Response Form in Preparation for the November 2013 Rep Council Meeting
Province:Indianapolis
Rep:Frank J. Zolvinski
1.Names – Ken Ogorek, Kathy Gallo
2.Year of Faith Impact and new evangelization
Year of Faith had a good start but wavered as the year went on.
This varies from diocese to diocese and most programs took place at the
parish level. The election of Pope Francis seemed to take some of the
steam out of the Year of Faith as energy and attention was focused on
him and his statements.
NCCL should do something substantive with the Apostolic Exhortation
on evangelization that is soon to come out. Give us some very practical resources to share with our constituents. More practical than academic,
e.g. How to build a parish evangelization team.
3.Sacraments
No dramatic increase yet. A more important question is our concern about
Mass attendance overall.
4.What’s next?
Give us resources to help parish do intentional evangelization. It should be
tied in to Catholic Social Teaching. Give us some best practices that can
help lay people use their skills to evangelize in their work place and home
environments. Help us teach catechists how to be witnesses and how
to pray well.
5.Trends
PCLs wearing multiple hats out of their area of expertise with diversified
responsibilities. Well qualified PCLs not being replaced by qualified,
educated or degreed people. More professional development is needed.
Womb to tomb catechesis needs to be stressed along with adult faith formation. Catholic schools lack qualified religion teachers and faculty
who are not formed the Catholic tradition. NCEA has a lack of catechetical
formation of its own upper level administrators and leaders. Need more
formation of our teachers and principals.
6.Books and articles
Rebuilt
The New Evangelization and You
Lumen Fide
Anything by Pope Francis – e.g. America interview, sermons, and
interviews.
7.Authors and writers
John Cavadini
Erika Bacchiochi – Women, Sex and Church, Case for Catholic Teaching.
Augustine Institute – Denver
The Sower
Disciples Call to Witness
8.More pressing issue
Both issues are equally the same, however catechetical leaders have
a unique responsibility so should demand more immediate attention.
9.Collaborative efforts
On line accessible formation of PCLs and catechists.
Ask USCCB to provide free access to documents on their web page.
10.Suggestions
Set priorities and stick to them, don’t bite off my that you can chew. Do
fewer things and do them well.
More collaboration between USCCB office of Worship and NCCL materials
for catechetical Sunday and Catholic schools.
Nominations for At-Large members
Ken Ogorek – Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Catechetical Leader Award – Ave Marie Press
Distinguished Service Award – Tom and Rita Watlers