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December 2020
A REMINDER...
We recommend that you click on 
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(at the top of this email newsletter), so you don't miss any information!

Sharing our Faith
in Response to COVID-19

Guidance for Faith Formation (Google Doc): CLICK HERE to open the document.

Health and Safety Considerations - Faith Formation: CLICK HERE to open the document.

Guidance on Virtual Meetings with Minors: Found in the Guidance document (Recomm. #4).

Stories from the Field

Family Faith Outreach by Deacon Rob Claypool
Deacon Rob Claypool, Director of Faith Formation at St. Mary, Eldora, shares an outreach project in which his parish assembled mid-wife kits for Africa. Read Deacon Rob's article here.

Family Celebration of Saints and Outdoor Small Groups by Kayla Greiner
Kayla Greiner, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Cecilia and St. Thomas Aquinas Parishes in Ames, shares two events that created community in the parishes. High school teens have been gathering for Outdoor Small Groups, and families had an opportunity to learn about, pray with, and Celebrate the Saints

Thoughts from the Field FFL Survey: Your Responses (Part I)
Thanks to all who submitted responses to the Thoughts from the Field Survey. Click here for an overview of responses to the first half of the survey. Watch for the second half in the January edition of InFo. Check out the insights offered by your peers in faith formation!

If you have a story to share for the next edition of InFo, we invite you to write an article about it (approx. 200 words), or send us a short video! Please send submissions to Lynne Chapman.
Equipping YOU for Ministry

Virtual Open House
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 10:30 AM (Opening at 10:00 AM)

Upcoming VOH dates: November 17, December 1, December 15
We will be opening the Zoom at 10:00 AM to offer time for anyone to ask specific questions of members of the Faith Formation Team, and for you to "chat" with others who have joined. The VOH will also include small-group break-out discussion.
Click here: FFL VOH Link OR
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85486894538?pwd=OEU1cVFzVlpRaHhlaEdaeFFUMVhlQT09
Meeting ID: 854 8689 4538         Passcode: 1L0N41
To join by phone, dial:  (312) 626-6799     Meeting ID: 854 8689 4538         Passcode: 649832

NOTE: Please update for the latest version of Zoom (version 5.4.2) prior to our gathering.


University of Dayton VLCFF
Registration for Cycle 1, 2021 ends on December 30, 2020.
Cycle 1 will run from January 3 - February 6, 2021.
Registration for Cycle 2 will be open January 6 - February 17, 2021.
Remember, you have a voucher for one free course per year!!!
View a complete list of courses
(Also available in Spanish). Click on any course to get a course overview and objectives. For more information on VLCFF or to use your voucher, click here or contact Carla Kasal.

Upcoming Events to Promote

National Days of Prayer for Inclusion
December 4 - 6, 2020

Please join Catholic parishes and schools across the country in prayer during the National Days of Prayer for Inclusion of People with Disabilities and the Families Who Love Them. CLICK HERE for a prayer from the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa. Schools will pray together on December 4, and parishes are invited to join in the prayer during the weekend Masses on December 5-6. Consider printing the prayer in parish bulletins that weekend.


Beauty in Christ Women's Conference 2021:
ON FIRE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT! 

Saturday, January 30, 2021
This VIRTUAL event will include two national speakers; prayer opportunities; worship music; a variety of vendors; and conversation with other women! Featured speakers Maria Vadia and Caroline Gambale-Dirkes will invite women into a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Maria will also be presenting in Spanish. This is an opportunity to enliven the Spirit within the women of your parish/cluster! Click here for more information and registration.

2021 Archdiocesan Men's Conference
Saturday, March 13, 2021

The 2021 Men’s Conference will feature keynote speaker Patrick Madrid, host of "The Patrick Madrid Show" on Relevant Radio. The day also includes breakout sessions, Mass with Archbishop Jackels, and more. Participants can join in-person at Xavier Catholic High School (Cedar Rapids), or virtually as the conference will be live-streamed. For more details and registration, visit: www.ArchMensConference.org.

News to Know
Totus Tuus 2021
At this time we are planning to offer Totus Tuus 2021! Totus Tuus is a week-long catechesis and evangelization program for children and teens. A team of four trained missionaries will come to your parish and serve your children during the day and your youth during the evening.  Information for the Tutus Tuus Parish Coordinator and a link to register your parish for 2021 will be available on Monday, November 16, 2020 at noon.  Contact Joanne Pohland for more information.
 
Pastoral Leadership Study Day (PLSD) Videos
The video recordings of the virtual Pastoral Leadership Study Day (PLSD) held on October 15, 2020 on the topic of "High Performing Parish Leadership" with presenter Tom Green are now available herePlease save the date for the Spring 2021 PLSD on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 on the “The Art of Accompaniment” with keynote speaker Kristin Bird.
Faith Formation Resources
 
          Ministering With Media (ERC)          


Media is powerful. It has a way of moving hearts, inspiring hope, answering doubts, rousing joy, and stimulating reflection! In the midst of all that is happening in our world, consider formation that utilizes powerful media along with a time to process and an opportunity to share with others. The ERC is here to collaborate with you about what might work best for those you serve, and then to offer media suggestions. Whether you work with children, youth, young adults, or adults, and whether you prefer DVDs, books, and other items that can be shipped to you, or online resources that give you instant access for virtual sharing, the ERC can help you Spread the MESSAGE with MEDIA! Below is a small sampling of media that has the power to move hearts. Contact the ERC for more ideas and further information.

  • The Search (DV #31700) - Why are you here? What is life all about? What happens when we die? Discover meaning for your life.
  • The Grumpy Old Ox (BK #201595) - Feeding on Jesus in the Eucharist gives us life, hope, healing, and salvation.
  • The Chosen: Season One (DV #31698) - In the midst of your brokenness, you are called and chosen by Jesus. Will you answer?
  • The Kerygma Experience For Teens - A self-guided retreat explores the mystery of salvation and your own experience of it.
  • Everyone Belongs (BK #201605) - Young people confront discrimination.
  • Metanoia: A Journey With Christ Into Conversion (DV #31690) - Encounter Christ and the new life to which He constantly calls us.
  • I Was There: The Holy Mass (DV #31537) - Discover how we encounter Christ on the cross at every Mass.
  • The Desperate: Ray of Light In The Face Of Tyranny (DV #31286) - What is your commitment to human dignity and your understanding of God’s grace?
Don’t Forget Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/dbqarch If you have questions, or are looking for additional resources, contact:
Kim – 563.556.2580, ext. 210 or
 dbqmed@dbqarch.org
Tricia – 563.556.2580, ext. 214 or dbqcmed1@dbqarch.org.
 
          For Ministering to Catechists          

Catechetical Institute 
Our partnership with Catechetical Institute has been extended! All parishes and schools continue to have access through October 1, 2021.  Consider taking advantage of the new workshops and tracks that are available.  Faith Formation Leaders can request a mentor to accompany them as they progress through tracks. Contact Joanne Pohland if you would like to sign up for a free account, or would like more information about how the Catechetical Institute can help you in the formation of catechists.
 

          For Ministering to Families          

Behold Your Child Ministry Online Training
Online training is now available for the Behold Your Child ministry, which was developed by the Archdiocese to help parish ministers provide hope and healing for parents and families who have experienced a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. The training includes online videos, access to the Pastoral Guide, and many other materials to help implement the ministry at a parish. Parishes in the Archdiocese may access the training at no cost by having individuals who are approved by parish leadership to be trained complete the registration form found here
To learn more about the ministry, visit: https://dbqarch.org/beholdyourchild. For questions, contact Matt Selby.
 
 
          For Ministering to Youth and Young Adults          

TEC (Teens Encounter Christ)
TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) is a three-day retreat experience for 11th and 12th graders that focuses on the kerygma (the basic story of Jesus). Due to COVID-19 concerns we have decided to cancel TEC #586 in Bellevue & TEC #588 in Calmar this year. We are hoping to see a slow in COVID by February which will allow teens to Encounter Christ at the Beckman TEC (TEC #587 on 2/27/21-3/1/21). Please encourage any high school teens in 11th or 12th grade who are looking for a life-changing encounter with Christ to consider participating in TEC at the end of February.  And, please pray for those who have or will make a TEC retreat this year. Contact Kevin Feyen or Jim Betzner for TEC promotional materials.

NCYC is a GO!!!  November 18-21, 2021
The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) has confirmed their plans to move forward with NCYC 2021 in Indianapolis. We are still waiting on several details before we put together a package for the Archdiocese. Mark your calendars and start talking it up with teens and parents. More information coming soon.
          For Ministering to Adults          

IMPACT 2021-2023 Cohort
This two-year program for adults offers spiritual, theological, intellectual, and pastoral formation in the Catholic faith in order to help participants live out missionary discipleship in their parish and community. The next two-year cohort begins in September of 2021 and will meet at St. Mark Church in Iowa Falls. Please consider parishioners you can invite to participate.
More information is available at
www.DBQArch.org/IMPACT. For questions, contact Matt Selby.

Virtual Conferences and Webinars
For a current listing of upcoming Virtual Conferences and Webinars for Adults, click here.

 
        For Ministering to Persons with Diverse Abilities        

Parish Advocacy for Inclusion Matters!
How can your parish be more inclusive? Think about at-home activities or add a prayer petition during the weekend Mass to raise awareness about persons with disabilities, and share resources. Who are the disability inclusion advocates in your parish?

 
Disability Inclusion Winter Retreat Cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Winter Disability Inclusion Retreat scheduled for January 2021 has been canceled. We pray that all the most vulnerable members of our society remain safe and healthy during this time, and we look forward to gathering for future events.

 
Resources for inclusive catechesis available here. For additional resources, contact Lynne Chapman or Tricia Tranel.
Online Faith Formation Resources
Click on the icons below to read current and past editions
of these Faith Formation resources!


     
Recognitions
(If you know someone who should receive special recognition, please let us know.)
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Michelle (Kelly) and Virgil Roling on their recent marriage! Michelle is the Director of Faith Formation at Sacred Heart Parish - Maquoketa and St. Lawrence - Otter Creek. Michelle and Virgil were married on October 31, 2020 at St. Lawrence Church. The Rolings have three adult children, Tim, Michaela, and Logan, and one grandson, Sam.  We wish the newlyweds much love and happiness in the years ahead!

Welcome!
We welcome the following FFLs starting a new positions: 
  • Christa Hammel - St. Mary, Dorchester
  • Nicole Jonas - Ss. Peter & Paul, Gilbert
  • Heather Slifka - Ss. Peter & Paul, Gilbert
Farewell!
We bid farewell to the following FFLs leaving their positions:
  • Jacob Francois - St. Patrick, Cedar Rapids
  • Nicole Grieves - St. Francis, Barclay
  • Rachel Mosher - St. Mary, Eldora
  • Sandy Tanberg - St. Ludmila, Cedar Rapids
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the following, who recently completed a course from the University of Dayton VLCFF:
  • Mary Ann McCauley, Dubuque - Hope in Times of Crisis
  • Mary Ann McCauley, Dubuque - Ecclesiology: Reframing Church
We're Here for You!
The Faith Formation Staff at the Archdiocese of Dubuque is a team of dedicated professionals whose role is to assist parish leaders in the formation of Missionary Disciples. While each staff member has a specific focus, all members work together as a team with a shared vision.
 
* Parish visits                                             Virtual or in-person consultation   
* Phone calls                                             * Parish presentations               
* Email correspondence                            * Any other way we can be of assistance
Jim Betzner
Faith Formation Event Registration
ext. 286

j.betzner@dbqarch.org

 

Lynne Chapman
Disability Inclusion
Faith Formation Communications
ext. 246

l.chapman@dbqarch.org

 

Kim Feldman
Resource Consultant
ext. 210

dbqmed@dbqarch.org

 

Kevin Feyen
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
ext. 253

k.feyen@dbqarch.org
 
 
Carla Kasal
Administrative Services
ext. 267

c.kasal@dbqarch.org



Joanne Pohland 
Children and Family Formation
ext. 255

j.pohland@dbqarch.org
 

Matt Selby
Adult Faith Formation
Marriage and Family Life Services
ext. 233

m.selby@dbqarch.org


Tricia Tranel
Resource Consultant
ext. 214

dbqcmed1@dbqarch.org


 
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