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Volume 7, Number 2 October 29, 2025
CALENDAR
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
TWO PRAYERS
A PRAYER FOR CATECHISTS
Loving Father,
we pray today for our catechists.
We thank you for their gift of ministry
in your Church.
Grant them your wisdom
that they may grow in the understanding
and teaching of your Word.
Grant them also your love
that they may be fruitful heralds of your
Word and lead others to love you.
Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to
grant them wisdom about what is important;
knowledge of the truths of faith;
understanding of their meaning;
Right judgement about how to apply them in life;
courage to persevere even in the face of adversity;
reverence before all that is sacred and holy;
and that loving zeal which leads others
to a transforming encounter with your Son.
We pray this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer for Catechists. © 2025. USCCB
Confirmands’ Prayer
Loving Father,
grant that we might grow in the understanding of your word.
Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon us
so that we might have wisdom about what is important;
knowledge of the truths of faith;
an understanding of their meaning;
and, right judgement about how to apply them in life.
Give us the courage to persevere even in the face of adversity;
and, reverence before all that is sacred and holy.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from 2025 USCCB Prayer for Catechists
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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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.