Adult Faith Formation: Evangelization Resources and Opportunities
Thank you for all you have been doing to bring others to Christ during this time. As you have started in-person Masses and some ministry meetings I would like to offer some resources you may find helpful. Here are some recommendations for online or in-person evangelization initiatives to invite our people back to parish life.
Adult Faith Formation: FORMED: The Search
As you may remember in the past I have recommended the FORMED online platform for continued faith formation for the adults in your parish. This Fall and upcoming Advent I would like to also recommend using the new kerygmatic video series, The Search, for your parish. It is a captivating video series for anyone and everyone seeking the answers to universal questions such as “Why a God?”, “What’s the meaning of life?”, “Who is Jesus?”, “What’s our story?”, and “Why a Church?”. As you may know the Catherine of Siena Institute has worked with parishes across the United States and have found that only 5% of Catholics are missionary disciples. Only 5% have truly embraced the kerygma. This series may be suited for many of the souls in our pews.
The video series has an accompanying coordinator manual to assist with using the videos for small groups, large groups or retreats. I encourage its use for small group sharing either in-person or online. Especially during this time when people desire community more than ever, let us invite them into a community where they can get to know our Lord.
As you know each year we provide a renewal application process for the next year’s subscription for our parishes. We hope you have seen the benefits of using FORMED as a great tool for all your parish ministries.
Adult Faith Formation: FORMED Renewal Process
Please see this year’s requirements for renewing your FORMED parish subscription:
- For parishes that have 100 or more registered users as of 11-15-2020 you may apply for a 78% subsidy ($1400) of the total price of $1799. This subsidy will be available for up to 161 parishes. The remaining balance of $399 will be the responsibility of the parish. Parishes will be sent a renewal notice and the balance will be due within 60 days.
- For parishes under 100 registered users as of 11-15-2020 the Augustine Institute will provide a subsidy of $800. The remaining balance of $999 will be the responsibility of the parish. Parishes will be sent a renewal notice and balance will be due within 60 days.
To fill out your application for renewal use this link. In order to renew you must submit an application.
Adult Faith Formation: Beyond Trauma November Workshop
As you know this time of pandemic has brought much pain and suffering for our people, specifically those who have lost their livelihood, family and/or friends, among other losses. In collaboration with the American Bible Society-Trauma Healing Institute we hosted two workshops and a webinar this past August called Beyond Trauma. We received 400 registrations! The need for healing is unbelievable.
In the workshops and webinar we shared a booklet that was created by the Trauma Healing Institute called Beyond Trauma: A Catholic Guide for Spiritual First Aid. Our Office mailed each parish 10 English copies and 10 Spanish copies for your reference in the mail. If there is someone at your parish that you would like to learn how to use this booklet in order to lead a group in the parish we invite you to have them register for the upcoming workshop on Tuesday November 17th at 7pm or Thursday November 19th at 1:30pm. This workshop will only be for those who want to learn how to use the booklet to lead a group in the parish
Please use this link for registration.
For any questions you may contact the Director of the Adult Faith Formation Office, Elizabeth Guevara de Gonzalez, at elizabeth.guevara@archny.org or at 646-794-2579.
Adult Faith Formation RCIA: Forum on the Catechumenate for Christian Initiation Ministers
Family Life: Finding Hope for the Holidays
The annual Family Life Office workshop on Finding Hope for the Holidays – for parishioners who are grieving the loss of a loved one – will be held via Zoom conference on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 7:00pm. The evening will provide participants with a time of prayerful remembrance, introspection, and a brief presentation on helpful hints for finding hope during difficult days. A Q&A session with the consolation team will follow the presentation.
Participants must register in advance by Friday, November 13, 2020 to receive the zoom link. For more information, or to register, contact Vincent DaSilva at (646) 794-3168 or Vincent.DaSilva@archny.org.
Family Life: Bereavement Facilitator Trainings
Bereavement facilitator trainings focus on concepts of grief and loss along with practical group dynamics, spiritual support and emotional healing in a community setting. The upcoming virtual training workshop is scheduled as follows:
When: Two Wednesdays, December 2 and December 9, 2020 Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Registration for the training sessions is needed by Friday, November 27, 2020. Participants must register in advance to receive the zoom link. If additional time is needed to complete the training, a third session will be scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, 2020.
Young Adult Outreach: CatholicNYC Presents: Virtual Talks
Join young adults from across the Archdiocese for special autumn episodes of CatholicNYC Presents! We are happy to welcome back popular speakers to talk about Catholic topics, streaming live on Facebook with Zoom socials to follow.
Monday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.: The Rosary with Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC
Tuesday, November 17, 7:30 p.m.: The Future of Christian Marriage with Professor Mark Regnerus
If you are unable to join us live, videos will be saved on Facebook and posted to our YouTube page, YouTube.com/CatholicNYCPresents.
For more information, and to find other upcoming talks, please visit the Events page at Facebook.com/CatholicNYC.