Parish Ministers' Meeting
August 29, 2019
1 Cor 12:12-26 adapted
From One-Day Retreats for Junior High Youth, by Geri Braden-Whartenvy and Joan Finn Connelly, Winona, Minnesota: Saint Mary's Press, 1997; pp. 20-21 Large-Group Activity (10 minutes) In this activity, the teens experience the Scriptures in a new way. Introduce the activity by telling retreatants they will hear a reading from the Scriptures that has been adapted for group participation. Then assigned equal numbers of people to each of the following parts: hands, ears, eyes, nose, and feet. Give each part an action to perform:
Give the following directions and then deliver the reading, pausing at the ellipses (…):
The body is a unity, though it is made up of many members. Though its parts are many, they form one . . . body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one . . . Spirit into one . . . body. Now the body is not made up of one . . . part, but of many. If the foot . . . should say, “Because I am not an eye, . . . I don’t belong to the body,” that would be downright silly. If the whole body were an eye, . . . where would the ears . . and the sense of hearing be? But if the whole were an ear . . . where would the nose . . . and the sense of smell be? God has arranged the parts of the body just as God wanted them to be. If they were all one . . . part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts but one . . . body. The eye . . . can’t say to the hand . . . “I don’t need you.” And the nose . . . can’t say to the feet . . . “I don’t need you.” For God doesn’t want the body parts to argue, but to care for one another equally. That way if one . . . part is honored, every part rejoices with it. PowerPoint with Games from our meeting!
PowerPoint for Prayer from our meeting!
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Commissioning Service
We Are Called (David Haas) (accompanied by audio from YouTube video youtube.com/watch?v=jgomtIc1_yc Notre Dame Folk Choir) READER: A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (12:11-13a) (Brothers and sisters:) Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful. Share with God’s people who are in need. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. LEADER: Reflection question: What are you going to bring to this new ministry year that will help to kindle the fire of love? Invitation to journey in quiet to Church with the question in your heart, getting your candle lit on the way. LEADER: You have been called by the Spirit into service. You have been enlightened by God’s Word. You have a share in the glory of God’s Son. Stand now and declare your willingness to serve God’s people. We ask you, along with your brothers and sisters here standing, to respond “I am” to indicate your intentions for your ministry this year. Are you ready to serve as light in the world and willing to give of yourself? ALL: I AM. Are you prepared to act in ways of stewardship of what has been entrusted to you? ALL: I AM. Will you rely on God’s grace so that you may help all God’s people in your care to grow in faith, hope, and love? ALL: I AM. LEADER: May God strengthen us all in the resolve we have declared. Confident in the power of prayer to transform us, we bring our needs to God who hears and answers us: READER: Our response will be “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” God of all creation, we long for a world transformed by peace and bound together in love. Fill us with hope, and remind us to turn to you with our needs and our prayers. For this we pray: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Strengthen and multiply those called to Church ministry, and show us how to support and encourage each other’s work. For this we pray: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Give us a sense of urgency and passion as we proclaim the holy Gospel. For this we pray: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Give us courage to speak the truth and to stand firm in our call for justice. For this we pray: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Open us to listen to others with a spirit of compassion and empathy. For this we pray: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Remind us of the ways we can serve those in our midst who are overlooked, ignored, or rejected. For this we pray: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” May your Holy Spirit guide our hearts and our lips, so that we may remain constant in our love and praise for you. For this we pray: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” LEADER: Lord of faithfulness and hope, strengthen us, your servants, in our dedication to ministry. Grant that we always strive to share with others the light that we ourselves have derived from keeping your Word in our hearts. Let us gladly join each other and those in our care to bring your light to the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen. God has created us in love. May he make us enlightened witnesses to the Gospel. R/. Amen. God has redeemed us in mercy. May he give us grace that our actions and our words shine with compassion. R/. Amen. God has sustained us in hope. May he strengthen us to glow with the promise of eternal glory. R/. Amen. And may almighty God bless us all, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen. CLOSING SONG: Christ, Be Our Light (Bernadette Farrell) |
Center for Ministry Development Worshop
CONNECTING FAMILIES TO SACRAMENTAL MINISTRIES
February 26, 2019
Parish Ministers' Meeting
February 13, 2019
WORKING AGAINST RACISM:
FROM TABLE DISCUSSION: "The future survival and thriving of the Church demands that we welcome and include our brothers and sisters from Africa, Asia, and all the Americas:
"As a pro-life issue, it's about respect of each 'other' as your brother and sister as your equal in the eyes of God." |
WORKING FOR A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
FOR CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS:
FOR CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS:
Survey on Catechist Formation, May 16, 2018.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR IDEAS!
TO ENCOURAGE PARISH CATECHIST FORMATION: Would parish catechists be more likely to take part in diocesan learning opportunities if the core courses were broken into smaller units, such as five-hour or ten-hour courses? "I agree that smaller units for courses are helpful more doable" "YES" "This seems good! Still not sure it will help." "5 hour" "Some courses have pre-requisites" "Yes – shorter units may be more accessible for > 12 hour courses" "Anything that limits the time commitment" "Yes Yes, smaller units, 5 hour units" "Modernize the Early childhood Catechesis Course (all levels pre-K-8)" "The online courses are great when you cannot attend in person" "A mini course within a one-day retreat format" "5 online" "Have pre-recorded courses ready in short doses (3-5 hours) for new catechists, for burned-out catechists" "Smaller chunks (5 hr. good)" "Online good!" "Varying levels to keep everyone engaged" "Brochure explaining 5 hr courses or less" "Recognition @ parish in bulletin" "Blessing/acknowledge @ Mass" "Push the online to the teachers" "More specific on topic & much less time 1 hr." TO ENCOURAGE PARISH CATECHIST FORMATION: What other ideas do you have for encouraging parish catechists to participate in learning opportunities? "Ask catechists what they need to learn:
"Gift cards for completion of courses (≈$5)" "Rewarding for one’s self – just by teaching the word of God" "Kids not going to Mass – frustrating. Is not your fault – Generations" "Maybe stipend the catechists who DRE trained" "On-line & shorter process/ Diff format" "Summer retreat?" "Catechist testimony?" "Free classes or parish pay ½ person pay ½" "Video tape presentations. Post the links. Ask participants to respond to the video link to show proof of viewing." "Personal Contact invitation!" |
TO ENCOURAGE PARISH CATECHIST FORMATION: Would catechists be more likely to take part in diocesan learning opportunities (on-line or on-site) if catechists were recognized for their efforts in parish-based ceremonies?
"Recognize in bulletin" "Some don’t want attention on them. Others do, so ask them how they would like to be recognized (in parish setting)" "Would like something (prayer service, certificate & prayer card) I like the idea of recognized in public" "Cross communication between diocese and local parish when catechist complete course so the DRE can do something special for the catechist" "Prayer service coffee/donuts" "No special ceremony but maybe receiving a certificate. YES. NEED BROCHURES! Awesome idea! Does certification expire?" "Host a full series in Aug, Sept, Oct for new catechists online – offer repeated weekly/monthly
"Summer Catechetical Institute
"Recognition Ceremony for catechists at the beginning of the year. Give the catechists framed certificates based on the # years!" "Yes but not a driving force for involvement" "certificate not ceremony" "A token would not be helpful to me…maybe make it an option @ DRE discretion"
"Can we have a meeting to explain the certification process? Many of us are struggling to understand." "Yes. A concise brochure would be nice. Tri-fold visual! Yes" "Yes. I like the brochure" "YES" "Make the brochure an attractive tri-fold. Easy to hand over/out" |
OTHER IDEAS: "More practical skills offerings (Classroom management, leading prayer, gently encouraging families to go to Mass, lesson planning, etc)" "Allow DRE access to records to help lighten the load for diocesan checks" "Streamline certification process so it is less paperwork & more sensible" |
TO ENCOURAGE PARISH CATECHIST FORMATION: What ideas do you have to make it easier for pastors, parish leaders, and parish ministers to encourage catechist formation? "Perhaps pair up new catechist or grade level catechist – learning partners so to speak" "Nothing is more effective than sharing personal witness of how catechesis changed oneself…bear witness of good and share your struggles – makes it real – authentic" "More formation to our catechesis with more Spiritual life and testimony" "An easy form to fill out to receive religious education hours" "Pastor showed his appreciation by personally reaching out" "Divide classes into levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced" "People might be less intimidate to take classes on a beginner level" "Auto-renewal for minsters etc. who are certified & continuing to get hours" "Pastors need to show their “human” side of themselves more" "What incentives do catechists have to take classes? (besides making it easier to do their volunteer work)? Promote as their ministry VOCATION" "Email (separate for each class) to parish ministers so they can pass it along to catechists" "Personal invitation to catechists" "Message: “will make your job easier” will make you feel more “at peace” “not behind” Not anxious Well-being" "Mask catechist certification as “team building” – catechists + catechetical leader" "(DREs sometimes have limited “face time” with catechists, e.g. multiple sites)" "Maybe if pastors show their catechesis that even with his busy schedule … 'make time as well'" "Needs to come from pulpit!!! Do they need a script? Office of Religious Education could write one." |