Update+
Volume 8, Number 3 October 23, 2026
Happy All Hallows Eve!
We have been threading our way through Halloween candy, costumes and decorations for weeks! Now the time has come to remind our children and youth what "hallow" means..."holy". The eve of All Saints Day. It is also the perfect time to explore with them what we mean when we say, "hallowed be Thy Name."
CALENDAR
October 25
October 29
November 7, 8, 9
November 15 – 21
December 13
January 29
February 14
February 21
April 17-19
April 25
May 21
May 22-24
October 29
November 7, 8, 9
November 15 – 21
December 13
January 29
February 14
February 21
April 17-19
April 25
May 21
May 22-24
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Day of Discovery
at Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Leominster 1– 5pm
Celebrate Priesthood
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I, Part 2
at St. Rose of Lima Church, Northborough
Spirituality of the Catechist - Advent Retreat, 2-8 pm
Location: Immaculate Conception Parish, 809 Main St, Lancaster
Circle of Grace reports due
Rite of Election - 3 pm - Cathedral of St. Paul
Adult Confirmation Retreat, 2-8 pm
Location: TBD
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1, Part 2
at Our Lady of the Lake, Leominster
Adult Confirmation – 3pm at Cathedral of St. Paul
Inventory Reports Due
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I, Part 1
at Annunciation Parish, Gardner
at Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Leominster 1– 5pm
Celebrate Priesthood
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I, Part 2
at St. Rose of Lima Church, Northborough
******RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WEEK******
Spirituality of the Catechist - Advent Retreat, 2-8 pm
Location: Immaculate Conception Parish, 809 Main St, Lancaster
Circle of Grace reports due
Rite of Election - 3 pm - Cathedral of St. Paul
Adult Confirmation Retreat, 2-8 pm
Location: TBD
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1, Part 2
at Our Lady of the Lake, Leominster
Adult Confirmation – 3pm at Cathedral of St. Paul
Inventory Reports Due
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I, Part 1
at Annunciation Parish, Gardner
Spirituality of the Catechist
Advent Retreat
to be held at Immaculate Conception
809 Main Street
Lancaster, MA 01523
on Sunday, December 13, 2026 from 2-8 PM
$40 registration fee includes dinner
Presented by the ORE Staff, this program is open to all catechists and will fulfill the certification requirement for The Spirituality of the Catechist. Includes: guided reflections, faith sharing, quiet time for personal prayer, supper and Solemn Evening Prayer.
Please register by December 1, 2026 by clicking the following link:
For more information, please contact Mary Pat Heelan at mheelan@worcesterdiocese.org
HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR LOST SHEEP?
The number of 3rd graders we see may well be just half the number of those who celebrated their First Communion last spring -- even allowing for those who attend Catholic schools. You have probably sent a number of reminders and even made some phone calls to no avail. How about
The number of 3rd graders we see may well be just half the number of those who celebrated their First Communion last spring -- even allowing for those who attend Catholic schools. You have probably sent a number of reminders and even made some phone calls to no avail. How about
- Asking those who do come to tell their friends that we miss them
- Enlisting strong Catholic neighbors of those who are missing to help us keep them connected
- Asking the parents of those who do come to encourage the parents of their children's friends who do not come -- even offering to take these children to the program.
- Inviting these families to seasonal -- Advent -- programs we might have.
Things for your candidates to keep in mind when choosing a Confirmation sponsor.
A Confirmation sponsor must be a practicing Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist & Confirmation and is in good standing with the Catholic Church. A Confirmation sponsor is someone who helps you grow closer to God. Your sponsor accompanies you on your journey, stands with you when you celebrate the sacrament, and promises to support you in your Catholic faith. Therefore, a sponsor should be someone who practices the faith, sets a good example, prays for you, and will continue to encourage you as you grow in your relationship with Jesus.
The Register of Catechumens is the official parish record used to enroll and document individuals who have been formally accepted into the catechumenate
as part of the OCIA.
The Office of Religious Education has these books available for the low price of just $64.00 per book.
TeamInitiation.com
Nick Wagner and his wife Diana Macalintal are the co-founders and co-directors of TeamInitiation which provides ongoing training and enrichment for OCIA team members. This website offers both free and subscription material. The advantage of the subscription is the archived material. Our schedules are such that we cannot always view the webinars etc. when they are live. Subscription allows one to view the videos, read articles etc. at one’s convenience. The subscription, however, is expensive.
The Diocese has purchased a diocesan-wide subscription and is offering it to parishes for $150.00 a parish.
Nick Wagner and his wife Diana Macalintal are the co-founders and co-directors of TeamInitiation which provides ongoing training and enrichment for OCIA team members. This website offers both free and subscription material. The advantage of the subscription is the archived material. Our schedules are such that we cannot always view the webinars etc. when they are live. Subscription allows one to view the videos, read articles etc. at one’s convenience. The subscription, however, is expensive.
The Diocese has purchased a diocesan-wide subscription and is offering it to parishes for $150.00 a parish.
There is no limit to the number of people a parish may sign up, and the parish may add people during the year.
To join please send a check for $150 made payable to
the Office of Religious Education and mail to:
Elizabeth Marcil, Office of Religious Education,
49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609
the Office of Religious Education and mail to:
Elizabeth Marcil, Office of Religious Education,
49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Please be sure to include a list of names with emails.
Additional names may be added at no extra cost during the year.
Once payment is received you will receive an email confirming your registration.
If you have CGS Assistants in need of training or are interested in learning about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 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.
CGS Day of Discovery
at Holy Family of Nazareth Parish
750 Union Street, Leominster, MA 01453
Sunday October 25, 2026 from 1-5 PM
Cost: $25 (includes the book Joyful Journey)
Please register using: https://worcesterdiocese.org/cgs-day-of-discovery-1NEW Level I Course
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I
Interested in a new way of engaging with young families and nurturing the religious life of the child? The Office of Religious Education will be offering a CGS Level I Part 1 Catechist Training on May 22, 23, 24, 2027 and Aug. 14, 15, 16, 2027 from 9-5 at Annunciation Parish Center at the Holy Rosary Campus in Gardner.This course will prepare catechists to work with children ages 3-5.
In-Diocese tuition: $250
Out-of-Diocese tuition: $450
Registration and Tuition due on May 8, 2027
NCCL - The National Community of Catechetical Leaders is dedicated to promoting the ministries of evangelization and catechesis in the U.S. Catholic Church by fostering a community of leaders who proclaim and teach the Word of Jesus Christ through the witness of accompaniment, education, and formation in the Catholic faith. They have many workshops and materials you can download by going to the following links.
https://www.ncclcatholicfamilies.org/resource-center/seasonal/advent
Worship - NCCL Catholic Kids
NCCL | National Community of Catechetical Leaders | Catholic Resources
https://www.ncclcatholicfamilies.org/resource-center/seasonal/advent
Worship - NCCL Catholic Kids
NCCL | National Community of Catechetical Leaders | Catholic Resources
Loyola Press offers a wealth of free resources to use throughout the year.
Scroll down to “articles.”
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/parish-ministry/advancing-ministry-skills/catechetical-sunday/