Archdiocese of New York | Online Communications Effort
As you know, in May we announced a new on-line communications effort that will launch later this year or early in 2023. This new entity will be a digital newsroom that will include video-based news stories, written articles, photographs, opinion pieces, and cover events and timely topics from all the deaneries of our archdiocese.
Our goal is to be able to publish fresh content daily on a newly designed website, and through social media. We are currently selecting an outside agency to help us develop the website. The audience for the new newsroom will be everyone from loyal Catholics to those who may still be living at a distance from the Church.
We appreciate your support as this initiative gets started. We will provide more information in the coming months, including our still-developing plans to reach those who may not have access to digital media.
Adult Faith Formation Office | Adult Confirmation Program Fall 2022
The Archdiocesan Adult Confirmation Program is designed for practicing adult (18+) Catholics seeking the sacrament of Confirmation, who have been baptized, have received their first Holy Communion, and have been educated in the Catholic faith through Catholic Schools or religious education programs.
Center on Addiction | Parent Day Toolkit
In 2001, Center on Addiction created Family Day. What started as a grassroots initiative to inform parents about the benefits of frequent family dinners has grown into a national movement. Today, Family Day celebrates the simple, everyday things parents do with their kids, like sharing a meal, playing a game or discussing their day.
Development Office | Increased Offertory Program
One crucial problem so many of our parishes unfortunately continue to face is a decline in offertory giving. To address this, the Archdiocese of New York’s Development Office is offering to partner with pastors to run an Increased Offertory Program (IOP) grounded in stewardship. This parish-driven initiative, dedicated to addressing a parish’s current and long-term financial needs, edifies parishioners on the necessity of taking financial ownership of their individual parish to ensure it can continue to grow the Kingdom of God for generations to come.
This year, the IOP will kick-off in mid-September and will rely on traditional means of communication including postcards, letters, bulletin inserts, homilies, and pulpit announcements. The program will also leverage each parish’s digital and social media platforms with the goal of further increasing both visibility and online giving to the parish. This effort will be facilitated by the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal Office and your assigned campaign manager will guide and assist you in preparing and implementing an eight-week program. All mailing expenses and professional counsel will be provided to you at no cost.
Family Life Office | Recovery Sunday
“Recovery Sunday” is a reminder of the plight of those dealing daily with addiction and recovery issues, and those who love and support them on the difficult journey to healing. It is an opportunity to recall the true meaning of freedom, as material abundance and spiritual emptiness too often lead to addictive behaviors. Most importantly, the observance of “Recovery Sunday” is a powerful vehicle for prayer for families and communities in need.
Please consider designating a weekend in September as “Recovery Sunday” in your parish. We have included bulletin announcements, prayers of the faithful, and ideas for activities on the following two pages of this letter (English and Spanish) that may be helpful.
Family Life Office | Widower’s Bereavement Support Group
A Widower’s bereavement support group will be held at the St. Kateri Catholic Center (24 Sloan Rd., Newburgh) on consecutive Tuesdays: September 13, 20, 27, and Oct 4, and 11 – from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Please note that this group is open to men who have survived the death of a spouse. Space is limited. For more information and to register, please call Vinny DaSilva from the Family Life Office at 646-794-3168.