September 2020
Faith Formation/Youth Ministry Update
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This monthly e-newsletter serves catechetical and youth ministry leaders in the Diocese of Green Bay by furnishing them with updates, events and other resources helpful to them in their ministry of fostering households and communities of discipleship.
Discover Jesus. Follow Jesus. Worship Jesus. Share Jesus with others.
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The Year of St. Joseph Continues
March 19, 2020 to March 19, 2021
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Who was Joseph: he was true and authentic. He loved God. He loved Jesus and Mary. His love made him the patron of unborn children, fathers, workers, travelers, immigrants, unmarried women and a happy death.
So we turn to St. Joseph with all our needs, knowing that this strong, silent man — so close to Jesus’ heart — will bring us close to Jesus’ heart.
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As Pope Pius XII said, “If you wish to be close to Christ ...‘Go to Joseph.'" |
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Notices, Updates, Events
Generally useful information.
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Next Office Hour: NOW!!!!
(Sept. 1st at 9:30am via Zoom)
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Topics (w/subject matter experts):
- Safe Environment Best Practices for Online Classes (Dcn. Dan Wagnitz; Safe Envornment)
- Liability Forms and Sanitization Questions (Barb Weiss Property & Facilities)
- COVID-related Issues (Gloria Koth, Priest Nurse & Health Care Advocate
- HR/Employee/Volunteer Concerns (Jenn Arnold, Human Resources)
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Catechesis & Encounter:
An In-Depth Exploration of the new Directory for Catechesis
Several publishers and NCCL have launched studies and presentations on the new Directory for Catechesis, but this series will be focused on our own Diocese' vision and use of the tenets of this document.
We've assembled various curia speakers on the topics of each section and invite you to join us for any or all of the sessions.
All sessions (with the exception of October 8th) will be 9:30-11am, on Thursday mornings via Zoom. Final session, October 8th is scheduled to be in-person, day-long event at the Green Bay Distillery: Hebrews 10:25 event.
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Nuts & Bolts 2nd Session
Thursday, September 8; 9:30am
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Nuts & Bolts is a series of workshops designed for catechetical and youth ministry leaders who are new to their ministry, or new to the Diocese. Each session's agenda includes prayer, encouragement, guidance, resources and networking.
Link below to join our second (of four) sessions.
E-mail cfountain@gbdioc.org if you plan on attending and would like to get the handouts in advance. Bring any questions regarding handouts to the meeting. Welcome!
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Topics on September 8th agenda include:
- Catholic Foundation Grant$
- Sacrament of Confirmation
- RE Resource Center/Supplies
- Relationship with Schools and School Teachers
- Youth Ministry (Finding Leaders, Taking Trips)
- Many handouts/resources
- Q & A
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Catechetical Sunday
September 20
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Sunday, September 20 has been set aside by the USCCB as Catechetical Sunday, a time to recognize, affirm and rededicate ourselves to the mission of witnessing the Gospel and handing on the Faith. The USCCB provides these resources:
- Articles
- Podcasts
- Video: "Putting Parents at the Center of Our Ministry Efforts"
- Posters
- Certificates
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(Photo does not represent actual materials)
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Purge/Clean-up at St. Louis Parish
Materials Free to a Good Home
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Kathy Prevost, at St. Louis Parish, Dyckesville, offers a wide variety of books, VHS tapes, and other materials to anyone who might be able to use them.
This is a first-come-first serve proposition and must be answered by the 25th of September. All items must be picked up (no mail or delivery unless arranged).
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For Your Reference
From the Dept. of Health Services
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This reference (NOT an additional Diocesan guideline) might be helpful as you try to navigate all the different possible situations this Fall.
"Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in K-12 Schools" offers a number of provisions including
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- physical distancing
- face coverings
- absence policies
- how to identify cases and close contact among students
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- when to exclude students from in-person sessions
- how to best isolate and quarantine
- effective cleaning practices
- template letters to use in the situation of confirmed cases or close contact.
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Bishop Ricken celebrates an annual Scout Mass during which Scouts are recognized for having earned their Catholic religion emblems during the past year.
This year’s Mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 (4pm) at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. All Scouts and their families are invited, but RSVP's are essential this year, as we will be allowing for safe distancing and other practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
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From Sister Jacqueline. . .
Sr. Jacqueline Spaniola, OSF, formerly the Director of Religious Education here at the Diocese (now serving in the Diocese of Marquette), is offering a 10-session course featuring Jesus: The Way, The Truth & the Life (Ascension) via Zoom. This qualifies as an Ongoing Formation course (catechetical certification). Once course is completed, submit an Ongoing Completion Application to Office of Children & Youth Formation.
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Do You Need/Want the BIBLE Course for FCC credit?
Here's Your Chance!
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BIBLE is the only Foundational Catechetical Certification (FCC) course that we cannot currently make available online as we are not licensed to use the material (Jeff Cavins' Journey Through the Bible) online.
Ascension Press has a new version of the same curriculum with Jeff Cavins' called, Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible, and they are making a free, online 8-week live streamed version of this available starting at 8:00PM Eastern Time on September 16th.
They will be making each session available to view for free on their website for a week before the subsequent live lesson. So participants would have a week to view the lesson at their convenience. And Ascension Press will likely have it available on their Facebook page for even longer. To get the most out of the study they are selling a study guide book that goes along with it, but this is not required in order for you to benefit from the study.
For those of you who still need FCC Bible or have already completed all of your FCC requirements and are looking for ongoing formation, this 8-week study will count. All we would require as proof that you have taken and successfully completed the 8-week study is a 1-page reflection for each week of the study (each reflection paper focusing on what were your top 3 take aways from that session) and that you fill out and return to us our ongoing formation completion form (if you are taking this to count toward your FCC/Ongoing Formation requirements please write "Toward FCC" at the very top of the form). Here is a link for that form.
If you are just interested in taking it for your own personal edification then you do not have to do anything with the form.
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Vocations, Vocations, Vocations!
Issuing a personal invitation
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Fr. Mark Mleziva, Fr. Adam Bradley and Taylor Geiger, of the Diocesan Vocation Office invite you to invite them to your parish to present talks, teachings and panel discussions about vocations.
Their office has also launched a brand new website dedicated to fostering vocations.
One upcoming event to promote is the annual Andrew Dinner on Wednesday, September 23. Use the link at right to learn more!
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Calendar
Upcoming dates you should know about.
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Dates to Keep in Mind:
Sep 1: Office Hour (see article above)
Sep 3: Catechesis & Encounter Session 1 of 5 (see article above)
Sep 7: Labor Day: Diocesan Offices Closed
Sep 8: Nut & Bolts (2 of 4)
Sep 10: Catechesis & Encounter Session 2 of 5
Sep 15: Families & Schools Office Off-site: Bona Hall FSD Office Closed
Sep 17: Catechesis & Encounter Session 3 of 5
Sep 20: Catechetical Sunday (see article above)
Sep 24: Catechesis & Encounter Session 3 of 5
Sep 26: Annual Scout Mass at the Shrine
Oct 8: Hebrews 10:25 at GB Distillery: Wrap-up of Catechesis & Encounter
**FCC and Ongoing Formation schedules are available through www.gbdioc.org/fcc Please contact hosting parish/school to register for a class or get more information about location, parking, etc.
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Catechetical Certification
Discover Jesus: One course per year for steady growth!
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Looking for Something to Do Online?
Links to Online FCC Courses
Need BIBLE? See article above!
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Online courses follow the same lesson plan as classroom sessions and may be used to take the entire course or specific sessions as make-ups. Participants are responsible for submitting completion form. |
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Resources
Studies, media, and materials to help you do what you do.
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Our at-home resource page has been redesigned, and can be found HERE!
it gets updated as new information becomes available.
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Ignatius Press offers (via Great Books Program) an alternative to in-person schooling: Catholic, classical and fully accredited homeschool program for N-12.
Use this link to see NCCL's latest newsletter. As a parish of the Diocese of Green Bay, you share the Diocesan membership to NCCL!
RCL Benziger want users of "Be My Disciples" curriculum to be aware of the additional resources available for that series: online (or print) Family Resource Guide, eAssessments and Activities & Projects.
The Sophia Institute offers a free webinar (scroll to bottom of page) on the use of sacred art in a virtual classroom (17 min). All are welcome, whether you use Spirit of Truth curriculum or not.
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Janet Schaeffler, OP, an Adrian Dominican Sister publishes a monthly newsletter, GEMS, flowing from an ongoing international adult faith formation best practices study. GEMS 121 features resources for this time of year, including resources for Faith Formation Leaders.
If you use Our Sunday Visitor curriculum, check out its online portal for Faith at Home.
UW-Oshkosh (Fr. Zach Weber) offered the students a blessing prayer for the students' dorm rooms, and we've adapted as a Blessing for an RE Classroom.
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Share Your Wisdom!
Have a resource that you've found helpful in training staff or engaging students? Watched a video that deepened your faith and led you closer to Jesus?
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Find us on facebook!
"Diocese of Green Bay RE/YM"
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Families & Schools of Discipleship | Diocese of Green Bay
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