Dear Pastoral Assistants of Faith Formation,
It is amazing how time passes and we are already preparing to start Lent with Ash Wednesday on February 17th. We renew our commitment to walk with the leadership in the faith, as well as sacramental preparation so that their work is lighter and more effective. Please let us know how we can assist you in sharing the richness of our faith, especially during this important time in our Church year, to those in your parish communities.

We pray that this time of Lent is a chance for reflection and grace. Continued prayers for you, your parish staff, volunteers, and those preparing to enter fully into the Church at Easter, as we prepare for the joy and presence of the risen Christ!
As a reminder, if your parish allows in-person meetings with small groups, let us know to start visiting you. If you are planning future deanery meetings and would like to invite our Director, please email Carlos at carlos.carrillo@seattlearch.org
NEW ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE WEBSITE IS FINALY HERE!
Click here to explore the new website for the Archdiocese of Seattle!
On the Faith Formation Ministry page you'll find: links to online resources, sacramental policies, RE and sacramental prep resources, newsletters, calendar of events, CCP information and what you can still find on our resource page. You'll also notice that knowing and living your faith is thematic throughout the entire site.
FAITH FORMATION NEWS
SAVE THE DATES!
More details to come!
Annual PAFF Retreat - March 25, 2021
Annual PAFF Conference - June 8, 2021
Families Growing Together You are invited to an hour of community, prayer, and reflection via Zoom for people who have disabilities and their families. Visit the Archdiocese of Portland's registration page for more details. The presentations is being offered in both English and Spanish.
In collaboration with all archdioceses in Region 12.
PAFF Support Meetings Continue! The Faith Formation Office continues to offer monthly meetings to PAFFS. On the second Tuesday of each month, we have a meeting scheduled for the next several months. Please see the dates below and the Zoom log in link to access the meetings.
Feb 9, 2021 12:00 PM
Mar 9, 2021 12:00 PM
Apr 13, 2021 12:00 PM
May 11, 2021 12:00 PM​
Jun 15, 2020 12:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 937 9880 4614
Passcode: 98104

Updated Year of the Eucharist Parish Toolkit
Click here for all updated materials.
Virtual Liturgy Presentations for the Year of the Eucharist - February 9th and 10th! The Holiest Week: Preparing the Liturgies of Holy Week is the last presentation in this series. Contact Jennifer Day in the Liturgy Office. This event is free but registration is required.
Year of the Eucharist Resources To learn more on how you and your parish community can celebrate, view the Overview Flyer. Check out the resource page for additional resources on the Eucharist and the Spanish Eucaristia page to find materials for both adults and children.
Year of the Eucharist Webinars Please view the flyer and contact Carlos Carrillo if interested.
Pope Francis announces a Year of the Family As the fifth anniversary of his apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia" approaches, Pope Francis announced that the Catholic Church will dedicate more than a year to focusing on the family and conjugal love. Begins March 19, 2021 and concludes June 26, 2022. Learn more.
Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the universal Church. Beginning on December 8, 2020 and concluding December 8, 2021. Learn more.

L.A. Religious Education Congress This year, L.A. Religious Education Congress is online! February 18-21, 2021. Click here to learn more and to register.

Join others from the Archdiocese of Seattle for Virtual Happy Hour opportunities to discuss your experiences during RE Congress and network while attending. Learn more here.
Catholic Schools Week Jan 31- Feb 6 Celebrate Catholic Schools Week! Check out the variety of resources form NCEA to assist you in sharing with your community the value of our Catholic schools all across the United States. Does your parish have a school? What are some ways the parish and school are working together to celebrate Catholic education? Learn more.
Catechetical Certification Program (CCP) For parish staff, volunteers, adult learners, and parents of homeschoolers. This program provides the foundation for knowing, living, and teaching our Catholic faith.  Registration is currently open to online cohorts. Sessions begin in October.
Visit the CCP webpage for full details.
SIX TASKS ~ ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS ~ LITURGICAL CALENDAR
Lent begins on February 17th with Ash Wednesday.
Find activities for Lent in the Faith Formation Ideas section below.
February 2nd
How to Celebrate Candlemas with Children
February 6th
Native Japanese priests and laity die nobly for a new faith.
February 8th
Learn about St. Bakhita and her journey to sainthood
February 14th
8 Simple Ways to Celebrate St. Valentine's Day with Kids
February 11
10 Things to know about Our Lady of Lourdes & St. Bernadette
February 22nd
9 Things You Need to Know About the Chair of St. Peter
Be sure to check the Liturgical calendar pages in both English and Spanish. These pages will contain who and what the Church celebrates specifically in the month of December.
Please note: If you receive this newsletter before the beginning of the next month, content on the webpage will not update until the 1st of each month.
ONLINE RESOURCES PAGE UPDATES
Bautismo Page We have created a new Spanish page for Baptism resources. You can find videos, policies and information on the sacrament of Baptism all in Spanish. Please share with those who are working in Hispanic ministry and catechesis. Now available are the policies and recommended programs.
Faith Formation Online Programming during COVID We continue to update this page as protocols and mandates are put forth. These are changing frequently so please check back often.
FAITH FORMATION IDEAS
ASH WEDNESDAY
Check out the Lent pages on the resource website. Newly updated resources are available in both English and Spanish. Sharing the website with your parish community is a great way to help pass on the faith and provide resources online!
LENT
Sadlier has a variety of activities and lessons to share with your families this Lenten season available both English and Spanish.
NCPD provides a helpful document that focuses on three practices of Lent with an inclusive lens. Available in English and Spanish.
Youth Ministry Services has a list of Lenten resources geared toward children and teens. View here.

Young Adult Ministry also provides a list of Lenten small group resources if your parish or community is looking for ideas. View here.
RELIGIOUS CURRICULUM PUBLISHER NEWS
There are several other publisher materials and programs linked on the Faith Formation resource page if you have a different publisher your parish prefers.
Please take a look at this concise table for a quick glance at what our approved publishers have to offer for your parish faith formation programs.
UPCOMING EVENTS
White Mass - February 6, 2021 at St. James Cathedral, Seattle. Bringing together members of the healthcare community including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nurses aides, and all other members of the healthcare profession. View flyer and register. Space is limited.

Lectors Workshop "The Holiest Week: Preparing the Liturgies of Holy Week" February 9th and 10th, 2021. In this two-day virtual workshop we will go in depth on the liturgies of Holy Week. Contact Jennifer Day
ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE
Office of Faith Formation