Called, Formed, & Sent

April 2020

From the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

Bryan Reising Director, Evangelization and Catechesis

breising@dioceseofbmt.org 409-924-4323

Preparing for the 2020-2021 Catechetical

Year:

A Check List

Pleaseknowthatweareprayingforyou-ourPCLs,ourcatechists,children,youth,andtheirparents,andalltheadultsyouserveduringthistime.Itisatimethatweneedtospendinprayer.Itisatimetoconnectvirtually.Inaddition,itcanbeatimeforplanningfornextcatecheticalyearaswell.Thefollowingcanbehelpfulasyouplan.

o CatecheticalTextbookEvaluationChecktoseeifyourcurrenttextbookisontheUSCCBCatechismConformitywebsite:http://www.usccb.org/about/evangelization-and-catechesis/subcommittee-on-catechism/upload/Current-Conformity-List.pdf.Thiswebsitewillhelpinchoosingnewcatecheticaltextbookaswell.StopbytheDiocesanPastoralCenterinBeaumonttoreviewseveralpublications

forcatecheticalformationinourlibrary.Asyoureviewtexts,thefollowingquestionscanhelp:

§ Isthecatechistmanualuserfriendly?

§ Isthereacomponentforcatechistformation:inprint,online,orarecommendedcatechistformation?

§ Doesitincludeaparentcatecheticalresourceoranat-homeactivityforboththeparent(s)andthechild?Isthereafamilycatechesisoption?

§ DoyouhaveHispanicfamiliesinyourparishcommunity?Isyourcatecheticaltextbilingual?Areyourparentmaterialsbilingual?Areanyofyourcatechistsbilingual?

§ DoestheapproachormethodoflearninghelpthechildwithbothencounteringChristandlearningaboutthefaith?

§ Doesthetextbookhavealinearapproachorascopeandsequence?

§ Doesthetextbooklenditselftoanintergenerationalmodel?Doesitprovideresourcesforthiseitherinprintoronline?

§ Doyouhavesupportfromthepublisher:arepresentativefromthecompany,onewhoisapproachableoraccessible?Onlinesupportfromtheirwebsite?

o HaveEnoughCatechists?Surveyyourcatechiststoseehowmanywillbereturninginthefall.Hopefully,mostwillwanttoreturn.However,weallexperiencetryingtofindnewcatechistssothatallthegradesarecovered.Startlookingnowforpotentialcatechists.Mostcatechistsareparents.Checkwithparentstoseeifthereisaninterest.Theremaybesomeyoungadultsorgrandparentsinterested.Inaddition,youmayneedtemporaryhelp.Tapthetalentoftheparishcommunity:Whocanprovidemusic?Whoisgoodattellingstories?Whoisgoodwithdrama?Whoisgoodatcrafts?Whoisgoodwithinvolvementwithactsofcharityandjustice?WhocanspeakSpanish?Andremember,allyourvolunteersandcatechistswillneedtogothroughsafeenvironmenttrainingandbackgroundchecks.

o CatechistFormation:WewillbeginLayMissionaryDisciplesinthefall.Ofcourse,wearetargetingparishcatecheticalleaderstoparticipatethis.Youcanalsoinviteyourcatechiststobeapartofthisformation.SomeparisheswanttoencouragecatechiststoearnacertificatethroughtheUniversityofDayton(VirtualLearningCommunityforFaithFormation–VLCFF).WeareapartnerdiocesethroughVLCFF.YoumaywanttoinvestinacatechistformationprocesssuchasTwentyThirdPublications’“IntotheFields”orRCL/NCCL’s“EchoesofFaith3.0.”Thesecatechistformationprocessesofferfaithformation,spirituality,andtoolsforthecatechist.APCLcanoffercatecheticalformationafteraWednesdayeveningclass,anotherevening,oranoccasionalSaturdaymorning.Utilizeourstaffforcatechistin-services.

o SchedulinganAmpleAmountofDatesforClasses:Somanytimes,PCLsandcatechistsfindthattheyrunoutoftimeregardingclassesforcatecheticalformation.Lookatyourtextbooksandyourcalendartoensurethatyouhaveampleclasstime

tocoverthetextandaddadditionaltimetocoverthingslikesafeenvironmenttrainingforchildrenandyouth,specialliturgies,thesacramentofReconciliation,aparishmission,andotherspecialevents.

o ParentalInvolvementandAdultFaithFormation:Manyplacesdohaveparentalinvolvementwiththeirsacramentalpreparationprograms.However,inplanningfornextyear,perhapsparishescangivemoreopportunitiesforparentsaswellasalladults.Thefollowingaresomeideasthatsomeofourparishesalreadyuse:familyactivitiesrelatedtothelessons,intergenerationalcatecheticalassemblies,smallChristiancommunitiesstudyingScriptureandadultlevelCatechesis,retreatopportunities,parishmissions,andlearningopportunitieswithactsofcharityandjustice.Regardingfamilyinvolvement,invitefamiliestospecialliturgiesrelatedtotheliturgicalyearandtheRCIA.Remembertolineupspeakersforyouradultfaithformationandintergenerationalcatecheticalassembliesfortheupcomingyear.

o BudgetReviews:Makesurethatyoumeetwithyourpastor,pastoraladminister,and/orbusinessmanagertoensureasoundbudgetsothatyoucanaffordthingslikenewtextbooks,catechistformationmaterials,andequipment.

o Space:Reviewandevaluateyourspaceneedsasyoulookatfutureenrollment.Checkwiththepastorand/ortheschoolprincipalaboutyourspaceneeds.Makesureyouhaveamplespaceforlargegatherings.Makesurethatelectricityoutletsareaccessibletoyourelectronicandtechnologyneeds.Andspeakingoftechnologyandifyouhavewifi,makesureyouhavethebandwidththatwillserveyourneeds.Youmayneedtousekitchenspaceforperiodicpotlucksandsnacks.

o RemembertoPrepareforCatecheticalSunday:Veryoften,thisisyourkick-offfortheCatecheticalYear.Makesureyouordermaterialsregardingthis(checkwiththeUSCCBDepartmentofEvangelizationandCatechesisandtheNationalConferenceforCatecheticalLeadership–NCCLforresources.Communicatewithyourpastororpastoraladministratoraboutcommissioningthecatechistsforthecomingyear.HaveaspecialsocialafterMassintheirhonortoshowyourappreciation.ExtendthatappreciationatThanksgivingorChristmastimeandattheendoftheyearaswell.

PreparingforVBS:ACheckList

o SelectingAVBS:Thereisavarietyofpublishedoptions.ManyVacationBibleSchools(VBS)programsareecumenical(andmanyparishesjoinwithotherChristianchurchestoputontheirVBS).CatholicpublishersaremakingavailabletheirownVBSwithopportunitiestolearnorreinforceCatholicteachings.TheremaybeanevangelizingopportunitywithVBSbecauseyoumayreachinactiveCatholicfamiliesaswellasfamilieswithoutachurchhome.IknowofachurchthatsponsoredasoccerVBSwhichcombinedasoccerclinicwithsongsandteachings.Itdrewfamiliesfromtheirchurchandbeyond.FamilieswithoutanychurchaffiliationparticipatedinthisVBS.CompareVBSprograms.Theircontent–willithelpformtheirfaith?Theirsongs–aretheycatchytunes?Theiractivities–isitfun?Isitaffordable?Inlightofthecoronaviruspandemic,youmaywanttoincorporatesomeimmediatepreparationforchildrenwhoarepreparingtheirFirstEucharist.

o NeedforVolunteers:AfterchoosingwhatVBSyouwilluse,youwillneedtodeterminehowmanyvolunteersyouwillneed.Askparentsforhelp?Youthandyoungadultsmaybeavailabletohelpaswell.Youwillneedcatechists,peoplewhoaregoodwithcrafts,peoplewhohavemusicaltalent,peoplewhoaregoodwithoutdooractivities,peoplewhoaregoodwithdrama,andyouwillneedpeoplewhocanofferhospitalityandfood.Youwillneedtomakesurethatallyourvolunteershavethesafeenvironmenttrainingandbackgroundchecks.

o Space:Makesureyoucheckwiththepastor,pastoraladministrator,and/orschoolprincipalregardingthespaceneedsyouwillhaveregardingVBS.Makesurethatthereareelectricaloutletsforyourelectronicneeds.

o Timing:Selectatimethatyoucangetthemaximumamountoffamiliesinvolved.SurveyfamiliesandvolunteersregardingfamilyvacationsandthebesttimeduringthesummerforVBS.

o ElectronicNeeds:MakesureyouhaveequipmenttosupportyourneedsforVBS.YouwillprobablyneedseveralCDplayerssothatthechildrencanlearnmusic.YoumayneedatelevisionmonitorandaDVDandplayer.Youmayneedaccesstoacopymachine.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

PCL GatheringThursday, April 23, 2020

Curriculum Day (In light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, this

gathering may have to be canceled or postponed)

PCL Gatherings for This Catechetical Year

2020: May 14 (In light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, this gathering may have to be canceled

or postponed).

Parish Visits Thesevisitscanresumeafterthecoronaviruspandemic.Bryancandovisitswithpastors,catecheticalleaders,andduringyourparishcatecheticalformation.Pleasearrangeatimethatyoucaninvitehimtoyourparishbycontactinghimviaemail:breising@dioceseofbmt.orgorcallinghisofficeat409-924-4323.Hewillnotgettoallplacesduringthecatecheticalyear,buthewouldliketogettoallregionsofthediocese.Inaddition,Twyla(North,WestVicariates),Sr.Misty(East,South,andCentralVicariates),andPaulareavailableforparishvisitsaswell.Whatwillhappenwiththesevisits?Thefollowingaresomepossibilities:anevaluationofyourevangelizationeffortsandadultcatecheticalformation,anobservationofyourfaithformationduringthetimeofinstruction,perhapsanin-servicewithyourcatechists,apresentationtoparents,orevenacatecheticalpresentation–guestcatechistforadults,youth,orchildren.

Vicariate Meetings Thesewillbeonholduntilnextcatecheticalyear.

Heart of Faith

Thesewillbeonholduntilnextcatecheticalyear(unlessaparishwouldliketohaveasessionelectronicallyviaZoomMeeting).TopicsincludeEvangelization,HomeVisitationTraining,ChristianMorality,theSacraments,CatholicSocialTeaching,theCatechismoftheCatholicChurch,andSacredScripture.

Volunteer Opportunities SoutheastTexasFoodBankThewebsitetohelpvolunteer:https://setxfoodbank.org/get-involved/MarkettoHope(CatholicCharities)Theyarealsolookingforvolunteers.ContactChrisRobertson:(409)924-4419

University of Dayton(VLCFF)

Cycle 3: April 19 - May 9, 2020 (3-week seminars; plus a few 5-week courses (Registration: Opens March 4; Closes April 15).

This may be a great time to take a course through VLCFF! Take advantage of these courses during this pandemic!

• Basic Catechist Formation: Seminar 1.1 (Catechesis is...)

• Basic Catechist Formation: Seminar 1.2 (Vocation of the Catechist)

• Bible Basics • Catholic Identity and Culture • Catholic Teaching on

Chastity, Family Life, and Human Sexuality Education

• Ecclesiology: A Theological, Historical and Pastoral Summary

• Echoes of Racism: Whispers of Healing

• Emotional Intelligence and its Impact on Faith Formation

• Introduction to Catechesis (Bryan is facilitating this course)

• Introduction to Prayer • Mercy • On Bended Knee • On the Call to Holiness

(Gaudete Et Exsultate) • Our Hearts Were Burning • Pastoral Letter: My Grace is

Sufficient • Pastoral Letter: 'Why are you

afraid? Have you still no faith?'

• Romero: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr and Saint

• Survey of Catholic Doctrine • Theological Reflection: Key

to Connecting Faith and Life

Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation

WordonFire:BishopRobertBarronadultfaithformationseries-https://www.wordonfire.org/CheckoutthisresourcefromWordonFireEngage:https://engage.wordonfire.org/about

Formed.orgisasubscriptionservicebyparishthatincludesadultfaithformationofferings,movies,andpodcasts,andeBooks:https://formed.org/JustFaithisasmallgroupprocesstolearnaboutCatholicSocialTeaching:https://justfaith.org/

RENEWInternationalhasahostofresourcesforrenewalandadultcatecheticalformation:http://www.renewintl.org/

SINE(SystematicIntegralNewEvangelization)isaplanforthenewevangelizationforparishesthatofferrenewalexperiences,smallChristiancommunities,neighborhoodbasedministries,andhomevisitation:https://sinecentral.org/

PaulistEvangelizationMinistriesoffersmanyresourcesforsmallgroups,parishrenewal,aprocessforreturningCatholics(AwakeningFaith),andoutreach:https://www.pemdc.org/CatholicReturningHomeisaprocessforreturningCatholics:http://www.catholicsreturninghome.org/

TofindoutaboutupcomingACTSRetreatandActivities:https://beaumontacts.org/

Interested in a Bachelors or Masters in Theology

St. Thomas University in Houston: https://www.stthom.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-and- Sciences/Undergraduate/Theology/Index.aqf.

National Conference for Catechetical

Leadership (NCCL) Membership

ThenextNCCLConvocationinDubuque,Iowahasbeencanceled.Theymayhavesomefurtheronlineopportunitiestohaveavirtualconference.Staytuned!AndallPCLsarenowmembersofNCCL!

CheckouttheWebsite:www.nccl.org.ContactourofficetolearnhowyoucanbeamemberofNCCLcomplimentsoftheDioceseofBeaumontifyouarenotamemberyet!Andthisyear,thereisnoadditional$24fee!Forinformation,gotowww.nccl.org

Safe Environment Compliance Reminders

AnyPCL,youthminister,catechist,adultshelpingwithyouthministry,oranyonewhomaybeinaministrywithminorsisrequiredtobeintotalcompliancewithsafeenvironmentrequirements.Tobeincompliance,onemusthaveattendedinpersonaProtectingGod’sChildren(PGC)session.After5yearsfromtheinitialtrainingparticipation,arecertificationisrequired.Thiscanbedoneeitherthroughthediocesanwebsiteonlinemodule,orbyattendinganotherinpersonPGCsession.IfyouhaveanyquestionsregardingSafeEnvironment

Training,youmaycontactthediocesanSafeEnvironmentCoordinatorthroughthefollowing

information:PaulJThomaspthomas@dioceseofbmt.org409-924-4315

ProtectingGod’sChildrenInformation

ProtectingGod'sChildren:2019-2020ScheduleofSessions

NosessionsscheduleduntiltheCovid-19outbreakisundercontrol.

April2020ReflectionfromSr.MistyGarriga,CDP

WhataLentenjourneywe’vehadtheselastfewweeks!Weareallexperiencingmanyfirstsinourlives….andhopefullylasts!Theclosingofschools,therushontoiletpaperandothersupplies,thefearofgettingsickwithanunknowndisease,theclosingofsomanyrestaurantsandsmallbusinesses,thefinancialstressforsomanyfamilies,andmostofall,thecancellationofpublicMassattendance.Allofthisisunimaginabletous.AshardasitisforusnottoattendMassasusual,wearecalledtoacceptthatthecommongoodofourcommunityisapriorityoverourindividualpreferencesordesire.Tostayhomeistosavelives.It’sapro-lifeissue!

Thiscommunityisresilient!We’veexperiencedhurricanes,floods,explosions,andthroughitall,thegoodofhumanityshines.Eveninthemidstofourownanxietyandfears,goodnesssurfaces.Thiscurrentcrisisonceagainmakesusallonanequalplayingfieldagain:weareallinthistogethernomatterourbackground,race,orcreed.Somemayliveinconstantfearofwhatthefutureholdsandworryifwe’redoingenoughtopreparefortheunknown,butwehavehopeofanewresurrection!

That’swherewemusthitthepausebuttononthescriptsinourheadthattellustopanicandrealizethatwearenotincontrol….we’veneverreallybeenincontrol!ThisiswhereIalsohavetosetasidemyownanxietiesandrealizethatI,too,aminavulnerableposition.Thisstateofvulnerabilityisnotaneasyspaceinwhichtolive.Ifwe’renotcareful,wecanspiraldownandallowworrytosetin.

MyhopeisgroundedinthecommunityofSistersthatIhavevowedmylifetoandinthespiritorcharismthatIamcalledtoliveouteachday.Nowmorethanever,I’mcalledtoliveoutourcharisminauniqueway,totrustinGod’sprovidence,andknowthatnomatterwhathappens,somehowGodcanbringallthingstogood.Ialsothinkoftheboywhoonlyhad5loavesand2fishtooffertoJesustofeedthe5000.Wehaveanotheropportunitytobethathopetoothers.Maywe,liketheGospel,offerwhatwehavetoJesus,andallowhimtobless,break,andsharethosegiftsofhope,peace,andtrust.IleaveyouwithaprayerthatwasgiventotheSistersintheearlydaysofour

congregationbyourfounder,BlessedJohnMartinMoye.

ActofAbandonmenttoDivineProvidence

ProvidenceofmyGod,Iadoreyouinallyourdesigns.Iplacemydestinyinyourhands,confidingtoyouallthatIhave,allthatIam,andallthatIamtobecome–mybodyandmysoul,myhealthandreputation,mylife,mydeath,andmyeternalsalvation.AsIrelyentirelyuponyouandexpectallfromyourgoodness,Iwillnotgivemyselfuptoanyuselessanxiety.Iconfidetoyouthesuccessofallmyundertakings,andinalldifficultiesIwillhaverecoursetoyouasanever-failingsourceofhelp.IknowthatyouwilleitherpreservemefromtheevilsIdread,orturnthemtomygoodandyourglory.Peacefulandcontentedinall,IwillallowyourProvidencetogovernmylifewithoutworryorovereagerness.

Holy,wise,generous,andlovingProvidence!Ithankyouforthetendercareyouhavetakenofmeuptothismoment.Ihumblyandearnestlyentreatyoutocontinuethesameforme;directallthatIdo,guidemeinyourways,governmeateverymomentofmylife,andbringmeintothefullnessofbeingthatyouhavedestinedformefromalleternity.MayIpleaseyouandgiveyougloryforever.Amen.

EverGreenbyPaulThomas

Helloreaders.Myprayersforpeaceandhealthgoouttoeachofyou.MycontributiontoournewsletterthismonthisintheformofasongIwrotecalledEverGreen.ClickingthepictureabovewilltakeyoutoitonYouTube.Iinviteyoutocontemplatethewords.MayithelpinspireyouwithhopeinalovingGodwho,liketheevergreen,isaliveinusthrougheveryseason.Godblessandpeace.

THEGIFTOFTIMETOCHANGEbyTwylaSatterthwaite

Ihavebeenreflectingonhowwearetryingtomaintainournormalroutinesaswelivethroughthispandemic.Itfeelslikewethinkifwestaybusywewon’tnoticetheproblem.“Holdyourchinupandcarryon.”It’slikewearewhistlingas

wewalkpastthegraveyard.IreadthispoemonFacebookandithashauntedmesince.ItisbyKittyO’Meara.

“Andthepeoplestayedhome.

Andreadbooks,andlistened,andrested,

andexercised,andmadeart,andplayedgames,

andlearnednewwaysofbeing,andwerestill.

Andlistenedmoredeeply.

Somemeditated,someprayed,somedanced.

Somemettheirshadows.

Andthepeoplebegantothinkdifferently.

Andthepeoplehealed.

And,intheabsenceofpeoplelivinginignorant,

dangerous,mindless,andheartlessways

theEarthbegantoheal.

And,whenthedangerpassed

andthepeoplebegantojointogetheragain,

theygrievedtheirlosses,

andmadenewchoices,anddreamednewimages

andcreatednewwaystoliveandhealtheearthfully,

astheyhadbeenhealed.”

Thingswillnotbethesamewhenwecomeoutofthisexperience.Ourtownsandcitieswillchange,ourparisheswillbedifferent,attitudeswillchangeandourprogramswillchange.Canwemakethisachangeforthebetter?Ibelievewehaveanopportunitytomakesomesignificantchangesinthistimeofshutdown.Wecanchangeourselves,ourfamilies,andourprograms.

Thisisatimetoask,“WhatdoIwanttobedifferentinmyprogram?”“IstheresomethingI’vealwayswantedtodo,butnevercould?”Thestatementsthathaveheldusback:“That’sthewayitisorthat’showithasalwaysbeendone”canbeoverlookednow.Thingsaredifferent,wearedifferent.Thisisaperfecttimetochange.Theopportunityliesbeforeus.Goodcancomeforthamidstthebad,resurrectionalwaysfollowsdeath.AfterallitistheEasterseason.Manyofyouhavetoldmethatyouwanttogetoutoftheschoolroommodel.Manyhavesaidtheywantourparentstobemoreinvolved.Manyofuswantourcatechiststousemoredigitalresources.Someofushavewantedtoseparateoursacramentprogramsfromthefaithformationprograms.Thisisatimetoreinvisionourprograms.Whatcouldwedoifwehadalittlecourage?

Isitthetimetojustholdonuntilwecanresumebusinessasusualorisitatimetoberecreated?Dowespendthistimeresendingemailstooneanotherorcanwebevisionaries.Lookintoyouheart,ask“whatcouldIchange?”ifIhadtheopportunity.Ibelievethetimeishere.ItsaysinIsaiah60:1

Arise!Shine,foryourlighthascome,thegloryoftheLORDhasdawneduponyou.

ManyBlessingsduringthisLentenSeason!MayGodblessyouduringthistime!MayyoubefilledwithlightandhopewiththeupcomingEasterSeason!

FromallofusattheOfficeofEvangelizationandCatechesis