Please share this III Sunday of Easter message from Bishop Vasquez with your catechist and parish leaders.
Link information in English: https://vimeo.com/411208711
Link information in Spanish; https://vimeo.com/410787368
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We finally recognized him in the breaking of bread
The Emmaus story is a fascinating account in the life of Jesus that teaches us important things. Not only does the story parallel the different parts of the mass, it also guides us to a methodology for how to evangelize and effectively teach individuals about the faith. In the story, we learn that two disciples are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus with disappointed hearts. They are seeking an understanding of what has just happened. Jesus sees and identifies them; he approaches them along the path. As a master teacher, he begins the dialog and learning by asking them why they are sad. He allows them to express what they know and what experiences they carry within their hearts. We all know that Jesus, the master teacher, already knows them well. He listens, then he gives them the tools and examples from scripture to help them make the connections and recognize that he is within their midst. The disciples know all about Jesus; however, they have not yet gotten to know Jesus. The disciples have not had a transformational encounter with him. Jesus patiently continues offering them example after example for them to make the connection. It is not until they stop thinking of themselves, have empathy for him, and provide a gesture of hospitality, that the learning takes a shift.
It is when they open their minds and hearts that they allow him to enter. In the account, Jesus enters their homes to share a meal. This gesture of hospitality offers the opportunity for Jesus to break bread and share it with them. In doing so, they finally make the connection and realize that he has been with them all along the way. The disciples knew all about Jesus, but they had never opened their hearts for him to abide in them.
Catechesis is more than offering facts and information for learning. It is about creating opportunities for individuals to have transformative encounters with Christ. These transformative encounters help them make connections and begin to develop an intimate relationship with Christ. Evangelization and Catechesis is about connecting the burning hearts of our students to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Gustavo Rodriguez
Director of Evangelization and Catechesis
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FAITH FORMATION SUPPORT NEED NOT END IN MAY!
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
As we look ahead to summer it may seem that the only certainty is uncertainty! We are reminded by the psalmist today, however, that we find our assurance, our security, in God.
“Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3-4). With a confidence that the Holy Spirit will show us the path, let us ask ourselves “How can we, as catechists or catechetical leaders serve the people of God this summer? How might we help them encounter Christ? What can we do if we are still gathering virtually and keeping our distance? This will be the summer of re-imagining, re-thinking, and re-creating! Let us welcome this opportunity to bring to others in new ways the hope that we have in Christ.
VBS UPDATES
One of our most enjoyable and rewarding activities of the year is the week of Vacation Bible School. Bringing together adults, youth, and children to praise God and interactively learn Bible Stories, action points, and virtues is a wonderful time of evangelization and learning in the community. We are unsure about what VBS will look like this year, but fortunately, we have assistance from the producers of various Catholic VBS programs. Learn about these by clicking the links below:
“How to Lead VBS even in the Year of Covid-19” – from Growing Up Catholic
Discovery Mission Catholic Vocation Bible School provides a fun and informative alternative. Help kids discover their mission in life–their vocation! Discover Mission VBS is filled with fun activities and meaningful content about marriage, priesthood, and religious life.
Cat.Chat has 6 different Catholic VBS programs to choose from. Check them out here. All of Cat.Chat's Rock-Solid Catholic VBS programs are specially designed to lead kids closer to Jesus while having a blast learning about the treasures of the Catholic faith.
Our Sunday Visitor Catholic VBS is developing a Catholic -specific at-home adaptation for Rocky Railway VBS, which will include hands-on elements, family interaction, and digital resources, including videos for the Saint of the Day and the Catholic ID. The VBS at Home adaptation for Rocky Railway will be available on Friday, May 15th, and Dr. Joseph White will host a webinar on Monday, May 18th to guide catechetical leaders and VBS coordinators through the resource. Here is the link to register for that webinar: Rocky Railway VBS-at-Home Webinar. More information at the website: vbs.osv.com.
RECURSOS EN ESPAŇOL PARA FAMILIAS:
Reflexión diária en inglés o español con Sr. Obispo Robert Barron
Varias pláticas (Loyola Press) sobre los sacramentos, la oracion, y los santos
Celebraciones dominicales por el mes de Mayo (RCL Benziger)
Meditaciones sobre la palabra de Diós
El evangelio con Padre Sam
Una lista de videos en el serie Un Minuto con Papa Francisco
Catecismo en Tres Minutos (adultos y niños)
La Eucharistía
La Reconciliación
Información para los padres de familia – “Compartir la fe en el Hogar”
P. Jose Eugenio Hoyos - Pulpito Digital
After viewing a video, parents can be encouraged to have a conversation with their children about what they just saw and heard. A good starter statement is "I wonder what Jesus is teaching us here?"
ORACIÓN DURANTE UNA EPIDEMIA
Señor Jesús, escucha nuestras súplicas, tú que eres nuestro buen pastor y médico divino. Imploramos tu misericordia tras el brote de esta seria enfermedad. Guía nuestros esfuerzos para evitar el contagio y para prepararnos para cuidar a los más vulnerables. Ayuda a los expertos y voluntarios que trabajan para erradicar la epidemia que ahora se propagate. Que nuestras acciones reflejen tu amor incondicional y no el pánico y el miedo. Concede tu consuelo y sanación a los enfermos, dales tu sustento y fortalécelos por tu gracia. Que experimenten tu cercanía mientras llevan la cruz de la enfermedad. Y que todos a los que has llamado de esta vida te alaben eternamente con los santos mientras que tú otorgas el consuelo y la paz a sus seres queridos. Amén.
Santa María, Salud de los enfermos, ruega por nosotros.
San José, Esperanza de los enfermos, ruega por nosotros.
San Roque, protector ante las epidemias, ruega por nosotros.
CONSECRATION TO MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has announced the U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops May 1 in consecrating the two nations to the care of the Blessed Mother under the title “Mary, Mother of the Church.”
“This will give the church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus,” said Archbishop Gomez in a letter to the U.S. bishops. Each year, the church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. “This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic,” he said.
Archbishop Gomez will lead the Prayer of Re-consecration on May 1 at 3 p.m. (EDT) and has invited the bishops to join in from their respective dioceses and asked them to extend the invitation to the faithful in their dioceses for their participation.
Maryrae Stein
Associate Director of Catechesis and Formation
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2020 Summer Certification Program: Online via Zoom
As I previously mentioned in last week’s newsletter, June classes will be offered online via Zoom only and registration for these classes is currently open. I would now like to add that all July classes will also be offered via Zoom only and registration will open sometime in May.
As much as we enjoy the in-person classes, your safety is our utmost concern. Therefore, for this summer, all June and July classes offered by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis in both English and Spanish will be online.
A few points to remember when you or your team members are registering:
- Participants must register online and payment is due during the registration process.
- All June and July classes incur a registration fee.
- Please use your camera and audio during sessions.
- Individuals must attend the complete sessions for certification credit.
- No makeup work for missed sessions will be granted.
- Books will be mailed to the address used during registration.
- Zoom links will be emailed to the email address used during registration.
- No refunds will be granted.
- Due to the current circumstances, we are unable to invoice schools and parishes. We ask for your understanding in this matter.
- Please do not share Zoom links as non-registrants will not receive participation credit.
JUNE SCHEDULE BELOW
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 |
To register for English classes, visit: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=9p7hde
To register for Spanish classes, visit: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=XxwjyJ
JULY ENGLISH SCHEDULE BELOW
| June 29, 2020 (M) |
Ecumenism |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| June 30, 2020 (Tues) |
Principles of Adult Formation |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| July 1, 2020 (Wed) |
Strategic Planning |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| July 6, 2020 (Mon) |
Methodology of Theology of the Body |
1:30-4 p.m. |
| July 6-9 (M-Th) |
Catechesis of Human Love |
FAMILY LIFE OFFICE |
| July 9, 2020 (Thur) |
Excellence in Ministry |
6:30-9:30 p.m. |
| July 13, 2020 (Mon) |
Basic Teachings--Scripture |
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| July 14, 2020 (Tues) |
Basic Teachings--Creed |
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| July 15, 2020 (Wed) |
Basic Teachings--Sacraments |
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| July 16, 2020 (Th) |
Basic Teachings--Morality |
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| July 16, 2020 (Thur) |
All God's People |
6:30-9:30 p.m. |
| July 17, 2020 (Fri) |
Basic Teachings--Prayer & Spirituality |
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| July 20-21 (M-Tues) |
Building Intercultural Comp. in Min. |
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| July 22, 2020 (Wed) |
National Directory for Catechesis |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| July 23, 2020 (Th) |
Catechesis & the Law* |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| July 27, 2020 (Mon) |
Media & Technology |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| July 28, 2020 (Tues) |
Christian Leadership |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| July 29, 2020 (Wed) |
New Evangelization & Catechesis* |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
| July 30, 2020 (Th) |
Conflict Management |
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
*Due to instructor scheduling conflicts, the dates for these two classes have been swapped. These are the amended dates.
JULY SPANISH SCHEDULE BELOW
| July 10, 2020 (Fri) |
Building Intercultural Competence in Ministry (Spanish Part 1) |
6:30-9:30 p.m. |
| July 11, 2020 (Sat) |
Building Intercultural Competence in Ministry (Spanish Part 2) |
9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
| July 14, 2020 (Tues) |
Principles of Adult Formation (Spanish Part 1) |
7-9 p.m. |
| July 28, 2020 (Tues) |
Principles of Adult Formation (Spanish Part 2) |
7-9 p.m. |
REGISTRATION FOR ALL CLASSES LISTED FOR JULY IS CURRENTLY PENDING. PLEASE CONTINUE TO VISIT OUR SUMMER CERTIFICATION WEBPAGE FOR UPDATES, COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL JUNE AND JULY CLASSES AND DESCRIPTIONS:
https://www.austindiocese.org/summer-classes
Basic Teachings via Zoom During May
The Basic Teachings Program in both English and Spanish is being offered via Zoom beginning next week. These classes have been reduced to four hours (versus the regular six-hour sessions) 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.
| 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 |
DRE CERTIFICATION PLANS
Last summer, we had an overwhelming success with DREs completing their certification programs with some also completing the Youth Ministry track. I currently have several DREs that have a plan in place for completion.
If you would like assistance in creating a plan for certification, please reach out to me at carolyn-martinez@austindiocese.org and I am happy to assist you! We can review the courses you have completed, if any, and begin or continue a calendar plan beginning with the courses we are currently offering and will offer this summer.
I look forward to hearing from some of you and helping guide you towards certification!
Carolyn Martinez
Coordinator of Catechesis
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Deanery Meetings Scheduled for May
A huge “THANK YOU” to everyone who participated in our April Zoom deanery meetings! It was great to see you! DREs were able to share their ideas and progress of their religious education programs and ask the E & C team questions. I have scheduled two May deanery meeting opportunities and once again, the E & C staff will participate in both sessions: May 21 or 28 at 10 a.m.
These larger meetings allow for you to hear from other DREs throughout the diocese.
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.
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Join NCCL for a 2-week virtual event May 13-15 and May 19-21 featuring networking, professional development, workshops, resources, and opportunities for prayer. This virtual gathering will remind us of our mission and equip us to be bearers of hope, healers of hearts, and companions in pain. Let us be a witness to the Good News that is Jesus Christ
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