Adult Faith Formation

Summer is a wonderful time to rest and re-engerize and gather new ideas for your ministry. The New England Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education is hosting a wonderful workshop on August 11-12, in Westborough, MA. The topic is "New Technologies, New Relationships, Connecting with Young Adults. Among the speakers are, Mike Hayes, Tim Welch, Sr. Janet Schaeffler, Richard Drabik and Fr. David Frederici. To learn more about this workshop and download a registration form, click here.

RCIA Inservice Workshops 2010-2011

The Archdiocese of Hartford, Office of Religious Education is offering a series of workshops for RCIA coordinators and team members. For more information click here.

Lay Ministry Formation Program

There is still time to register for the Lay Ministry Formation Program. The Registration deadline has been extended to the end of August. This two year training program is offered for men and women who live in the Archdiocese of Hartford, who are over 21 and have had some experience with a parish ministry or social outreach program.

This program will provide classes in theology, scripture, church history, sacraments and spirituality. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 pm at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary. Along with the classroom studies the lay minister will be assigned to a mentor to help them develop the ministry skills needed for their particular area of ministry.

If you would like to apply, the application can be found at this web site.

Free RCIA Webinar- June 15, 2010 at 3 pm EDT

If you are involved in an RCIA ministry, you may want to take advantage of a free webinar offered by the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association. Discover ways to attract people to the RCIA. This webinar will be presented by Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSP. For more information go to http://www.pncea.org/freewebinar.aspx.

Lay Ministry Projects

What type of parish projects have lay ministers completed? This is a frequently asked question, so I would like to highlight some of the more successful projects.

Kim Green from St. Peter Claver in West Hartford is an amazing woman. Kim came to the Lay Ministry program two years ago as a cancer survivor and still battles her cancer today. She wanted to work in the area of ministry to the sick and especially to those who suffer from chronic illness. Kim began a ministry called Heal; help, encouragement and love.

HEAL provides services to the sick in three ways:

• Sacramental Service (hospital visits, home visits, Reconcilaiton, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick).
• Charitable Service (meal preparation, doing errands like buying groceries, light chores, telephone calls, prayer shawls etc.).
• Spiritual Service (praying with and for the individual by placing their names in books of intentions and church bulletins, offering prayer cards and reading material.)

There were many phases in the process of setting up this ministry. After the project recevied approval of the pastor and parish staff, it was presented to the parish council and then promoted at all the masses to recruit volunteers. A process was developed to identify the needs of the homebound. And then training sessions were held for volunteers interested in this ministry.

This ministry covers a wide range of services that might be needed by those battling illness or homebound on a permanent basis. So the talents and time of many parishioners are needed to make this work. To view the attractive brochure Kim designed for HEAL, click here.
Congratulations Kim on a job well done.

HEAL (Help, Encouragement and Love) A St. Peter Claver Church Ministry

View more documents from Office of Religious Education.

To find out more about the Lay Ministry Program or to apply for the program, click here.

RCIA- North American Forum Webinar- June 8

The North American Forum will be offering an online Webinar called Mystagogy: A Catholic Approach to Living the Christian Life on June 8, 2010 (2 pm ET, noon MT, 11 am PT (The presentation will last 1 hour).
Presented by Rev. Ron Oakham, O.Carm. Fr. Ron Oakham serves as pastor of St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish in Tucson, AZ. He is also a team member of Forum, has served as an Associate Director of Institutes and is the author of One at the Table: The Reception of Baptized Christians. For more information on this webinar click here.

Congratulations to the Lay Ministry Class 2010

On Friday, May 7, 2010, Archbishop Mansell commissioned 26 lay women and men as lay ministers for the Archdiocese of Hartford. These men and women came from 18 different parishes in the Archdiocese and spent 2 years studying and working in various types of parish ministries, including adult faith formation, baptismal preparation. bereavement ministry, catechesis, evagelization, marriage liturgy preparation, ministry to the sick and elderly, parish council and planning RCIA, social justice, stewardship and youth ministry. Each candidate worked on a parish project, some of which  will be highlighted in future blogs.

Lay Ministry Formation Program

Applications are being accepted for a new Lay Ministry class that will begin in September 2010

Would you like to serve your parish in a more effective way and deepen your faith at the same time? If your answer is yes, then you may be interested in the Lay Ministry Formation program.

The Archdiocese of Hartford offers an 18 month formation program for women and men who are over the age of 21 and have had some experience with a parish ministry or social outreach program. This program will provide classes in theology, scripture, church history, sacraments and spirituality. Classes meet one day a week from 7 to 9 pm in Bloomfield, CT at The Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary.

Along with the classroom studies the lay minister will be assigned a mentor to help them develop the ministry skills needed for their particular area of ministry. You could be prepared for a variety of parish ministries such as bereavement ministry, ministry to the sick and the elderly, catechesis, youth ministry, social justice, RCIA, Adult Faith Formation and Stewardship.

If you would like to apply for the lay ministry program, please talk with your pastor, find out what needs your parish has and ask him for his support. The application can be found at our web site, www.lm.orehartford.org.

Adult Confirmation Classes

Adult Confimation classes will be offered in April for Adults who have been baptized and made First Communion, but never get confirmed. Classes will be offered in three locations; St. Mark the Evangelist, West Hartford, CT, St. Joan of Arc in Hamden, CT and at Our Lady of Loreto in Waterbury, CT. For more information and to download an application, please click here.

Lay Ministry Formation Program, 2010-2012

The Archdiosese of Hartford offers an 18 month Lay Ministry Formation Program for women and men who want to become more effective leaders in their parish and grow in their understanding of the Catholic Faith. Applications for this program are now being accepted for the 2010- 2012 class. Classes will begin in the fall.The Lay Ministry program will provide classes in theology, scripture, sacraments, spirituality and communications. Classes meet one night a week from 7 to 9 pm at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT.

Along with the classroom studies, each participant chooses an area of ministry, and works in collaboration with their pastor and completes a ministry project in their parish. A mentor is also assigned to help the candidate develop the ministry skills needed for their particular area of ministry.

Each of us by virtue of our Baptism is called to carry on the mission of Christ in our world and in our church. We are all given gifts and talents that are needed to build up the church. If you are interested in this program and would like to apply, you will find more information here.
  

Lay Ministry Class 2006-2008

Rite of Election

The Rite of Election will take place on February 21, 2010 at 3 pm at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Registration forms are due, if you are bringing catechumens or candidates. If you would like to know what the Rite of Election is, you may watch the following short video.

New Resources for RCIA
Team RCIA has come out with a new resource for the RCIA. It's called Faith, Life & Creed, A Complete Catechesis for Christian Life. They are offering free downloads of this program on their web site.

Upcoming RCIA Events

As we approach the Lenten season, most RCIA teams are continuing the discernment process with their catechumens. Preparations are being made for the Rite of Election, which will take place on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 3 pm at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. To register for the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion click here.

The fourth workshop for RCIA on the period of Mystagogy will be held on March 6, 2010 from 9 am to 12 noon at ST. Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT. For a registration form click here.

An RCIA Retreat is being planned for Saturday, March 20, 2010, at St. Thomas Seminary from 9am to 2 pm. Lunch is included. If you have a small group of catechumens, you may want to join others in the Archdiocese for this day to reflect on the upcoming liturgues of Holy Week. For a registration form and more information click here.

Adult Faith Formation

Vibrant Voices in the Church Today 

Making Sense of God: Women as Grassroots Theologians

Dr. Elizabeth Dreyer

Professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University,

author, and editor of the 8- volume series, Called to Holiness:

Spirituality for Catholic Women

More than ever, society and the Church need the voices of women. This lecture invites all Christian women to consider becoming "grassroots theologians." If you find yourself asking questions about your faith and seeking a deeper understanding of divine and human love, join us as we work to hear and love each other into speech.

Tuesday January 19 at 6:30pm

The Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry

285 Church St.

Hartford, CT

Free, well-lit parking is available in the Saints parking lot across from the Center.

For more information and to register by January 14, 2010, please call the St. Patrick/ St. Anthony parish office at 860-756-4034.

RCIA Rite of Election

The Archdiocesan Celebration of the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will take place on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 3:00 pm at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford, CT. Mailing were sent to all parishes with registration forms and instructions. But if you did not receive the mailing you can down load the forms here. You may also contact Mary Marsan at 860-243-9465 for further help.

RCIA Workshop- The Period of Purfication and Enlightenment will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 9 am to 12 noon at The Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield. Our speaker will be Ms. Lisa Orchen. To register call Mary at the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, 860-243-9465 or email her at mmarsan@adh-ore.org.. There is no charge
for the workshop but registration is required. You may also download the
flyer, and return the registration form by January 13, 2010.

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year

May your Christmas be filled with the peace and joy of Christ.  May you be blessed with happy times with family, and friends, warm memories and good food and drink. Check back in January for new information about the Adult Faith Formations programs for 2010.

Discernment: Are Your Catechumens Ready for Election

This is the first of a series of conference call workshops offered by Team RCIA. Now you can receive training for RCIA without even leaving your home. TeamRCIA.com has a new live training workshop that is only $10.00 if you sign up before January 1, 2010. The presentor is Miriam Malone, SNJM. For more information go to this page.

Advent

Well it's that time of year again! The liturgical season of Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation for Christmas, when we celebrate once again the birth of the Christ child. We remember God's love in sending His Son for our salvation.

But for many of us, the season of Advent is a time of shopping and preparation for the Christmas holiday that leaves us feeling tired and chaotic. We try to cram more activities into our aready busy lives.

It's not too late to start a few Advent practices that might enable us to capture the spiritual foundation of the season. Take a 5 minute break from the Christmas rush and spend those minutes reflecting or praying; let God speak to you. Here are a few web sites that will give you ideas for your Advent reflection: www.usccb.org/advent. For sometimething a little different try the advent calendar at http://www.bustedhalo.com/.

Lay Ministry Formation

Are you an active Catholic and involved in a parish ministry? You may be interested in a two year Lay Ministry Formation Program. This program is offered through the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education and registration will be open in January 2010. A new Lay Minstry class will begin in September 2010. For more information, click here , http://www.lm.orehartford.org/.

Adult Confirmation

We congratulate the 65 adults who were confirmed at the Archdiocesan Adult Confirmation ceremony on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Bishop Peter A. Rosazza,D.D. was the celebrant. The next classes for Adult Confirmation will begin on April 8, 2010. The Spring Adult Confirmation ceremony will be on
May 18, 2010 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford. registration forms will be avaiable in January, 2010 on the following web site, http://www.orehartford.org/.

Evangelization Resources

I was asked by a lay minister if I could recommend any resources to use to welcome back inactive Catholics. Please check out the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association web site. They have a program called Awakening Faith. It is a small group process that meets once a week for 6 weeks. Participants share on various topics such as Spirituality, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Mass, and the Church. There is a short video that explains the program on the web site.

Don't Miss the Religious Education Congress

The Religious Education Congress for the Archdiocese of Hartford will be held on November 7, 2009 at St. Paul High School in Bristol, CT.  Please visit this site for more information. If you want to know more about our speaker go to her web site.

Check out my favorite RCIA site, TeamRCIA.com  for a great article about getting ready for Advent and the holidays.Go to this site to find the article.