Evangelization in the Diocese of Des Moines

Growing Disciples E-Newsletter

Evangelization in the Diocese of Des Moines

August 2, 2011

On behalf of our entire diocesan team, welcome back. The CLADD Leadership Team and our diocesan team have a wonderful year of resourcing in store for you as we celebrate 100 years of evangelization and formation within the Diocese of Des Moines.

ALL CLADD Meeting – August 18 – “Do This in Memory of Me”:

Join your colleagues for a day of prayer, reflection, fellowship and great food (provided by Theresa Romans and friends) as we reflect on the beautiful gift of the Eucharist. Father David Fleming, pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Council Bluffs, will be our spiritual leader and facilitator for the day. The day begins at 10:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. The flyer for this event, which includes a registration form, is attached. Cost for this event is $5.00 to help pay for the homemade lunch provided by Theresa Romans and friends Registration is due by Friday August 12.

Scott Shields, from RCL Benziger, will be on hand for the day with catechetical resourcing. Resources to be showcased include: high school Confirmation materials, Blest are We parish curriculum, Roman Missal products, bilingual resources, adult faith formation resources and the Echoes of Faith Plus program.

At our session you will also receive: the 2011-2012 CLADD Calendar and Catechetical Leaders Directory, a CLADD Retreat Save the Date Flyer, Youth Ministry Kick-Off Flyer, Diocesan Centennial Information and Promotional Materials, CLADD Constitution, University of Dayton class schedule, NCCL Membership Brochure, Catechetical Sunday resource page, and a gift from the Diocesan Department of Evangelization & Catechesis.

Catechetical Sunday Materials:

The theme for Catechetical Sunday is “Do This in Memory of Me,” and will be celebrated on Sunday September 18, 2011. Catechetical Sunday is not just for the commissioning of catechists but an important opportunity to evangelize the entire parish community that each person, by virtue of Baptism, is responsible for being a witness to the Gospel and to hand on the Catholic faith. Please keep in mind that catechist volunteers not only include those working with youth such as RE catechists, children’s Liturgy of the Word catechists, and youth ministry volunteers, but also those engaged with people of all ages including young adult ministry, RCIA, adult small group facilitators, Bible study facilitators, etc.

There are two areas where you can find resources and materials for Catechetical Sunday 2011:

USCCB Website: You will find promotional materials, teaching resources, a First Communion Retreat (Spanish & English), liturgy and prayers, printed resources (Spanish & English). The link is: http://www.usccb.org/catecheticalsunday/

NCCL Website (for members only): You will find a variety of materials available through the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership including: Musings: Becoming Who You Receive which offers reflections on the Sunday Gospel; Catechetical Sunday 2011 pin, and other products that re also offered through the USCCB. The link is: http://www.nccl.org/Resources/Documents/About NCCL/Catechetical Sunday Products 2011.doc

The order form link is: http://www.nccl.org/Resources/Documents/About NCCL/CS NCCL order form.xls

Virtus Online can be done on-line:

As of July 1, Virtus training is available for new employees and volunteers online. Virtus training is required for employees and volunteers as part of our diocesan commitment to a safe environment for all of our children. Since the beginning of the safe environment program in 2003, that training has been provided by dedicated facilitators in multiple locations throughout the diocese each year. Attached is a work-flow chart that will help you and your volunteers with the on-line training. Background checks are still required for all employees and volunteers who work with you. Attached please find this form.

We are hopeful that the online training option will eliminate any concerns regarding access to training prior to beginning employment or volunteer work. We are most grateful to the facilitators who will continue to provide live training options throughout the diocese. Their commitment to this work has been a great gift to the Diocese of Des Moines.

Theology of the Body for Teens (Ascension Press) approved by Bishop Pates:

Bishop Pates has granted his ecclesiastical authority (permission) to have “Theology of the Body for Teens” (Ascension Press) incorporated into religious education programs at diocesan schools and faith formation programs effective January 1, 2012. Bishop Pates’ permission includes both the high school and middle school programs offered through Ascension Press. The diocesan conformity list will be updated to include these resources.

Parishes with schools must work with the Diocesan Schools Department since this involves a curriculum decision.

The reason for the effective date of January 1, 2012 is to give us time to evaluate how the program/process worked at Dowling Catholic High School and for local catechetical leaders, youth ministers, teachers and volunteers to be trained in Theology of the Body for Teens. For those who are interested in pursuing this program it is proposed if someone on the catechetical team who has studied the actual addresses by Blessed John Paul II as found in resources from Paulist Press.

Food Security & Economic Justice: A Faith-based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger:

The National Catholic Rural Life Conference has developed this study guide on poverty and hunger to help individuals and parish groups confront the challenge of global hunger. The new study guide can be used with a variety of groups including adult faith formation groups, high school youth ministry, peace and justice groups, and many others.

You can find this resource by following the link to the NCRLC website: http://www.ncrlc.com/page.aspx?ID=8.

Celebrating Confirmation: Liturgy Planning Recommendations and Guidelines:

Attached please find an updated copy of the Confirmation Liturgy Planning Recommendation and Guidelines document. This replaces any previous versions including the one we used with the Confirmation Guidelines document sent earlier from our department. We hope that this will be helpful as you plan dynamic Confirmation liturgies throughout 2011-2012 and beyond.

Catechetical Leader Position Available – St. Joseph Church in Des Moines:

St. Joseph's Parish in Des Moines has an immediate opening for a Religious Education Director working with a parish of 600 families located in Northeast Des Moines; directing a youth faith formation program for approximately 110 students in grades K-8 and also coordinate the sacramental programs for the parish.

Send letter of application, resume, credentials, and three references to: Religious Ed Director Search Committee, St. Joseph's Church, 3300 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50317. You may also e-mail or fax your interest in this position. E-mails may be directed to and fax #515-266-2227.

Quinquennial Report – Please help:

Please help Sherri gather statistics about the diocese that will be recorded in the Quinquennial Report. Each bishop must make a quinquennial report to the Holy father every five years. The Diocesan Department of Evangelization and Catechesis is close to being done with our portion of the report which is due to Sister Jude by August 15. Sherri has tried to make this very simple on your part by asking you to confirm data that we have on your parish from last year’s survey. Please either confirm or correct this information and reply back to Sherri today. We will begin making phone calls on Monday, August 8. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.