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Volume 7, Number 1 October 1, 2025
CALENDAR
Oct 7 Introduction to the Ministry of the Catechist (3 sessions)
St. Carlo Acutis Parish at St. Joseph Church, North Brookfield
6 pm - 9 pm, October 7th; 6 pm - 8 pm October 14 & 28
Oct 9 Passport to Success: Dr. Joseph White
10 am - 2 pm St. George Church, Worcester
Coming Soon--Register by Friday, October 3rd!
Oct 26 Wedding Anniversary Mass
Oct 30 Celebrate Priesthood
Nov 1 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Day of Discovery
Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Leominster 9 am - 1 pm
Nov 6 Introduction to the Ministry of the Catechist (3 sessions)
Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Leominster
6 pm - 9 pm November 6; 6pm - 8 pm November 13 and 20
Nov 15 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Catechist Retreat
Blessed Sacrament Parish, Worcester 10 am - 2 pm
Nov 16 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WEEK (November 16 to 22)
Dec 7 Spirituality of the Catechist Advent Retreat
Open to all. Required for catechist certification.
Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Leominster 2 pm - 8 pm
Jan 18 Adult Confirmation Retreat
Christ the King Parish, Worcester 2 pm - 8 pm
Feb 14 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Level I
Formation Course for Adults Part 1
Our Lady of the Lake, Leominster
Feb 15 Adult Confirmation
Cathedral of St. Paul, Worcester 3 pm
Feb 28 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training Level I
Formation Course for Adults Part 2
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Milford
Passport to Success
October 9, 2025--10 am to 2 pm
St. George Parish, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester
Dr. Joseph White, Presenter
$25 per Catechetical Leader & $10 for each guest.
Lunch Included
Please register this week so that we can order lunch
How can we help young people navigate the new digital landscape? Could AI eventually replace the catechist?
and also
Is there a "right time" to discover particular concepts in religion class?
Dr. Joseph White is a Child and Family Psychologist and Associate Publisher for Catechetical Resources at OSV Publishing. He has many years of experience in the field of family counseling, has served as a Director of Faith Formation, authored 12 books.
An adult confirmation celebration will be held on Sunday, February 15th at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul.
The Office of Religious Education is also offering a confirmation preparation retreat on January 18th at Christ the King Parish in Worcester. For further information click on the link below.
CATECHIST TRAINING
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The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
CGS Assistant Training ‘Day of Discovery’
Our Lady of the Lake
1400 Main Street, Leominster, MA 01453
1400 Main Street, Leominster, MA 01453
Sat. Nov. 1 from 9 AM – 1 PM
Cost: $25
If you have CGS Assistants in need of training or are interested in learning about Catechesis of the Good, please join us for an interactive, day of discovery about how we can help our littlest ones ages 3, 4, 5 grow closer in their relationship with Jesus through Scripture, Liturgy and the Sacraments. For more information, please contact Mary Pat Heelan at mheelan@worcesterdiocese.org. Please register using this link:
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The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechist Retreat
“Prayer- Listening to God with Children”
“Prayer- Listening to God with Children”
Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 10-2
with Mary Pat Heelan and Jackie Penny
Blessed Sacrament - Phelan Center
551 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602
Cost: $40.00
Cost: $40.00
Includes materials, lunch and the book,
The Heart of the Child.
https://worcesterdiocese.org/cgs-catechist-retreat-2025
https://worcesterdiocese.org/cgs-catechist-retreat-2025
For more information, please contact Mary Pat Heelan at mheelan@worcesterdiocese.org
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The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I
Formation Course for Adults Part 1
Our Lady of the Lake
Our Lady of the Lake
1400 Main Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Feb. 14, 15, 15, 2026
(Saturday, Sunday, Monday from 9-5)
April 18, 19, 20, 2026
April 18, 19, 20, 2026
(Saturday, Sunday, Monday from 9-5)
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“In this resource, you will find art, poems, prayers, reflections and meditations, liturgies, videos and creation care programs for individual and group use. It is our hope that this resource helps individuals and communities spread seeds of peace and hope for creation. In 2025, the world is in dire need of ecological and spiritual transformation. This resource is a contribution to a path towards eco-conversion.” The website also has links to programs/resources from previous years.