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Dear Pastoral Assistants of Faith Formation and Catechists,
May is the month dedicated to Virgin Mary who is considered a model and teacher of faith.
Here is a summary of elements relevant to our ministry:
As ministers of faith formation, we incorporate these principals in our teaching:
Mary, Model of Faith:
- By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s word and believed the message that she was to become the Mother of God in the obedience of her devotion (cf. Lk 1:38).
- Visiting Elizabeth, she raised her hymn of praise to the Most High for the marvels he worked in those who trust him (cf. Lk 1:46-55).
- With joy and trepidation she gave birth to her only son, keeping her virginity intact (cf. Lk 2:6-7).
- Trusting in Joseph, her husband, she took Jesus to Egypt to save him from Herod’s persecution (cf. Mt 2:13-15).
- With the same faith, she followed the Lord in his preaching and remained with him all the way to Golgotha (cf. Jn 19:25-27).
- By faith, Mary tasted the fruits of Jesus’ resurrection, and treasuring every memory in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19, 51), she passed them on to the Twelve assembled with her in the Upper Room to receive the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14; 2:1-4).
Mary, Teacher of Faith:
- Every aspect of faith in Christian life finds its prototype in Mary: being faithful to God and viewing the circumstances of ordinary life in the light of faith, even in moments of obscurity.
- Our Mother teaches us to be totally open to the divine will “even though it is mysterious, and often does not correspond with their own wishes, and is a sword that pierces their soul, as the elderly Simeon would say prophetically to Mary when Jesus was presented in the Temple (cf. Lk 2:35).”
- Our Lady is the best teacher, for she always had an attitude of trust, of openness, of supernatural outlook, no matter what happened around her. Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Let's celebrate this great devotion and invite our children and families to make Virgin Mary their model and teacher of faith.
Carlos Carrillo
Director of Faith Formation
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NCPD – National Catholic Partnership on Disability
Tips and Tools on Disability: Free Catechist Training
Saturday, June 10 – 9am-3pm PST
Live Online (FREE)
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Classroom Management ~ Music & Movement ~ Social Narratives ~ Multi-Sensory Lesson Planning ~ Social & Emotional Health ~ Sacramental Preparation | |
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PAFF Annual Conference
ParishStaq is a suite of online tools beyond a typical parishioner database. It includes a desktop interface, a giving portal, and two apps: one for parish ministers and another for parishioners. At our gathering on June 8, we will look at features that can help faith formation leaders engage with families through forming groups, scheduling events, and creating forms. Parish ministers who have already implemented ParishStaq at their campuses will share their best practices.
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Confirmation Retreats 2023-2024
This year Faith Formation and Youth Ministry facilitated 5 Confirmation retreats for middle school and high school youth. Over 500 youth and 95 chaperones participated in these fruitful retreats!
| Dates for the 2023-2024 Confirmations retreats will be available soon! Please check here for updated information and we will also send out an email with details. | |
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PAFF Support Meetings
Please see below for the dates for the PAFF Support meetings. Anyone working in Faith Formation can join these meetings to network, share ideas, ask questions or just visit with others working in faith formation. Meetings are at 12:00 noon.
May 9
June 13
JOIN ZOOM MEETING
FAITH FORMATION RESOURCES
ENGLISH & SPANISH
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RCIA/OCIA Support Meetings These meetings provide a setting in which parish staff working in RICA/OCIA can share good practices, ideas to improve current processes, suggestions in how to deal with difficult circumstances, and ideas to celebrate the Rites. Meetings are at 12:00 noon.
May 16
June 9
JOIN ZOOM MEETING
RCIA/OCIA
RESOURCES
ENGLISH & SPANISH
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NCCL Online Conference
- May 17: Catechesis for All Learners
- May 18: New Methods & Approaches for Catechesis Today
A free online conference made possible by the generosity of all those who contributed to NCCL's 2023 Sponsor Campaign.
The May 17 NCCL Online Conference focuses on an inclusive catechesis that engages learners of differing abilities. Register here.
The May 18 NCCL Online Conference focuses on new methods and approaches for catechesis today. Register here.
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Joseph the Worker - May 1 | |
Our Lady of Fatima - May 13 | | |
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Bernadine of Siena - May 20 | |
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Blessed Mary, Mother of the Church (May 29)
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Visitation of the Blessed Mary (May 31) | |
ONLINE RESOURCES PAGE UPDATES | |
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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 May.
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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. | |
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What Is Mystagogy?
The fourth stage of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is called “mystagogy,” from the Greek words meaning “to lead through the mysteries.” Traditionally, mystagogy extends throughout the Easter season until the feast of Pentecost. This is a period of accompaniment for new Catholics as they discover what it means to fully participate in the sacramental mysteries of the Church. Keep Reading...
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A Step-by-Step Guide to Mystagogy
Many of us think of mystagogy as the final period of the catechumenal process, occurring in the 50 days after the Easter Triduum. It is, however, a much broader reality. We need to shift our thinking a bit. Mystagogy is not only for the 50 days, but for all our days. From the very beginning, our encounters with the inquirers and later the catechumens should be mystagogical. Keep Reading...
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Mental Health Awareness Month | |
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PAFF Annual Conference - June 8, 2023 at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center.
Tips and Tools on Disability: Free Catechist Training from NCPD - June 10, 2023 - online via Zoom
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ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE
Office of Faith Formation
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