February 2017
News and Views for
    Catechetical and
    RCIA Leaders 
 
Published by  
The Catechetical Office 
Archdiocese of New York 
 
This Month
For All in the Ministry
For Catechists
Webmaster's Column
New York Catholic Bible School

Save the Date 


Sunday, May 14
Confirmation for Children & Youth with Special Needs

Saturday, June 17
NY Catholic Bible Summit

Saturday, Oct. 14
Catechetical Forum
Bronx

Saturday, Oct. 28
Catechetical Forum
Monroe 

Of Special Note   

 

  NYC Public Schools Sex Education Mandate  

 

Columns & Quick Links

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Director/Coordinator,
        
      The month of February is filled with reminders of love everywhere we turn. The feast of St. Valentine on February 14th gave us a special opportunity to express our love to those who mean so much to us.
       In St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor.13:4-8, 13) we are given some beautiful and challenging passages about the true meaning of love: MORE 
For All in the Ministry
Register now with your pastor and
 
your parish RCIA leader for: 
Parish Leadership in a  
Changing Landscape
Friday, March 24, 2017
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
St. Joseph's Seminary 
presented by Julianne Stanz
 
Director of New Evangelization for the 
Diocese of Greenbay, Wisconsin  

Join Julianne Stanz of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, for a discussion of "Missionary Discipleship and Pathways for Inspirational Leadership" as called for by the NYS Bishops in their document, The Catechetical Leader in the Third Millennium. Find at all the details and information on registration here.

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We are mobile now. Get our free app.
Directors and coordinators of religious education, along with pastors and catechists, can have all the offerings and news of the Catchetical Office on their smartphones and tablets. The new Catechetical Office App, "Catechetical," available free at Google Play or the App Store, was created by the Catechetical Office webmaster, Jim Connell.

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Catch up daily with all our news and events 
Have you checked out the Catechetical Office website today? There are all sorts of informative and enlightening webinars and other learning opportunities, plus up-to-date information on all things catechetical. Be sure to visit www.nyfaithformation.org
Catechumenate/RCIA
Rite of Election: Sunday, March 5 
The Rite of Election for unbaptized persons who have participated in their parish's Catechumenate/RCIA process and seeking full initiation in the Catholic Church will take place on the first Sunday of Lent, March 5, at. St. Patrick's Cathedral. His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, will preside. More information, including registration, is available here.
  This year, the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion, which is for baptized Christians seeking full initiation, may be celebrated at the parish church of the candidates on a convenient day at the beginning of Lent. It may be celebrated within a parish Mass or a Liturgy of the Word. The presider is either the pastor or a parish priest delegated by the pastor. 
  

By Jim Connell, Webmaster
 
It is not often that something is free and also of value.  The Archdiocese, however, has made available three valuable technology tools which are free to our parishes and religious education programs: eCatholic, Flocknote and FORMED.
 
eCatholic is a website builder.  They offer the resources to create a website that is easy to use and update.  The webpages are mobile responsive (that means they look good on a tablet or phone). They have great customer service.  I should know as the Catechetical Office website uses eCatholic.  eCatholic would make it easy for a religious education program and the RCIA to have some pages on the parish website for general information program resources and contact purposes. (See http://www.ecatholicwebsites.com/)
 
Flocknote is a communication tool.  This was created with churches in mind (hence, the "flock").  Using this tool, you can communicate directly to all or specific parish groups, such as RCIA candidates or parents of those preparing for first Eucharist.  The benefit is that you are able to contact them in the manner they prefer, such as email, text or phone message.  It is a powerful tool that keeps communication going among constituents. (See http://flocknote.com/ )
 
FORMED has been advertised as the "Catholic Netflix."  When you subscribe, you get access to Catholic study programs, movies, audio presentations, and eBooks - all kinds of resources about the Catholic Faith. There are resources and guides for leaders to help optimize its use in the parish.  All the resources are available by downloading or streaming. (See https://archny.org/formed
 
Give yourself a ministry upgrade and try out one or more of these free tools.  It's a worthwhile investment of your time and free!
 
New York Catholic Bible School
 The New York Catholic Bible School, which is part of the Catechist Formation program, provides Levels 3 and 4 Catechist Certification.
  If you are a catechist who has completed Levels 1 and 2 OR you are a director or coordinator of religious education and have completed the Catechetical Leadership Program, you are eligible for a significant discount. Your tuition will be $50 per trimester, three trimesters a year. There is no registration fee.
   Note that the Bible School welcomes all adults, not just those in the catechetical ministry. For these persons, there is an annual registration fee of $35; tuition is $150 per trimester.
 
New Classes are always forming. 
   Visit the Bible School website for more details on this program and complete either an  "I'm Interested" or "I'm Ready to Apply" form on line. Be sure to indicate the locale in which you are interested.
Guest Columnist 
Let us be about the Kingdom of God
by Sr. Patricia McCarthy, CND
Columnist for Rhode Island Catholic
 
The Statue of Liberty has been restored and reopened within the past few years. With all the patching and plastering, painting and preening, the pedestal still holds the famous poem by Emma Lazarus "The New Colossus." MORE