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We are seeing beautiful footage from the 4 pilgrimages currently taking place around the country and making their way to Indianapolis! The CHURCH is alive an well and Jesus is making an impact through the streets of our country! Here is some footage from Minnesota, California, Connecticut, and Texas

From the North

From the South

From the East

From the West

Join us for a dynamic day of planning and collaboration designed specifically for faith formation leaders! Participants will engage in enriching discussions, collaborative workshops, and strategic planning sessions aimed at enhancing faith formation within our communities in the 2024-2025 catechetical year. We will explore innovative approaches to nurturing spiritual growth and fostering a deeper understanding of Catholic teachings. The day will also include morning refreshments (coffee, tea, & baked goods), prayer, and lunch. Click the image or file below for more information. LAST CALL TO REGISTER! PLAN TO JOIN US AS WE PREPARE FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR!

We are thrilled to announce that our diocese has agreed to become a partnering diocese with Franciscan at Home, The Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University. Through this partnership we will be able to offer FREE courses to volunteers and parents while using Franciscan at Home's extensive course offerings to expand our own ministerial skills. A letter went out to Pastors and Administrators last week. Our next step is for each parish to respond as to whether or not they would like to participate. A yearly fee of ONLY $400 per parish applies but with that fee, there is no limit to the number of free courses that can be taken at Franciscan At Home. This will greatly increase our opportunities for professional development, small group formation, parent education, and more! We strongly encourage participation by each parish and please note that if a parish opts out, they will be asked to complete a survey for Bishop Matano to demonstrate how they are providing volunteer training within the parish. Solid formation is of the utmost importance in engaging volunteers in our communities. Please contact Leslie Barkin with questions, and let us know as soon as possible, of your parish intentions so we can begin to launch this incredible new offering!

As you plan for next year, take the time to read and reflect on this important article series from NCCL!

As we transition away from our relationship with Catholic Faith Technologies (https://dor.training/) and become a diocesan partner of Franciscan University's Catechetical Institute (https://franciscanathome.com/), there will be changes to Teen Volunteer Safe Environment Training. Beginning July 1, the training video and resources will all be available on https://oec.dor.org/creating-a-safe-environment-case/. The viewing of the video will now be a part of the in-person educational session.

Join USCCB staff for a 3-part summer webinar series. The webinars take place the first Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m.

• Part 1: Planning for Christ the King Global Celebration of Young People- May 7 | Recording here
• Part 2: The Bishops' New Framework for Ministry with Young People: "Listen, Teach, Send"- June 4 | Register here
• Part 3: Implementing "Listen, Teach, Send" in Your Community- July 9 | Register here

The U.S. bishops will convene in Louisville (June 12-14) for their Spring Plenary Assembly. During this gathering, the bishops are expected to vote on the new National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults entitled “Listen, Teach, Send.”

During the public session on June 13, Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, will formally present the document to the bishops. The next day (June 14), a vote on the Framework is expected. Public sessions of the assembly will be held on the afternoon of June 13 and the morning of June 14. To watch the livestream of these sessions and have access to news updates, vote totals, texts of addresses and presentations, and other materials click the button below or follow the meeting on social media on Facebook, as well as Instagram, Threads, and X, formerly known as Twitter (@USCCB).

This is a great follow up to NCYC 2023 and a great way to prepare for NCYC 2025! More information will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, check out general information by clicking the button below.

There has been some interest in getting a head start on planning for NCYC 2025. We won’t have more information on pricing, theme, hotel, deadlines, transportation, etc. and officially begin planning until late fall 2024/early winter 2025. A presentation has been put together for those communities that want to share the blessings of NCYC and have preliminary informational discussions/meetings. You can access the presentation by clicking the file below.

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. NFCYM networks with Catholic youth ministry leaders from across the country and gives them a platform for collaboration and mutual support. NFCYM Region 2 Community is a platform provided by NFCYM for those involved in youth ministry within New York State to collaborate with one another and engage in the work of NFCYM. For more information, email Mark here or check out the community's Facebook group below.

Please advertise this great opportunity to 30+ adults in your parish!

Connect with us!

As you may know, the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis has hosted an annual diocesan Catholic Scouting recognition ceremony in the past. More recently, the Office has shifted from recognizing scouts at a diocesan ceremony to awarding the emblem at the end of a weekend Mass at the scout’s parish. Families have really appreciated the personal attention and it is a wonderful way to educate the greater parish community about Catholic Scouting. Below are the names of scouts who have earned emblems and been recognized over the last several months. Congratulations!

• John Schenker, Justin Colabufo, Caleb Esposito, Zachary Thiers, Antonette Volpe, Margaret Chamberlain, Marshall Harrison, Noah Quinto, Logan Schroeder, Anthony Morelle Jr., and Julietta Crowe

If there is interest in having a religious emblem presented at the end of a weekend Mass at the scout’s parish, please contact Mark here.

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.

Don continues his look at language we use in our ministries. This month, explore the Church-y approach to substance.

As we learn more, I will continue to share. This month, I share directly from LTP (Liturgical Training Publications) who train and support Initiation Ministers.

Frequently Asked Questions

· When can I get the new rite book? The first available date to receive the ritual text will be November 1.

· What editions will LTP be publishing? We will be able to share that news with you on June 1.

· Is the Spanish version changing too? Yes. Updates have been made to the Ritual de la Iniciación cristiana de adultos (RICA) and a new translation will be made available. The timeline for implementation is the same for the Spanish and English editions.

Join our new Facebook group

Connect, learn, and share with other initiation ministers from around the country! Join our new Facebook group and connect with others to share best practices, receive quick responses to questions, and more.

Learn with our Digital Institutes

This Fall we will offer a variety of virtual training opportunities. Please join us and/or invite others to participate in these engaging and informative sessions.

· August 12, 19, 26 – Orientation Sessions for New OCIA Coordinators, Part 1: Understanding the Periods, Rites, and Vision of the OCIA

· September 9, 16, 23 – Orientation Sessions for New OCIA Coordinators, Part 2: Skills for Effective Ministry and Administration

· October 7, 14, 21 – Catechesis in the Catechumenate

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.

We congratulate Rosemary Nabogis on her retirement. Rosemary has worked as the faith formation, pastoral ministry, and cemetery coordinator at St. Benedict/St. Mary of the Lake in Watkins Glen and Odessa. Thank you for sharing your gifts with our diocese, Rosemary!

Best wishes to Tyler Davis on his wedding this month!

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, Fully Engaged, and DOR.Training questions

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