Minutes From Pennsylvania Conference Of Catechetical Leadership Meeting 2014 September 9 & 10

Minutes from Pennsylvania Conference of Catechetical Leadership Meeting 2014 September 9 & 10

Members in Attendance:

Ms. Alexandria M. Cirko (Alex), Diocese of Allentown; Mrs. Francine Swope, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Sr. Elizabeth Oettel, O.S.B. and Mrs. Kathy Higgins, Diocese of Erie; Mr. Christopher Chapman and Mrs. Judy Kirk, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Mr. Robert Sherwin and Mr. Greg Petrucci, Diocese of Greensburg; and Mrs. Ann Menna – Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Host Diocese: Philadelphia

Meeting took place at the Holiday Inn Express, Williamsburg Room, State College, PA

1. Tuesday, 2014 September 9

+ Host Diocese of Philadelphia provided Opening Prayer and presentation by Reverend John J. Ames, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, on “Learning by Divine Design.” A medal with a relic of St. John Neumann was given to each member.

+ Minutes from 2014 May 1 and 2 were read and approved with following revisions:

· Allentown: Change first line from “in” to “next” October

· Erie: Change fifth bullet/first line from “was” to “will”

· Minutes were approved with changes Francine Swope and seconded by Kathy Higgins.

+ Committee unanimously decided that:

· the (written)Diocesan Report is the official record for the minutes

· fifteen minutes is allotted and timed for each Diocese to give oral highlights from the Diocesan Report

· the “scribe” from the hosting diocese need only to record in the official record that Diocesan Reports were minutes bullets of the report be submitted.

+ Dioceses (if possible) should send an electronic copy of report to the hosting diocese for the official record. N.B.: Diocesan reports are included and follow minutes from Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

+ Diocesan Reports: Diocese of Allentown, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Johnston-Altoona, Pittsburgh and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia shared highlights and/or all points of their Diocesan reports.

+ Session ended with prayer and grace before meals.

2. Wednesday, 2014 September 10

+ Session opened with Prayer.

+ Diocesan Reports continued with Pittsburgh and Erie sharing highlights from their support.

+ World Meeting of Families: A conference call with Dr. Mary Beth Yount, Director of Programming and Content, WMOF, gave an opportunity for a power point presentation re: the upcoming Congress and “anticipated” Papal visit. WMOF also provided a package of materials for each diocese.

+ NCCL Minutes: Chris noted that they were sent to all members.

+ USCCB Report: Peter Murphy, USCCB, was unable to connect by phone due to Bishops’ Meeting in D.C. See his report attached. Chris highlighted the Leadership Institute as a way to form parish catechetical leaders.

+ Members discussed NCCL’s recent initiative with Diocesan directors and the promotion of NCCL membership at the parish level. The consensus was that most of NCCL materials, events and resources are above the average Director/Coordinator of Faith Formation. Also, cost of membership is a concern. PCCL members do appreciate NCCL and their efforts to enlighten Bishops re: the changing landscape and challenges of Religious Education at both the Diocesan and parish levels.

+ Chris Chapman reminded all that 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Nostra Aetate document, written during Vatican II, which dramatically impacted Jewish-Catholic relations. The document calls for a sense of friendship and collaboration in biblical and theological enquiry. PAJC and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will be hosting a series of events celebrating this ground-breaking document in 2015. We will invite you and your students to join us. Chris will share the lesson plan with PCCL.

+ The final discussion concerned the incorporation of Evangelization/Directors as part of the NCCL. Four of the eight diocese have a Director and/or Office of Evangelization. Greg is the only Director who presently attends meetings. Should others be invited? How would agenda address all needs? Consensus was to table topic for 2015 Spring Meeting. Diocesan directors with Evangelization personnel were asked to survey these directors re: NCCL membership and attendance at PCCL meetings. They will bring back information to the Spring Meeting.

+ The meeting adjourned with the World Meeting of Family prayer.

Date s for next Fall Meeting: 2015 October 1 and 2

Respectfully submitted by: Ann Menna

DIOCESE OF ALTOONA-JOHNSTON

CAMP TIMOTHY AND CAMP ZACCHAEUS

Our diocesan summer camps, Camp Timothy (grades 10-12 and newly graduated seniors) and Camp Zacchaeus, (grades 4-9) were a great success again this year. Probably one of the best yet! When I chose our theme for this year, I was thinking about Pope Francis and all the messages he has been sharing with us about what we are truly called to do and to be as Catholics. I felt we should “break open” the Catholic Social Teachings of the Church and make them “youth friendly.” I think we spend more time with talking about these to adults and not so much to children/youth. Our theme was well received by both camps. The kids just seemed to absorb everything we presented to them. The older kids (Camp Timothy) really embraced the seven teachings and even wrote them in their own words with examples of how they could be living them out themselves. The younger kids were also very receptive. We know they have all at least heard this information, but they seem to view it in a different way when presented at their levels. Even my counselors and staff seemed to really learn more about the teachings as we presented it to the campers. They were grateful for the “new view” of the teachings and how they pertain to their lives. And also to be noted - Camp Timothy topped its 25 minimum enrollment with 31 enrolling and two on a waiting list. Maybe two weeks will be in our future!

FAITH DAY AT DELGROSSO’S

Our second year of holding Faith Day at DelGrosso Park was a great success. It was wonderful to have people (and families) come up and thank us for providing this faith-filled opportunity. We again began the day with Liturgy with Bishop Mark, a diocesan picnic, and the opportunity to just spend time together at the park having fun and celebrating our faith.

CATECHIST FORMATION

Summer was a time to update and check our catechist/teacher records. I had a volunteer come in and help sort through records and update computer files. I am still working toward the goal of all catechists having a minimum of Basic. This has been an uphill battle so far, but a lot of the parishes are getting on board and helping get their catechists to sign up and attend. It is always interesting that once they do Basic Catechist, it feeds that hunger for knowledge they didn’t even know they had, and makes them want to do more.

REGIONAL CONFIRMATION RETREATS

With our Confirmation revisions being fully implemented in the parishes, the need for regional retreats came as a necessity. Last year we offered 6 different retreats around the diocese to meet this need. They proved to be huge success and well received. This year we will again be offering regional retreats. We will be offering one retreat during the school day to use religious release time. It is our hope that we can begin to use this time address the issue of how busy teens are with jobs and other activities and are unable to make some of our retreats and sessions.

SPECIAL NEEDS/AUTISM WORKSHOP

In an effort to assist our parish programs in better serving children and youth with special needs such as Autism, intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities, we will be offering them a workshop. The workshop entitled: How to Welcome, Include, and Catechize Children with Autism and Other Special Needs: A Parish-Based Approach will be offered in two sessions for participants to choose from. On November 7 in the afternoon from 12:30-3:00 PM and on November 8 in the morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The facilitator is Deacon Larry Sutton, Ph.D., from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Deacon Sutton is a Psychologist, Catechist, Author, and Director of Pre-Theology Formation at St. Vincent Seminary.

DRE 101

This year we have a large number of new DRE’s in our parishes beginning this fall. With so many new, untrained people coming on board I thought we should bring these people together and give them a workshop on basic things that a DRE should know and should be doing. It is scheduled for various dates and times in October to meet the needs of all the participants.

SHYCON 2014

Our diocesan senior high conference (SHYCON) is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, at St. Francis University in Loretto. Back by popular demand, our keynote for this year is Steve Angrisano. The day consists of two keynotes by Steve, games and activities, lunch and ends with Mass with Bishop Mark as the celebrant. Last year we had almost 900 in attendance and are hoping to top the 1,000 mark this year!

SPIRTUAL DAY FOR THOSE WORKING WITH YOUTH

In the Spring of 2015 we will be offering a spiritual reflection days for people who are working with children and youth in our programs. Bishop Mark and I had a discussion about the fact that some people feel they are not “worthy” or “good enough” to be working with children and youth – either as chaperones or as groups discussion leaders for our sessions. They did not feel they were always “holy enough”. We decided it would be a good idea to offer a spiritual enrichment day to give them some confidence for working in our programs. More information to follow.

DIOCESE OF ERIE

Continuing Education/Formation Opportunities – 2014 & 2015

The focus for this year’s Education/Formation opportunities is Catechesis and Liturgy .

In response to the growing concern on the part of Religious Education Leaders about parents’ lack of participation in Liturgy, the November 13, 2014, Continuing Education Day will focus on Engaging Children and their Families in Liturgy. Our presenter will be Celine Mitchell, Director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and past Director of Family Faith Formation at St. Fidelis Parish, Butler, PA. Celine will give the presentation at St. Mark Center in Erie and it will be webcast to several locations throughout the diocese.

The topic for this year’s Diocesan Study Week in January, 2015, will be Emerging Models of Parish Clusters. The presenter will be Mark Mogilka, Diocese of Green Bay, WI. Bishop Persico is beginning a process for Pastoral Planning in the diocese and our Clergy Continuing Education Committee believes this topic will be helpful.

In March, 2015, Sr. Sandra DeMasi, SSJ will offer a Spiritual Formation Day focused on The Spiritual Essence Linking Catechesis with Liturgy. The presentation will be offered in three locations in the diocese. Sr. Sandra is a Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, PA. She is Director of Liturgy and Worship at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Short Hills, NJ.

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council and, therefore, the beginning of its implementation, the topic for the Retreat for Religious Education Leaders in June, 2015, will be The Spirituality of Vatican II; What is Vatican II Calling Us To? Our retreat leader will be Edward P. Hahnenberg, PhD, Bern Chair in Systematic Theology at John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH.

Vicariate/Deanery Meetings for Religious Education Leaders

We will continue our focus on Catechesis and Liturgy at vicariate and deanery meetings.

Plans include:

+ Discussion of the article, Catechesis and Liturgy: Harmony or Fragmentation? (USCCB, 2009);

+ Reviewing religious education planning calendars to determine how the liturgical year will be incorporated into the calendar;

+ Developing plans to help religious education leaders prepare their students for liturgical feasts such as Epiphany and Easter;

+ Providing an experience of various forms of prayer at vicariate and deanery meetings;

The Silo’am Project – Standards-based Certification Process for Religious Education Leaders

Revision of the Silo’am curriculum has been completed, in order to bring it in line with the Revised Certification Standards for Lay Ministry. Also, learning from the experience of the Leaders participating in “Silo’am”, we have established a Foundation Curriculum for all participants: Introduction to Scripture, University of Dayton, Introduction to the Catholic Faith, University of Notre Dame, and Theological Reflection, University of Dayton. A Diocesan Workshop, Balancing Life and Ministry is also part of the Foundation Curriculum. This workshop was offered in June and will be offered again in October to all Religious Education Leaders.

Small Christian Communities

The celebration of the 25th anniversary of Small Christian Communities in the diocese culminated with a Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Persico at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie on August 9 with attendance of over 15 parishes who have been participating in small Christian Communities throughout the years.

One of the parishes who has had Small Christian Communities for 25 years produced a DVD sharing some of their experiences. Copies of the DVD will be put in the diocesan media resource library and will be used to promote Small Christian Communities. Articles by people involved in Small Christian Communities will be published in the diocesan magazine, Faith.

National Conference Publicized for Leaders:

Emphasizing the professional role of our Religious Education Leaders, we will be publicizing the 2015 NCCL Conference which will be held in Buffalo, NY. We are hoping that a number of Leaders will be able to attend because Buffalo is within driving distance for most of our diocese,

New Policy for Small Religious Education Programs

Bishop Persico has instituted a new Religious Education Policy for parishes with small religious education programs. Programs which have fewer than six students in at least nine of the grades must consider either combining with a neighboring program or investigating alternative models of formation. The Religious Education Department staff is researching models such as Whole Community Catechesis, Family-centered programs using a basal textbook series, and Liturgical Catechesis. Descriptions of these models and a suggested process for transitioning from a classroom model to an alternative model will be presented to Religious Education Leaders within the next few months. The policy does not go into effect until September, 2015, giving parishes time to review options and put plans in place.

Technology

We continue to update our Department of Religious Education webpage in order to make more and more resources available online for Leaders. The Religious Education Handbook, Religious Education Policies, Downloadable forms needed for student and catechist files are all online.