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 in our policies and procedures portal:

This is an important webinar for us to better understand our young parishioners and our current culture. We urge you to watch and learn more about Carlo Acutis and his importance in our times, and how we can help our digital generation maintain healthy habits that will work to counteract the mental health crisis in today's world.

Professional Development Day: Details to Come Soon!

Workshops so far include a Record Keeping and Canon Law review, Parish Soft Tips and More!

Join Leslie Barkin for the third Catechist formation of the programming year for a look at how to share the scriptures with children of all ages.

2:00 PM Session: Please click on the photo where it says "click here to register"

7:00 PM Session: Please click on "click here to register" in the image below to REGISTER

Human Trafficking is one of the great societal injustices our world faces today. January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It is an important time for our church to look at this social sin and the ways in which we can work to end it in our world. If you would like to learn more about how you can prevent child trafficking in your area, there will be free virtual workshops provided by the NYS Safe Harbour Organization. Click on the PDF below to learn more about the free workshop options.

Registration is now open for this year's St. John Bosco Conference at Franciscan University. This year's conference, taking place July 14-17, will focus on the theme: Jesus Christ, Our Only Hope. The in-person conference is a next step for those enjoying the content we have been exploring on the Franciscan at Home site. Check out the details by clicking on the link below.

Need to update your information? Here is tutorial on how to do that in Franciscan at Home!

A Jubilee Year is a time to re-establish "right relationship" with God and others. A tangible way we can help those we minister to is to involve them in bringing hope to those on the margins of society. Do you want to study social justice with your parish but don't know where to start? The DOCAT app available in both Apple and Google stores provides thorough experiences of social justice reflection, prayer and call to action. It can be a great "tech" help to your ministry or to your own personal spirituality. Check it out where you purchase apps for your devices!

• Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 (6:00 p.m.): St. Mary Our Mother Parish, 816 W. Broad St., Horseheads
• Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 (7:00 p.m.): Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester
• Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 (7:00 p.m.): Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester

The Hands of Christ Award is a recognition given to high school seniors in the Diocese of Rochester who have demonstrated a life of service, faith and Christian example in their parish, home, and school communities. Recipients and their guests are invited to attend the ceremony that is most convenient for them. For planning purposes, we just kindly ask that recipients RSVP by Friday, January 24 for the ceremony they plan to attend. You can find the RSVP by clicking the button below. PLEASE NOTE THAT, DUE TO SCHEDULING NEEDS, THE CEREMONY in HORSEHEADS WILL BEGIN 1 HOUR EARLIER THAN THE CEREMONIES IN ROCHESTER!

As of December 30, 2024, two parish groups have registered 26 pilgrims for NCYC 2025! Registrations at the early bird registration rate ($1,250 per person) will continue to be accepted through January 31, 2025. The number of registrations may be limited! For more information, resources, and other helpful tips visit the NCYC 2025 portal by clicking the button below. If you have questions, contact Mark at Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org.

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.

Welcoming ALL young adults, ages 18 to 39, single or married, with kids or without kids, Catholic or not. Stay (St. Theodore’s Adult Young-ministry) is a young adult ministry rooted in the Catholic faith based out of St. Theodore's Church in Gates. Led by young adult, Molly Wescott, the purpose of this ministry is to grow a long lasting young adult community to gather together at various times throughout the year to share in faith, fellowship, and friendship. The ministry will coordinate gatherings throughout the year that will be engaging to all young adults, regardless of their state in life. To learn more about this new young adult ministry, receive news/updates, or express interest in assisting with the leadership of this ministry, click the button below. Stay with your faith, Stay on a good path, Stay with God!

Connect with us!

Congratulations to Isabella Crowe for earning the Mary, the First Disciple religious emblem medal. Isabella, a Girl Scout in the Diocese of Rochester, was presented with the emblem during Sunday Mass at her parish in December.

Pope Francis declared 2025 a Jubilee Year in 2022 after the COVID pandemic. He wanted to give us hope for the future: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire..."

The new activity asks participants to pray the Jubilee Prayer, learn about the logo and also learn what a Jubilee Year is and how often it can be proclaimed and other requirements. The activity patch will only be available until January 6, 2026, when the Jubilee Year ends. In addition to the activity patch, Scouts and Scouters are encouraged to find out if their local diocese/archdiocese or eparchy is holding any special Jubilee activities throughout the year. To learn more about this activity, click the button below.

Don looks at the Jubilee Year and what it means (or could mean) for Sacramental Preparation.

Please share your Confirmation retreat information with us! You can email the date, time, cost, and any other information to Don at donald.smith@dor.org. I will only share the information with Confirmation Coordinators who are looking for retreats. All requests for an alternate retreat to the parish offering should come from you, not parents.

Notre Dame Retreat House is offering a Confirmation retreat on January 12 from 10am-5pm. You can get details and register by emailing Jodie at jscordo@notredamereterat.org.

The Diocese will have a make-up retreat limited to 7 youth per parish (or a conversation with Don). Each parish is asked to send an adult to be with their candidates during the retreat. The retreat will be at Camp Stella Maris on Saturday, February 22 from 10am to 4pm. Parishes (not individual families) need to email Don to register a candidate(s) for this retreat.

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.

OCIA Numbers/Registrations

Please provide us with your registration information for the Rite of Election and Calling to Continuing Conversion. As in years past, we are gathering names and information for the Rites as well as delegation letters for the Easter Vigil. Please use the form at https://forms.gle/dsLBYmhsADoSca9a7 to register your parish and candidates/catechumens.

It has been 10 years since the Policies for the Administration of the Sacraments were promulgated by Bishop Matano. Over the next few months, we will look at key highlights from the policies that can help shape our ministries.

From “General Principles for Catechetical Instruction/Sacramental Preparation” (p. 7)

• As noted in the Key Policy Statements, in some cases, a Sacrament cannot be given at the present time, either because of some obstacle such as censure, “after the imposition or declaration of the penalty”, or because an individual is “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin”, or because the pastoral judgement is reached that a person or a family is not yet sufficiently prepared for the sacrament or committed to the faith. This critical moment can be an occasion for healing and renewal; or it can become a cause for irreparable separation. Then, the parish priest/administrator should explain that the Sacrament requested is only delayed until the obstacle is removed or sufficient preparation is accomplished and evidence of faith is presented.
• Preparation needs to take into consideration the:
1. Individual needs and prior experience of the person and their family;
2. Degree of foundational catechesis; and
3. Current involvement in the faith community.

Let’s explore that…

First and foremost, the Church does not deny any Sacrament. We do, however, have an obligation to ensure those who are presented for them are properly disposed so that the graces may be fully received. This means proper catechesis and preparation, along with an active participation in the faith. The bishop lists three reasons for delaying a Sacrament: (1) censure, (2) living with grave sin, and (3) pastoral judgment that a person or family is not yet prepared or committed to the faith.

Censure is the easiest. When an individual is under canonical censure, they are told that they are to refrain from the Sacraments until it is resolved. Similarly, most individuals who are “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin” are typically aware that what they are doing is in conflict with the life of the Church. The third reason is the hardest. Despite our best intentions, it is not unusual for families to come forward well after their peers have been preparing and want to receive with them, or to come forward believing that they have been preparing for the Sacrament because they are involved in religious education or Catholic School. Fortunately, the bishop has provided three points to consider.

These three points remind us that we prepare individuals for the Sacraments, even when we prepare them in groups. They also remind us that each person has a history that should be taken in to account. Sacramental preparations and celebrations are part of a faith journey, and should not be approached as either a beginning or end.

Of everything in this section of the policies, however, it is the line “This critical moment can be an occasion for healing and renewal; or it can become a cause for irreparable separation,” that stands out to me. It reminds us that even the bad news that a sacrament must be delayed can be approached as a time to grow closer and journey with families. Simply saying, “We don’t see you at Mass, so until we do there’s nothing we can do,” will not help families grow closer to the parish or visa versa. What if we said, “Celebrating first Communion really requires that we get to know one another first. Is there someone in the parish you feel comfortable sitting with at Mass so we can help you?” or something similar?

Each month watch here for what is coming up in the Jubilee. Resources and news will be here, along with any ideas that you share. Speaking of - what are you doing for the Jubilee? Share it with us so we can share it out.

Throughout the year, Pope Francis has invited specific groups to gather in Rome for the Jubilee. In January, he has invited:

January 24-26 - Jubilee of the World of Communications

All those working in the world of communications are especially invited to this jubilee event (journalists, media professionals, managers and editors of newspapers, Boards of Directors, video makers, graphic designers, copywriters, PR staff, social media managers, audio and video technicians, typographers, IT experts, etc.)

At a recent Catechist Formation zoom, we brainstormed some ideas for bringing the Jubilee and its theme, Pilgrims of Hope, alive in Catechetical Programs. Here's some of what was shared:

• Pilgrim Cards (mirroring the pilgrim cards the Vatican will be using for pilgrims to get access to sites) for each student/youth/etc. to mark high points planned or experienced during the Holy Year.
• Recognizing those who are involved in the different groups gathering for the jubilee in your own parish (ex: recognizing artists during the Jubilee of Artists.) Those can be found at: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/calendario/calendario-generale.html
• In general maintaining a positive/hopeful mood in groups.
• To add a pilgrimage element, there are 3-D tours of the Vatican that could be used with young people. (one example is: https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/vr_tour/index-en.html)

Don has been working (and will continue to work) on short blurbs that can go in your bulletin each week. They relate the Sunday Gospel to one of three themes: Jubilee, Hope, or Pilgrimage. They also give a "ponder point" for parishioners to consider over the week. This will be updated as he finishes more weeks.

We wish Tricia Kull, of Holy Trinity Parish in Webster, the best of luck. Tricia, you have been a wonderful asset to catechetical ministry in our diocese, and you will be missed. Thank you!

Leslie Barkin, Diocesan Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis x1244

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