Update+
Volume 5, Number 1 September 13, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Catechetical Sunday
- Student Inventories
- Circle of Grace
- New Offerings by Sadlier
- Upcoming Events
- New Parish Catechetical Leaders
- New Resources
This coming Sunday, September 17th, is CATECHETICAL SUNDAY. Many of you are starting your programs this coming week. The USCCB theme for the coming year is:
"Come to me all you who labor and are burdened." Matthew 11:28
For free downloadable resources, see:
Our friends at Sadlier are also offering free downloadable resources, see:
As you begin your program, don’t forget the INVENTORIES. Bishop McManus directed me to remind all that the Inventories are mandatory for all grades – 1 through 10, no matter what resources or programs you are using. The Inventories remain the same as last year but we have changed the dates. Please download the attachments. The due date will be May 31st. If you missed our feedback/suggestions on the Inventories, please contact Tina: tromeo@worcesterdiocese.org
Many of you have requested the password/username for the CIRCLE OF GRACE partners’ website or have ordered the flash drive or hard copies of the 2023 edition. If you missed the notice or our feedback, please contact Tina: tromeo@worcesterdiocese.org
The Circle of Grace reports will be due February 14th.
Sadlier now has Grades 7 & 8 Christ in Us available. They have published this program in two formats: the traditional model and also a “Youth Ministry Model.” Those of you transitioning from Edge, may want to take a look at the latter. We have copies available for you to review in our office.
Sadlier is also offering a free, downloadable piece on the “flipped classroom.” This idea first came to us during COVID but is certainly a valuable model. One would not need to adopt it for every grade level, or even a whole grade level, but it might be worthwhile considering. Amy Donahue at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Milford is using this model with some success.
See the Sadlier piece at: How To: Flipped Classroom Religious Education Model (sadlier.com)
Sadlier is also offering a free, downloadable piece on the “flipped classroom.” This idea first came to us during COVID but is certainly a valuable model. One would not need to adopt it for every grade level, or even a whole grade level, but it might be worthwhile considering. Amy Donahue at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Milford is using this model with some success.
See the Sadlier piece at: How To: Flipped Classroom Religious Education Model (sadlier.com)
We are looking forward to a busy fall!
The Synod, Eucharistic Revival, plans for Jubilee 2025 – which will also be the 75th anniversary of our Diocese – will all be in the news. We are preparing for our Introduction to the Ministry of the Catechist in West Boylston on October 3, 17 and getting ready to welcome Joe Paprocki for our first Passport to Success on October 5th. The Advent Day of Reflection for Catechists is scheduled in West Boylston on December 10th. For up-to-date information and registration forms, visit the calendar page on our website: worcesterdiocese.org/religious-education
Catechist training/enrichment is one of the most important aspects of the catechetical leader’s ministry. We are very happy to arrange Intro, Basic and Master Catechist courses in your parish. Talk with leaders in your neighboring parishes then give us a call. See our website for descriptions.
Please welcome these new catechetical leaders:
- Beth Bond--St. Joseph the Good Provider, Berlin
- Pamela Busa--St. Richard of Chichester, Sterling
- Rachelle Carmony--St. Anne, Southborough
- Lisa Diezel--Our Lady of the Angels, Worcester
- Cheryl Mauro--St. Denis, Douglas
- Caroline Nash--St. Roch, Oxford
- Leah Perez--Blessed Sacrament, Worcester
- John Rodriguez--St. Joan of Arc, Worcester
NEW RESOURCES
This Is My Body: A Call to Eucharistic Revival
by Bishop Robert Barron. © 2023. Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. 110 pages.
This is an adaptation (minus the first and last chapters) of Bishop Barron’s earlier book titled Eucharist. For parishes that have adult Bible Study programs, this book might be a good choice for the fall during this Eucharistic Revival. The first and second chapters, “The Eucharist as a Meal” and “The Eucharist as Sacrifice review Old and New Testament narratives they might be familiar with. We need to help our adults make these connections so that they will be better able to witness to the riches of the Eucharist we celebrate. Go to wordonfire.org/Eucharist to find discussion questions, a video and more.
The Creed
by Timothy O’Malley. © 2019. Twenty-Third Publications. 31 pages divided into 6 sessions.
Highly recommended for any catechists (Infant Baptism, RCIA, Confirmation) who deal with the renewal (or proclamation) of baptismal promises. O’Malley has a gift for connecting doctrine with life experience and thereby enriching our experience of both.
