| Archdiocese of Seattle Faith Formation Newsletter November 28, 2016 |
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Dear Catechetical Colleagues,
Welcome to Advent, our wonderful season of preparing ourselves to more deeply invite the presence of Christ in our lives! Please continue to check out our resources for this time on our liturgical calendar.
 As many of you may know, The Catholic Bishops of Washington State have just promulgate their pastoral letter on poverty. "Who Is My Neighbor" calls Catholics in Washington State to pray and act in solidarity with those who lack the necessities of life. The
study guide
here
provides a step-by-step process for conducting parish discussion sessions. To order study guides for your parish, simply fill out the order form with your information and return to the Washington State Catholic Conference at
theresa@thewscc.org
.
Additionally, the bishops have prepared two videos to promulgate the pastoral letter, a shorter version suitable for promoting the pastoral letter in your parish, and a longer version for use with the study guide. These videos are in the final stages of production and will be available to parishes next week.
Our "Essential Concept" this week is the Sacraments of Service and Communion. As we know, faith-filled marriages and parents are the most important element for raising the next generation of Catholics. If you would like to learn more about the latest research in this area, we invite you to review the following video.
Encouraging our young people to consider how God is calling them to the vocations of marriage, religious life, and the priesthood are essential in our roles as catechists. We are fortunate that USCCB and many other Catholic institutes offer us a rich source of online resources.
For the many of you, who have participated in our Child and Youth Protection workshops these past few weeks, we would like to thank you for your graciousness, your insights, and the many recommendations you have provided to enhance this training program. Please do keep checking the Safe Environment Faith Formation/Youth Ministry webpage, as we will be both revising the grade level lesson plans and adding new information for parents and educators during the month of December. We will also be marking items as "updated" for your easy reference as we make these changes.
Please note, there are two upcoming Touching Safety "Sacred Selves" deanery workshops coming up. See below.
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In Christ,
Anne Frederick, Ed.D.
Lisa Hillyard
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Essential Religious Education Concepts
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Sacraments at the Service of Communion
[1533-1666]
The Essential Concepts come from the Table of Contents for the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). They have been re-organized to fit under the Six Tasks of Catechesis. CCC articles numbers associated with each Essential Concept are listed throughout this document. Referencing CCC article numbers is a recommended resource for catechist preparation.
TASK 2- Liturgical Education
- Students recognize the presence of Christ and enter into communion with Him through active, full, and conscious participation in the Liturgical celebrations and Sacraments of the Church.
Implementation Ideas for the Classroom:
*Please note the Library's Essential Concepts list is a working document, being updated on an ongoing basis.
Online Resources-Links and Videos
Sacraments 101: Holy Orders (what ordination means)
What's My Vocation?
Sacraments 101: Matrimony (why make it Catholic)
Holy Spouses
Resources from the LMC on the Sacraments at the Service of Communion
Finding Christ in Your Marriage (Kevin Perrotta) For Christians, there can be no better way to understand what marriage should be like than by studying marriage in the Bible. From Genesis to the Gospels to Paul's letters, examples of marriage in the Bible can help husbands and wives improve their own marriages. Finding Christ in Your Marriage is an excellent Bible study for any married couple who wants to grow closer to each other while growing in their commitment to God.
When Divorce Is Not an Option: How to Heal your Marriage and Nurture Lasting Love (Gregory Popcak) God has put you and your spouse together for a reason - and it's not to argue. You are bonded together to cultivate in each other those virtues that lead to sanctification. That's why this book isn't just about saving your marriage - it's about transforming it into a joyful, loving relationship.
Beloved Marriage Series: Finding Happiness in Marriage
( Augustine Institute, Study Program) Explores the essential realities of marriage, dealing with the deepest spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects of what the sacrament means for those preparing to get married as well as those who yearn for a richer married life. Through an exploration of Scripture, Tradition, and Church teaching, God's plan for marriage will come alive.
Priests: An Inside Look (John Mack) Rev. John Mack reflects upon his ministerial journey in light of the sacrament of Holy Orders and the Rite of Ordination. He describes the requirements, the opportunities, the work, the rewards, and the challenges of the priesthood.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders: Past and Present (Kathleen Chesto, DVD) This informative presentation is recommended for adult study groups, RCIA teams, and parish leaders. Dr. Chesto leads the viewer through the development and history of the sacrament of holy orders starting with Old Testament times to post-Vatican II. Guide material and the presentation itself offer adults a better understanding of the importance of the sacraments in today's church and world.
Where Do Priests Come From? (Elizabeth Ficocelli) This is a book for young children about discerning a call to the priesthood, and the process involved in becoming a priest. Topics include seminary formation, diocesan priests, religious orders, celibacy, and vestments. Written in simple language and illustrated in color. Includes a one-page vocabulary list.
Looking for an archived newsletter? Check this link for all previous editions.
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Library Media Center Resources
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 Resource Lists
The Library Media Center has several of the materials listed available. Contact the library to request items. Our online catalog is also available to search for materials.
November Check It Out-Monthly newsletter highlighting new materials added to the Library Catalog each month-
find some great Advent resources!
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Upcoming Catechetical Events
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Religious Education Standards Deanery Workshops
PAFF Deanery Meetings (New date added!)
Religious Education Standards and Touching Safety Training (Register here)
South King Deanery-Friday, December 9th I 10:00 am I St. Vincent de Paul, Federal Way
North Seattle Deanery-Wednesday, December 14th I 11:00-2:00 I Blessed Sacrament, Seattle
Mass For Life
Monday, January 23rd, 2017 I 9:30 am I Marcus Pavilion, Saint Martin's University, Lacey Due to limited parking, all are encouraged to use buses or carpool. Directions to campus and parking are available
online. For Mass details: Liturgy Office, 206-382-4878. For parking and other questions:
ocff@seattlearch.org
Christifideles Program
The Christifideles program offers graduate formation in Theology & Ministry [
Seattle U's School of Theology & Ministry, University of Portland's MAPM Program, University of Dallas' School of Theology & Ministry] partnered with formation & Archdiocesan certification for Lay Ecclesial Ministers.
Recruitment is now taking place for the 2017-2018 academic year. Please contact the Office of Catholic Faith Formation, 206-382-4096;
ocff@seattlearch.org.
Liturgy Workshop Opportunities
Spread the word about these liturgical workshops, events and formation opportunities from the Liturgy Office. Please see the Liturgy Office Workshop & Events page for more information.
The Rocks and Stones will Start to Sing
Saturday, January 28th, 2017 I 10:00am -3:00pm I Isaac Orr Conference Center, Chancery
Presenter: Tony Varas, Director of Worship, Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey. Click
here for more information and to register.
PAFF Workshop/Retreat on February 9-10, 2017
February 9-10, 2017-Save the Dates!-More information to come.
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Venerate Relics of Pope Saint John Paul II and Saint Faustina Kowalska
The Liturgy Office can coordinate the scheduling of those parishes who wish to arrange for the relics of St. John Paul and St. Faustina to be conveyed to the parish for veneration by the faithful. You may reach the Liturgy Office at 206.654.4652 or by e-mail at andrew.casad@seattlearch.org in order to reserve the relics for your parish, campus ministry, or faith community. For more information regarding the process, click here.
Foundations of Our Catholic Faith - CCP Program
This program includes Scripture, Theology, Catechetics, and Church History to support the Church's mission to evangelize. FOUNDATIONS...provides an opportunity to hear the Gospel message, understand the Church's teachings, and grow in the fullness of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. For class schedules, registration and more, visit the CCP webpage.
An Advent Evening of Prayer "Welcoming the Stranger Home"
Tuesday, December 6th I 7:00 pm-9:00 pm I St. Joseph Church, Seattle.
What would it mean to welcome and make a home in our hearts for the immigrant... the stranger... the Other? Might we encounter Beauty in an unexpected place? Jesus on earth? Contemplate the immigrant stories of the Holy Family, our presenters, and your own. Give yourself time this Advent to breathe during a hectic season and rest in an evening of silence, prayer, art, music, & reflection. Event is free of charge, and all are invited to attend. Donations appreciated. For more information, visit www.ignatiancenter.org. If you have questions or to RSVP, contact andrea@ignatiancenter.org or (206) 329-4824. Sponsored by the Ignatian Spirituality Center, Seattle.
2016-2017 Retreat Calendar
There are many opportunities for retreats at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades. Please take a look at the retreat schedule and see what great retreats are coming up! To learn more about the Retreat Center, click here.
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Listed in this section are some upcoming events and resources that are occurring in the specified parishes related to grief support. As new events and resources become available, they will be added to this section.
Please let us know if there are related events happening around the Archdiocese that should be shared here.
St. Michael Church, Olympia
Catholic Support Groups- A list of support groups available at St. Michael Parish. Several groups are available such as cancer support and infant loss support.
St. James Cathedral
Grief Support Group-A new 6-week grief support group facilitated by St. James Cathedral staff-Nancy Granger, Suzanne Lee, and Rosanne Michaels.
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OYYAE Website 
Announcing the official launch of
oyyae.org, their new online home! Feedback is welcome and encouraged! Please let us know how we can improve this new home, as well as serve you better.
NW Catholic App 
The NW Catholic App is now available!
Download it for Apple or Android.
NW Catholic Movie & Book Reviews 
Check NW Catholic for the latest reviews on
books and
movies
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MyUSCCB
This Week in Ministry provides timely content every week formatted for use in a variety of ways: parish bulletins, websites, E-newsletters, social media and more.
Featured This Week (First Week of Advent): Advent Focus: Preparation and Expectation Catholic journalist Mike Nelson looks at the meaning of the Advent season and how Catholics are called to focus on directing their hearts and minds to the return of the risen Christ as well as welcoming and receiving the Christ Child on Christmas Day.
November Meditation on Mercy For this final month of the Jubilee of Mercy, we offer this Meditation on Mercy, a resource that can be used with small groups to foster a greater awareness of God's call to act with mercy in our lives. The resource is based on scripture passages and Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee of Mercy. English Spanish
To learn more about MyUSCCB and to sign up for this helpful resource, visit the USCCB website for more information.
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NCCL-Catechetical Update 
A 4-Day Journey through Transformational Encounters...
The four Catholic organizations comprising the Strong Catholic Families national partnership (NFCYM, NCEA, NCCL and NACFLM) are collaborating together this fall/winter to host a free four-part webinar series for pastoral and ministry leaders and teachers on Amoris Laetitia entitled The Pastoral Response in Accompanying Families in Faith. Our goal is to inspire leaders to come up with authentic pastoral responses to Amoris Laetitia, and to engage them in accompanying families in bringing home the faith.
To learn more about this organization and view their resources, visit the
website.
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Liturgy Training Publications 
Designed specifically for teachers and catechists, this series invites all those who work with children to engage in formation and training throughout the year.
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Pope Francis' Monthly Prayer Intentions on Video
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November 2016 |
Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from the Pope and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. Each month Pope Francis will film his monthly prayer intention and it will be distributed on social media. Check back for a new video on the next month's prayer intention.
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Word On Fire Show
A weekly podcast from Bishop Robert Barron on faith and culture. Each week, the Word On Fire Show will release a new episode featuring Bishop Barron and our Content Director, Brandon Vogt. To learn more information and find out how to subscribe (iPhone, Android, PC, etc.) to this great resource, click here!
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A collaborative effort by four national Catholic organizations to help church leaders envision how the Catholic Church can more effectively partner with parents to help bring home the faith.
Serving Catholic leaders in their ministry of evangelization with curated knowledge, approaches, strategies, and resources to reach out to those who have never heard the gospel proclaimed, to re-engage those who have lost a living faith in their daily lives, and to engage those who are faithful and need to be renewed with increased catechesis.
Sharing the Journey of Teaching the Catholic Faith. Joe Paprocki's blog that features practical tips and resources on sharing the gift of the Catholic faith.
eCatechist.com
is a blog from Dan Pierson, that provides ideas, inspiration, and learning
resources for catechists, parish catechetical leaders, and parents.
TeamRCIA
TeamRCIA.com is a free online resource for Catholic parishes and dioceses that want to form Christians for life. Offers a variety of online and in-person training for church ministers and volunteers, through webinars, e-mail courses, downloads, discussion forums, and training events led by experts in the field of initiation ministry.
Teaching Catholic Kids is a valuable tool for parents, teachers and catechists. Free downloadable activities and teacher resources are updated each month and made available from the best of Our Sunday Visitor books, workbooks and writers.
Vibrant Faith @ Home supports Christian leaders and families who are intentional about their faith and religious practice as they raise the next generation of committed Christians.
Word on Fire Catholic Ministries is a nonprofit global media apostolate that supports the work of Father Robert Barron and reaches millions of people to draw them into- or back to- the Catholic faith. Word on Fire is evangelical; it proclaims Jesus Christ as the source of conversion and new life. Word on Fire is Catholic; it utilizes the tremendous resources of the Roman Catholic tradition-art, architecture, poetry, philosophy, theology, and the lives of the saints- in order to explain and interpret the event of Jesus Christ.
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