While our 38th Annual Faith Formation Day has been postponed until January 21, 2023...

Our friends out in the West are hosting a virtual Catechetical Conference, Hope, Heal, Renew: Gratefully Rejoicing as the Body of Christ. The (Arch) dioceses of Boise, Fresno, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Monterey, Oakland, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose, and Stockton are teaming up for this third annual virtual conference which will be held November 3 - 5, 2022.  The fee is $25, but there are 3 free events on Thursday, November 3:

On Thursday afternoon the dynamic John Roberto and members of the leadership team for the new National Community of Catechetical Leaders are sponsoring (2) 75 minute sessions.

John Roberto: “Envisioning Diocesan Leadership for Today’s Church” (For all Diocesan Leaders in

Catechetical Ministry)

Dr. Kathie Amidei & Janet Schaeffler, OP: “Parish and Parents: Co-Partners in Faith Growth” (For all

Parish Catechetical Leaders and Catechists)

On Thursday evening, OCP is sponsoring a Family Friendly Concert: “Make Us One In Your Love/Únenos En TuAmor.” An evening with Anna Betancourt & Jaime Cortez

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

Full Brochure

38th Annual DOSA Faith Formation Day

We opted for caution in postponing the 38th Annual Faith Formation Day until January 21. We plan on the same basic line up as well as the same schedule. As the email notifying you of the cancellation mentioned, you will automatically be reregistered for the new date if you registered for October 1. If you are unable to attend on January 21, please contact Colleen Colleen's Email to request a refund.

 We will be accepting new registrations starting in November. We plan to add a workshop or two since we had a few that we had to close as they were full.

Resources for you to be aware of and to take advantage of using:

DOSA Inclusion and Access Document: resources for classroom and for families.

USCCB Policies and Guidelines for Celebrating Sacraments with Those with Disabilities

Application for Scholarship for Certificate in Special Needs Certificate program through our partner, the University of Dayton.

National Catholic Partnership o Disabilities (NCPD) Tons of resources and assistance in alll areas. DOSA is an affiliate diocese.

Xavier Society for the Blind Resources in Braille and Audio. DOSA is an affiliate

The Body and Beyond: Human Sexuality for Young People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from a Catholic Perspective

Two of our partners: NCPD and the McGrath Institute at Notre Dame are collaborating on this free virtual 6 part series. This would be most excellent for all youth workers and the families of those young people who are described above.

Seminar 1: Why Human Sexuality Education Matters for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities & A Catholic Understanding of Human Sexuality. 

Seminar 2: Taking Care of the Gift of Our Bodies: Hygiene

Monday, October 17, 7:30- 9:00 p.m. EST

Seminar 3: Caring About Individuals With IDD = Caring About Quality Sex Ed

Monday, October 24, 7:30- 9:00 p.m. EST

Seminar 4: How God Created Us; Addressing Physiology and Reproduction with IDDs Within a Life-Long, Catholic Framework

Wednesday, November 2, 7:30- 9:00 p.m. EST ​​​​​

Seminar 5: God’s Plan for Us: Relationships

Wednesday, November 9, 7:30- 9:00 p.m. EST

Seminar 6: God’s Care for Us: Ensuring Safety and Protection

Wednesday, November 16, 7:30- 9:00 EST

Link for more info and to register   Each seminar is limited to 30 participants.

The national Eucharistic Revival Committee has published a "Leaders' Guide" for the Revival. It has practical suggestions for parish leadership. It is currently available in English but will be available Spanish. I provide it the link here and it will be posted to the diocesan Eucharistic Revival   Diocesan Page   

Please note that there are still issues with our diocesan page.

Leader's Guide (English)

Synodal Process Updates /Continental Phase

 The USCCB has published The National Synthesis of the People of God in the United States of America. The synthesis marks the completion of the Diocesan Phase of the 2021-2023 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. On the link below, you can find this synthesis in English and Spanish. If you are curious to read about our regional report (we are Region XIV), there is a link for you to be able to do that as well.

 Synod 2021-2023 | USCCB

Talking Points National Synthesis

Highlights U.S. Synod

Synod Next Steps

For ourselves, the process of implementation of best practices will begin this fall.

Adult Confirmation

Bishop Pohlmeier will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on adults on wo occasions this year:

Saturday, January 25 at the 5:00 pm Mass at St. Madeleine in High Springs 

Sunday, May 25 at a 2:00 pm Mass in the Cathedral Basilica.

These two celebrations are for adults, those 18 and up, who have been baptized Catholic and have received Holy Communion. 

A member of the parish staff needs to complete the registration form, verifying the information provided, and ascertain the readiness of candidates.

Registration Form (due 6 weeks prior to celebration)

A.C. Checklist for Parishes

Sponsor suitability (English)

Sponsor suitability (Spanish)

FDLC Series on the OCIA

This twenty-part series enters its third session this week.  They are making tapes of the sessions available after the sessions. So far, nothing has been a surprise. The estimated timeframe is still in early 2023 for the promulgation, but that is still a guess. After this free series, they plan to put together kits for each diocese for local training and to also offer regional trainings.  

Session IV Canonical Issues with Very Rev. Michael J. Ibach, JCL Nothing new here. Please refer to our documents rather than the ones listed on various slides from other dioceses.

Session V Discernment in the Process of Christian Initiation  Fr. Tom Ranzino and Sr. Donna Steffen, S.C.

Some practical tips

As parishes re-focus after a long summer, they can generate a lot of spiritual growth through the idea of discipleship. Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C, and Fr. Frank DeSiano, CSP, provide a way to think about and exercise discipleship today. Using the evangelization document, Living as Missionary Disciples, they look at ways in which Catholics carry out discipleship and ways in which we can grow as disciples. This will be followed by a presentation of new resources for discipleship from the Catholic Apostolate Center and Paulist Evangelization Ministries. 

Go to this webinar

Ave Maria Press Professional Webinars

Our Faithful Departed: Loving Them After Death

Tue, Oct 11, 2022 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

When someone we love dies, it’s difficult to look beyond our grief to understand that they are still with us. Yet in the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium, the Church the teaches that union between the living and the dead is “in no way interrupted” for those who abide in Christ.

In this webinar, University of Notre Dame theologian Leonard J. DeLorenzo will discuss what the Catholic Church teaches about death, heaven, and the communion of the living and the dead. He will guide us to help those we minister to live the truth that we are still in communion with our faithful departed

Go to this webinar

Faith-Sharing Groups: A Solution to Combat Loneliness and Isolation

Tue, Oct 25, 2022 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

The last two years of the Covid crisis revealed a pandemic of loneliness. More than ever people are isolated from one another. As a Church, we are well positioned to solve this problem. We are all about connecting people and creating healthy communities. Small faith-sharing groups especially alleviate loneliness, create healthy community in a parish, and are vital for people to grow in relationship with Christ.

In this webinar, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran, bestselling authors of Rebuilt, will guide you to know the purpose behind small groups, receive a few key tips to get groups started, and discover how to grow groups in your parish.

Go to this webinar

Catechist Stream | Best Practices for Catechizing Diverse Learners

Presented by Steve Botsford & Deacon Matt Halbach

October 7, 2022 at 10 a.m. EDT

Do you have questions about catechizing diverse learners (e.g., Autism, ADHD) in your school or parish? Join this live episode of Catechist Stream to have them answered and receive a certificate.

Steve and Deacon Matt talk with special guest Charleen Katra, Executive Director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, about:

• The importance of including our brothers and sisters with diverse learning needs
• How to incorporate and value them in the life of the Church
• Best practices when catechizing diverse learners

Go to Webinar

Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Millennial Saint with a Eucharistic Heart

Presented by Deacon Matt Halbach

October 4, 2022 at 4 p.m. EDT

Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be declared “Blessed,” was a Catholic teen with a talent for computer programming and a love of the Eucharist. Join us for a LIVE webinar to learn more about him and receive a certificate!

Deacon Matt Halbach will examine Carlo’s life, which according to Pope Francis, served as a model showing young people that true happiness is found when one puts God first. Find out:

• Why Carlo loved the Eucharist so much
• What he did with his love of the Eucharist
• How to seethe internet as a missionary field
• How Carlo’s life is a message of hope for parents and children who may struggle with their faith
• Different practical ways to foster devotion to the Eucharist
• About other Saints devoted to the Eucharist

Go to this webinar