. Chicago, IL: Loyola Press, 2014.
176 pages. $15.95.
“The New Evangelization is a clarion call for Christians…to drink deeply of the Holy Spirit and begin living a transformed life under the influence of Jesus Christ…Being inebriated in this way…should enable us to demonstrate that the experience of encountering Christ has transformed us into new beings on fire with his message…and that it can likewise transform others.”
Upon first glance, the title, Under the Influence of Jesus, didn’t quite grab my attention. But the author, Joe Paprocki, is a respected and well-known author of the Catechist’s Toolbox series of books, which are so practical with their creative ideas for catechesis. So, I was so happy, upon reading this book, to see that once again Paprocki delivers. In fact, once I began reading, it was difficult for me to put the book aside. The chapters flow easily enticing the reader to want more. And who wouldn’t want more on deepening our encounter with Jesus.
Paprocki uses personal stories, real world applications, contemporary examples, and a reader friendly style to offer fresh insights centered on the importance of the kerygma in encountering Christ, fostering conversion, and deepening our discipleship. In chapter 8, Paprocki even presents strategies of discipleship related to the Tasks of Catechesis. And in his final chapter, he offers simple, practical, and concrete ways to help others experience the nearness of God.
This book has rich take aways for those involved in catechesis, RCIA, evangelization, as well as for one’s own deepening discipleship. . . . Darleen Farland
COURSES AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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NCCL – Free Online Conference
February 15 and 16
Daily
Noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm (3 sessions)
February 15
What's Working in Parent & Family Faith Formation?
To register, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nccl-february-15-online-conference-family-faith-formation-tickets-479133941517
February 16
What’s Working in Adult Faith Formation?
To register, go to: NCCL February 16 Online Conference - Adult Faith Formation Tickets, Thu, Feb 16, 2023 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
N.B. Membership in NCCL is now free.
LENT RESOURCES
If you are unfamiliar with the “Faith and Family Collective,” you may want to check this out.
“Our friends at Faith and Family Collective are excited to share a brand new Lenten family gathering with you! The perfect way to bring families together for something meaningful and well planned. Many of our families may miss the beauty of the Lenten season simply because they don’t have the opportunity to gather and reflect on the relevance of Lent in their own lives. Not this year! Invite your families to join you in what we are calling - A Holy Pause. Everything needed for Churches and Schools to host a meaningful, beautiful, and faith-based Lenten family event.
- All of the content is provided. Beautifully written with today's family in mind.
- 14 interactive prayer tables tying the life of Jesus to families' own lives.
- A make and take Prayer Jar project. An intentional service opportunity to bless local families.
- A deeper understanding of 3 beautiful Lenten practices: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
- Includes all scripts, supply lists, art, flyers, and more!”
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Page-a-Day booklets from Twenty-Third Publications
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The Pastoral Center is a good source for downloadable material for a wide variety of groups. On their website, you will also find material for the Eucharistic Revival and Synodal Process. They are also promoting the Twenty-Third Publications material.
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Creative Communications (another division of Bayard) also has interesting “calendars” – much like an Advent calendar – for different age groups.
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FaithCatholic “Grow + Go” is a cost-effective subscription to downloadable “bulletin inserts” based on the Lectionary . . . with an evangelization objective. The one-page is downloadable in multiple formats. Check out this sample below for Jan 22.
For more information, go to: store.faithcatholic.com