Archdiocese of Seattle

Faith Formation Newsletter

February 13, 2017

 

Dear Catechetical Colleagues, 
 
Virtues are our "Essential Concept" this week. The Theological and Cardinal virtues strengthen us to habitually choose and to do what is good. Please check out some of these videos on virtuous living.
 
The National Conference for Catechetical Leadership is conducting a short survey on family faith formation. We would like to encourage all of you to take a few minutes and complete this questionnaire. If you participate in the survey, you will also receive an update on the final results!
 
Remember, Ash Wednesday is March 1st. We are continually updating Lenten resources so please check this section each week. The library newsletter is highlighting new resources on Lent, so take a look for even more suggested materials!

February 19th is the 75th anniversary of the Executive Order which moved all people living in the Western US of Japanese ancestry into internment camps during WWII. Please take a look at some great resources created by Maryknoll.
 
Also, now is the time to register for both the Junior High Rally and CYO camps!
 
In Christ,

Anne Frederick, Ed.D.
Director of Religious Education anne.frederick@seattlearch.org
 
Lisa Hillyard
Library Media Center Manager lisa.hillyard@seattlearch.org



Essential Religious Education Concepts
videos
Virtues: Cardinal & Theological [1803-1845, 2656-2662] 

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 3- Moral Formation - Students develop a moral conscience that is informed by Church teachings and conformed to Christ, as modeled in a personal life of virtue, and demonstrated in service of the Gospel's demands for society.
 
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
 

  
Bishop Barron on Faith, Hope, and Love

  

Pope Francis Theological Virtues
    
  

The Cardinal Virtues: Prudence
  
  
For the other Cardinal Virtue videos:
  Justice   Temperance   Fortitude        

Resources from the LMC on Virtues: Cardinal & Theological
       

Why Catholicism Matters: How Catholic Virtues can Reshape Society in the 21st Century (William Donohue) Explains how the teachings of the Catholic Church provide solutions to many of society's biggest problems. Explores the four Cardinal Virtues-Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance-and shows us how the Church's best attributes can be applied to solve many of the biggest problems society must confront today and in the future. From questions of liberty and freedom, to the use of contraception and abortion, to the need for courage in age of terrorism and religious intolerance, Donohue examines how goodness and morality can affect the world in the centuries to come

The Book of Virtues for Young People: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories (William Bennett) Well-known works including fables, folklore, fiction, drama, and more, by such authors as Aesop, Dickens, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and Baldwin, are presented to teach virtues, including compassion, courage, honesty, friendship, and faith.

Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints throughout History (Amy Welborn) Faith -- Hope -- Charity -- Temperance -- Prudence -- Fortitude -- Justice. What do heroes do? Do they fight monsters? Sometimes, but they also hold the hands of people who are sick and lonely. They build schools. They study the planets. They forgive those who have harmed them. Heroes are people who look at the world around them, see what needs to be done, and through the grace of God find the strength to help others. You'll meet a Catholic nun who stood up to the most infamous outlaw in the Old West. You'll learn how entire villages of men and women devoted their lives to building great cathedrals to show their love and respect for God. You'll learn about John the Baptist, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Charlemagne, St.Albert the Great, Dorothy Day, St. Patrick, and many others. Most of all, you'll learn that with God's help anyone can be a hero and make the world a better place.

Seven Deadly Sins Seven Lively Virtues (DVD,  Word On Fire)  Join Bishop Robert Barron for this presentation concerning the Seven Deadly Sins, those great spiritual blocks that inhibit our flourishing in relationships to God and to one another. But that's not all! Father Barron presents the Seven Lively Virtues that offer healing to our sin-sick souls and set us on the right path to salvation. This Retreat on Disc presents a message of hope to all those who seek to know Christ and to accomplish his will.

Virtues for Adult Christians (Audio CD, CSC Digital Media) LA Congress Workshop- Pope Francis has said that Christian morality cannot be reduced to a simple collection of moral rules. For there is another traditional approach to ethical living and conscience formation: the life of virtue. This workshop explores the approach of virtue ethics, considers the traditional moral virtues, and then investigates the contemporary virtues needed by adult moral believers facing today's ethical challenges.

 
Looking for an archived newsletter? Check this link for all previous editions.

Library Media Center Resources
LentResource 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.
 
Lenten Resources

Helping Families Celebrate Lent  We spend hours planning activities and celebrations that we hope will impact the families we serve. The reality may be sobering. Sometimes we plan too much. Do families really care about the season of Lent, and all of its signs and symbols, all of its opportunity and potential? What can we do to help the families in our charge get the most out of this sacred time without overwhelming them with the choices?
 
The Significance of Ash Wednesday They may just be ashes, but Fr. Mike points out that what they represent goes far beyond mere dust of the earth. With a simple cross on the forehead, we are recognizing that we are far from perfect, but that God loves and redeems us-not despite our brokenness, but in the midst of it. If you want to start off your Lent with a reminder of Ash Wednesday's deeper meaning, listen to Fr. Mike's heartfelt words in this video.

Ash Wednesday and Lent in Two Minutes  Always a great video to share each year, this brief video explains the what and why of Ash Wednesday and Lent, from the history of wearing ashes dating back to the Old Testament, to the practices of Catholics and Christians during Lent.

From Passion to Pentecost: A Lenten Reflection (Webinar)  "Were you there when they crucified my Lord . . .?" This familiar hymn is a staple in many churches on Good Friday. Have you ever thought about those who would have answered "yes"?   What would Mary Magdalene or Simon of Cyrene tell us about their heartbreaking experiences and the aftereffects on their lives of faith?  Join Kathy Hendricks for a meaningful Lenten webinar in which we'll reflect upon six witnesses of Jesus's Passion and Death and the connections each one makes to our own experience. For more information, click here

Teaching Second-Graders the Beauty of Lent- The beauty of Lent offers a time for the Church to relive salvation history. By practicing the penitential disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, many adults savor this transformative season. But how does an untrained teacher who meets only briefly with her wiggly second-grade faith formation class communicate the beauty and relevancy of Lent in language they can understand? The short answer: by acting out Christ's desert experience in a way that highlights how fasting, prayer, and almsgiving give us strength as we walk with the Lord.

Maryknoll Lenten Reflection Guide 2017- Contains reflections, questions, prayers, and actions based on each week's Gospel reading and the written reflections and recorded discussions by the 83 Catholic peacemakers who attended the Nonviolence and Just Peace conference in Rome in April 2016.  Lent offers us all a special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism.  Use this guide individually or in small groups to reflect upon our life patterns, to pray more deeply, and renew our spirits to face the realities of our world.  

Best Lent Ever- (Dynamic Catholic) Sign up for Best Lent Ever, a FREE, video-based email program featuring internationally acclaimed speaker and New York Times bestselling author Matthew Kelly. From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Matthew will help you identify what stands between you and happiness . . . and what to do about it. Are you ready for your best Lent ever?

   
Library Media Center February Check It Out newsletter- NEW LENT RESOURCES and  items added to the catalog-new DVDs and books!


Upcoming Catechetical Events
  
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.

David Haas in Concert
Friday, March 10, 2017 I 7:00 pm I St. Patrick Church, Seattle I Suggested Donation $15 Per Person, $30 Per Family I For more information and tickets, contact Sara Hanson, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church,shanson@ollseattle.org  or Laura Ash, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, lauradavidash@aol.com. David Haas is highly regarded as one of the most prolific composers in liturgical music today. His songs, including "You Are Mine," "Blest Are They," and "We Are Called," appear in the hymnals of many Christian Denominations.

Retreat with David Haas
Saturday, March 11, 2017 I 9:00 am - 3:00 pm I Our Lady of the Lake Church, Seattle. "That You Might Have Life: Spiritual Practices for the Call to Holiness"  To view the flyer, click here.
 
Catholic Advocacy Day (NEW)
Thursday, March 16, 2017 I 9:00 - 3:00 I Olympia, WA. Meet us at St. Michael Church for our program and a legislative briefing before going to scheduled appointments with your legislators at the capitol. All parish members, staff, and Catholic organizations are invited to join us to ensure that the Gospel message to care for our neighbors is heard in Olympia. For more information and to register, click here. Please register by February 24th!

Formation Opportunities
 
opportunitiesFoundations 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.
 
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress
2017 DATES: February 23, 2017 (Youth Day) & February 24-26, 2017 I Theme: "Embrace Trust" I Held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Register today! To learn more, click here.

Catechist Formation Opportunity - Going Forth in Joy! 
March 4th - 5th, 2017- Catholic ministers and educators play a special role in helping their communities experience the joy of participating in God's mission of love. We are called to lay the foundations that enable this mission to be passed on to the next generation. The Missions Office of the Archdiocese of Seattle and Maryknoll invite you to join us to engage with this call and challenge with the Missionary Disciples Formation Program. For more information and to register, click here. Offered in English & Español
 
Junior High Rally: Souls On Fire (NEW)
Saturday, March 11, 2017 I 8:00 am - 8:00 pm I Forest Ridge School, Bellevue I Junior High Rally is a day designed to celebrate Catholic youth (in grades 6-9) and all they bring to the Church. Over 600+ youth from Washington, Oregon and Canada will come together for an interactive day where you will have the opportunity to meet new people, listen to talks that will deepen their faith, and be invited to participate in various interactive activities with the day closing with Mass! Check here for more information.

Guatemala Immersion for Religious Educators
June 14-22, 2017- Discover Christ in our Guatemalan sisters and brothers. Every day, these neighbors of ours from Central America make the perilous journey into the United States. Deepen your faith and enliven your ministry through encounter with their hopes, joys, and struggles. Meet and learn from the lay and religious missioners walking with them, and discern how you can invite your own community into a spirit of encounter with our sisters and brothers on the margins, in Guatemala and here in western Washington. Applications due March 1st! For complete information and to apply, click here.
 
A Parish Built to Last Retreat for Pastors and Faith Formation Directors
June 30-July 2, 2017 I Led by Fr. Bill Watson, SJ. I ABRC@Palisades, Federal Way I Built to Last is the most fully resourced parish Ignatian program available today.   Forty Weeks and the Whole-Life Confession help parishes accomplish what Sherry Weddell did in her important book, Forming Intentional Disciples, which says it is needed for activating the new evangelization that Popes from St. John Paul II to Francis has been calling individual Catholics and parishes to make a reality. This evangelization retreat will include the theological and spiritual components of  Forty Weeks and The Whole-Life Confession presented by Fr. Watson.  It will also include presentations from laity and clergy from Seattle Archdiocesan parishes who have been successfully implementing the both programs in their parishes. For more information and to register, click here.

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.

Mass & Celebration with our Community with Special Needs
Saturday, April 1, 2017 I Mass: 11:00 am I St. James Cathedral, Seattle I Reception and Spring Dance to follow Mass at O'Dea High School, Seattle. For more information, contact Erica Cohen Moore 206-382-4852 | ericac@seattlearch.org
   
Cornerstone Catholic Conference: Together for Life and Justice   (NEW)
October 20-21, 2017 I Tacoma I Save the date!-More information and registration details will be available in the coming months.
Grief Support Ministry
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.
 
Grief Support Meeting (UPDATED!!)
Tuesday, February 14, 2016 I 9:30 am -2:30 pm I St. Vincent de Paul Church, Federal Way I Mary Hejnal will present on how we can best serve those dealing with loss. W e will also spend time talking about why having a faith centered program is so helpful. We will also discuss the best ways to share resources on the new Archdiocesan webpage for Grief Support Ministry found under Pastoral Care-to be coming soon.

Divorce and Beyond (NEW)
Sunday, February 26, 2017 I 4:00 - 5:30 I St. Louise Church, Bellevue I An 8 week Catholic support series for anyone struggling with the pain of marital separation or divorce. Topics covered are self -esteem, stress, blame and guilt, anger, loneliness and pathways to growth. A $20 donation is asked to cover cost of book and materials, but scholarships are available for the asking. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please call Kathy Riley (425-214-5466) for further information or to register.
 
St. Louise, Bellevue
Bereavement Support Ministry - Our mission is to support the grieving process after the death of a loved one. This is achieved with one-on-one contact and a monthly support group which includes prayer, sharing our stories and learning from one another. Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7PM in the Parish Center. Contact Kathy Riley at 425-4450-x5466 or Kathy@stlouise.org

Beginning Experience Program (NEW)
Beginning Experience - Divorced, Widowed or Separated? If you are ready to deal with the grief of being widowed, divorced or separated, there is help.  As a faith-based organization, Beginning Experience offers men and women the opportunity & skills to build deeper self respect, to cope with the pain of loss, and to move into the future with renewed hope. Join us for a weekend away for a lifetime of change - available twice a year, in April & October. This coming Spring"s Puget Sound area weekend is Friday to Sunday, March 31 to April 2, 2017 at historic Carnation Farms in Carnation, WA. Please call Chris, our Beginning Experience Registrar, at (253) 223-2645 for more information and a brochure.
    
St James Cathedral, Seattle
Grief Support Group-meets Wednesdays, January 25-March 1, 2017. The grieving process has no timeline and is unique to each individual, but meeting with others who are going through a similar experience can provide support and help us cope. You are invited to join a new 6-week grief support group facilitated by St. James Cathedral Staff- Nancy Granger, Suzanne Lee, and Rosanne Michaels

St. John the Baptist, Covington
Grief Ministry- meets every 2nd Weds at 7 PM, providing compassionate and confidential support to parishioners and families who have suffered a loss. Various tools are provided that will help manage the grieving process, fostering hope through faith, prayer, and fellowship, with God's love and grace as our guide. Meetings are open to anyone in the Archdiocese. (Richard: 949.290.8670, Page: 253.569.5326, or Frank: 425.241.9190)
   
St. Michael Church, Olympia
Bridge of Hope Grief Support Ministry-8-week group meetings where those who are grieving come together to pray, learn and share with each other.

Archdiocesan News
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

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 (Sixth Week of Ordinary Time): You Have to Work at It, But Marriage Is Worth It! Catholic blogger Kathleen Billings reflects on the day-to-day practices that help to strengthen her marriage. She reminds us that great marriages require a consistent investment of time, love, forgiveness, affection, thoughtfulness, mutual respect, and prayer.
 
Hearing the Voice of the Poor Tom Dwyer, chair of the National Voice of the Poor Committee of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, writes about ways Catholics can work to heal divisions after a contentious national election year, by being a voice not just to the poor but to all who are feeling left out.
 

To learn more about MyUSCCB and to sign up for this helpful resource, visit the USCCB website for more information.
NCCL-Catechetical Update     
     
The National Conference of Catechetical Leaders publishes a weekly newsletter following the Six Tasks of Catechesis. 

A 4-Day Journey through Transformational Encounters...
Monday, May 22 - Contemplation - Personal Transformation
Tuesday, May 23 - Imagination - Prophetic Communal Transformation
Wednesday, May 24 - Vision - Articulating a Catechetical Future
Thursday, May 25 - Missionary - Leadership for the World
Learn more about the Transformative Leadership theme for #NCCL2017 here.
 


To learn more about this organization and view their resources, visit the website.
maryknollMaryknoll Resources
  
February 19th is the 75th anniversary of the Executive Order which moved all people living in the Western US of Japanese ancestry into internment camps during WWII. In a culture of fear and division, the Catholic Church responded with courage and love. Maryknoll has put together lesson activities  and mass tips  (including Prayer of the Faithful intentions) exploring our call to compassion in commemorating this anniversary.

Featured Websites
V ENCUENTRO  
 
What is the Goal of the V EncuentroThe main goal of the V Encuentro is to discern ways in which the Church in the United States can better respond to the Hispanic/Latino presence, and to strengthen the ways in which Hispanics/Latinos respond to the call to the New Evangelization as missionary disciples serving the entire Church.
 
To learn more, get parish resources and watch a video with a special message from Bishop Elizondo, check out the Archdiocese of Seattle's V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry page.
RE Congress 2017
 
RECongress is the largest annual gathering of its kind in the world. The four-day event is held at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center and is sponsored by the Los Angeles Office of Religious Education. Begun in 1968 as an "institute" for religious education (CCD) teachers, RECongress has grown to include people of all vocations and different faiths.

Fashioning Faith

Fashioning Faith is a subscription website designed especially for parish catechetical leaders that provides access to hundreds of program, strategies, and resources for promoting faith formation with people of all ages. New features make Fashioning Faith even easier to use and new resources easy to find! This includes resources delivered each year that help to gather the whole community of faith, connect families to children's faith formation, and build faith in families at home.

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.
 
Pope Francis' Monthly Prayer Intentions on Video
Welcome the Needy-February 2017
 
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.
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!
Catholic Publishers

Loyola Press                                              St. Mary's Press

 

Our Sunday Visitor                                    Ave Maria Press

 

Sadlier                                                        Ascension Press

 

RCL Benziger                                             Lighthouse Catholic Media

 

Ignatius Press                   

Helpful Links

 

 

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 at Home
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.