Adult Faith Formation: Alpha Come and See for Pastors and Ministry Leaders
Interested in learning more about Alpha? Starting April 29th, Alpha is sponsoring Alpha Online, a “Come and See” for Catholic leaders to experience Alpha first-hand in a condensed, more concise way. Click here for a flyer with more information.
Adult Faith Formation: Bible Summit
Join us for the New York Catholic Bible Summit to deepen your understanding of the Bible and learn new ways its teachings can bring hope into your life.
Cultural Diversity Apostolate: Black Ministry: Black Catholic Community and the Archdiocese of New York salutes Black Excellence and Service
Cultural Diversity Apostolate: Hispanic Ministry: Mass in Honor of St. Oscar Romero and the Martyers of El Salvador
Development: Parish Will Seminars
Addressing the importance of having a will and leaving a transformative legacy gift for your parish might seem daunting, but as a trusted advisor,pastors can play an important role helping their parishioners make transformational financial decisions. On January 12, the Development Office hosted a virtual seminar about how to promote planned gifts for parishes, and will be hosting another thirty-minute virtual introductory seminar for pastors on Thursday, April 15, at 2:00PM
Family Life: “Live the Love” Mother/Daughter Video Program
Mothers are in a special position to engage their daughters about the gift of their fertility.“Live the Love,”a video series from the Couple to Couple League offers three age-related programs for moms and daughters to view. Each video is short, scientific, and appealing:segments include “Beauty of the Body,” “Hormone effects,” “How to Talk to Your Doctor,” a mother/daughter online social community, and more.
Liturgy: March Newsletter
Liturgy: New Guidelines for Music at First Holy Communion and Confirmation Liturgies with Children
The celebrations of First Holy Communion and Confirmation liturgies with children are times of great joy in the life of a parish. These events are significant spiritual milestones for those who receive these sacraments, and they also serve as opportunities for a renewal of faith amongst family, friends, and the entire parish community. Music plays a special and memorable role in these celebrations, and parish leadership and staff frequently seek assistance in the proper selection of music for these liturgies. This document seeks to provide guidance to parishes, answering some of the particular questions that may arise when preparing First Communion and Confirmation celebrations with children.
Respect Life: 40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life is a life-saving prayer campaign that is taking place Feb. 17-Mar. 28. 40 Days for Life is a peaceful initiative consisting of 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and educational outreach with the goal of protecting mothers and their children from abortion. More than 18,000 children have been saved from abortion during 40 Days for Life campaigns. To learn more, visit: www.40daysforlife.com
For information about participating in the 40 Days for Life campaigns in the Archdiocese, please contact the following leaders:
- Bronx, Eastchester: Cecile (347) 697-7589; 40daysforlifebx@gmail.com
- South Bronx: Cecile (347) 697-7589; 40days.bronx2@gmail.com
- Manhattan, Bleecker Street: Laurie; 40days.manhattan@gmail.com
- Manhattan, 42nd Street: Laurie; 40days.manhattan@gmail.com
- Newburgh: Wendy Wood (845) 820-4366; newburgh40daysforlife@gmail.com
- Spring Valley: Eileen Peterson (845) 492-6709; RachelMinister1@aol.com
- Staten Island: Deborah Sucich (929) 218-6502; 40dayssi@gmail.com
- White Plains: Lucy (914) 776-4135; 40DFL.WP@gmail.com
Respect Life: Walking with Moms in Need
The USCCB is inviting parishes to join a nationwide effort entitled: “Walking with Moms in Need.” The goal of the initiative is to help parishes better serve moms in need, to communicate the help that is available to pregnant women, and to engage more parishioners in pro-life work. The Respect Life Office would be happy to offer a presentation on Walking with Moms to your parish community or pro-life group. Sr. Virginia Joy and Sr. Charity can give an overview of the initiative and offer a variety of creative ideas to get you started. To schedule a parish presentation, please contact Sr. Virginia Joy: sr.virginia.joy@archny.org; (646) 689-2613.
Respect Life: Office Newsletter
Sign up to receive news and updates from the Respect Life Office. We offer information on upcoming pro-life events and ready-to-use resources for parishes. To sign up, visit: nyrespectlife.flocknote.com
Safe Environment: Compliance Report Card
Our Office has begun a new initiative to ensure that everyone working with minors is in full compliance with the Safe Environment requirements. We have begun sending out to the parishes and schools a “Compliance Report Card” that will give an overall evaluation of their compliance status. Two key requirements are stressed: the percentage of staff who have had a background check and training, and whether the parish or school has returned their most recent roster to our Office. His Eminence has approved this project, and is asking for your support and cooperation. Please keep an eye out for an email from our Office with your report card.
Special Events: Golden Jubilee Wedding Mass
The Archdiocese of New York’s Golden Jubilee Wedding Mass will take place on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 2:30 pm at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Mass is for couples celebrating fifty years of marriage in 2021. His Eminence, Cardinal Dolan will be officiating.
All who wish to attend this Mass will need to register with their parish and will be given a ticket for admission. Parish staff can enroll golden jubilee couples and their guests online at https://adnygoldenjubileemass.eventbrite.com. Registration will close on Monday, May 17 at 5:00 pm.
Youth Faith Formation: Youth Ministry: Lenten Youth Holy Hours
We are working with parish leaders to resource and support them in hosting regional Holy Hours for the youth of the community. This is a great way to gather the youth back if you are still not meeting for in-person youth ministry. Visit our website to see a list of Holy Hours already scheduled. If you would like to host one, email us at youthministry@archny.org.
Youth Faith Formation: Youth Ministry: March Video Message
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 the launch of our Be the Light Season and ways to connect the youth of your communities to the numerous opportunities being offered. Visit the Office of Youth Ministry’s YouTube Channel. You can also sign up our Flocknote to receive her monthly email.
Youth Faith Formation: Youth Ministry: Be the Light Season Launch
The Office of Youth Ministry is excited to announce our Be the Light Season. Through this season’s events we are hoping to gather the youth of the Archdiocese of New York to shine a light in the darkness through service, fellowship, and encountering the presence of Jesus Christ. The activities and events include:
- Opportunities to serve local community (see download below)
- March 20, Guard Your Light to Be the Light: Virtual workshop for youth on self-care and fostering healthy relationships (attached flyer) Link to registration https://archny.org/event/spring-into-action-guard-your-light-to-be-the-light/).
- April 10, Be the Light at Fearless Retreats: In collaboration with Fearless Retreats Ministries, an in-person retreat day for youth 7th-12th grade held at Graymoor Retreat Center (attached flyer) This retreat is the perfect opportunity for Confirmation candidates. If you would like to assist with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please email Cynthia.Psencik@archny.org. Link to registerhttps://fearlessretreats.com/events-1
- May 1st, New York Catholic Youth Day at St. Anthony of Padua in the Bronx (attached flyer)
We hope your youth join the many opportunities to Be the Light! For more information about these activities and events, visit our website www.oymny.org/bethelight
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.