In this Issue... November 2, 2018

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1 not displaying? View it in your browser. In this Issue... November 2, 2018 Message from Gary: New Saints From Our Friends Guest Column: Nativity Challenge Office of Catechesis & Youth Ministry News Update Catechist Contact Info Co-Workers in Transitions Upcoming Events Catechetical Calendar Presenting to Parents: How to Keep Them Engaged Gigs, Geeks & God Archdiocese News Celebrating 175 Years Resources Mareda Advent Reflection Advent Resources Save the Date WCYR Reach Out Reach In Catechetical Conference National Catholic Youth Conference District Meetings Message from Gary: New Saints Just a couple weeks ago, October 14, Pope Francis canonized 7 new saints: Pope Paul VI, Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, Francesco Spinelli, Vincenzo Romano, Maria Katharina Kasper, Ignacia Nazaria March Mesa, and Nunzio Sulprizio. What is the significance for us as catechists? First, of course, we have seven more models of holiness who show us what life in Christ looks like in diverse situations, cultures and walks of life. Each saint contributes something to the ever- 1/10

2 growing mosaic of holiness in the Church. But I want to offer brief comments on two of the new saints. Saint Pope Paul VI became pope after John XXIII died. John had launched the Second Vatican Council and presided over the first session. Paul VI determined to continue the council, presiding over three more sessions, It is his name on every one of the documents of that great council. He then oversaw the implementation of the council, including the liturgical reforms and important ecumenical overtures. Among his important writings are Populorum Progressio, Humanae Vitae, and Evangelii nuntiandi. This last one, also known as Evangelization in the Modern World, called us to re-focus on the centrality of evangelization. He laid the foundation for what would later be called the New Evangelization. In doing so, he highlighted the indispensable role of the laity: Lay people, whose particular vocation places them in the midst of the world and in charge of the most varied temporal tasks, must for this very reason exercise a very special form of evangelization... Their own field of evangelizing activity is the vast and complicated world of politics, society and economics, but also the world of culture, the sciences and arts, international life, the mass media. It also includes... human love, the family, the education of children and adolescents, professional work, suffering. St. Paul VI also promoted lay ministry as necessary for evangelization: The Church recognizes the place of non-ordained ministries which are able to offer a particular service to the Church... These ministries, apparently new but closely tied up with the Church's living experience down the centuries - such as catechists, directors of prayer and chant, Christians devoted to the service of God's Word or to assisting their brethren in need, the heads of small communities, or other persons charged with the responsibility of apostolic movements- these ministries are valuable for the establishment, life, and growth of the Church, and for her capacity to influence her surroundings and to reach those who are remote from her. He reminded all of us: "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." Nunzio Sulprizio is someone that few of us had probably heard of before. He was a young man when he died at age 19. His parents had died when he was six, so he was raised by an uncle who demanded hard labor and gave him dangerous assignments. Nunzio developed gangrene and eventually lost a leg. Despite tremendous suffering, he would say: Jesus suffered a lot for me. Why should I not suffer for Him? I would die in order to convert even one sinner. Nunzio is a reminder that young people are called to holiness in their circumstances, and quite capable of responding to grace, bearing suffering, and giving themselves for the salvation of others. Pope Francis added Nunzio to the list for this particular canonization just this summer, so that his canonization would coincide with the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith, and 2/10

3 Vocational Discernment. Saints of God, pray for us. Guest Column: Nativity Challenge Our guest column this issue is by Michelle Zakula, pastoral associate at St. Gregory the Great Parish. Last Advent, her parish challenged every parish family to place a nativity scene in their yard or inside their home. What a wonderful way to 1) remind families of the reason for the season, but also 2) to give witness to neighbors and friends. Having read about their effort in the Catholic Herald, we asked Michelle to share the how-to with us. Perhaps your parish can adopt the Nativity Challenge. Nativity Challenge: An Advent Invitation to Evangelization Objective: Keep our Advent journey focused on the true reason we prepare for CHRISTmas. Goal: Utilize social media, parish bulletin, school newspaper to invite all parish and school families to place a nativity in their yard (preferably) and in their home. At the same time the parish will be adding to their own nativity scene each week within the sanctuary and highlighting a figure Tasks: Prepare various announcements that will invite parishioners to keep their hearts and homes focused on the true reason for Advent (and thus Christmas). Inform, educate, and excite parishioners by inviting them to take pictures of their nativity sets and sending them (by or through social media) to the parish. The parish will then upload the photos to social media sites and highlight a little bit about each nativity set (if parishioner provides). Announce from the ambo (prior to Advent) about our Nativity Challenge. Have pastor and other staff members promote it in their ministries. If desired, presiders can prepare their homilies using the figures we highlight each week on Advent. Invite staff members of lay leaders in the parish to write a reflection for the bulletin focused on the figure of the week. Read this just prior to the start of each Mass. Use these as prayer and reflection for parish meetings that occur that week. Figures we used included: Week One: Shepherds (we focused on watchkeepers and how do we keep watch?) Week Two: Mary and Joseph (their great YES to God s call, how do we respond yes in our actions each day?) 3/10

4 Week Three: Bambinelli Sunday (Italian Tradition of bringing baby Jesus figurines to church to be blessed before placing them in the crèche on Christmas eve). We also invited children in our formation and school programs to do various projects (make ornaments of baby Jesus, etc). We delivered some to our homebound, and some they got to take home. Week Four: Animals (Christ came for ALL sinners, outcasts, etc. How do we welcome ALL into our family of faith?) Holy Family: We highlighted our own families and how do we keep this spirit of Christmas alive long after the tree comes down? Epiphany: We highlighted the Magi and invited people to go out into the world to seek those who need Christ invite them to bible study or Mass or a parish concert or event. As you can see this is a multi-layered approach to a project and it can have many different adaptations! The idea was to keep our parish family focused on the beauty of Advent and Christmas and not the commercial trappings of the holiday season. I am happy to share in resources I have, simply me at mzakula@stgregsmil.org Office of Catechesis and Youth Ministry News Update Catechist Contact Information We are asking each parish to update their own catechist names and addresses in the archdiocesan database so that we can ensure your catechists are able to receive information about training opportunities and relevant resources from the archdiocese. As a Catechetical Leader at your parish, you might not be able to update this database on your own. Someone else in your parish should be able to update this list for you. It may be an administrative assistant, parish secretary or business manager. Download the PDF instructions for editing names. All catechists should be included in the database and tagged as a catechist, which is found under the Religious Education Tag. Contact Dale Klein if you need your own login credentials or if you have any questions about the process of editing, transferring or adding individuals. Co-Workers in Transition Following are several new directors of religious education, faith formation and youth ministry. These were not listed or started after our previous announcements of new ministers in the newsletter. Caitlin Raether, Parish Life Coordinator, St. Robert, Shorewood Betty Salazar, Director of Christian Formation, St. Roman, Milwaukee Amy Kroll, Youth Minister- Middle School, Lumen Christi, Mequon 4/10

5 To view the previous list of new ministers and positions, click here. Upcoming Events Download the Catechesis & Youth Ministry Office Calendar to stay up to date on events. Presenting to Parents: How to Keep Them Engaged November 13, 2018 or November 15, 2018 Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center, Milwaukee Perhaps the most important but challenging dimension of creating a Family Perspective in your ministry is engaging parents. It is a critical factor but not always easy to achieve. Join us for this session where we will discuss how to be more effective in engaging parents. We will present ways to coach presenters to speak more successfully to parents, consider some topics that are of most interest to parents and have an opportunity to share best practices. Dr. Doug Meske will model an effective parent presentation and equip you to do that in your setting. Learn More and Register Gigs, Geeks & God January 10, 2019 Our Lady of Lourdes, Milwaukee This conference on technology, faith formation and parish ministries will feature a keynote speaker, workshops, exhibitors, and ample time 5/10

6 for sharing ideas with experts and colleagues. Look for registration opening soon! Archdiocese News - Celebrating 175 Years Opening Mass, November 25 On Sunday, November 25, 2018, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will begin a yearlong celebration of its 175th anniversary, beginning with an Opening Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, 2 p.m. All Catholics are invited to this Mass celebrated by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey R. Haines and Auxiliary Bishop James T. Schuerman, along with priests of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Immediately afterwards, a reception will follow at the Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Mass and reception are expected to be at full capacity please plan to arrive early. Questions can be directed to Jenni Oliva, olivaj@archmil.org, (414) Ring in the 175th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee November 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. All parishes, schools and Catholic faithful within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are invited and encouraged to participate. Help us ring in the 175th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on November 28 - the day the archdiocese was founded back in Don t have bells? Want to participate from home? Church bells, school bells, hand bells whatever you have to join us will work. We are suggesting one minute of ringing (10 a.m.-10:01 a.m.). With 196 parishes, 107 schools and close to 600,000 Catholic faithful, our archdiocesan presence is strong within the communities of southeastern Wisconsin. It s time to celebrate who we are and how far we ve come in our faith. In addition, please feel free to pray our new 175th Anniversary Prayer (175.archmil.org) on this momentous day, and any time within our anniversary year; praying for the continued growth of our archdiocese, as well as our own parish and school communities. From our Friends 6/10

7 Mareda Advent Morning of Reflection: Following the Light When You Only See a Flicker with Dr. Sandi Schmitt Advent is a time of devout and expectant delight. However, many in ministry today are struggling with discouragement. Through the wisdom of St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and the Prophet Isaiah, this morning of reflection will inspire those in ministry to hold fast to Hope and to keep seeking the Light. God is with us in the darkness working marvelous deeds. Co-sponsored with PMMA. Join us on Tuesday, December 4th at St. Joseph parish, W Center St, Wauwatosa starting at 9:00am with hospitality. Lunch is generously sponsored by Sadlier. To register: click here. Resources Advent Resources Advent is almost here. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord s birth on Christmas. As you enter into this season, please visit our Advent Resource page for blessings, both general and catechist resources, online advent calendars, Whole-Community Catechesis for Advent ideas and more. Save the Date Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally High School Edition: March 16, 2019 Middle School Edition: March 17, 2019 The Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally (WCYR) is a day-long conference for high school students (Saturday) and middle school students (Sunday), perfect for a Lenten retreat. This is a great 7/10

8 opportunity for your teens to experience the wider Church, listen to dynamic and passionate speakers, and encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ in a new way. Our theme this year is Broken. Registration opens January 1 st and early bird pricing goes up on February 1 st by $5/person. Check it out at or by calling the Arise Milwaukee office at Reach Out Reach In - July 14-19, 2019 Reach Out Reach In is a local summer service week, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, for teens aged 15 through 18, who have completed 9th grade and who want to be involved in direct service and social action. The sites, located around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, include homeless shelters, adult day care, community organizations, meal programs, organic farms, child care and more. The experience includes community, simple living, prayer, and justice education. The cost is reasonable ($250; $265 after April 30th). We also invite YOU to consider serving on the team for the week of Reach Out Reach In. Adults serve as worksite leaders who accompany youth to their service sites, supervise during the week, and help young people reflect on their experience. More information can be found on the flyer or by visiting our website. Catechetical Conference August 23-24, 2019 Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center, Milwaukee Save the Date for the 2019 Catechetical Conference. The conference theme this year will be PROCLAIMING CHRIST YESTERDAY, TODAY and TOMORROW, This conference will offer presentations for catechists, catechetical leaders, and others who pass on the faith. Please mark your calendar for yourself, your catechists and friends. 8/10

9 National Catholic Youth Conference November 21-24, 2019 Indianapolis, Indiana It may be a little over a year away, but it s not too early to start thinking about bringing a group to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis in November NCYC is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The schedule includes keynote addresses, prayer, workshops, opportunities for reconciliation and eucharistic adoration, recreational activities, concerts, exhibits, and stadium Mass. Parish and Catholic high school groups in the archdiocese register, travel and participate as part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee delegation. For more information on NCYC, including videos from our 2017 pilgrimage, go to District Meetings District 9 (SCORE) November 10:00am St. John the Evangelist - Kohler District (Youth Ministry) November 12:00pm District 7 November 12:00pm St. Katharine Drexel, Beaver Dam *** To have your district meetings included in the newsletter, please send your meeting information to: murphyjc@archmil.org Contact Us Gary Pokorny Director pokornyg@archmil.org Jennifer Murphy Program and Event Coordinator murphyjc@archmil.org 9/10

10 This ministry is supported by the Catholic Stewardship Appeal. Do you have am article, event or district meeting you would like included in the newsletter??? Please send information to: This was sent by: Office of Catechesis & Youth Ministry Archdiocese of Milwaukee St. Francis Visit our website Unsubscribe 10/10