Erin's Blog

Cardinal Wuerl: Education is a Key to the New Evangelization

2012-01-24T15:36:00.002-05:00

A day after Pope Benedict XVI warned visiting U.S. bishops about the threat of "radical secularism" to American moral values, Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl reflected on the implications of the pope's remarks, giving special emphasis to the role of Catholic education.

"It's so important in our country right now that we not allow faith to be brushed aside," the cardinal told Catholic News Service. "And the only way that's not going to happen ... is a renewal of our own faith."

Cardinal Wuerl, whose recent book, "Seek First the Kingdom," encourages Catholic laypeople to affirm their faith in various dimensions of secular life, said that Catholic schools are "one of the most tried and proven ways of passing on the faith." Efforts to renew Catholic religious education were proving an "enormous success" at the elementary and secondary levels, he said. "Where we need to concentrate now is on the level of higher education."

Reaffirming Pope Benedict's hopeful words about a "new generation" of American Catholics working to renew the "church's presence and witness in American society," Cardinal Wuerl said that "many of the younger students and some of the faculty" at Catholic colleges and universities have shown themselves willing "to bring the Catholic perspective into the discussion at the level of academia."

Ministries extend compassion to those who've had abortions

2012-01-24T15:35:00.000-05:00

Out of 53 million legal abortions performed in the United States in the last 40 years, about 10 million of the women identified themselves as Catholics. “The numbers are staggering,” Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo said at the November meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Church’s response to them is one of compassion with an invitation to healing. Maryann Gogniat Eidemiller has written an excellent article about Catholic organizations that help women heal through the sacraments and by letting them know they are forgiven. The article is from OSV Newsweekly, 1/15/2012 and can be found at Mourning the Lost Ones (http://tiny.cc/qdul3).

World Day for Consecrated Life--- February 4-5

2012-01-24T15:34:00.002-05:00

The 16th annual World Day for Consecrated Life will be observed in parishes in the United States the weekend of February 4-5. The annual celebration was established by Pope John Paul II in 1997, to be marked each year on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation.
Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations (CCLV), heralded the role of religious. “Many consecrated men and women share Christ’s light and love through their work in parish or diocesan ministries, education, health care, social services, spiritual direction and prayer,” he said. “Through their service and vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, they show that Jesus Christ is our most valued possession.”
Prayers of the Faithful, a bulletin announcement and a prayer card for the World Day for Consecrated Life can be found on the U.S. bishops’ website at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/world-day-for-consecrated-life.cfm.

Mobilizing Volunteers for Parish Ministry

2012-01-24T15:34:00.001-05:00

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting this Center for Ministry Development Program on February 15th from 9 – 3 pm. If you are interested, e-mail me and I will send out the brochure or you may go to their website, www.dioceseofstpete.org

Next DRE Meeting

2012-01-24T15:33:00.002-05:00

The next DRE meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14th from 10 – 2:00 pm.
Our guest speaker will be Kathleen Wolf McCormick, division manager for RCLBenziger (our sponsor). Kathy holds an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola (New Orleans). Prior to joining RCLBenziger, Kathy worked for 14 years in the Archdiocese of Atlanta as a parish youth minister, a Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry and a Diocesan Director of Religious Education.
RSVP to Tara tbiggs@dosafl.com prior to February 9th.

Eucharistic Congresses 2013-2016

2012-01-24T15:32:00.001-05:00

The dates for the coming years are as follows:
March 8-9, 2013
March 28-29, 2014
March 13-14, 2015
March 11-12, 2016
Please avoid scheduling other large events on these days.

January is Poverty in America Awareness Month

2011-12-29T13:31:00.002-05:00

Today, 37.3 million Americans—and 1 in 6 children (that’s 18 percent of all American children)-are living below the poverty line. They live in families who are of necessity making hard choices between food, health care, heat and rent. To bring attention to this national crisis, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has designated January as “Poverty in America Awareness Month.” For more information, go to http://old.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/povamer.shtml

John Paul II Institute launches new free online review

2011-12-29T13:29:00.003-05:00

The John Paul II Institute's Center for Cultural and Pastoral Research offers sustained anthropological and theological reflection on the cultural issues of our time--childhood, bioethics, education, work, issues concerning ecology, medicine, health, and so on-- particularly as these affect the most vulnerable members of society. Humanum: Issues in Family, Culture and Science, the Center's new quarterly review, will engage these themes in articles and book reviews. The first issue on the theme of The Child is online now at http://www.humanumreview.com.

Catechetical Sunday Theme 2012

2011-12-14T09:44:00.002-05:00

The USCCB has announced that the Catechetical Sunday theme for 2012 will be "Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization." The date is Sunday, September 16th.

Using Music in the Catechetical Program…Top Music Countdown

2011-12-13T14:51:00.000-05:00

Every month Cornerstone Media uses “the music that young people listen to everyday” to create the Top Music Countdown. “This monthly report evaluates the values in 25 of the top songs on the charts, and gives you ways to incorporate these songs into your program. Additional articles keep you up-to-date with youth culture and give you creative and effective ways to incorporate elements of their music and culture into your program. For only $99 per year, your subscription gives access to your entire church, school or organization!” This makes it really affordable because you can share the cost with others in your parish.

If you are interested, check it out at http://www.cornerstonemedia.org/. You can also use some of their Free Resources or even join their E-Club.

Eucharistic Congress

2011-12-09T14:48:00.002-05:00

Bishop Estévez has called for annual Eucharistic Congresses to be held in the Diocese of St. Augustine starting in Lent, 2012. Announced earlier this year in the Pastoral Briefings, more details are now available. The schedule for the Diocesan Eucharistic Days of Prayer and Renewal on March 9 and 10 at St. Joseph Parish in Jacksonville is:

Friday, March 9, 2012
7:00 pm Concert of Sacred Music and readings centered on the Eucharist
8:45 pm Compline with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Saturday, March 10, 2012
9:00 am Mass
10:45 am Tracks in English/Spanish and for children
1:30 – 2:30 pm Exposition in main body of church
2:30 pm Liturgy of the Word and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
3:00 pm Closing

Bishop Robert Baker will be one of the presenters!

Please mark your calendars now and share this information with your staff and parishioners.

Marriage: Unique for a Reason

2011-12-09T14:46:00.000-05:00

Bishops Launch New Website, Marriage: Unique For A Reason

Catholics seeking reliable information on what the Catholic Church teaches about marriage will now be able to visit www.marriageuniqueforareason.org. . . , a website featuring resources such as an extensive FAQ section on the meaning of marriage, a compilation of Catholic teaching on marriage, a blog, and videos, “Made for Each Other” and “Made for Life.” Portions of the site will be translated into Spanish.

“The launch of the Marriage: Unique for a Reason website demonstrates the continued efforts of the bishops to educate the faithful on the unique meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and on marriage’s foundational place for the flourishing of any society,” said Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, California, chairman of the Subcommittee.

Pope Benedict XVI Calls for Year of Faith in 2013--Celebration of Vatican II

2011-11-02T11:29:00.001-04:00

Benedict XVI says it is time to remember the beauty and centrality of the faith, to go deeper into it and strengthen it, and for this purpose he has convoked a "Year of Faith." The Pope announced the special year, which will begin on 11 October 2012 -- the half-century of Vatican II's first day -- and wrap up on 24 November 2013, the feast of Christ the King. The 13-month celebration "will be a moment of grace and challenge for our ever fuller conversion to God," Benedict added, "to strengthen our faith in him and announce him with joy to the people of our time."
On Saturday, the Pope outlined a hopeful vision of evangelization, saying that "the Word of God continues growing and spreading." He offered three reasons for this growth:
· "The first is that the strength of the Word does not depend, in the first place, on our action, on our means, on our 'doing,' but on God, who hides his power under the signs of weakness. (...) We must always believe in the humble power of the Word of God and allow God to act!
· "The second reason is that the seed of the Word, as the Gospel parable of the Sower narrates, falls also today on good soil that receives it and produces fruit. (...) In the world, although evil makes much noise, good ground continues to exist.
· "The third reason is that the proclamation of the Gospel has effectively reached the ends of the earth; even in the midst of indifference, incomprehension and persecution, many continue, yet today, with courage, opening the heart and mind to receive the invitation of Christ to encounter him and become his disciples. Though not making noise, they are as the grain of mustard that becomes a tree, the leaven that ferments the dough, the grain of wheat that is destroyed to create the ear."
“The Apostle Paul leaves us a very beautiful teaching, taken from his experience. He writes: ‘for our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.’ To be effective, evangelization needs the strength of the Spirit, to animate the proclamation and infuse in the one who bears it that ‘full conviction’ of which the Apostle speaks.” You can watch a 3 minute CNS video Year of Faith (http://tiny.cc/z6gno)

Our RCLBenziger Rep and all of Their Helpful Websites

2011-11-02T11:27:00.001-04:00

Thomas Macowski
Florida Sales Consultant
RCL Benziger Catholic Publishing
561-707-8190
www.RCLBenziger.com
www.BlestAreWe.com
www.FaithFirst.com
www.RCLBFamilyLife.com
www.RCLBStoriesOfGodsLove.com
www.FaithFirst.com
www.ApprenticesInFaith.com
www.BeMyDisciples.com

Litanies of the Saints

2011-11-02T11:24:00.003-04:00

Litany of Saints – Chant

This Litany of the Saints, in English, was recorded in the Franciscan Friary in Pantasaph in North Wales.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI7tHS6zneE&feature=related.

Litany of Saints – All You Holy Men and Women Pray for Us

In this video, the creator included pictures to match the Litany sung by Christi Chiapetti at the '08 Youth Rally in Yonkers NY when Pope Benedict XVI was at St. Joseph's Seminary.

Watch and listen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbqkOcVcD9Q&feature=related

Litany of Saints – Ora Pro Nobis

The song is by Matt Maher. He uses icons from Monastery Icons as his background. Icons are reminders of the spiritual world. They are windows into eternity; a holy space depicting sacred reality in the course of humanity. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWt5y301BSY&feature=related

.

Top Ten Reasons for Being a Catechist

2011-09-16T12:38:00.000-04:00

Joe Paprocki gives his Top 10 Reasons to become a Catechist. The reasons are presented in true David Letterman order.
10. You’ll grow in your own faith, learn the teachings of the Church and deepen your relationship with Jesus.
9. Children, teens and adults in today’s world, more than ever, need to hear the Good News of Jesus.
8. Children, teens and adults in today’s world, more than ever, need to encounter good role models of faith.
7. You’ve got a lot to share.
6. You’ll be provided with excellent resources that provide you with great support.
5. You’ll meet new people and become part of a vibrant faith community.
4. You’ll be energized.
3. You’ll be saving lives.
2. You’ll be putting your faith into action.
1. It’s the right thing to do.

Loyola Institute on line

2011-09-16T12:36:00.000-04:00

Loyola Institute for Ministry offers online information session
September 9, 2011
The Loyola Institute for Ministry will present an online information session on Sept. 13, Oct. 11 and Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. C.D.T. The virtual open house will provide information on Loyola’s online graduate program in religious education and pastoral studies. To attend the online conference, visit the LIM online page for instructions on how to log on.
LIM offers both master of religious education and master of pastoral studies degrees as well as continuing education certificates. It is a 36-hour degree program designed to be taken completely online.
LIM responds to the needs of ministry and education personnel who have limited access to Catholic educational resources. Focus areas include Christian spirituality for pastoral ministers, pastoral life and administration, youth ministry, Hispanic ministry, religion and ecology, marketplace ministry, and small Christian community formation.
For more information about LIM and the information session, contact Eileen Hooper Chapoton at 504-865-2109 or chapoton@loyno.edu.

The Liturgy is Not What Man Does, But What God Does"

2011-08-29T11:00:00.001-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI, in a message sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, his secretary of state, to the participants in the 62nd annual Italian Liturgical Week, is stressing the need for further reflection on the link between catechesis and liturgy, yet rejecting every form of undue instrumentalization of the liturgy for "catechetical" ends.

"The liturgy is not what man does, but what God does with his admirable and gratuitous condescendence," the Bishop of Rome reminded. You can read the complete Papal Message on Liturgy as the Source of Catechesis at http://www.zenit.org/article-33279?l=english.

Pontiff Announces Theme for World Youth Day 2013

2011-08-29T10:58:00.000-04:00

Youth who will gather from July 23-28, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the international World Youth Day of 2013 will reflect on the theme "Go and Make Disciples of All Nations." Benedict XVI announced the theme for the next WYD at the end of Wednesday's general audience. The audience was dedicated to an evaluation of the 26th WYD held last week in Madrid. The theme for Rio '13 is taken from Matthew 28:19.
The theme chosen by the Pope stresses the missionary character of the next WYD, an element already highlighted by Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro, during a press conference in Madrid on Sunday. The Holy Father also announced the theme for next year's diocesan-level WYD, traditionally held on Palm Sunday. The 2012 theme will be taken from Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord Always!" Benedict XVI asked today that the faithful already begin to pray for these events.

Catechist Skills Workshop --- one left this year

2011-08-29T10:46:00.006-04:00

Somewhat New! Skill Workshops The office will be offering skills workshops for all teachers of elementary religion. These practical workshops will address needs that have been expressed by you as catechetical leaders…classroom discipline, liturgical prayer and energizing the classroom environment. Dates and topics are:

February 15, 2012 Using Games in the Religious Education Classroom with Erin McGeever at the Catholic Center from 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct

2011-07-25T15:45:00.000-04:00

This is a wonderful document and should be a part of any world religions class as well as required reading for all of us as we respond to our call to be evangelists. The document offers guiding principles for evangelization. “It is the nature of faith that it be a free response,” said Fr. James Massa, executive director of the USCCB’s Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, “A coerced faith is not faith.”
You can download a PDF of the document at Recommendations for Conduct (http://tiny.cc/gvn9w

More Technology

2011-07-17T12:46:00.002-04:00

Tim Welch, consultant for educational technology in the Diocese of St. Cloud maintains a nice newsletter, World's Shortest Catechetical Media/Tech E-Letter ever. This is a service of the National Association of Catechetical Media Professionals. To receive this monthly E-letter. e-mail Tim at cem.twelch@stcdio.org. For back issues of the newsletter, go to nacmp.blogspot.com

Another Blog

2011-07-17T12:43:00.002-04:00

Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP, Director of Pauline Media Center, maintains her blog, Sr. Rose that is a media potpourri including film, TV and book reviews. Sr. Rose is the film and TV columnist for St. Anthony Messenger Press.

sisterrose.wordpress.com

Cyberpilgrim's Blog

2011-07-17T12:36:00.004-04:00

In the fall of 2010, Dr. Caroline Cervany, SSJ-TOSF, started Cyberpilgrim's Blog with the focus on Digital Discipleship: Transforming Ministry through Technology. Over the past several weeks, Sr. Caroline has been writing a 20 week series of blog posts titled, "What technologies for 2011?"

If you missed Sr. Caroline at the Youth Directors' meeting in May, she will also be presenting at the Catechetical Ministry Day on October 8th.

She also coordinates Digital Catechesis: A Global Network of Faith-based Ministers. To join the network, go to: digitalcatechesis.ning.com

Jared Dees of Ave Maria Press

2011-07-17T12:32:00.002-04:00

Jared Dees, Digital Publishing Specialist for Ave Maria Press, can be found on Facebook: facebook.com/HighSchoolReligiousEducation. You can sign up to receive his monthly e-mail newsletter and connect to his blog, Engaging Faith, Practical Lesson Ideas and Activities for Catholic Educators.

Little Books from the Diocese of Saginaw

2011-07-17T12:17:00.002-04:00

The Diocese of Saginaw again will be producing their Little Books. These are excellent seasonal resources.
For Advent/Christmas: Little Blue Book also available in Spanish (Cycle B)
For the Lenten Season: Little Black Book also available in Spanish (Cycle B)
Little Purple Book for childen ages 6-12
For the Easter Season: Little White Book also available in Spanish (Cycle B)
The Little Burgundy Book on Stewardship, also in English and Spanish, is still available.
The pricing is the same as last year with quantity discounts. The books are also being printed on recycled paper.
And, they will soon be producing electronic versions of the Little Books.

Samples? (989) 797-6653 or visit their website www.littlebooks.org.

JustFaith Meditations

2011-06-09T11:09:00.002-04:00

FOR JUSTICE MEDITATIONS - June 6 - June 19, 2011
These widely used meditations are the work of JustFaith graduate, Tom Sweeney. They are available as a Word file that allows you to cut and paste. You can find them at Justice Meditations (http://tiny.cc/veqmn).

Loyola Institute for Ministry

2011-06-09T10:50:00.004-04:00

LIM announces a New Certificate Program in Theology and Ministry in SPANISH!
The core curriculum (18 hours) includes:
Introduction to Practical Theology
Jewish Roots (OT)
Christian Origins (NT)
Grace, Christ and Spirit
Church
Sacraments and Ministry Spirituality
Morality and Ethics

For more information, contact Loyola at limenesp@loyno.edu

New Vocations Blog

2011-03-18T12:15:00.003-04:00

I thought you might be interested in the new blog on vocations hosted by the Institute on Religious Life (IRL) called “An Undivided Heart.” Here is a direct link to it: http://vocationblog.com/

Today’s post is on scouting and vocations. Other topics covered over the past month have included, among others:

· Of Gods and Men (new movie about Trappist monks)
· Sacrifice and Vocations
· Give It Up! (a humorous look at Lent)
· The Church’s Newest Consecrated Virgin
· Pope’s 2011 Lenten Address
· Looking for Nuns in All the Right Places
· Priestly Vocations on the Rise
· Why Did the Religious Cross the Road?
· Fully Alive in Christ (on my daughter’s entrance into religious life)
· 2010 Profession Class, By the Numbers
· Signs of a Priestly Vocation
· Vocations Are Habit-Forming!

The National Society for Volunteer Catechists (NSVC)

2011-03-14T17:30:00.002-04:00

Just to add to the number of organizations we have with another N...., Catechist Magazine is launching the National Society for Volunteer Catechists this summer. You can already check out the website at: www.mynsvc.net
Membership in the society is free to subscribers of Catechist Magazine...it is a good magazine, but that is the catch!
It promises to volunteer catechists: networking with other catechists, spirituality, affirmation (there is a nice poem on the website already), and formation opportunities. Registration begins in the summer.

Little Rock Publishes Catholic Study Bible

2011-03-14T17:22:00.005-04:00

Little Rock Scripture Study is publishing a new Catholic Study Bible. It employs the recently released New American Bible Revised Edition. Longer articles are in the front of the bible that discuss such background information as:
How to use the Bible, How to Study Scripture, How and Why Bibles Differ
Dei Verbum or How does the Catholic Church Approach Scripture
The Bible and Liturgy
Understanding the World of the Bible---geographically and culturally

You can learn more on their website: www.littlerockscripture.org

From Joe Paprocki's Blog...

2011-02-28T16:07:00.000-05:00

Getting Ready for Lent – 40 Crosses
Posted: 22 Feb 2011 09:05 AM PST
For the last couple of years, my friend Victor Valdez has provided us Lenten Calendars (40 Crosses). This year we updated his calendars in English and Spanish. Thank you again Victor. Hard to believe that Lent is just a few weeks away! Here are the links to the calendars:
My Lenten Calendar – 40-crosses-english-2011
My Lenten Calendar – 40-crosses-spanish-2011
Soon, I’ll be posting my popular 40 Ideas for 40 Days – a calendar that links you to 40 different Lenten activities for your classroom. Stay tuned!

Level I OCF Offerings for Your Planning

2011-01-20T10:22:00.010-05:00

The OCF has three all in two weekend sessions Level I planned for the coming year:

Weekends of November 5-6 and November 19-20 at Holy Spirit Parish (Parish Hall)
(register by October 31)

Weekends of January 7-8 and January 21-22 at St. Anastasia (register by December 31)

Choosing Catechetical Materials

2011-01-18T18:37:00.003-05:00

It is always a good idea to check in with both the USCCB conformity list as well as with the Office of Christian Formation prior to starting a search for new catechetical materials. Cullen Schippe, of Peter Li Education Group (Pflaum), has a simple acrostic that might help you with some concepts to keep in mind when discerning what from the list might be a good match for your program...the word "Catches."
C Child centered
A Adaptable
T Teachable
C Fosters community life
H Relates to home and parents
E Economical
S Serviceable

Comparing the Beliefs of Different Religions

2011-01-10T15:24:00.001-05:00

This is an interesting website. http://www.patheos.com is a website that lets you compare the details of up to three religions or sects side by side. It also offers book reviews, commentary and online symposiums. Patheos describes itself as “Founded in 2008, Patheos.com is the premier online destination to engage in the global dialogue about religion and spirituality and to explore and experience the world's beliefs.”

Revised Edition of New American Bible Approved and Soon to be Published

2011-01-10T15:22:00.000-05:00

The New American Bible, revised edition (NABRE), the first major update to the New American Bible (NAB) translation in 20 years, has been approved for publication. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, then president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), signed the canonical rescript approving publication on September 30, 2010. The NABRE will be available in a variety of print, audio and electronic formats on March 9, Ash Wednesday.
The new translation takes into account advances in linguistics of the biblical languages, as well as changes in vocabulary and the cultural background of English, in order to ensure a more accurate translation. This issue is addressed in the apostolic exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini, in which the pope says, “The inculturation of God’s word is an integral part of the Church’s mission in the world, and a decisive moment in this process is the diffusion of the Bible through the precious work of translation into different languages.”
The NABRE includes the first revised translation of the Old Testament since 1970 and a complete revision of the Psalter. It retains the 1986 edition of the New Testament. Work on most books of the Old Testament began in 1994 and was completed in 2001. The 1991 revision of the Psalter was further revised between 2009 and 2010.
The NABRE is approved for private use and study. It will not be used for the Mass, which uses an earlier, modified version of the NAB translation.

Again, from Joe Paprocki

2010-12-16T14:45:00.002-05:00

New Roman Missal – What You Need to Know – #2

Posted: 16 Dec 2010 04:13 AM PST

As we prepare to implement the new Roman Missal one year from now, in Advent, 2011, I am co-authoring (with D. Todd Williamson, Director of the Office for Divine Worship, Archdiocese of Chicago) a series of ten articles for Loyola Press on the new Roman Missal. These articles will provide you with what you need to know to better understand the changes when we implement them next year. I’ll point you to these articles weekly over the next 2 months as they are posted. Article 2 is now available:

New Roman Missal, Article 1: Changes Are Coming

New Roman Missal, Article 2: The Words We Use at Mass

Also, take note: I’ll be doing a Webinar titled “What Catechists Need to Know about the Roman Missal Changes” on February 9, 2011…stay tuned for details!!!

The day before this webinar, our own Director of Liturgy, Fr. Tom Willis, will be presenting an overview of the Roman Missal to the DREs and Youth Ministers of the diocese! This presentation will be sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor and will occur during the regularly scheduled DRE meeting: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm here at the Catholic Center.

eCatechist

2010-11-15T15:22:00.001-05:00

Dan Pierson, Diocese of Green Bay, has designed an e-newsletter to assist catechists---both his own as well as those nationally. www.eCatechist.com has ready to use ideas, suggestions and tips for maintaining a good formation classroom.

Fashioning Faith

2010-11-02T10:31:00.003-04:00

Sponsored through the Center for Ministry Development, the newsletter Fashioning Faith, will be providing resources for intergenerational activities as well as classroom ideas for helping families and families with children to become acclimated to the revision of the Roman Missal. You can sign up for the free newsletter through the CMD website.

Quality Films for Showing Christian Values

2010-10-20T16:17:00.002-04:00

Besides the ever popular Catholic Bishops' site (usccb.org/movies) another helpful website to find suitable videos that teach values is Spirituality and Practice: Resources for the Journey (www.spiritualityandpractice.com. Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat have been reviewing all types of media for over 30 years. They offer reviews of recent movies and even a list of the "ten most spirituality literate movies of all time." There are also many other helpful tips on the site.

The Footsteps of the American Saints

2010-10-20T15:59:00.003-04:00

The Footsteps of the American Saints program is series of religious activities that encourages youth to learn about several individuals who have shaped and help develop the Catholic Church in America. This program is sponsored by the Boy Scouts, but all youth can participate and earn keepsake patches. Ten saints activities are available at any one time, with a total of twenty in the series. The patches have an image of the saint on them. For more information, nccs.bsa.org/activities or
(972)580-2114.

Loyola Institute for Ministry Online

2010-10-12T12:45:00.002-04:00

The Diocese of St. Augustine has had a relationship with Loyola, New Orleans for quite some time. It is exciting that LIM has gone online to offer the following:
M.A. of Religious Education
M.A. of Pastoral Studies
Continuing Education Certificate in Religious Education or Pastoral Studies
Graduate Certificate in Theology and Ministry
For more information, contact Erin in the OCF at emcgeever@dosafl.com or Eileen at Loyola: chapoton@loyno.edu

The Cross Reference

2010-09-21T11:18:00.002-04:00

A new tool, that as the title tells you, cross references the Catechism with Scripture and various Church documents. You can look up items by word or phrase...quicker than an index!
http://japhy.perlmonk.org/bible/catechism.cgi

Resources for Families of Kids with Cancer

2010-09-16T19:25:00.002-04:00

Brave Kids (bravekids.org) medical info plus message boards to connect children and parents
Cancer Really Sucks (cancerreallysucks.org) tricky title, started by teens for teens with loved ones dealing with cancer
National Children's Cancer Society (children-cancer.com) Financial assistance, education and emotional support for kids and families
Pediatric Oncology Resource Center (Acor.org/ped-onc/) Resources on family support, medical information, treatment issues and more
Ronald McDonald House (Rmhc.org) Offers familes lodging and meals while their child receives treatment.

Quite Clever

2010-09-16T15:46:00.004-04:00

St. Edward Parish in Jeffersonville, KY has an interactive coloring book on their parish webpage...pretty much fun.
Check them out at
www.stedwardchurch.com

...go to their children's section.
There are also several other fun things, but this looked unique.

Interactive Rosary On Line

2010-09-16T14:12:00.002-04:00

Alrighty...here's a chance to prayer the rosary as a family or as a class on line. www.familysrosary.org has:

stories of faith involving the rosary
a prayer network for special intentions
an interactive rosary.

GEMS: Great Endeavors Mined and Shared

2010-08-31T10:25:00.002-04:00

There is a new newsletter (GEMS) for those who work in adult faith formation that is being authored by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP. This will be an ongoing series that will feature the general themes of successful programs as well as actual best practices in adult faith formation.
http://www.janetschaeffler.com/Gems

Networking Faith Formation

2010-08-23T15:43:00.002-04:00

http://digitalcatechesis.ning.com is a website created and administered by Sr. Caroline Cervany, SSJ that is a 'worldwide community for advancing the effective use of technology in all areas of faith formation." Become a member (free) and share your thoughts, insights, learn from others, view videos, etc.

Religion Teacher's Journal

2010-08-12T13:20:00.002-04:00

After 40 years of providing creative ideas for parish and school classrooms, Religion Teacher's Journal has undergone a facelift and name change. "Creative Catholic" is the new name...it has an all new look and feel. The new Creative Catechist offers how to articles, activities, liturgical celebrations, spiritual enrichment, teaching tips, etc.

Visit on the new website www. creativecatechist.com

You can sign up there for a free e-newsletter.

Made for Each Other

2010-08-03T10:26:00.004-04:00

The USCCB has created a new website, www.usccb.org/marriageuniqueforareason/ which has several catechetical resources for teaching about the Sacrament of Marriage.

Just in...there is a video and study guide suitable for high school or older folks. I have copies in the office.

i-Breviary to i-Roman Missal

2010-06-28T11:34:00.003-04:00

Fr. Paulo Padrini (a Vatican consultant) is launching another free iPad app that will contain everything that is said and sung during Catholic Mass for the entire liturgical year. Fr. Padrini is the originator of the i-breviary, a free app download to an i-Phone (if you are lucky enough to have one). As of last week, 200,000 folks had downloaded it...that's a lot of i-Phones.
The new free app will be available in July in the following languages:
English, French, Spanish, Latin and Italian.
Both of these apps are solely an endeavor of Fr. Padrini and not part of his normal consulting work.

USCCB and Immigration

2010-06-28T11:28:00.003-04:00

The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Office of Migration and Refugee Services has partnered with Catholic University to develop an educational website that highlights the role the U.S. Catholic Bishops as well as the universal Church, have played on immigration issues during the last century. Website is
http://libraries.cua.edu/achrcua/packets.html
It is linked to their current Catholic History page which contains many other suitable classroom packets.

Three More Worthwhile Blogs...

2010-03-08T20:28:00.002-05:00

Craft ideas for the catechetical classroom at http://catholicicing.blogspot.com

Joyce Donohue of the Diocese of Joliet (Illinois) provides http://liturgycatechesisshallkiss.blogspot.com
(clever blending of catechsis and liturgy)

The folks from Ave Maria Press provide us with lesson ideas for adolescents at http://engagingfaith.blogspot.com

You know these Google blogspots are free to set up...hint! hint!

Three Minute Liturgical Reflections

2010-03-08T20:24:00.002-05:00

The Worship Office in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Karen Kane in charge) have put together 26 - Three Minute Liturgical Reflections.
www.catholiccincinnatiorg/worship/pdf/3-minutecatechesis.pdf.

or go to the Worship page and scroll around...