Catechetical Sunday -- September 20-21, 2014

Theme for 2014:  Teaching God's Gift of Forgiveness


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced a theme for the 2014 Catechetical Sunday celebration.

This theme will be 'Teaching About God’s Gift of Forgiveness' (Enseñando sobre el regalo del perdón de Dios).

To help diocesan and parish catechetical leadership incorporate the Catechetical Sunday theme and art into their planning for September 20-21, background articles and resources for the 2014 Catechetical Sunday in Spanish and English will be posted for public access during April on:

     www.usccb.org

Looking ahead, the Catechetical Sunday theme during September 2015 will be “Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Person."

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ALI 2014 -- Leadership Institute Held on March 21

 

           The annual Archdiocesan Leadership Institute 2014 took place on Friday, March 21, at the Flaget Center in Louisville.

            The topic of this ALI was "Encountering Jesus." The personable and popular keynote presenter was Fr. James Martin, S.J., an editor-at-large for America magazine, author, TV news commentator, and humorist.

           The program began with prayer, then opening comments from Archbishop Joseph Kurtz.

            As he spoke, Fr. Martin focused in particular on content from his newly-published, New York Times bestselling book, published by HarperOne, called Jesus: A Pilgrimage. 

            Over 225 staff members from Catholic parishes and schools, Archdiocesan pastoral departments, and service other agencies took part. Members of the Archdiocesan Office of Lifelong Formation & Education (OLFE) participated throughout the day and helped to host the ALI event at Flaget.

            Since multiple copies of several of Fr. Martin's texts were available for purchase, a feature for many attendees was a book-signing (autograph) reception with the keynoter.

            Here are some additional pictures:

            

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5 Habits of Highly Effective Parishes

How do lively and attractive parishes stir up activity and enthusiasm? Usually, five (5) habits are involved, according to a recent piece in U.S. Catholic monthly!

Kristen Hannum writes about this in the March 2014 issue of  the magazine. She talks with experts who share ingredients that prove to be key parts of a recipe for success.

Father Tom Sweetser, S.J., director of the Milwaukee-based Parish Evaluation Project, offers a wide range of suggestions for shaking up the ordinary in parish life:

      singing a song as a round at Mass;
      sending a thank-you note via the children to get parents’ attention;
      serving cocoa to volunteers after shoveling snow for the homebound;
      sticking a dollar under a front row seat to get people to sit closer for a talk.

“These small, creative gestures are what people remember and get them to show up in the first place, and has them coming back for more,” Fr. Sweetser says. “The best parish practices are the little things that are done with imagination and forethought.”

From the secrets shared by those parishes considered the most lively and effective, five key strategies emerge:

1. Make a good first impression

2. Metrics matter -- Pay attention to details

Keeping track of results is part of understanding whether those little changes are actually doing any good. The good news is that by changing something small, you may be able to see a dramatic result for a minor investment.” Or as Sweetser says, pay attention to the details.

3. Faith formation must be implemented as a family affair

4. Pluck people from the pews

5. Communicate the right message(s)

Read more -- including examples of the five habits of Highly Effective Parishes. Click on the link --

http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201402/five-habits-highly-effective-parishes-28521?utm_source=March+18%2C+2014&utm_campaign=ebulletin+March+18%2C+2014&utm_medium=email#

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NCCL Conference 2014 Announcement

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CATECHETICAL LEADERSHIP

          78th Annual NCCL Conference and Exposition 

Energize, Evangelize, Catechize

                                                          Energizar, Evangelizar, Catequizar


          May 19-24 (2014), in St. Louis MO  (Renaissance Grand Hotel)


          Evangelization major sessions:

          "New Evangelization Leads to Common Sense Catechesis," by Fr. Bob Hater
          "Creating a Culture of Witness for the New Evangelization." by Sr. Theresa Rickard, O.P.
          “Disciples Called to Witness” and
          "A New Evangelization Toolkit: The Catechist’s Role, "by Dr. Peter J. Murphy of USCCB


          Register now via http://www.nccl.us and/or www.nccl.org

          Peek inside the NCCL 2014 Annual Conference plans:


          Monday: Energizing the Church -- Keynote by Sherry Weddell, "Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus"

          PCL Forum: Being and forming better disciples and servant-leaders – Jared Dees, a"31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator"

          Tuesday: Perspectives on the call to evangelize

               Intercultural – Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, Secretariat for Cultural Diversity @ the USCCB

               Technology – Daniella Zsupan-Jerome, Assistant Professor & Distance Learning Systems @
                   Loyola Institute for Ministry in New Orleans

               Young adults – Rev. Paul Marshall, S.M., St. Louis School.


          Wednesday: The Catechumenal Model -- Inspiration for All Catechesis - Mary Birmingham
                and Dorothy Mensah-Aggrey


          Thursday: "Taking Steps Forward, Making Church Matter," by Thomas Corcoran, Co-Author of "Rebuilt" and "Tools for Rebuilding," and Chris Wesley, Director of Student Ministry at Church of the Nativity.

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OLFE's Spring Retreat Day -- Saturday, March 1

SPRING  RETREAT  DAY

Saturday, March 1  (2014)

9:00 AM  to  3:00 PM

Flaget Center  

http://www.archlou.org/flagetcenter/

Retreat Leader:  Art Turner

The theme of this retreat will be

"Living in the Paschal Mystery"

By looking at the life and mission of Jesus Christ,

this retreat will offer participants time to reflect on

God's holy presence in the process of  letting go

Fee:  $25  (includes lunch & hospitality)

Register:  Office of Lifelong Formation & Education,

Attention: Linda McLemore  --  Ph:  502.448.8581

or E-Mail:  LMcLemore@archlou.org