Equipping Catechists

As we approach Labor Day weekend, we are reminded that summer is almost behind us, and the time to prepare for the fall has arrived. The Secretariat of the New Evangelization recently shared two outstanding resources created for our diocese by Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life to help Catechetical Leaders evaluate catechetical offerings in light of the Directory for Catechesis. I would like to share briefly what each has to offer and pray they will be a source of inspiration for our faith formation leaders and formation team.

The Catechetical Action Plan begins with a brief section for you to contemplate a Philosophy of Faith Formation, followed by a detailed section to help you set Goals and Strategies. In this second section, your staff and/or team will be walked through prompts that will help you identify and explain two professional goals that address the following areas:

1. A way that you hope to grow in your own professional development. 
2. A way you hope to enhance or improve one of your ministries, programs, or events.

Finally, the plan encourages setting your parish up for success by developing a plan of Accountability. These materials were developed specifically for our Diocese and are thoughtfully created to provide a framework for supporting our parish community and all we serve to grow in their love, understanding, and practice of the Catholic faith.

You can find the Catechetical Action Plan here and the Evaluation Tool for Catechetical Programming here.

Catechetical Sunday Resources

Catechetical Sunday will be celebrated on September 15. The theme, “Lord, when did we see you hungry” (Matthew 25:37), reflects our call to missionary discipleship.  The USCCB website explains this theme further by stating, “As St John Paul II reminded us: The universal call to holiness is closely linked to the universal call to mission. Every member of the faithful is called to holiness and to mission. We are called to be eucharist by word and action to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our times cry out for this kind of holiness, one inflamed by the ardent determination to bring as many of our brothers and sisters as possible to Christ.”

The USCCB website also offers a variety of supporting articles, audio podcasts, and videos. Parishes will find many wonderful resources for purchase or to download for free here.

Summer’s End

As our Catholic schools of the Diocese reopen for another exciting academic year, I want to take this time to wish all members of our school communities—students, teachers, staff, and administrators a blessed year ahead. Please know of my prayers for each of you as you embark on another academic year. May the Lord abundantly bless all your efforts — whether teaching or learning — with His grace, wisdom, and understanding. I look forward to visiting the schools throughout the upcoming year; what an enjoyable opportunity it is for me to see what is happening in our classrooms, to talk with students and staff, and, when able, to celebrate Mass or special prayer services. We’ve come so far in the last three years, and it is clear we will continue to grow in our Diocese’s goal to offer the very best Catholic education.

Yours in Christ,
Bishop da Cunha