Back from the Holy Land

Holy Land
Well here it is almost February and this is only my second blog.  Thank you to those who have signed up as followers. Hopefully we will get the rest of the catechetical leaders to come aboard. Since my last entry I have spent 10 glorious days in the Holy Land. It was a pilgrimage of about 30 Christian women led by 2 Sisters of St. Joseph, Marianne Race and Pat Kozak,  and by Carolyn Ostiek, a religious of the Sacred Heart, who taught New Testament for  years at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Marianne has been leading these pilgrimages twice a year for many years and Pat has joined her for the past few years. They were a marvelous trio blending their gifts of reflection, leading prayer, Biblical scholarship and keeping us from getting lost.  I highly recommend for those who can afford the time and money to consider a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. My only regret is that I did not do it years ago. The Scriptures come alive in a new way and the connection to the person of Jesus, the Jew, from Nazareth who walked this very land is deepened to a degree that I find hard to explain. It is an ongoing spiritual experience. Many ask me if I felt safe. Yes, I never felt unsafe or anxious about violence. Situations can change quickly in any country but at some point there has to be a sense of trust. Marianne, Pat, and Lyn will be leading another pilgrimage in Oct. of 2011 and again in March of 2012. If anyone woman wants information on these Holy Land experiences just contact me.

Roots of Faith
Unfortunately we had to cancel the classes scheduled at OL of Mt. Carmel in Seekonk on Catholic Morality and Liturgy and Sacreaments. This is the first time we have had to do this but then again this winter has been a challenge for most of us.  We are open to hearing how we can best meet the needs of those adults who are seeking theological backgrounds. Evening classes might not be the best way for some areas.
For those of  you on Cape Cod please get the word out on the Root of Faith sessions being held in So. Yarmouth on 4 Wednesdays, beginning Mar.23 and ending April 13th.  Since it is Lent perhaps people will be drawn to make the extra effort. Fr, Powell and Fr. Deston are the instructors. Always check our website if you need more information.

Faith Formation Convention on Nov. 5, 2011
This  year we were due to return to the Fall River/New Beford area for our convention site. However, we were not able to find a locatioin that would meet our needs. Therefore, we have booked the Taunton Inn (formerly called Holiday INN) in Taunton - off 495. Many of you have been there for other events we have sponsored.  Out theme is Evangelization and we have secured a keynote speaker which we will announce shortly. We were very pleased with the results of our convention last year on Cape Cod. May this year  be as good if not better.

New England Convocation for Catechetical Leaders
Every other year the New England Diocesan Directors sponsor a 2 day pre-conference on the RCIA and a 3 day conference on catechetics.  This year for the first time the 3 day conference will be over a weekend. Starting on Friday at noon and ending Sunday at noon. Hopefully this will allow those of you have other jobs to participate in some or all of the conference. The dates are August4-5 for the pre-conference on the RCIA. One of the tracks is on the RCIA adapted for children which I discovered is an area of much confusion in this diocese.  The conference on Evangelizing Catechesis if from Aug. 5 through the 7th.  As always the site is the Mariott Hotel in Springfield, MA. National speakers are brought in for these presentations and there is a complete track in Spanish for all the workshops. In 2009 there were a few of us from the Fall River Diocese in attendance but it would be great if we could entice a few more of you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn and bond with other catechetical leaders from all over New England. Check our website for more info.

Roman Missal
By now you should all have marked on your calendar, Saturday, March 5th. Go check and be sure it is there. Msgr. Moroney wil be leading us in a day long (10-3) workshop at the Taunton Inn on the upcoming changes in the Missal. As leaders we do need to know what is coming and how best to respond to these changes catechetically for our children and adults. There is a $25 reg. fee because of the meal but of course the parish should be paying for the fee of those attending.

Marriage Ministry
Michelle Ducharme decided at the end of Dec. to leave the Office of Faith Formation as she discerns what is  next for her. She  has been involved in the Office of Marriage Ministry for many years and had been here with us since the transition last July. Rosemary and Crystal will be assuming Michelle duties. Claire continues as the overall director of Marriage Ministry and as you might know Rosemary has begun to oversee the Bereavemnet Ministry.

That's it for now.  Keep warm and safe....Enjoy the snow if you can.