Adult Faith Formation: ManUp Men’s Conference
In preparation for ManUp New York we are puttingtogether a committee of men. To create an event that best serves the men of our Archdiocese, would you please nominate male youth ministry leaders, young adult ministry leaders, men’s group leaders, and business leaders you know, to be part of the committee?
Please submit nominations with their name and contact information to Elizabeth Guevara de Gonzalez at Elizabeth.Guevara@archny.org. Thank you for your assistance!
Adult Faith Formation: SEEK21
In an exciting update– in collaboration with the offices of Young Adult Outreach, University Apostolate, and FOCUS, the Adult Faith Formation Office will partner to increase awareness towards the upcoming FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) SEEK21 conference on February 4-7, 2021. SEEK21 will share the heart of the kerygma and raise missionary disciples through live content, interactive discussion, and prayer. This is the first year that this conference will be in virtual small groups, allowing local attendees to dive deep into discussions with each other for a more personal SEEK experience from the comfort of home. Parishes are encouraged o participate and can select their own group leaders. This is not just for students!
The Archdiocese of New York is sponsoring a first-round of attendees for this conference while supplies last. Actual costs of tickets are $45 a person. Your parishioners can attend for free or donate what they would like to support another person’s attendance and pay it forward!
If your parish might be interested in leading a group, contact Elizabeth at Elizabeth.Guevara@archny.org so your group can be added to the Eventbrite page as a registration option. If you anticipate having more than 10 people attend, please let her know that as well.
To view the Eventbrite page, go to: https://focusseekadny.eventbrite.com
Adult Faith Formation: Rite of Election 2021
Due to ongoing concern with the current pandemic, parishes are directed to celebrate their own Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent – February 21, 2021, for catechumens who are ready to celebrate their Christian initiation this coming Easter Vigil. For more information, please go to the Office of Adult Faith Formation website: archny.org/rite-of-elections/ or email: RCIA@archny.org or call 646-794-2574.
Black Ministry: Pierre Toussaint Scholarship Fund
The Pierre Toussaint Scholarship Fund (PTSF) was established in 1983 and is administered by the Archdiocese of New York, Office of Black Ministry. PTSF has provided scholarships to graduating high school seniors of diverse backgrounds from public, private and parochial schools throughout the Archdiocese of New York, to assist them with the educational fees and expenses associated with their college studies.
Students selected into the PTSF are chosen based on their strong academic record, their active participation with their parish and school communities, and their demonstration of good character and sound leadership ability. PTSF is a program of mentorship & advisement to support our college student-leaders spiritually, professionally and personally.
Completed applications must be received in by March 5, 2021.
Black Ministry: Black History Month Mass
The Annual Archdiocesan Black History Month Mass & Observance of the National Day of Prayer for the African American & African Family will be live streamed via St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NYC) on Sunday, February 7th at 1:00pm. All are welcome to join virtually!
This year we’ll celebrate the life and service of others, who we have lost since our last “Gathering” in February, 2020 – “We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe.” We will acknowledge ALL the special service of our Healthcare Workers, First Responders and Essential Workers (including teachers and pastoral workers).
As we recognize the special service of our essential workers, we will also remember those that we lost in 2020 in a special virtual memorial service, which will be available for viewing on Feb. 7th, online following the Mass and anytime thereafter. To list a name in memoriam, please complete the form here: https://archny.org/black-history-month-mass-memorial-2021/
Family Life: Renewing Catholic Family Faith
The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life is hosting a webinar series that explores the renewal of Catholic family life. This “Liturgy of Domestic Church Life” webinar series presents a new model of both family spirituality and family ministry that seeks to help families live their faith more dynamically at home, and enables parents to do a better job of passing their faith on to the next generation. The four-part series will begin on January 22, 2021.
Family Life: National Marriage Week
“Be Light” Date Night Series and National Marriage Week: Resources to help you plan for the celebration of National Marriage Week (February 7-14, 2021), and a virtual or in-person Date Night series available all year for married [and engaged] couples. For questions, contact Kathleen Crayne at kathleen.crayne@archny.org, or 516-353-0310.
Liturgy: Renewing Parish Music Program
Are you wishing you could take the music in your parish “up a notch?” This webinar will walk through the steps needed to make this happen!
We’ll cover how to assess your current repertoire and resources, and how to plan strategies for improvement. Making changes to a parish’s musical repertoire requires thoughtful dialogue between pastors, music directors, choirs and congregations, taking into consideration the pastoral needs and musical history of the parish, while seeking to offer new and uplifting ways to glorify God and enthuse a congregation for sung worship. This seminar will cover the practicalities of this process, including potential roadblocks and ways around them. There will be time for questions, and handouts will be available after the meeting to reinforce your planning and action.
Liturgy: Sunday of The Word of God
The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time continues to be celebrated as the “Sunday of the Word of God.” This year, that will fall on January 24. The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Committees (FDLC) has prepared a resource to enrich parish celebrations. It may be found on the “public resources” page of their website at https://www.fdlc.org/resources
Respect Life: Prayer Vigil for Life
- Jan. 22, 2021
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- 6:30pm – Holy Hour with music by the Sisters of Life
- 7:30pm – Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan
If you are not able to attend the March for Life, this local prayer vigil is the perfect opportunity to join with others in prayer on behalf of life. The Church has designated January 22nd as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.
Click here to reserve your spot
The Mass will also be livestreamed here.
Help us to spread the word about this important event. Share it on Facebook!
Respect Life: March for Life
The March for Life will take place in D.C. though we recognize many will not be able to attend this year. If you are unable to attend the March for Life in person this year, sign up to watch the live March for Life coverage. You can still participate virtually in this important event and unite yourself in prayer with all those gathered in D.C. Many of the other conferences and events surrounding the March for Life will also take place virtually this year. Visit the Respect Life Office website for details on these events. You may also choose to organize a day of peaceful, prayerful witness outside of an abortion clinic near you. As we know a larger number of abortions occur on Saturday, we encourage you to make Saturday, January 30th a day of local witness.
Please contact Sr. Virginia Joy of the Respect Life Office with any questions (sr.virginia.joy@archny.org; 646-689-2613).
Respect Life: Respect Life Curriculum
The Respect Life Office has a new, free, online curriculum for all-grade levels available for teachers, DRE’s, catechists and parents. The lessons focus on how God has created each person totally unique and unrepeatable. Students will learn how to reverence the gift of life in others and in themselves by exploring a wide-range of life issues at an age-appropriate level. Access the curriculum here.
Young Adult Outreach: January 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. Celebrant and musician TBA.
RSVP is required. The Young Adult Mass will be livestreamed via Facebook Live for those that cannot be physically present.
Those who are most vulnerable and those who are sick or symptomatic should stay home. Those with recent travels to states or countries with high Coronavirus rates should also follow current quarantine protocols. Masks must be worn over the nose and mouth for the duration of Mass and social distancing measures will be in place.
Search “February 3rd YA Mass” on Facebook or email Kaitlyn.Colgan@archny.org for more information.
Youth Faith Formation: Options for On-site Formation in a Yellow Zone
There have been several inquiries regarding options for returning to onsite formation for parishes in yellow zones. The current policy is that if a parish is in a state designated yellow zone COVID micro-cluster, all in person religious education and youth ministry should go completely remote.
After discussion with the Office of Risk Management, we have determined that if a parish would like to return to in-person formation they must comply with the following:
- Option One: Parish follows the guideline set by the state for schools, which includes testing 20% of students and adult catechists and leaders weekly. This would be done at the parish’s expense.
- Option Two: Parish follows the guidelines set by the state, however instead the testing the students, parents provide proof of results for school COVID tests. At minimum 20% of students must test negative. This must be done weekly. Testing of 20% of adult leaders and catechists would need to occur weekly at the expense of the parish.
Youth Faith Formation – Youth Ministry: December Video Message from the 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. To view her latest video, visit the Office of Youth Ministry’s YouTube Channel:
Youth Ministry: Youth Minister’s Meetup on January 23
In this YM Meetup, we’ll discuss the psychological implications of a lack of attention to mental health. You’ll leave with practical strategies designed for ministry leaders that address mental health and wellness issues and tools for the pastoral care of young people and their families. Open to all adult leades that work with youth and families. Link to register: www.archny.org/ymmeetup2021
Youth Ministry: Youth Minister’s Live Dialogue Second Tuesday of Every Month
Join the team at the Office of Youth Ministry on February 9th to discuss challenges, dreams and opportunities with other fellow adult leaders. This February, we will follow-up the presentation on mental health and self-care. Join us at 7pm via zoom. Link will be available soon. Visit our website www.oymny.org
Youth Ministry: March Special Edition: Youth Ministers Live Dialogue with His Eminence Cardinal Dolan
We are excited to announce that His Eminence Cardinal Dolan will join our conversation on March 10t at 7pm. To ensure the integrity of our conversation, this evening will be open to youth ministry coordinators and their adult team members only. More information will be available on our website.
Youth Ministry: Social Media Campaigns
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.
Youth Ministry: New York Catholic Youth Day
We are dreaming big and hope to host New York Catholic Youth Day on May 1st, 2021. Due to current coronavirus restrictions, unfortunately we will not be able to host it at St. Joseph’s Seminary as originally planned. Stay tuned for more information on our plans for youth day.