Minutes from Pennsylvania Conference of Catechetical .... … · Web viewHost Diocese of...

Minutes from Pennsylvania Conference of Catechetical Leadership Meeting 2014 September 9 & 10

Members in Attendance:Ms. Alexandria M. Cirko (Alex), Diocese of Allentown; Mrs. Francine Swope, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Sr. Elizabeth Oettel, O.S.B. and Mrs. Kathy Higgins, Diocese of Erie; Mr. Christopher Chapman and Mrs. Judy Kirk, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Mr. Robert Sherwin and Mr. Greg Petrucci, Diocese of Greensburg; and Mrs. Ann Menna – Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Host Diocese: PhiladelphiaMeeting took place at the Holiday Inn Express, Williamsburg Room, State College, PA

1. Tuesday, 2014 September 9+ Host Diocese of Philadelphia provided Opening Prayer and presentation by

Reverend John J. Ames, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, on “Learning by Divine Design.” A medal with a relic of St. John Neumann was given to each member.

+ Minutes from 2014 May 1 and 2 were read and approved with following revisions:

Allentown: Change first line from “in” to “next” October Erie: Change fifth bullet/first line from “was” to “will” Minutes were approved with changes Francine Swope and seconded

by Kathy Higgins.+ Committee unanimously decided that:

the (written)Diocesan Report is the official record for the minutes fifteen minutes is allotted and timed for each Diocese to give oral

highlights from the Diocesan Report the “scribe” from the hosting diocese need only to record in the

official record that Diocesan Reports were minutes bullets of the report be submitted.

+ Dioceses (if possible) should send an electronic copy of report to the hosting diocese for the official record.

N.B.: Diocesan reports are included and follow minutes from Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

+ Diocesan Reports: Diocese of Allentown, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Johnston-Altoona, Pittsburgh and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia shared highlights and/or all points of their Diocesan reports.

+ Session ended with prayer and grace before meals.

2. Wednesday, 2014 September 10+ Session opened with Prayer.+ Diocesan Reports continued with Pittsburgh and Erie sharing highlights from

their support. + World Meeting of Families: A conference call with Dr. Mary Beth Yount,

Director of Programming and Content, WMOF, gave an opportunity for a power point presentation re: the upcoming Congress and “anticipated” Papal visit. WMOF also provided a package of materials for each diocese.

+ NCCL Minutes: Chris noted that they were sent to all members.

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+ USCCB Report: Peter Murphy, USCCB, was unable to connect by phone due to Bishops’ Meeting in D.C. See his report attached. Chris highlighted the Leadership Institute as a way to form parish catechetical leaders.

+ Members discussed NCCL’s recent initiative with Diocesan directors and the promotion of NCCL membership at the parish level. The consensus was that most of NCCL materials, events and resources are above the average Director/Coordinator of Faith Formation. Also, cost of membership is a concern. PCCL members do appreciate NCCL and their efforts to enlighten Bishops re: the changing landscape and challenges of Religious Education at both the Diocesan and parish levels.

+ Chris Chapman reminded all that 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Nostra Aetate document, written during Vatican II, which dramatically impacted Jewish-Catholic relations. The document calls for a sense of friendship and collaboration in biblical and theological enquiry. PAJC and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will be hosting a series of events celebrating this ground-breaking document in 2015. We will invite you and your students to join us. Chris will share the lesson plan with PCCL.

+ The final discussion concerned the incorporation of Evangelization/Directors as part of the NCCL. Four of the eight diocese have a Director and/or Office of Evangelization. Greg is the only Director who presently attends meetings. Should others be invited? How would agenda address all needs? Consensus was to table topic for 2015 Spring Meeting. Diocesan directors with Evangelization personnel were asked to survey these directors re: NCCL membership and attendance at PCCL meetings. They will bring back information to the Spring Meeting.

+ The meeting adjourned with the World Meeting of Family prayer.

Dates for next Fall Meeting: 2015 October 1 and 2

Respectfully submitted by: Ann Menna

DIOCESE OF ALTOONA-JOHNSTON

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CAMP TIMOTHY AND CAMP ZACCHAEUSOur diocesan summer camps, Camp Timothy (grades 10-12 and newly graduated seniors) and Camp Zacchaeus, (grades 4-9) were a great success again this year. Probably one of the best yet! When I chose our theme for this year, I was thinking about Pope Francis and all the messages he has been sharing with us about what we are truly called to do and to be as Catholics. I felt we should “break open” the Catholic Social Teachings of the Church and make them “youth friendly.” I think we spend more time with talking about these to adults and not so much to children/youth. Our theme was well received by both camps. The kids just seemed to absorb everything we presented to them. The older kids (Camp Timothy) really embraced the seven teachings and even wrote them in their own words with examples of how they could be living them out themselves. The younger kids were also very receptive. We know they have all at least heard this information, but they seem to view it in a different way when presented at their levels. Even my counselors and staff seemed to really learn more about the teachings as we presented it to the campers. They were grateful for the “new view” of the teachings and how they pertain to their lives. And also to be noted - Camp Timothy topped its 25 minimum enrollment with 31 enrolling and two on a waiting list. Maybe two weeks will be in our future!

FAITH DAY AT DELGROSSO’SOur second year of holding Faith Day at DelGrosso Park was a great success. It was wonderful to have people (and families) come up and thank us for providing this faith-filled opportunity. We again began the day with Liturgy with Bishop Mark, a diocesan picnic, and the opportunity to just spend time together at the park having fun and celebrating our faith.

CATECHIST FORMATIONSummer was a time to update and check our catechist/teacher records. I had a volunteer come in and help sort through records and update computer files. I am still working toward the goal of all catechists having a minimum of Basic. This has been an uphill battle so far, but a lot of the parishes are getting on board and helping get their catechists to sign up and attend. It is always interesting that once they do Basic Catechist, it feeds that hunger for knowledge they didn’t even know they had, and makes them want to do more.

REGIONAL CONFIRMATION RETREATSWith our Confirmation revisions being fully implemented in the parishes, the need for regional retreats came as a necessity. Last year we offered 6 different retreats around the diocese to meet this need. They proved to be huge success and well received. This year we will again be offering regional retreats. We will be offering one retreat during the school day to use religious release time. It is our hope that we can begin to use this time address the issue of how busy teens are with jobs and other activities and are unable to make some of our retreats and sessions.

SPECIAL NEEDS/AUTISM WORKSHOP

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In an effort to assist our parish programs in better serving children and youth with special needs such as Autism, intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities, we will be offering them a workshop. The workshop entitled: How to Welcome, Include, and Catechize Children with Autism and Other Special Needs: A Parish-Based Approach will be offered in two sessions for participants to choose from. On November 7 in the afternoon from 12:30-3:00 PM and on November 8 in the morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The facilitator is Deacon Larry Sutton, Ph.D., from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Deacon Sutton is a Psychologist, Catechist, Author, and Director of Pre-Theology Formation at St. Vincent Seminary.

DRE 101This year we have a large number of new DRE’s in our parishes beginning this fall. With so many new, untrained people coming on board I thought we should bring these people together and give them a workshop on basic things that a DRE should know and should be doing. It is scheduled for various dates and times in October to meet the needs of all the participants.

SHYCON 2014Our diocesan senior high conference (SHYCON) is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, at St. Francis University in Loretto. Back by popular demand, our keynote for this year is Steve Angrisano. The day consists of two keynotes by Steve, games and activities, lunch and ends with Mass with Bishop Mark as the celebrant. Last year we had almost 900 in attendance and are hoping to top the 1,000 mark this year!

SPIRTUAL DAY FOR THOSE WORKING WITH YOUTHIn the Spring of 2015 we will be offering a spiritual reflection days for people who are working with children and youth in our programs. Bishop Mark and I had a discussion about the fact that some people feel they are not “worthy” or “good enough” to be working with children and youth – either as chaperones or as groups discussion leaders for our sessions. They did not feel they were always “holy enough”. We decided it would be a good idea to offer a spiritual enrichment day to give them some confidence for working in our programs. More information to follow.

DIOCESE OF ERIE

Continuing Education/Formation Opportunities – 2014 & 2015The focus for this year’s Education/Formation opportunities is Catechesis and Liturgy.In response to the growing concern on the part of Religious Education Leaders about parents’ lack of participation in Liturgy, the November 13, 2014, Continuing Education Day will focus on Engaging Children and their Families in Liturgy. Our presenter will be Celine Mitchell, Director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and past Director of Family Faith Formation at St. Fidelis Parish, Butler, PA. Celine will give the presentation at St. Mark Center in Erie and it will be webcast to several locations throughout the diocese.

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The topic for this year’s Diocesan Study Week in January, 2015, will be Emerging Models of Parish Clusters. The presenter will be Mark Mogilka, Diocese of Green Bay, WI. Bishop Persico is beginning a process for Pastoral Planning in the diocese and our Clergy Continuing Education Committee believes this topic will be helpful.

In March, 2015, Sr. Sandra DeMasi, SSJ will offer a Spiritual Formation Day focused on The Spiritual Essence Linking Catechesis with Liturgy. The presentation will be offered in three locations in the diocese. Sr. Sandra is a Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, PA. She is Director of Liturgy and Worship at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Short Hills, NJ.

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council and, therefore, the beginning of its implementation, the topic for the Retreat for Religious Education Leaders in June, 2015, will be The Spirituality of Vatican II; What is Vatican II Calling Us To? Our retreat leader will be Edward P. Hahnenberg, PhD, Bern Chair in Systematic Theology at John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH.

Vicariate/Deanery Meetings for Religious Education LeadersWe will continue our focus on Catechesis and Liturgy at vicariate and deanery meetings.Plans include:

+ Discussion of the article, Catechesis and Liturgy: Harmony or Fragmentation? (USCCB, 2009);

+ Reviewing religious education planning calendars to determine how the liturgical year will be incorporated into the calendar;

+ Developing plans to help religious education leaders prepare their students for liturgical feasts such as Epiphany and Easter;

+ Providing an experience of various forms of prayer at vicariate and deanery meetings;

The Silo’am Project – Standards-based Certification Process for Religious Education LeadersRevision of the Silo’am curriculum has been completed, in order to bring it in line with the Revised Certification Standards for Lay Ministry. Also, learning from the experience of the Leaders participating in “Silo’am”, we have established a Foundation Curriculum for all participants: Introduction to Scripture, University of Dayton, Introduction to the Catholic Faith, University of Notre Dame, and Theological Reflection, University of Dayton. A Diocesan Workshop, Balancing Life and Ministry is also part of the Foundation Curriculum. This workshop was offered in June and will be offered again in October to all Religious Education Leaders.

Small Christian CommunitiesThe celebration of the 25th anniversary of Small Christian Communities in the diocese culminated with a Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Persico at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie on August 9 with attendance of over 15 parishes who have been participating in small Christian Communities throughout the years.

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One of the parishes who has had Small Christian Communities for 25 years produced a DVD sharing some of their experiences. Copies of the DVD will be put in the diocesan media resource library and will be used to promote Small Christian Communities. Articles by people involved in Small Christian Communities will be published in the diocesan magazine, Faith.

National Conference Publicized for Leaders:Emphasizing the professional role of our Religious Education Leaders, we will be publicizing the 2015 NCCL Conference which will be held in Buffalo, NY. We are hoping that a number of Leaders will be able to attend because Buffalo is within driving distance for most of our diocese,

New Policy for Small Religious Education ProgramsBishop Persico has instituted a new Religious Education Policy for parishes with small religious education programs. Programs which have fewer than six students in at least nine of the grades must consider either combining with a neighboring program or investigating alternative models of formation. The Religious Education Department staff is researching models such as Whole Community Catechesis, Family-centered programs using a basal textbook series, and Liturgical Catechesis. Descriptions of these models and a suggested process for transitioning from a classroom model to an alternative model will be presented to Religious Education Leaders within the next few months. The policy does not go into effect until September, 2015, giving parishes time to review options and put plans in place.

TechnologyWe continue to update our Department of Religious Education webpage in order to make more and more resources available online for Leaders. The Religious Education Handbook, Religious Education Policies, Downloadable forms needed for student and catechist files are all online.

Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry:Totus Tuus (Totally Yours):Begun in the spring, there are now two (2) sites in Erie and in the Shenango Valley for the Academy – a monthly gathering of 8 months beginning in the fall, for teenagers who are interested in learning more about their Catholic faith and sharing that faith with others. The other parts of the program are Discipleship Retreats for Girls & Guys, a week long summer Camp Totus Tuus experience for middle school and high school students and Discipleship hikes. This takes the place of the annual high school youth rally.

Middle school Youth Rally: “Keep Calm and Catholic On”The rally is scheduled at Our Lady of Peace School, Erie, on Sunday, October 26, 2014. The main presenter is national speaker, singer, song writer, and novelist, Bob Rice.

Pastoral PlanBishop Persico has appointed a committee to begin a pastoral planning process for the diocese. Their work is in its beginning stages - forming task forces and gathering

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http://www.bob-rice.com/


information. The focus of the task forces will include Parish Life, Catholic Schools and Religious Education, Vocations, Ministries and Adult Faith Formation. Bishop Persico anticipates that the process might take as long as two years but is confident that it will provide a positive direction to assist him in planning for our future.

DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG

Evangelization and Faith Formation ConferenceOur 6th Annual Evangelization and Faith Formation Conference is scheduled for Saturday, October 4 at Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville. We expect a crowd of 250-300 people. Registration is open until September 24. Rich Curran, founder of Parish Success Group is the keynote speaker. He will follow-up on last year’s keynote from Cardinal Wuerl on the new Evangelization, with his own keynote on Baptized to Evangelize. In his keynote he will look at the new mission field, becoming evangelists, and taking it to our parishes and classrooms. We have 17 workshops scheduled including three of which that will serve as parts one and two of a catechist certification course. Additionally, Rich Curran will be leading a workshop Less Talk, More Action on practical evangelization. Joy of the GospelWe started a new lecture series this past January for Young Adults and Adults in which we took elements from Theology on Tap and our successful lecture series for the Year of St. Paul and the Year of Faith. The evening begins with a wine and cheese reception, followed by a lecture, and concludes with questions and answers and a closing prayer. Young adults are then invited to a local establishment to further discuss the presentation. In the winter and spring we hosted the series in the northern and southern ends of the diocese, as well as Greensburg proper. This fall we are expanding the series to Indiana, a college town; and the Mon Valley region of the diocese.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Some events completed or coming up include:

+ Trip to Cedar Point – June 25 – over 60 in attendance+ Youth Honors and Recognition Mass – July 13- 12 young people given Youth

Honors and over 60 young people recognized by the Bishop.+ Fall Middle School Faith Night – October 18 – Geibel Jr/Sr High School, Connellsville,

PA+ NET Retreats – December 2-10 – Various locations+ Mass and Rally for Life – January 21-22 – Arlington, VA

USCCB Review of Girl Scouts of the USAThis past weekend the diocesan scouting chaplains and Catholic committee on scouting members from dioceses in Region 3 met in Carlisle, PA. Apparently they discussed the USCCB’s review of Girl Scouts, their funding and educational issues, the NFCYM’s memorandum of understanding, and the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania. After their

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discussion they are asking for the possibility of a common memorandum of understanding that can be used with Girl Scout Troops sponsored by Catholic entities in the four western dioceses. Bob will be meeting with the Chaplain, Vicar General, and Director of Youth Ministry for more details. Update will be provided in the spring.

Meetings with Leaders in Evangelization and Faith Formation+ We are changing the way in which we meet with our leaders. In the past we met

twice a year on the Deanery level. We also offered a Day of Reflection and a Spring Gathering for a review of the year and in-servicing. We also conducted special in-service meetings whenever we updated policy or curriculum. Last spring we held a special day of prayer during Easter. The leaders loved this style of meeting and asked that the office pursue meetings and times out of the office that would provide times for spiritual enrichment as well as business. This year we are looking at a new style of meeting with our leaders:+ 1 business meeting to take place in the fall in regional areas, not deaneries. + A Day of Reflection to introduce the need for leaders to enrich their spiritual

life, and to provide the leaders with a spiritual partner.+ A pre-Lent day of prayer+ A pre-Pentecost day of prayer+ Special in-service meetings for policy or curriculum changes

Faith Formation Leadership CommitteeWe are also looking at the way in which we conduct business with our Faith formation Leadership Committee. Over the years the committee has become stagnant, and has become more of a reporting committee, in which the staff updates the committee, as opposed to a working committee. According to the diocesan charge and the National Directory for Catechesis the diocesan catechetical commission is to develop policy, set catechetical priorities and goals, and suggest programs and activities. We will be proposing a restructuring to our FFLC, in which they will be divided into working subcommittees and the overall committee will advise the subcommittees on their work possibly on a quarterly basis. The proposal will be discussed with the full committee at their next meeting on October 14.

Evangelization+ Work continues in approximately a third of the parishes in the Diocese to establish

evangelization efforts based on the Diocesan Vision for Evangelization which was established in Spring of 2013. Various approaches are being taken by these parishes which are based on their size, the history and character of the parish and the resources (both financial and in terms of man power) that are available to them.

+ Six parishes in the Diocese are engaging or are in the preparatory stages of engaging in the ChristLife process. All these parishes have participated in the training piece for the first segment of the process which is entitled Discovering

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Christ. Training for the second and third segments of the process (Following Christ and Sharing Christ) is scheduled to occur in the Diocese in mid-November.

+ The Diocese was involved in the Three Rivers Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham. Approximately ten parishes throughout the Diocese had teams trained which allowed these parishes to serve as “places of welcome” for anyone who came forth at the prayer calls at each of the three nights of the Festival, indicated that their denomination was Catholic and they resided in one of the four counties of the Diocese. We had a total of 15 inquirers identified. All of these individuals where contacted by team members from the closest “place of Welcome”. Nine of the 15 were age 30 and younger.

+ During the Autumn and early Winter we will begin to offer an in service in parishes which will assist people to gain confidence in sharing their faith story. This 4 hour in-service offered either in an afternoon or on two separate evenings will focus on helping individuals to become comfortable in express their faith with family members, co-workers, friends, and others. This is a process where people can learn to listen to the person in front of them, to find “points of contact” between the other’s story and our own, to discern when the time is right to share, and then to clearly and concisely share the difference that Jesus and the Church have made in their life.

+ Bishop Brandt has made the decision that the Pastoral Center staff will go through a spiritual renewal process. The preliminary meeting for establishing the way in which this process will unfold – first for senior staff members and then for all the employees of the Pastoral Center -- will be held on October 9th.

DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG

New Bishop – The Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, D.D.On March 19, 2014, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Bishop Ronald W. Gainer was installed as the 11th Bishop of Harrisburg. Bishop Gainer had been the Ordinary of the Diocese of Lexington for 11 years prior to being named Bishop of Harrisburg after the sudden death of Bishop Joseph P. McFadden.In his opening press conference, when asked his priorities, the first three he mentioned were:

+ Catholic Schools+ Formation of Teachers and Catechists+ Catholic Social Teaching (and he emphasized prison ministry)

It is no exaggeration to say that the people of the Diocese of Harrisburg feel very blessed to have had Bishop Gainer appointed here. Our diocese has been blessed by good shepherds of our local Church.

Student Enrollment

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After declining numbers of students entering our Catholic schools and religious education programs in recent years, we have had a leveling off and are hopeful for a slight increase this year.

The Diocesan Institute The Institute, directed by Ryan Bolster, is now offering many classes via webinar.This is allowing many people throughout the Diocese of Harrisburg to take classes in their homes.

Catholic Faith BeeOn March 25, 2014, the Religious Education Office had the diocesan finals of our first-ever diocesan- wide Catholic Faith Bee. Fifty-four of our 89 parishes were represented. It was open to Catholic school students, parish religious education students, and homeschooled students and was for students in grades seven and eight. There were three levels: the local written level, from which the top 10 scorers advanced to the parish oral bee. Each parish winner represented his/her parish at the Diocesan Finals.The Diocesan Bee took three hours. Bishop Gainer was present to welcome the students and their families and teachers (250 family members and teachers came). All Diocesan finalists received certificates of achievement. The top three place-winners each received a Crucifix and a cash prize.

Art of the Faith ContestThe Religious Education Office sponsored our second consecutive Catholic Schools Art of the Faith Contest. There are two divisions (grades 7-9) and (grades 10-12). The top art works, as judged at the local feeder schools and then at the seven high schools, moved on to the diocesan level. All diocesan finalists received a certificate of achievement. The top three winners in the two age levels receive a cash prize, a religious award, and publicity in the diocesan newspaper and website.

Pennsylvania Pro-Life Essay and Oratory ContestWe had the top two state-wide finishers in the junior division of the essay contest from our diocesan schools in the junior division – a 7 th grader and an 8th grader from Holy Name of Jesus School. There were about 350 entries state-wide.

Diocesan Men’s Conference at Bishop McDevitt High School The Religious Education Office sponsored our 3rd Diocesan Men’s Conference on May 10, 2014. We had about 600 participants. Bishop Gainer was present for the entire day, celebrated Mass, and heard Confessions along with about a dozen priests. Dr. Ralph Martin keynoted and gave a workshop presentation. We also had two workshop presentations, one with 13 workshops and the second with 10 workshops. The day also included Eucharistic Adoration. The theme was: Men Involved in Spiritual Combat. This year Bishop Gainer will keynote the Men’s Conference on March 21, 2015. It will again have the same basic structure, but different workshops and a number of different speakers (and a few of the same). It will now be an annual event.

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Diocesan C/DRE Convocation – August 20, 2014We had about 54 C/DREs present from our 89 parishes. We began with Morning Prayer, had a talk from Fr. Joshua Brommer, head of the Liturgy Office for the Diocese speak on Bishop Gainer’s expectations for Confirmation, a C/DRE networking session, a rapid-fire round with six experienced C/DREs leading groups of eight C/DREs on six different topics for 10 minutes each and providing each with a written resource (topics included: chastity formation program, catechetical resources on the internet, “Bible Drill”, symbols of the Church, etc.). Following lunch, we had Micaiah Bilger (Education Director of the PA Pro-Life Federation) speak on Life Issues in the afternoon. We concluded with Mass.

Diocesan Education / Catholic Schools Conference at Bishop McDevitt High SchoolThis conference will be on September 17, 2014 at Bishop McDevitt High School. Our 900 teachers and administrators in attendance. Theme is:And God said, Let there be Light: Exploring the Wonders of CreationBishop Gainer is the Principal Celebrant of MassMany workshops on various topics

Diocesan Homeschooling Mass – October 11, 2014 at the Diocesan Center – Bishop Gainer will be the Celebrant. We will follow with a punch and cookies reception.

Diocesan Catechetical Conference – November 15, 2015At or Diocesan Center – Expecting 400-500 catechistsMass celebrated by Bishop GainerKeynote Speaker is Patrick Coffin of Catholic Answers Live in San Diego. He’ll speak on The Catechist as Witness. There will be four workshop sessions with a total of 32 workshops – A good number on marriage and family life.

2-Day Catechetics Seminar at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MDThis is the fourth consecutive year I have taught this. This year, there were 37 First Theology students in the seminar from a number of different dioceses and archdioceses. There are three main objectives – To provide an overview of the NDC (first day), providing good catechetical resources, giving practical tips for planning catechetical lessons, organization, and management (second day). The seminar is 10 hours total and is to help the seminarians for their PFEs (Pastoral Field Education) which for the First Theology seminarians is all in catechesis in either Catholic schools or parish religious education.

“Coffee & Catholicism Weekly 5-Minute Radio ProgramWe are continuing with a weekly Five Minute Radio Show “Coffee and Catholicism”. We discuss various catechetical topics, often according to current events or the liturgical year. It is aired at 7:45 am and 8:15 am each Friday on Holy Family Radio, Harrisburg and on Mondays on about 10 public radio stations throughout the mid-state on “Catholic Perspectives.”

+ OSV Pamphlet – Top Ten List for Outstanding Catechesis has been out for a month or two.

+ Writing various articles for Diocesan Newspaper and a few other publications.

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+ Teaching a number of workshops+ Lots of other projects like all of us, but that is enough for now.

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

The Eighth World Meeting of the Families will be held in Philadelphia from September 22-27, 2015. The preparatory catechesis from Grades 1-12 has been released. An icon of the Holy Family was blessed and distributed to families during the 6:30PM Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on September 7, 2014.

Office for Catechetical FormationReverend John J. Ames, STD, was appointed as Parochial Vicar, St. Matthew Parish, Conshocken, after serving as Deputy Secretary for nine years.

The Archbishop’s Day for Teachers and Administrators: Planning continues for this event at the PA Convention Center on October 31, 2014. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will open the day with a Liturgy of the Word. Chris Mominey, Secretary, Catholic Education will address the 3500 Catholic School administrators and faculty members (Early, Elementary, Secondary and Special Education) who will be in attendance. Father Robert J. Spitzer, Magis Center, will give two presentations on “Science, Reason and Mystery.” Elementary teachers will receive an elective or annual update credit for Catechetical Certification.

Elementary Education/Staff Development:+ The Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education will study the Joy of the

Gospel and discuss at monthly meetings. + Theological Update (June 16, 2014)

o Reverend Matthew Guckin presented on the topic of “Sacrament of Reconciliation” at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Approximately 90 school teachers and catechists were in attendance.

+ Orientation Day for New Elementary School Teachers was held on August 19, 2014. Approximately 180 new teachers were in attendance for this day which focuses on The Catholic Teacher as Catechist.

+ Orientation Days for New Directors, Coordinators, and Administrators of Religious Education (August 20-21, 2014)

o The Office for Catechetical Formation conducted a two days of orientation for fifteen new Directors, Coordinators, and Administrators of Religious Education. Presentations included the Vocation of Catechist; an overview of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults; the Sacraments of Initiation; Children with Disabilities; Archdiocesan Guidelines and Policies; Legal Matters, and Safe Environment.

+ Mass for Religious Education (January 10, 2015) 1Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will celebrate the Mass for Parish Religious Education at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Immediately after Mass, Archbishop Chaput distributed the annual Religious

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Education awards to approximately two hundred and fifteen catechists and four Directors of Religious Education. The Paul VI Award which is the highest honor for catechesis on a national or international level will be presented to Archbishop Chaput.

+ 1Catechetical Certification: The Office for Catechetical Formation released a new core credit DVD, Lumen Gentium Part I with Father Joseph Shenosky, Vice-Rector, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

+ The Catechist Convocation of the Catechetical Forum was held on March 1, 2014 at Archbishop Carroll High School, Radnor. The theme, “Open the Door To Faith”, had a strong Marian Theme. Eight hundred Catholic Elementary school teachers and catechists attended. Reverend John J. Ames, Deputy Secretary, Office for Catechetical Formation, was the main celebrant and homilist. The format included thirty presenters, three of whom presented in Spanish. Catechists earned one elective or annual update credit towards catechetical certification.

Secondary Religious Education+ New Administrators Orientation Day: A presentation was given on Catholic Identity

to all new administrators. + New USCCB Curriculum Framework: The new curriculum is now implemented in all

fouro years. We have selected the courses on church history and vocations for the

senior curriculum. + Theology of the Body: Is being implemented into the freshman curriculum this year.

Integration within the curriculum for the other three years will follow. The Theology Curriculum Committee will continue to write lesson plans in conjunction with Theology of the Body for Teens text, Ascension Press.

ARCHDIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH

Chris’s Report+ A “superboard” has been formed to oversee the individual boards of the 12 Catholic

High Schools. This board is meant to help the schools coordinate their efforts toward the common good of Catholic education. Several Ex Officio members including the Bishop will be joined by representatives of the other schools. They will meet quarterly.

+ We continue to use the ACRE exams to help track the developmental trajectory of students in our Catholic high schools. Once again I have focused on 5 affective questions ranging from questions about Jesus and the Faith to how these are applied to practical cultural questions. The answers to these questions give us a broad picture of students ‘moving away” from Christ, toward Him, or staying somewhat the same during the 4 years at each school. We hope this data will help each school assess their situation and look to see how they can improve or continue doing what they are doing.

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+ Dr. Michele Therrien has instituted Tuesday lunch discussions for the entire staff. We are currently reading through and discussing Bishop’s Zubik’s pastoral letter on “Evangelization”.

+ A new high school has opened that will focus more on work/career preparation than on college. Holy Family Academy will be situated on the campus of Holy Family Institute.

+ C/JEEP (Catholic/Jewish Education Enrichment Program)—Lesson plan included; follows Diocesan Reports.

+ Judy’s Report: + We have a new Secretary for Evangelization and Catholic Education—Dr. Michel

Therrien, a moral theologian and national speaker. Dr. Therrien has been meeting with us as a group and individually to get a “feel” for religious education in the diocese of Pittsburgh.

+ Bishop Zubik recently issued his 4th pastoral letter to the Church of Pittsburgh, The Church Evangelizing”. The bishop’s vision for our diocese is one of discipleship, mission, and salvation. The diocesan staff was in-serviced in the “New Evangelization” at our annual September retreat—Dr. Therrien was the keynote speaker. The plan is to move forward using the bishop’s new pastoral letter to in-service priests, religious, lay ecclesial ministers and all parish personnel.

+ On Sunday, September 14th we will have our first Lay Ecclesial Ministry Commissioning at St. Paul Cathedral during a special 2:00 p.m. Mass with Bishop Zubik.

+ Chris & I were asked by our former “boss” Fr. Kris Stubna to serve on a committee regarding the 500 years of Martin Luther and the Lutheran Church. The event is to take place in 2016. Future endeavors will include a synopsis of the text from “Conflict to Communion,” a document written by Catholic Bishop, Karlheinz Diez, Auxiliary Bishop of Fulda and Lutheran Bishop Eero Huovinen, Bishop Emeritus of Helsinki; ongoing dialogue between Catholic parishes and Lutheran parishes in the same neighborhoods; and ongoing education through catechetical materials.

DIOCESE OF SCRANTON

50th Anniversary of Nostra Aetate C-JEEP Celebration

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2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Nostra Aetate document, written during Vatican II, which dramatically impacted Jewish-Catholic relations. The document calls for a sense of friendship and collaboration in biblical and theological enquiry.

PAJC and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will be hosting a series of events celebrating this ground-breaking document in 2015. We will invite you and your students to join us.

We ask that you take the time in your classes to inform students about the historic importance of Nostra Aetate and how they can carry out its invitation to better understand each other’s faiths and engage in friendly dialogue. This year, C-JEEP is including in its curriculum at least one Nostra Aetate session. Each point person should prepare a lesson prior to the rabbi’s visit to inform students about the importance of the document in regards to Catholic theology. Below are some suggestions and discussion questions for both Rabbis and Catholic educators to address during the Nostra Aetate sessions.

POINT PERSON PREP LESSON: Introduce mission of C-JEEP and share some biographical information about your

Rabbio C-JEEP exists to promote the principles of respect and mutual understanding,

build friendships, increase knowledge and combat anti-Semitism. Introduce the 50th Anniversary of Nostra Aetate

o 2015 marks 50 years since the historic document was written;o Importance of Vatican II; why was it held & what was it in response to;o What is Nostra Aetate? Why was it needed? How has it been important to

the Church moving forward? o How did Nostra Aetate respond to the events of the time? The document was

drafted 20 years after WW II—how did this affect its creation? Theology and historical relevance found in the text of the document

o Review scripture included in the document (Acts of the Apostles, Romans, etc.)

o Review that the roots of Christianity are in Judaism & that all the earliest Christians were Jews

RABBI’S LESSON Review a brief history of anti-Semitism in the Catholic Church, including its

historical roots. Feel free to include personal stories or experiences. What is Jesus’ significance to Jews? Why does Nostra Aetate matter?

o Impact and Significance of Nostra Aetateo What are any practical changes that have happened since 1965?

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o Has your relationship with Catholics & the Catholic community changed since 1965? In what ways?

Dialogue. Please allow time for questions and dialogue between Rabbi, students and point person.

NOSTRA AETATE CELEBRATION What are we doing in Pittsburgh to celebrate this document?

o A series of community events (see handout for specific dates) We want students to share their thoughts with the community at the October 25,

2015 community event through a bannero Each school will be responsible for at least one banner.o The banner should include a motto, written in your own words, including

images/symbols/illustrations, that encapsulate one important idea found in Nostra Aetate.

o PAJC will supply each school with four banners at the beginning of the school year (more available on request).

o Please complete your banner by April 15. A PAJC representative will pick up completed work from each school.

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