CONGRESS WORKSHOPS

The 36th Annual Northern Congress to be held September 17, 2011 offers a variety of workshops.
Workshops 7 and 19 deal with adolescents.
Workshops 12 and 23 are on up-coming changes in the Mass.
Workshops 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 13, 21, 24 and 25 offer innovative teaching ideas.
Workshops 16, 20, 26 are for those catechists teaching sacraments.
Workshops 14, 15 and 17  are about prayer in the classroom.
Workshops 8, 9 and 27 pertain to Scripture.
Workshops 3, 11, 28 talk about Saints and Angels.

To find out more about these and other workshops offered or to register go to http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011CongressBrochure.pdf.

RCT Monthly Newsletter

Be sure to check out the Resources for Creative Teaching Newsletter page for books, DVDs, videos and other resources available through the Northern Area Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  The first issue for 2011-2012 is posted and gives suggested resources available explaining the upcoming changes in the Roman Missal.  Other topics covered will be Mary, Apologetics, Saints, Prayer, Parables, Lent, Penance and Eucharist.  The new resource page is posted the first week of each month August – April.

REGISTER EARLY

Register for the Northern Area Congress to be held September 17, 2011 before August 15 to receive your first choice selections for workshops.  Some workshops reach room capacity limits fast, so there is no first choice guarantee after August 15.  If you do not have a Congress brochure go to http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011CongressBrochure.pdf  for this years’ brochure.  The theme this year is Drawing Adolescents and Their Families into a Life of Faith: A Practical Blueprint with Dr. Gregory “Dobie” Moser as the Keynote Speaker.

 

SUMMER RCIA TRAINING

Now that the Easter Season is over, it is time to start thinking about training your RCIA Team Members.  The slower pace of summer is a perfect time to take advantage of training in a retreat-like atmosphere.  RCIA in the Parish is an intensive two day experience to learn about and experience the rites and periods of RCIA.  Go to http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/RCIA2011Brochure.pdf for the information and registration brochure for this valuable experience for leaders, catechists, team members, musicians, deacons and priests.

UNDERSTANDING BAPTISM

As adult faith formation catechists plan sessions to prepare parents for the Baptism of their child or RCIA Catechists plan sessions for Catechumens or parish or school catechists plan sessions for their students, they re looking for new videos to show the rite and explain the sacrament’s meaning.  Here are some you may want to borrow from the Sidney Media Center.  Search the Media Catalog at www.catholiccincinnati.org/oec/catalog and make your reservation at sidneymediacenter@catholiccincinnati.org.  

DV0389  Sacraments (1 episode each)  – Junior High-Adults

DV0354  One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism – Adults/Parents

DV0318  Exploring the Sacrament of Baptism – Junior High – Adults  (Uses stories)

Dv0180  Initiation Sacraments for Young Poeple – Primary – Junior High

DV0159  Sacrament of Baptism:  Past and Present – Adults (History and Develpment of Baptism)

Dv 0091   Your Baby’s Baptism – Adults (For Parent Preparation)

IS YOUR MYSTAGOGIA MISSING?

Perhaps the most difficult period of RCIA to coordinate is the Period of Mystagogia.  It is designed to be a time for Neophytes to grasp the meaning of the Paschal Mystery and make it part of their lives.  Is Your Mystagogia Missing? is a ten page resource from the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan which offers suggestions for breaking open the Easter Vigil experience, things to do with Neophytes during the Easter Season, and catechetical and service suggestions.  Borrow a copy from the Sidney Media Center at sidneymediacenter@catholiccincinnati.org or find it on the web site of the Federation of the Diocesan Liturgical Commissions at www.FDLC.org.

CREATIVE WAY TO STUDY CATHOLIC VOCABULARY

Want a creative way for your students in Catholic School or Parish Religious Education to study Catholic vocabulary?  Go to http://quizlet.com for free  flashcards and games on many subjects.  Search “ACRE” to get sets of questions for working on Catholic Vocabulary Words or Terms or in preparation for taking the NCEA ACRE Assessment .   Thanks to Barb for the heads-up!

RCIA WEB SITE REVISED

http://www.teamrcia.com has just been revised!  This free online resource for Catholic Parishes that want to start or sustain the Catechumenate in their commuities inlcudes Questions and Answers, a Glossary of RCIA Terms, a Blog, Resources and Webinars.  Check it out!

Helping Parents to help their Children

Our efforts of faith formation of children is a partnership with their parents.  Check this website for ways that parents can be an integral part of the formation of their children in faith.

http://www.pastoralplanning.com/Partnership-Parents.html

GREAT EXPECTATIONS!

Are you interested in getting your parents to form their own children in the Catholic Faith?

Do you need a step-by-step plan to coach parents to teach their own children and help them grow up Catholic?

Great Expectations by Bill Huebsch and Leisa Anslinger shows how to implement Whole Family Faith Formation for First Penance and First Communion, catechesis for older chidlren, a retreat for expectant or new parents for Baptism plus coaching tips and ideas.  It would be a helpful companion for implementing Learning About L.I.F.E. 

Contact sidneymedia@catholiccincinnati.org to borrow a copy.