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 continue to encourage parishioners to come back to in-person Masses and 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. Be assured of my prayers for you and your parishes.
Adult Faith Formation: Alpha Come and See for Pastors and Ministry Leaders
Feb 18- Feb 23- Feb 25- Mar 2- Mar 4- Mar 9 : 1:30pm-2:45pm
You are invited along with other Catholic leaders from across the US to get a first-hand experience of Alpha Online in order to build a culture of evangelization right where you are. This includes a brief 6-session preview of the Alpha Online Experience, focusing on highlights of the participant experience so that you can speak to the effects of Alpha with personal knowledge, while connecting with other diocesan and parish leaders. You may decide to ask your parish ministry leaders to take part. To register click here.
Adult Faith Formation: ChristLife for Lent
During these unprecedented times, the Office of Adult Faith Formation would like to support you and your parishes in continuing to lead people closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. We need Him now more than ever. People are lonely, isolated and afraid. Many have been sick or have lost their jobs or family members. The only hope we have is in Christ.
I am pleased to announce our ongoing partnership with ChristLife. ChristLife has been offered in the Archdiocese of New York since January 2010. Many of you are familiar with the series which involves dinner, prayer, teaching and small group discussion. Last year we were pioneers in offering the first fully virtual ChristLife series which was a success. We are offering the virtual series (and one in-person offering) for Lent 2021. Sessions will be offered every day of the week, mornings, afternoons and evenings. Please take a look at the ChristLife website ChristLife for more information about this ministry. We ask that you share the following invitation to all your parishioners beginning this weekend. You may also decide to send your parish ministry leaders to take part. You can find a flyer at this link. To learn more from our website click here, to sign up click here.
Adult Faith Formation: The Search for Lent
The kerygmatic video series, The Search, is a great option as a Lenten series 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.
Adult Faith Formation: Villanova
Registrations are still open for Spring 2021! Interested candidates can apply for a Masters in Church Management with Villanova University through our partnership. To learn more visit www.archny.org/villanova.
Communications and Marketing: Vocations Video
Parishes are invited to share this new video on considering the possibility of a vocation on their websites. If you have an eCatholic site, sharing is easy. Here are the quick instructions:
- Click “Add Content” (bottom left corner)
- Click “From the Diocese”
- Drag and drop Vimeo square where they’d like it to appear on site
- Click “Publish” (bottom right corner)
If you do not have an eCatholic site, you can share the video from this Vimeo link (https://vimeo.com/500504879) or use the embed code included on the Vimeo page under “share.”
Here is suggested copy to share alongside the video, which you may use or adapt, for your convenience:
God, in His remarkable grace, can take what is broken and transform it into something good. Is God calling you to a meaningful life in the priesthood? Give yourself the gift of the sacraments. Consider a dynamic, joy-filled life in service to our Lord. Visit NYPriest.com or call the Office of Vocations at 914-968-1340 to learn more.
If you have any questions or run into any problems, please reach out to the Communications department at MK.Fogarty@archny.org or Marketing at Katherine.Murphy@archny.org.
Communications and Marketing: Flocknote
Are you looking for a way to keep your parish closely connected during this period of social distancing? Flocknote is available to your parish, free of charge. Check out the quick and easy Launch Steps to get started.
Has your parish already launched Flocknote? Whether you’ve been using Flocknote for years or just started, it never hurts to expand your list to reach more of your parishioners. Here are a few steps to help you expand your network:
- Export members’ contact info from the central member database to a spreadsheet.
- Import this spreadsheet into Flocknote OR email the spreadsheet to help@flocknote.com and have the helpful Flocknote staff import it for them.
- Embed the signup form on their website.
- Promote their Text-to-Join keyword and Vanity URL in the bulletin and on social media regularly. Here are some handy graphics that can be used.
- Parishes have also mailed the TTJ flyer below to their parish’s homes with success.
If you run into any problems or would like to speak to directly to Flocknote staff to help get started, feel free to reach out via Email at help@flocknote.com or click here to schedule a phone call. If you have any questions for the archdiocese, please reach out to the Communications department at MK.Fogarty@archny.org or Marketing at Katherine.Murphy@archny.org.
Cultural Diversity Apostolate – Black Ministry: Black History Month Weekend Events
The Office of Black Ministry had a successful Black History Month Weekend February 5 – 7, 2021, including several volunteer opportunities and the below Memorial Program.
Cultural Diversity Apostolate – Black Ministry: The Church and Racial Justice: A Conversation in Truth and Hope
In partnership with the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, the Office of Black Ministry, held with a panel discussion on the documentary Facing an Uncomfortable Truth. You can watch the conversation below.
Cultural Diversity Apostolate – Black Ministry: Black History Month Mass
The Annual Archdiocesan Black History Month Mass and Observance of the National Day of Prayer for the African-American & African Family took place on February 7, 2021. The recorded stream is available for view below.
Development: Flocknote – Email and Text Communication Tool
Dear Pastors and Administrators,
Thank you for your resilience and ingenuity over the past year, faithfully sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to your parishes under the most restricted and challenging circumstances. To ensure that your entire parish community receives accessible and regular communications from you while we cope with COVID-19 challenges and beyond, I would like to enthusiastically remind you of our user-friendly, free resource: Flocknote.
Family Life: Save the Date – Special Mass for Deceased Children of Parents from the Archdiocese of New York
Join His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan as he celebrates Mass intention for deceased children of parents from the Archdiocese of New York on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 10:15 AM in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. We welcome parents who have lost children (of any age) that have died by any cause, no matter how long ago. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and in keeping with the established protocols of the Archdiocese of New York, attendance is limited and social distancing measures will be enforced. Face coverings are mandatory for all in attendance.
To contact us, or for more information, please email the Office of Special Projects and Events at ADNYSpecialEvents@archny.org or call 646.794.2000.
Liturgy: Lenten Morning of Prayer and Reflection for Liturgical Ministries
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers and Parish Musicians are invited to come together and reflect on the meaning of Lent for their lives today, their ministry and their parish communities. Join us for this online webinar on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 10 AM, which will include inspiring talks and an opportunity to unite together in prayer with other parish liturgical ministers. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
Fr. Paul Turner, S.T.D., Pastor, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City, MO , and author of numerous books with Liturgical Press, World Library Publications and Liturgy Training Publications, will be the presenter.
Young Adult Outreach: Young Adult Mass
Join us for our monthly Young Adult Mass! Adoration with praise and worship music and Confessions will be available from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Mass begins at 7:30 p.m. Fr. Jorge Obregon, LC is our celebrant and Carly Snyder is our musician.
RSVP is required. The Young Adult Mass will be livestreamed via Facebook Live for those that cannot be physically present. Visit the event page here on Facebook or email Kaitlyn.Colgan@archny.org for more information.
Youth Faith Formation: January Video Message from Office of Youth Ministry
Every month, Cynthia Psencik, Director of the Office of Youth Ministry delivers a message to our adult leaders that work with youth and shares pertinent information and useful resources for their ministry. Access this month’s video to learn about Springtide Research Institute’s recent study on the State of Religion and Young People by visiting Office of Youth Ministry’s YouTube Channel here.
You can also sign up our Flocknote here.
Youth Faith Formation: Youth Minister’s YM Dialogue
Our presenter Rhyan Ramirez will join us once again to follow up our discussion on the importance of self-care in ministry. Open to all adult leaders that work with youth and families. Register here.
Youth Faith Formation: March Special Edition: Youth Ministers Live Dialogue with Timothy Dolan
We are excited to announce that His Eminence Cardinal Dolan will join our conversation on March 10 at 7 pm. To ensure the integrity of our conversation, this evening will be open to youth ministry coordinators and their adult team members only. Register here.
Youth Faith Formation: Lenten Youth Holy Hours
In an effort to continue to support ministry with youth in our parishes and regions, our Regional Coordinators Christopher & Stephen are working with leaders to help plan and host holy hours for the youth of the community. Visit our website to see a list of Holy Hours already programmed. If you would like to host one, email us at youthministry@archny.org.
Youth Faith Formation: New York Catholic Youth Day: Be the Light (Acts 13:47)
New York Catholic Youth Day will be livestreamed with in-person options on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Location(s) will be shared soon. Click here to visit our website and learn more.
Youth Faith Formation: Social Media
If you are not already following the Office of Youth Ministry on Instagram and Facebook, make sure to follow @OYMNY where we provide useful content that can be shared with your youth.