Each parish in our diocese is responsible for sharing YEARLY Safe Environment lessons to every age group in grade school. This is a yearly requirement of YOUR CURRICULUM. Please be sure to follow our diocesan requirements. More information can always be found at:

At this meeting we will review all requirements of your department with regards to following policies, keeping records, etc.

A beautiful recap of the National Eucharistic Congress was just recently released by the Knights of Columbus.

Click on the flyer below to register for our next Day of Professional Development, Thursday, October 3. Join us for a full-morning workshop on Conflict Management with Dr. Don Boice, and engaging afternoon workshops on Classroom Management with the Office of Catholic Schools and Using Class Dojo to organize programming, with Matt Murray + an NCYC preview meeting!

All learners can now sign up for their free accounts with Franciscan at Home. We have sent out emails to participating parishes with bulletin inserts, announcements and flyers. Remember that it will be incredibly important to publicize this valuable resource in order to make it an asset it your parish! Please let me know if you need additional guidance. **It is important to follow the outlined steps for signing on. Those who do not follow the steps either end up not getting in or hidden in the system and not able to be found on our diocesan pages, so please follow the steps outlined below!

Join Leslie Barkin for the first Catechist formation of the programming year to explore contemporary teaching strategies using one of the workshops in the Catechist Track of Franciscan at Home. We'll take an opportunity to watch a few segments, process what we hear and learn and discover some new tools for our catechetical toolboxes together!

2:00 PM Session: Please click on the yellow welcome message below to REGISTER

7:00 PM Session: Please click on the yellow welcome message below to REGISTER

A New Resource from Our Friends in the Diocese of Albany

Courtesy of the creativity from Christina Davis in the Archdiocese of New York, a Listen, Teach, Send Chatterbox has been created. She is going to use it as a way to open discussion on this new pastoral framework with youth ministry leaders and how to share the letter with young people. All saints and quotes come from the letter portion of the document. You can access the chatterbox below.

This is a great follow up to NCYC/Steubenville and a great way to prepare for NCYC/Steubenville! More information will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out general information by clicking the button below.

With the support of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the New York State Community of Catholic Youth Ministry is a platform for those involved in youth ministry within New York State to collaborate with/support one another and engage in the work of NFCYM. NFCYM is recognized as the largest youth ministry organization in the United States and is the foundation for synodal dialogue about the needs and concerns of those who minister to youth. ALL THOSE WHO MINISTER TO/WITH YOUTH IN THE DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY'S FACEBOOK GROUP BELOW. For more information, email Mark here.

October 14-16, 2024

Damascus Mission

Centerburg, Ohio

Franciscan Center for Evangelization and Renewal at Franciscan University of Steubenville is hosting its second annual youth ministry/DRE/Diocesan Director retreat at Damascus. It is an opportunity for youth ministers to “come away and rest.” The retreat includes sharing the Steubenville Conferences-style charisms, a few talks about growing our relationship with our Lord, spending time in praise and worship, doing some wall climbing and socializing, and sharing a grace-filled night of Eucharistic Adoration. There are no talks about how to be a youth minister. It is just time for those who serve the Young Church to receive, be filled, and grow closer to the heart of Jesus. THE COST OF THE RETREAT IS ONLY $50! For more information and to register, click the button below.

In early August, young adults of Holy Cross Church and Our Mother Of Sorrows in Rochester met up for coffee after Mass. They hope to come together for similar gatherings in the future so that individuals in their 20s and 30s can join them in the future! Such a joy to see the Holy Spirit breath new life into this young adult ministry! If you or a young adult you know would like to learn more about the ministry, email Father Justin Miller here.

Anya Rosien, a young adult committed to helping other young adults grow in faith, has lead young adult ministry efforts at St. Leo in Hilton for several years. With more parishes on the west side of Rochester putting energy into outreach to young adults, there are opportunities to collaborate. To that end, the young adult ministry started at St. Leo is looking to transition into a collaborative/regional young adult ministry for those on the west side of Rochester called Trinitas. This is in hopes to reach more young adults and help them grow closer to God with Faith, Friendship and Fellowship. Anya is having a planning meeting to create a group of young adult leaders that will help plan gatherings at various parishes in the area. If you are interested in having your parish join please send a representative from your young adult community and or ministry team.

Connect with us!

An Ad Altare Dei course is being organized to start in fall 2024! This is for all youth in BSA (including troops, venturing and sea scouts). Ideally, this is for youth ages 13-14, but any youth ages 11-17 who have completed 6th grade can work on this Religious Emblem. If youth are interested in attending or you are an adult who would like to help, please contact Colleen Trevisani here or at 585-672-5568.

In the last of the series, Don takes a look at the terminology we use for our programs and how it has changed as our outlook has.

Please follow the link to give your numbers for Spring Confirmations along with other information to help us plan. We are looking to gather all the information by October 14.

https://forms.gle/re8cePSuWFwifFZX6

There will be a mandatory meeting for Confirmation Coordinators who celebrate at the Cathedral on Tuesday, January 7 at 10am at Sacred Heart Cathedral. We will review the celebrations and expectations for the upcoming celebrations.

If you have not ordered your OCIA book yet, remember that optional use begins with Advent and mandatory use begins at the Easter Vigil. You will need it for any adult baptisms this Easter! The attached PDF from the bishop’s office has the ordering information.

The Diocesan Day of Penance and Mercy will be Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

This comes three weeks before Easter, and is a great opportunity for parishes. Consider how you might make a welcoming and prayerful environment for parishioners that day.

How to Better Encounter God at Mass https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/biPttn5d-A9Xg4ve3

What happens when the music isn't engaging, the homily isn't inspiring or a fellow parishioner is less than warm? James Pauley, author of An Evangelizing Catechesis invites us to explore how to get the best encounter with Jesus during the Mass without depending on those external factors that sometimes urge our parishioners to leave the parish. Dr. Pauley provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our role in the encounter we have with Jesus. This webinar would provide an ideal starting point for conversations about the Mass with either teens or adults.

A warm welcome to Michelle Schultheis, a new youth minister at Holy Trinity in Webster!

We wish all the best to Victoria Wejko, who has taken a position in the Diocese of Syracuse. Thank you for your many years of ministry in our Diocese!

Contact for information on all newsletters, evangelization, training, consultation

Mark Capellazzi, Project Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry x1375

Contact for youth ministry/young adult or Catholic scouting consultation/website questions, Certification process

Don Smith, Coordinator of Sacramental Catechesis and Family Life x1243

Contact for Sacramental information and Fully Engaged

Website: oec.dor.org
Location: 1150 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3228