Please share this Divine Mercy message from Bishop Vasquez with your catechist and parish leaders.
Link information in English: https://vimeo.com/408920736
Link information in Spanish; https://vimeo.com/408923295
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Believe that he is with us when its hard to see his face.
This past weekend, we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday. As a community of faith, we reflected on the Gospel story of doubting Thomas. This is a beautiful account, where we are reminded that even when times are complicated and hope is lost, we need to have faith that Christ is alive and within our midst. I found this funny cartoon by Tim Wakeling, making the Gospel reading applicable to today's communication and circumstances.
Many of us are now familiar with video conferencing technology such as Zoom, Teams or Google Chat. How applicable, that even in today’s global pandemic we can find the message of Christ. No matter what the circumstance is, we as Catholics do not need to look very far to see the resurrected Christ in his full presence. Even in today’s technology, his message of hope continues to help us persevere.
In this newsletter, you will find several different online resources and recommendations on how to implement technology in your programs. In addition to that, we are sharing our schedule for summer classes that we will be offering on Zoom.
The Evangelization and Catechesis team is praying for you all as we continue to live this Easter season and prepare for the Holy Spirit in the celebration of Pentecost.
Gustavo Rodriguez
Director of Evangelization and Catechesis
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FAITH FORMATION SUPPORT NEED NOT END IN MAY!
This time of year DREs are usually busy with final plans for First Communion Masses, May crowning, Catechist Appreciation, and the many tasks associated with closing out the RE term. With Covid19 turning those plans upside down, we have embarked on a new journey of faith formation via Zoom, Facebook, Skype, and other virtual platforms with moderate success despite some obstacles. One of the biggest challenges is the adjustment to online school sessions, which has left parents feeling overwhelmed. In this time of uncertainty, remaining in contact with our RE families helps them feel connected to the parish. Although schools run on an August to May calendar, faith formation need not end in May. Supporting parents with resources during the summer will allow them to establish routines for prayer and faith learning and maintain a connection to their church community.
RESOURCES
We will continue to provide links to resources in this newsletter. Here are some to pass on to catechists or parents:
Catholic Brain: Free 30-day trial access Looking for something to do with the kids? Catholic Brain, the No. 1 Catholic faith formation platform for students, parents, catechists and teachers is offering a free 30-day trial, with access to more than 5000 video lessons, e-books, interactive games and quizzes.
Fashioning Faith
Fashioning Faith is a website designed especially for parish catechetical leaders that provides access to hundreds of program, strategies, and resources for promoting faith formation with people of all ages. Free samples of from this subscription website are available.
FORMED: Excellent Catholic Content to watch, read, and listen to FREE for 40 days
You, your family, and Catholics around the world are invited to join us in embracing our faith at home. Right now, our Augustine Institute FORMED team is offering a complimentary 40-day subscription so millions of Catholics can watch, read, and listen to Catholic content.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Praying with Young Children In this time of global pandemic, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd take their mission very seriously, continuing to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children.
Sacramental Videos from the Sophia Institute: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Reconciliation
Catechist Magazine: A treasure house of free of resources for children and families
Easter Book highlighting St. Mary Magdalene, St. Peter, Cleopas on the road to Emmaus, St. Thomas, St. Stephen, St. Paul:
Free viewing of a movie on St Catherine of Sienna from Word on Fire
Great opportunities for adult learning from Renew International
Saint Benedict Press is offering a free year of streaming access to their RCIA program Credo, as well as their LoveEd program for 5th-8th grade boys & girls.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Feeling anxious about the state of VBS this year? With the future uncertain, we may have to put the creative hat back on and see if there is a way to provide this fun week learning about Jesus to our parish children. Here are some suggestions from GROUP VBS:
- If your VBS dates are early in the summer, plan alternate dates later in the summer, in case Coronavirus concerns need more time to clear.
- If you normally run a big VBS program, consider planning multiple sessions. If gatherings are restricted on size this summer, split your VBS into multiple, smaller sessions. And other locations, such as backyards. VBS PRO provides multi-session support to make registration and admin easier too.
- For alternate scheduling, consider conducting VBS over a weekend, or evenings, or once a week over several weeks.
- Prepare for a VBS-at-home option. Many churches are already conducting Sunday school online for their children. So, if your area is still in a stay-at-home status in the summer, you can make VBS happen in every child’s home. You can supply a packet containing everything each child needs, and provide an online experience that children follow each day. If this option is necessary this summer, Group will provide everything you need, including permissions, to make this transition to the web.
- Who said VBS must happen in the summer? Consider offering VBS later–as a back-to-school kick-off, or during fall break, or a fall weekend, or in the evenings, or Thanksgiving or Christmas break.
The new VBS from Growing Up Catholic is available in digital format and may be adapted to be an online program. The company is working on extra guidelines and tools for coaching leaders on how to best offer their current and past themes remotely. All kits come with electronic access to most components. This is the link to Peace Lab (the 2020 program) & previous VBS programs: https://growingupcatholicvbs.com/peace-lab.html
Maryrae Stein
Associate Director of Catechesis and Formation
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A Different Kind of June - Summer Certification
June and July are always exciting and extremely busy months for our office. These are the two months of our intensive summer certification program and a time when we see so many of you and your team members participating in certification classes. For the last couple of years, we have even offered classes at St. Edward’s University in order to offer a more academic setting in June followed by classes at the Pastoral Center in July. The personal face-to-face contact along with sharing, conversations, and getting to know others from throughout the diocese are gifts we receive during our formation process only enhances the lessons.
This June will be different—all classes will be offered online only via Zoom. This continues to be the new normal for now, but this will not stop us from offering our summer certification program the main difference being is we will see your happy face on the monitor! June will consist of four of our 16-hour courses, four of the Effective Catechetical Leadership classes, and a couple of Spanish classes.
Catholic Adult Formation 16-hour Courses in English
| June 1-4, 2020 (M-Th) |
Catholic Social Teaching |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| June 8-11, 2020 (M-Th) |
Old Testament/Sacred Scripture |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| June 15-18, 2020 (M-Th) |
New Testament/Christology |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| June 22-25, 2020 (M-Th) |
Sacramental Theology |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
Effective Catechetical Leadership Classes in English
| June 4, 2020 (Thur) |
Called by Name |
6:30-9:30 p.m. |
| June 11, 2020 (Thur) |
Catechetical Leadership |
6:30-9:30 p.m. |
| June 18, 2020 (Thur) |
Developing Disciples of Christ |
6:30-9:30 p.m. |
| June 25, 2020 (Thur) |
Cultivating Your Catechists |
6:30-9:30 p.m. |
Classes in Spanish
| June 9, 2020 (Tues) |
Catechesis & the Law (Spanish Part 1) |
7-9 p.m. |
| June 23, 2020 (Tues) |
Catechesis & the Law (Spanish Part 2) |
7-9 p.m. |
| June 20, 2020 (Sat) |
Chaste Living /TOB (Spanish) |
10 a.m. - noon |
| June 27, 2020 (Sat) |
Chaste Living /TOB (Spanish) |
10 a.m. - noon |
Registration for June is now open as online registration only. There are registration fees associated with the June classes and payment is due at the time of registration. Due to the current circumstances, we are unable to invoice schools and parishes. We ask for your understanding in this matter.
Currently, only June registration is open, and July is pending. Once we have a better grasp of the logistics and circumstances of July, we will determine whether those classes will be online only or if there is a possibility for in-person classes.
Our hope is that many of you can participate for the June classes. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us.
Please visit our summer certification webpage for a complete listing of classes:
https://www.austindiocese.org/summer-classes
To register for English classes, visit: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=9p7hde
To register for Spanish classes, visit: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=XxwjyJ
Certification Classes Online Via Zoom Continue—April and May
We have a few classes left in The Effective Catechetical Leadership series (on the DRE track) through the end of April and will follow in May with the Basic Teachings Program. As a reminder, the Basic Teachings are normally six-hour classes per title, hower we realize many people have children at home or are juggling multiple responsibilities during this time, therefore, each topic will be reduced to four hours allowing for two 2-hour sessions. Due to the overwhelming response, registration for the Basic Teachings in May is closed.
IMPORTANT NOTE—
- Please use your camera and audio during sessions.
- Individuals must attend both sessions for certification credit.
- No makeup work for missed sessions will be granted.
- These are being offered at NO CHARGE to all participants.
- Books will not be provided; however, handouts will be emailed.
| April 16, 2020 |
Cultivating Your Catechists Part 1 |
1-3 p.m. / Thursday |
| April 23, 2020 |
Cultivating Your Catechists Part 2 |
1-3 p.m. / Thursday |
| April 20, 2020 |
Excellence in Ministry Part 1 |
1-3 p.m. / Monday |
| April 21, 2020 |
Excellence in Ministry Part 2 |
1-3 p.m. / Tuesday |
| April 27, 2020 |
All God's People Part 1 |
1-3 p.m. / Monday |
| April 28, 2020 |
All God's People Part 2 |
1-3 p.m. / Tuesday |
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| April 16, 2020 |
Cultivar Catequistas Parte 1 |
7-9 p.m. / Thursday |
| April 23, 2020 |
Cultivar Catequistas Parte 2 |
7-9 p.m. / Thursday |
| April 20, 2020 |
Excelencia en el Ministerio Parte 1 |
7-9 p.m. / Monday |
| April 21, 2020 |
Excelencia en el Ministerio Parte 2 |
7-9 p.m. / Tuesday |
| April 27, 2020 |
Todo el Pueblo de Dios Parte 1 |
7-9 p.m. / Monday |
| April 28, 2020 |
Todo el Pueblo de Dios Parte 2 |
7-9 p.m. / Tuesday |
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| May 4, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Sacred Scripture |
1-3 p.m. / Monday |
| May 5, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Sacred Scripture |
1-3 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 11, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Creed |
1-3 p.m. / Monday |
| May 12, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Creed |
1-3 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 7, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Sacraments |
1-3 p.m. / Thursday |
| May 14, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Sacraments |
1-3 p.m. / Thursday |
| May 18, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Morality |
1-3 p.m. / Monday |
| May 19, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Morality |
1-3 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 26, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Prayer & Spirituality |
1-3 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 27, 2020 |
Basic Teachings--Prayer & Spirituality |
1-3 p.m. / Wednesday |
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| May 4, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Sagrada Escritura |
7-9 p.m. / Monday |
| May 5, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Sagrada Escritura |
7-9 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 11, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Credo |
7-9 p.m. / Monday |
| May 12, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Credo |
7-9 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 7, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Sacramentos |
7-9 p.m. / Thursday |
| May 14, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Sacramentos |
7-9 p.m. / Thursday |
| May 18, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Moralidad |
7-9 p.m. / Monday |
| May 19, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Moralidad |
7-9 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 26, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Oracion y Espiritualidad |
7-9 p.m. / Tuesday |
| May 27, 2020 |
Ensenanzas Basicas--Oracion y Espiritualidad |
7-9 p.m. / Wednesday |
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Carolyn Martinez
Coordinator of Catechesis
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Deanery Meetings Scheduled for May
It has been really great to see so many of you participate in the Zoom deanery meetings scheduled for April. It is important that we continue to have opportunities to check in with all of you to support and give guidance. The E & C staff will participate in all of these meetings and we have two more meetings scheduled for this month of April:.
San Marcos / Austin South / Austin Central—Thursday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m.
Bastrop—Friday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m.
Since we continue with the shelter-in-place, I have scheduled two May deanery meeting opportunities. Once again, the E & C staff will participate in both of these meetings and we hope you all can participate in one of the two dates: May 21 or 28 at 10 a.m.
Please RSVP to carolyn-martinez@austindiocese.org and let me know which one you would like to attend. If the demand is high for one date over the other, I may need to close it and ask that you take advantage of the other date if possible.
Having a larger group allows for more ideas to be shared within the larger audience. We hope you all can attend one of the two dates. If you have any questions, please call Carolyn. I will send out the Zoom links prior to the meeting.
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