 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Office of Child and Youth Protection
Roman Catholic Diocese of
Springfield - Cape Girardeau
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
PRAYER AFTER AN ELECTION
God of all nations,
Father of the human family,
we give you thanks for the freedom we exercise
and the many blessings of democracy we enjoy
in these United States of America.
We ask for your protection and guidance
for all who devote themselves to the common good,
working for justice and peace at home and around the world.
We lift up all our duly elected leaders and public servants,
those who will serve us as president, as legislators and judges,
those in the military and law enforcement.
Heal us from our differences and unite us, O Lord,
with a common purpose, dedication, and commitment to
achieve liberty and justice
in the years ahead for all people,
and especially those who are most vulnerable in our midst.
Amen.
|
|
IT'S HERE! THE REVISED CATECHETICAL CERTIFICATION PROCESS HAS ARRIVED!
We are so excited to finally have this available.
All the information you need is on our Website:
http://dioscg.org/index.php/about/evangelizationand-catechesis/
After the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis page opens, click on the image similar to the one below to find information and forms for the new process.
If you are unable to print this information, please contact Rosie Francka at
rfrancka@dioscg.org or (417) 866-0841 to request copies of the booklet or forms.
Now that the information is available, we have issued a Friendly CHALLENGE to all parishes and Catholic Schools - (Read below)
|
Will your school or parish
rise to the challenge?
|
Goal:
|
Quick Start Certification or better
|
|
Who:
|
Parish catechetical leaders, catechists, Catholic school administrators, Catholic school teachers
|
|
Deadline:
|
December 16, 2016 (deadline extended!)
|
As many of you are aware the diocese has begun an exciting new catechist certification process for parish catechists as well as Catholic School teachers. Our goal is to ensure that all of our parish catechists and school teachers have a similar foundation to teach the faith to our children. As a result the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis has issued a challenge. Each school or parish to have all of their teachers/catechists certified by December 16, 2016 will receive special recognition from the diocese.
There are three simple requirements to "Quick Start" certification:
- Be in compliance with the diocesan safe environment policy
- Complete one of two courses, the Echoes of Faith "Getting Started" module or the Catechesis 101 course from My Catholic Faith Delivered
- Read The Catechist Toolbox book by Joe Paprocki and submit the brief reflection sheet. This book will be provided at no cost by the diocese when enrolled in the process
Previous certification will be counted as long as it can be verified.
Special recognition from the diocese will be given to those schools and parishes who receive 100%
certification by December 16, 2016!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
After all of your school teachers or catechists have been certified complete the appropriate application form below.
|
Important !
All employees and volunteers sign the diocesan Code of Conduct each year by December 2016. Please make sure your staff and volunteers have either signed through their Virtus account or by signing a paper copy. The signature page of the Code must be faxed or emailed to the diocese if not signed online. Remember also that background check forms are all faxed or emailed to the diocese. No background check is run until the diocese receives a copy of this form. Click
http://dioscg.org/index.php/about/child-youth-protection/ for forms and information.
|
Safe Environment Tip of the Month
Attention local safe environment coordinators: Have you double checked compliance for your volunteers and employees?
Compliance means each employee and volunteer has had a background check through the diocese, signed the 2016 Code of Conduct, and attended a Virtus training. Employees and clergy must read the monthly Virtus training bulletins. Please check each person's account and get them caught up, if necessary. If you need help contact the diocese: 417-866-0841 or
kenpesek@dioscg.org Click
http://dioscg.org/index.php/about/child-youth-protection/ for forms and information.
|
Bulletin Announcement
Put this in your bulletin now! Registering now for Cycle 1, 2017
A great time to check out these courses! They count toward Intermediate and Advanced Certification levels for the diocese.
 Adult Faith Formation and Catechist Certification courses online! Join the hundreds from our diocese who have enjoyed these classes!
The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is a program of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives at the University of Dayton. The VLCFF offers online adult religious education and faith formation courses in support of the Church's catechetical ministry. This means that you can deepen your faith at a time and place convenient to you via the internet.
The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau partners with the VLCFF to extend these opportunities to all the faithful in our diocese at $50.00 per course. Courses may be taken for undergraduate credit
(for an additional fee) and courses qualify for credit in our diocesan Catechist Formation Process.
Registration: October 19, 2016 - January 11, 2017
Course Schedule & Listings: English Spanish
Classes held: January 15 - February 18, 2017
Sample Courses for Cycle 1 include
:
- A Vision for Catholic Youth Ministry
- Ecclesiology: Beginnings of the Churdh
- Faith & Human Development
- Introduction to Catechesis
- Introduction to Practical Morality
|
- Introduction to Prayer
- Introduction to Scripture
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Relational Ministry with Youth
- Sacraments
- Survey of the Catholic Doctrine
|
You may apply for a diocesan Lay Endowment Grant for reimbursement upon successful completion of a course. This newsletter has more information about the grant.
|
|
Diocesan Lay Endowment Grant
You may be eligible to apply for a Lay Endowment Grant to receive a reimbursement for course fees for the University of Dayton VLCFF. Click the links below for more information.
|
|
|
| Available from the Diocesan Library |
|
DOCAT-What to do? 
DOCAT is "revealing the secret" to young people around the world.
DOCAT helps young people to know and live Catholic Social Teaching.
It's a great, practical follow up to YOUCAT, the hugely popular Youth Catechism, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Drawing on Scripture, YOUCAT, the Catechism, and the Compendium of Catholic Social Teaching, DOCAT shows young people how to work toward building a "civilization of love".
Features include:
- Popular Q & A YOUCAT style, tackles tough questions about social justice and related issues
- Lots of full-color photos with young people and others
- Inspirational and insightful quotes , including comments from St John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict
- Written with help from church leaders, business leaders, social activists, and young people
- Guides young people in conscience formation and Catholic action on social and political issues
Click here for more information
In addition to the DOCAT book, we also have the study guide.
If you would like to borrow this resource contact our office at 417-866-0841 or rfrancka@dioscg.org
|
Strong Catholic Families Webinar Series
Amoris Laetitia Webinar Series
The Pastoral Response in Accompanying Families in Faith The Strong Catholic Families Webinar Series is presented in partnership by these national Catholic organizations working together to help parents bring home the faith. The Strong Catholic Families National Partnership Invites ministry leaders, teachers, school leaders, parents and clergy to join together with others around the globe in a webinar series focusing on the pastoral implementation of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on the family,
Amoris Laetitia.
Four Master Teachers
(there are two webinars in the series remaining) will present video reflections on the following themes, followed by two sets of live panels reacting to the content and discussing practical applications to various ministries.
Assisting Families in Discerning God's Movement
December 7
Featuring Julianne Stanz, Director of New Evangelization, Green Bay Live Panel Reactions on December 7 at 1pm and 6pm Central
Engaging for Mission January 8-January 25 Featuring Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archdiocese of Washington Live Panel Reactions on January 18 and January 25 at 1pm and 6pm Central
akopp@ncea.org
This Strong Catholic Families Webinar Series is presented in partnership by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL), the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (NACFLM) and the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
|
Recent research shows that the single greatest difference between those who identify as Catholic and those as former-Catholics is "the belief that God is a personal being involved in the lives of people today." If we are to shape our whole lives as a Christian story, we must first learn how to recognize, craft, and share stories of grace about particular life experiences. We will focus on seven principles for crafting stories of grace for teens, young adults, and even not-so-young-anymore adults that allow us to speak of God's action in our lives persuasively and in real terms.
Sign Up Here
|
Thursday, January 19, 2017
12:00-1:00 pm CST
Emily R. Cash, Psy.D., explores a transformational leadership approach and offers skills for thriving in a pastoral setting.
Too busy? The $25 registration fee includes unlimited access to the recording. Register and we will notify you when the recording is available.
Click here to register
|
- A four-session faith-sharing experience
- Based on the Sunday gospel readings
- Appropriate for seasonal groups
- Great for individual reflection and prayer
|
|
The following is being provided as a courtesy for your information.
|
Free Advent Art for Bulletins, Websites, etc.
The Advent season begins on November 27, 2016. During this season of preparation we celebrate not only the mystery of the Incarnation, but look forward with joyful anticipation to Christ's second coming. As your parishioners prepare a room in their hearts for the Christ Child this Christmas, inspire them in their journey with this beautiful FREE art.
Use in your parish communication including bulletin covers, parish website, social media channels, or print and use in your parish gatherings spaces.
Click here to download art.
|
Tips for teaching students with Special Needs
Blest Are We -Faith and Word Edition
|
Gift of Catholic, Advent, Day VBS
- Jesse Tree Journey Day VBS explores Old Testament Prophets that lead children to the incarnation of Christ and His Holy Birth
- Vacation Bible School format for one fun, Saturday, Sunday or faith formation evening
- Prayers, snacks, art, games, music, dances, and activities on a flash drive, so leaders can enjoy ease and economical method of PDF version curricula: $59.99, plus $5 shipping and handling
- Promotional letters, the day's routine, print ready prayers and posters included in this easy to ship flash drive
|
Why your RCIA bulletin announcement isn't working - and what you can do about it.
Does your parish have a regular or occasional notice in the bulletin inviting new participants to join the RCIA? Can you identify the target audience? Who is the message written for? Who do you imagine reads it? Who are you hoping will respond to it?
I read these notices all the time. They tend to be a homogeneous blend of the purpose of RCIA and where and when the meetings or classes are held. If I had to guess who the intended audience was just from reading the short paragraph that appears in most bulletins, I would say it is for Catholics looking for medium to advanced adult education in Catholic teaching.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Lead a 90-Minute Catechetical Session on Holiday Dinners
PREPARATION
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and open your mind.
- Imagine three primary aspects of the dinner that might have had a strong impact on the catechumens and that they will remember. I imagined they would remember the meal, the sense of family, and the storytelling that went on. You might think of others.
- Draw out at least six teachings of our faith that stem from each of your imagined memories. I used the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) to help me find teachings for each of my three. You can use also use other teaching documents from the church, such as the documents from the Second Vatican Council, letters written by the popes, or documents from the U.S. bishops.
Click Here for your copy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get More Inquirers This Holiday Season
Easy tips on welcoming visitors!
Check out this free 3 1/2 minute video to get some ideas on how to make your parish more visitor-friendly this holiday season.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Other Christians Become Catholic 
By Paul Turner
Why is this book important?
Fr. Paul Turner says that the way we sometimes treat baptized candidates for full communion diminishes and confuses our teaching about baptismal unity.
What is in this book?
This book is a historical and sensitive analysis of rites of reception in the early church and the Second Vatican Council's call for broader ecumenism. The history portions will require a bit of careful reading. The pastoral applications of the church's teaching toward the end of the book are golden.
What's the big deal?
This book will permanently alter the way you and your RCIA team think about baptized candidates who are seeking full communion. You cannot have a completely successful RCIA process without the grounding this book provides.
|
Learn How Living the Eucharist Can
Transform Your Parish in Lent 2017
Living the Eucharist
is a beloved parish-based Lenten renewal program that reignites faith, builds community, and empowers Catholics to live and share the gospel through life-giving personal encounters with Christ.
Save $10 on the Living the Eucharist Parish Starter Kit for Lent 2017, when you order by
January 13, 2017!
USE SAVINGS CODE
PARISH
when placing your order.
Order online or call 800-435-7116.
|
GEMS: Adult Faith Formation Newsletter
The November 2016 issue of GEMS is now available.
This issue is our third sharing of the effective ideas which were submitted - along with
some prayer methods that might be shared with adults
some resources that you and your parishioners might find helpful
All the past issues of GEMS are archived at
www.janetschaeffler.com
|
Great resource list for Advent
|
Growing with the Saints introduces Tracking Mary, Mysteries and Messages for 2017 THE NEW CATHOLIC VBS!
You will not want to miss this NEW and exciting program discovering Mary's Mission in the most dynamic way! When we invite Mother Mar
y into our homes, she brings her son, Jesus! Mother Mary will thank you! By the way, 2017 is the 100th Anniversary of Fatima.
MORE THAN VBS, FUN FAITH FORMATION MATERIAL and FAMILY CATECHESIS. * Parishes also ordering for Month of May. Visit our website to review ALL OTHER CATHOLIC VBS PROG
RAMS:
www.growingwiththesaints.com
 |
|
|
The Catholic Center is now using this email system powered Constant Contact. It has made it much easier for us to maintain email lists, and assure that your information remains private. Within this system, the staff at The Catholic Center manages various email lists to ensure each person receives correspondence most relevant to them. Please
do not "opt-out"
or
"unsubscribe"
from this email. If you no longer desire to receive email from this particular office, please reply and let the sender know. They will remove you from that specific list. If you do "opt-out"
or
"unsubscribe,"
you will no longer receive ANY group correspondence from any of the offices at The Catholic Center.
|
|
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
