FROM SR. FLORENCIA
· Calendar 2013-2014: I am attaching the calendar for the 2013-2014 events for youth ministers. This year we’ll try less locations and less meetings for youth ministers so that we can have more people at each of them. What enriches the conversation is that you can hear each other so please try to make an effort to come! Click here
· Fan the Fire: please let me know what you thought of this year’s Fan the Fire. Any feedback is greatly appreciated so that we can improve it for next year. Thank you!
· Invite all parents, volunteers and friends to the workshop sponsored by the Office for Pastoral Services and the Office of Clergy and Religious entitled “Fighting Porn in Our Culture…and Winning!”on October 9th at 1 pm at St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull. It is such an important theme and we all need to learn as much as we can so that we can help our young people. Please invite anyone who would benefit from it! See attached letter from Damien O’Connor and RSVP to Carmela Setti. Click here
· Safe Environments: Since there are many of you who are new youth ministers, I just want to remind all of you that for any diocesan event, all adults need to be CLEARED by the safe environments office. This is why, we always ask for the names a month ahead of times. That gives us the opportunity to run again the background checks that down come through for one reason or another. The easiest way to do this, is if you send me a list of all the adults that help you or might help you chaperone for youth events. I clear them now and then, they are all set for any future event. I am attaching a template if you would like to send me some names. Thank you very much! Click here
· Resources: also, since many of you are new, these are some lists of resources that I have compiled over the years. Please send me more if you know of any!
o Resources for youth ministers
o Resources for parents
o Resources for teens
· The CATECHETICAL CONGRESS will be held on Saturday, November 16 at Sacred Heart University. Volunteers are needed at the Congress to work hospitality starting at 7am. Please contact Pat Heller, DRE at Saint Joseph Parish, Shelton at 203-924-9677 or to sign up. Thanks! See the attached NEW flyer! Bishop Frank Caggiano will now be our keynote speaker. Please let me know if you would like save the date postcards to hand out to parent volunteers and team members. Online registration will begin in September. Click here
· SHARE FALL 2013 SCHEDULE: 4 courses offered; two at SHU-Fairfield, two at SHU-Stamford. They are: Synoptic Gospels; Women of the Church; Church as a Sacrament, The Second Vatican Council: Renewing Our Appreciation!; and Christology. Click here
· USCCB Conscience Protection website. I strongly encourage you to go to the website! The USCCB has created access to some very helpful and QUICK resources to guide you in speaking up for conscience protection: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/ Our voices still need to be heard! Please continue to be vigilant in speaking up and speaking out. For more information, contact Maureen Ciardiello, Director of Respect Life Ministry, Office (203) 416-1445, Fax (203) 373-1418, www.officeforpastoralservices.org
FOR YOUTH MINISTERS – NETWORKING
· The Missionaries of Charity (the order founded by Blessed Mother Teresa) need help to clean the floors of their home for after school programs that will start in September.Sister Theresa is asking for 5-6 volunteers who can take an afternoon to help clean these floors. 599 Beechwood Ave, Bridgeport, CT
· From NFCYM: We are seeking up to 400 Youth Ambassadors to assist as workshop session moderators in Indianapolis during the five breakout rounds that will occur on November 22-23. To help you engage and involve your youth, we have developed a short (2 minute) promo video to use to promote this opportunity for youth involvement and we have reduced the cost to $10 per Ambassador (to cover t-shirt and snack during on-site orientation). There is no charge for the adult liaison. We have also developed an easy online registration process for Delegation Leaders to use to both register and pay for your Ambassadors. In addition, you can download an Ambassador Information Flyer to distribute to youth to collect the info you need to register them. All of this information can be found on our Ambassador website at: http://www.ncyc.info/program/ambassadors.htm. You may sign up youth in teams composed of up to 4 youth and one adult liaison. You may register as many teams as you wish. It is our hope that a team will serve for no more than two sessions so they will have ample opportunity to attend other sessions as a participant. We ask that you register your Ambassadors before September 30 so we can communicate with them (there is both online and onsite training to prepare them for their role). Ambassadors will be treated to a special welcome performance by Steve Angrisano on Thursday, November 21 as part of the onsite training and will be invited to sit around the main stage on Friday morning of NCYC to be recognized for their role. Thank you for your prompt attention in helping us involve youth in this special leadership role at NCYC. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Michael Theisen, Director of Membership Services: , work Cell: 202-674-4209 DC Phone: 202-636-3825 ext 15 Fax: 202-526-7544
· The Ministry for Adult Formation will be offering a pilgrimage on November 8-10 in conjunction with Magnificat Day. We will visit four Shrines in the Philadelphia area and attend Magnificat Day. The speakers at Magnificat Day will be Father Robert Barron and Father Peter Cameron. See the attached flyer to share with parishioners, family, and friends. Contact Gina Donnarummo at / 203-416-1446 for more information and the registration form. Click here
· AN AFTERNOON OF PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE AND INTERCESSION: Saturday, October 12, 2013: 1-4pm, Our Lady Star of the Sea, 1200 Shippan Ave., Stamford, CT. The hidden wounds of abortion affect each of us. Whether it be one’s neighbor, co-worker, friend, relative, maybe oneself…as a community we have all been touched. Join us as we observe an afternoon of remembrance and intercession to heal. We will gather to pray and intercede on behalf of those who have been touched by abortion, seeking forgiveness and healing in God’s merciful love. The day will include Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Sponsored by the Diocese of Bridgeport - Respect Life Ministry. For further information call Maureen Ciardiello, Director of Respect Life Ministry at 203-416-1445 or email
· Encountering the Word Made Flesh, A Retreat for Lay Ministers. Join Father Peter Lynch at Saint Ann Church, 481 Brewster Street, Bridgeport for a one-day retreat designed to enrich your ministry and deepen your relationship with Jesus, the Word Made Flesh. Retreats are offered from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on 9/14/13, 11/16/13, 3/8/14, 5/10/14 for $45 and include lunch, the opportunity for Confession and Mass. Visit www.StAnnBlackRock.com for more information or call the Parish Office at (203) 368-1607. Click here
· "Take a Walk in Their Shoes" and join the Morning Glory Walkathon to benefit the Morning Glory Breakfast Program in its fight against hunger in the Danbury area Saturday, October 5th. See the attached flyer for all the details or contact Marlene at: 203-746-1142 or . Click here
SAVE THE DATE
· CONVIVIO 2014: March 7, 8 and 9!
RESOURCES
· See the new Facebook page I started to learn about the Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, Servants of God, and open causes in the United States of America. LIKE it today! www.facebook.com/CommunityOfSaintsInTheUSA
· Search other Facebook pages from the Office for Pastoral Services:
o DioceseofBridgeport
o ReligiousEducationProgramsattheDioceseofBridgeport
o MinistryforPeoplewithDisabilitiesattheDioceseof Bridgeport
o YouthMinistry-DioceseofBridgeport
o RespectLifeMinistryattheDioceseofBridgeport
o MarriageandFamily(DioceseofBridgeport)
o SharefortheDioceseofBridgeport
o SaintCyrilofJerusalemProgram
· www.liturgy123.com (from the Diocese of Bridgeport)
· iPad App from the Diocese of Bridgeport: Sacraments123
Like us on Facebook! Youth Ministry - Diocese of Bridgeport