Leaders GRAM. Archdiocese of Dubuque Commission & Board Monthly Newsletter. Vol. 6, Num. 7 - February 2012

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1 Leaders GRAM Archdiocese of Dubuque Commission & Board Monthly Newsletter Inservice Topics, Reminders, and Items of Interest Vol. 6, Num. 7 - February 2012 Come to Me - Lent is that special time in the church year, when each person is challenged to reflect upon how she/he is living out Jesus commandments to love God and love each other. Often we have heard Lent associated with a time to come home or come back - the question that each of us must answer is to come home to what? The focus of our Lenten journey should be moving forward, not focusing on the past. Jesus did not select apostles and disciples based upon their past life but on their potential as messengers of the Good News. He did not focus on guilting or shaming individuals into believing but invited, encouraged, and supported them to participate in something better, a new life. So what should be our goal this Lent, what will be the test to see if we have grown this Lenten season? St. Paul s letter to the Corinthians might serve as a measuring stick to see how each of us has moved towards a life centered on the person of Jesus. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor 13:4-7) At the end of our 2012 Lenten Journey, will we be more kind, loving, and forgiving and less jealous, pompous, and inflated? A few resources that may help guide your Lenten journey include: Creighton University Lenten resource page at: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website at: and Simplifying the Soul, by Paula Huston, Ave Marie Press Who Will Serve? - FFCs and faith formation leaders generally concentrate efforts on recruiting catechists for an upcoming program year in late summer. It is strongly suggested that commissions and faith formation leaders begin the process this month. First there should be ongoing discussion of the catechetical/faith formation needs of the parish/cluster/system based upon projected attendance and faith-formation goals of the commission. Next, names should be surfaced as to who might serve to help answer these needs and goals. Whose name should be on that list? The list should include those faith-filled adults who have a generous heart to help pass on the faith to our children and other program attendees. It should include the names of individuals who others like and like to be around. Who are those individuals that can motivate and inspire others and for youth programming, whom do youth like to be with? Most names that are surfaced will probably be on many other volunteer lists. The FFC needs to surface creative ways to package opportunities for these individuals to serve as catechists. Fostering opportunities that allow for two or more individuals to take over a class/program that allows each to cover specific unit(s) individually or to team-teach. Another model to consider is to have a lead teacher catechist plan and present/teach a larger group for a portion of a session/class while having other parents/adults leading small groups of participants in reflection and application of what was covered. FFCs also need to strive to have a balance of females and males of varying ages serving as catechists. Many potential individuals who would be a quality catechist may feel that they do not have the necessary knowledge, skills, or depth of faith to serve as a catechist - the faith formation leader and the commission needs to have in place a plan to personally invite, assure, support, and walk with these potential catechists. The goal of recruiting quality catechists should be a top priority for each commission that is reported on at every meeting. The March Leaders Gram will contain a brochure inviting and showcasing the role of a catechists that can be shared with potential candidates. CSBs need to take an active role hiring teachers and administrators who are faith-filled individuals who first and foremost see their role as teacher and administrator through the lens of evangelization and passing on our Catholic faith. What is Our Voice? - It is important that FFC/CSB members have a knowledge base as to what political awareness issues and topics are currently on the radar screen at both the state and federal level. The Iowa Catholic Conference is the official organization and voice of the four dioceses in Iowa relating to state legislation and interpretation of state laws. The Iowa Catholic Conference (ICC) has a board of directors, headed by the four Bishops of Iowa, who work with the ICC s Executive Director, Tom Chapman to establish legislative priorities and official policy statements on behalf of the Catholic Church in Iowa. There are times when the Iowa Catholic Conference needs the direct support of parishioners and Catholic school supporters in contacting their elected state representatives as well as the governor s office to influence legislative action. When these legislative alerts are requested, it is important that FFCs/CSBs and individuals respond as

2 soon as possible to impact the decisions of those elected to represent us in the state legislature. The ICC sends monthly newsletters that are available at: where it is possible to sign up for the newsletter or to learn more about issues important to all Catholics in this session. These issues include education, families and children, respect for life, social concerns and other topics. To study the detailed legislation surrounding these issues, please visit the General Assembly website at: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has established its Principles and Priorities at the federal level in Washington. A complete listing of these principles and priorities can be found at: Fair and Just - FFCs and CSBs should be well on their way in developing the operating budget for the 2012/13-program year. The largest cost associated with most budgets is the investment in staff. This leads to a very important question for all FFCs/CSBs: Is the compensation being offered to employees fair and just and are the position expectations/job responsibilities realistic and doable? In order to provide quality programming and initiatives, qualified and trained individuals need to be hired to lead and administer parish/cluster and school programs. FFCs/CSBs need to work closely with Pastoral Councils and Finance Councils to ensure that all are investing in quality leadership and staff. A point to ponder is that we all expect those who perform services for us in our daily life to be well trained and to be the best they can be at their profession/job. Should FFCs/CSBs not be expecting the same quality and investing the same type of resources so those individuals working for the church can be the best at what they are called to do: Go and make disciples of all. Attached to this gram is the annual listing of benefits available to those working in parishes and schools. The March Leader sgram will contain the charts outlining the employment materials and expectations for the 2012/13- program year. Thank You - A big thank you to all commissions and boards who actively supported the Archdiocesan Student Tuition Organization (STO). The program met its 2011 goal of $3.67 million on December 27, This money will be used to provide need-based tuition assistance to qualifying families attending a Catholic school throughout the archdiocese during the school year. Information about how to apply can be found on all school websites or at During this school year more than 3200 students, representing 34% of all students enrolled, received assistance through this program. This third source of income benefits the entire Archdiocese by allowing resources to be used for other ministries. Information relating to the 2012 campaign, which has a goal of $4.23 million, is found at: Reminders: Jesus Alive - Retreat Weekend for Adults with Disabilities - included as a separate file is the flyer for the annual archdiocesan sponsored weekend retreat for adults with disabilities. The FFCs and CSBs are requested to post this flyer in key locations to help foster an awareness of this special event. It is suggested that all FFCs and CSBs review the September 6, 2011 letter and the August 2011 Leaders Gram article outlining elements of this important ministry of the archdiocese. VLCFF Opportunity - Register for a Virtual Learning Community of Faith Formation class this winter. It s just a commitment of a few hours each week for five weeks with your computer in front of the fireplace while the snow falls! What a great way to spend some winter evenings. If interested in a course this winter, Julie Sanders at DBQRELSEC for directions. The classes for Cycle 2 are February 26 - March 31, registration is currently open until February 22. Go to to see a list of the courses offered. Each FFL and principal has received a voucher for a free course that may be gifted to any catechist, teacher, or FFC/CSB member if the FFL or Catholic school administrator is not going to use the voucher Iowa Faith Formation Conference - The Iowa Faith Formation Conference 2012, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the Diocese of Davenport and Des Moines, will be on Saturday April 14, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Hiawatha. Father Ron Rolheiser is the featured speaker discussing Living the Ups and Downs of Our Faith, Dark Nights and Doubt, A Failure of Faith or a Failure of Imagination. To register go to the Archdiocesan website and click on the Events tab to register. For more information contact Julie Johnson, DBQRELCR@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us. Father Rolheiser is a contributing columnist to The Witness and several of his columns/articles can be found at: POC Count Form - The Annual Protection of Children Count form for is due March 15, Materials to complete this form have been communicated to all Faith Formation Leaders and Catholic School Administrators. This annual documentation is a requirement of the archdiocese to be incompliance with the USCCB s Charter for the Protection of Children. Monthly Stewardship Focus- remember to use the monthly education e-bulletin found at:

3 Archdiocesan Benefits 2012 Benefit Plan Year 1/1/12-12/31/12 Benefit Eligibility Requirements/Details Tax Options Plan Single* Family* AEMIF Health Insurance through FAI and MedOne Life Insurance, AD&D Life, Supplemental Life and Dependent Life through Reliance Standard Dental Insurance Delta Dental Flexible Spending Eflexgroup.com Long-Term Disability Ins. UNUM 30+ hours per week. Enroll 1st of month after hire or 1st of month if hired on the 1st or for "qualifying event", due within 30 days. 30+ hours per week. Enroll 1st of month after hire or 1st of month if hired on the 1st, may buy add'l increments of $10,000 Enroll 1st of month after hire or 1st of month if hired on the 1st or Sept. 1 of each year and must remain on for plan year. Cancellation only for death/termination during plan year. 20+ hours per week. Must re-enroll each plan year. 20+ hours per week. Pays after 91 days disability. Pretax Basic coverage is pretax if employee paid, supplemental and dependent is aftertax P500 P750 P1500 P2500 Term Life, AD&D, Supplemental and Dependent Life $ $ $ $ Employer provided coverage is 0.18 per $1,000. See separate chart for Supplemental and Dependent premium. $1, $1, $1, $ Pretax $35.97 $89.93 Pretax Child/Dep. Care Medical Indiv. Health Prem. Adoption $5,000/yr.-max. $3,000/yr.-max. No Maximum $11, Admin fee to employer is $5 per participant per month Aftertax Based on age, % (percent) of wage (see separate chart) 401(k) Plan Anyone over age 21. Open enrollment all Pretax for Optional dollar or Prudential year. Subject to FICA withholding taxes; Federal and State pretax Federal and State percent match, Admin fee to employer is $35 per participant per year * Full Rates are shown. Each location determines what portion the employer and employee will pay towards the premium.

4 September 6, 2011 Dear Chairpersons of Faith Formation Commissions, This memo is being sent to you to request the assistance of your faith formation commission in promoting the archdiocesan fall retreats/renewals for adults with disabilities. The August 2011 Leaders Gram carried a special article concerning the ministry of persons with disabilities. Parishes have been requested to include the announcement at the end of this memo in the parish bulletin either the weekend of September 10/11 or 17/18. The most effective form of catechesis for persons with disabilities is to provide a welcoming, inclusive culture at the local cluster/parish level ensuring that the needs of persons with disabilities are included in the planning and execution of parish/cluster catechetical offerings/initiatives. The parish/cluster FFC can assist with promoting these archdiocesan renewal opportunities in the following ways: 1. Please contact your adult parish members with disabilities and families who may have an adult person with disabilities living in their home and share with them these renewal offerings and invite them to participate. 2. The HIPAA (Health Insurance Privacy And Portability Act) Act does not allow agencies that oversee housing arrangements for persons with disabilities to release contact information for these individuals. Consequently it is difficult to reach individuals who may want to be included in mailings related to these renewal events. If you do not already have a list, it would be helpful if names of individuals and families in the parish/cluster who may be related/know of adults living in group homes or independent living were surfaced. From this listing, we are asking that personal contact be made with families and individuals inviting them to participate in any of these renewal offerings. 3. If you do not already do so, it is a great idea to make sure all adults with disabilities get registered in the parish so that contact information for them can be maintained and updated and they are included in parish news and offerings. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide in this matter. Blessings, Jim Osterberger, interim Director for the Office of Persons with Disabilities, Archdiocese of Dubuque We are a Single Flock - We are a single flock under the care of a single shepherd. A responsibility of the FFC/CSB is the full inclusion of everyone. Individuals in our faith communities may feel or be excluded because of a physical, emotional, intellectual, social, or spiritual limitation or disability. The NDC states All persons with disabilities have the capacity to proclaim the Gospel and to be living witnesses to its truth within the community of faith and offer valuable gifts. Their involvement enriches every aspect of Church life. They are not just the recipients of catechesis - they are also its agents. Each FFC/CSB is encouraged to honestly discuss and list what may be any physical and perceptual barriers that prevent individuals from being true agents of faith-formation (catechesis). What plans are in place to ensure that every person and their families feel invited, welcomed, and valued as a necessary and important part of the parish/cluster or school? Each FFC/CSB should become familiar with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) foundation documents relating to persons with disabilities. Documents can be found at: The dignity of human person is initially rooted in our creation by God in his image and likeness. The divine image is present in every person. (NDC)

5 March 31 - April 1, 2012 Albrecht Acres, Sherrill, IA For more information call (563) ext. 260 or send an to DBQCAFSEC@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us All are welcome! (volunteers, family, friends & caregivers) Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Dubuque - Office of Persons with Disabilities