The Catechetical Leader. St. Faustina Kowalska

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1 March 2016 The Catechetical Leader St. Faustina Kowalska Helena Kowalska was born in Poland, August 25, She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925, taking the name Faustina. Sister Faustina had visions much of her life and was devoted to spreading the word about God s forgiveness, divine mercy, for all who asked for forgiveness. On February 22, 1931, she saw Jesus wearing a white robe and raising his right hand in blessing with his left hand resting on his heart from which flowed two rays of light. Jesus asked Sr. Faustina to have the image painted with the prayer, Jesus, I trust in you. She persuaded her spiritual director Father Michael Sopocko, her vision was real, and he found an artist to paint the image. Father Sopocko also advised Sister Faustina to record her visions in a diary. She died of tuberculosis at age 33. Diocese of Superior Bishop Hammes Center 315 West 5th Street Haugen WI Divine Mercy Sunday April 3, 2016 April 30, the second Sunday of Easter of the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina Kowalska. Pope John Paul II proclaimed to the world that from now on throughout the Church this Sunday will be called Divine Mercy Sunday. Divine Mercy Novena Prayers can be found attached to this newsletter SAINT FAUSTINA DRAMA TOURS WI & MN Performing artist Nancy Scimone s one-woman drama on the Saint s life is touring through the Diocese of Superior April 3rd through 9 th. The drama, Saint Faustina Messenger of Mercy uses solely excerpts from the Saint s Diary as her script. The story presents significant facets of the Saint s life including her physical and spiritual trials, her trust in Jesus and His abundant mercy, love for the Sacraments and for Mary, and background to Divine Mercy Sunday and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayer. The flyer with performance dates and locations can be found attached to this newsletter 1

2 HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP WEEKEND NEXT MONTH! The Spring High School Leadership Weekend April at CrossWoods in Mason. Our theme is Theology of the Body, with presenter Aly Aleigha, a native daughter of the diocese who recently graduated from Franciscan University in Steubenville OH and currently serves as a youth minister for Fr. Mike Schmitz at UMD and for the cathedral parish in Duluth. This should prove to be one of our best HSL Weekends yet! You will find the flyer attached, for more information and the registration forms go to this Website Please register asap! Hope to see lots of teens there! Therefore this is what the Lord says: I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem, declares the Lord Almighty. ~ Zechariah 1:16 EXTREME FAITH CAMP UPDATES Registrations have flooded in over the past month and our West side camp at CrossWoods is almost full. The East side camp at Crescent Lake in Rhinelander still has some room, but registrations need to be sent in a.s.a.p. Please see the Website for more information. 2

3 LAY MINISTRY ENRICHMENT April 16, 2016 Moral & Ethical Leadership St. Anthony, Tony WI Fr. Dennis Mullen This session will explore basic dimensions of living a moral life, i.e. what does it mean to be moral, how can a moral life be developed and so on. It will also provide informative and practical applications regarding how to make moral and ethical decisions in leadership positions. Registration form can be found attached to this document PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT April 21, 2016 Healthy Parish Leaders, Leading Healthy Parish Communities St. Joseph Parish Center, Hayward WI Gary Harrison and Ray Swatkowski of Pinacle Ministries The faith life of parish leadership at all levels is often mirrored by the faith community. Discover a scripturally based vision of healthy leadership, giving inspiration and authentic witness to a healthy faith community: to help empower all levels of leadership within the Church, encourage active participation of the mission of the Gospel, fostering the notion that everyone can do something helping folks recognize what their something is, giving hope to the future with a community plan; concepts and practical strategies for implementing growth. Registration form can be found attached to this document 3

4 NCCL CONFERENCE Do you desire to move parents from the parking lot to the pew, or from inactivity to participation in the religious formation of their children? Jacksonville FL May 23-26, 2016 Sr. Pat McCormack, IHM, Ed. D will present "25 Prime -Pumpers for Evangelizing Parents." She will also facilitate Q&A and welcome contributions from the assembly. An Invitation: Please join us on Monday evening, May 23, immediately following Sr. Maureen Sullivan's Capstone Address for a buffet dinner. PCLs will eat /visit together prior to Sr. Pat's presentation. This special buffet dinner will be offered for a special rate. Some Homework: In advance of the conference, please identify one strategy/event/approach that you have used or heard about that contributes to parent formation, parent support, or parent evangelization. Write it down, and include your name and contact information. Make 8 copies to distribute to those in your dinner-hour discussion group. Share and discuss your ideas while enjoying food and fellowship with others who understand you! Please also give one copy to Sr. Pat, as she may use it in a future publication. REGISTER HERE! 4 4 Jesus tells us that he himself is the door to eternal life (cf. Jn 10:9), and he asks us, through genuine conversion, to open the doors of our hearts to a more sincere love of God and neighbor. ~ Pope Francis (12/16/15)

5 A NEW VISION FOR CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO MINISTRY IN TODAY S CATHOLIC CHURCH Jared DeesJared Dees, creator of The Religion Teacher Jesus had a threefold ministry on Earth: to heal the sick and wounded, proclaim the Good News, and teach those who became his disciples. It s an approach imitated by the saints throughout history and continues to be the cornerstone of successful ministry in parishes, Catholic schools, and other vibrant programs today. We encourage Catechetical Leaders and teachers to share the link to this article with catechism. March 18 Principal Meeting, Haugen 27 EASTER SUNDAY April 3 Divine Mercy Sunday High School Leadership Training, Crosswoods 16 Lay Ministry Enrichment, St. Anthony, Tony 21 Professional Development Days, Hayward The Archdiocese of Chicago, Office of Divine Worship has offered to share their resources for the Year of Mercy. Such as: One Word at a Time, Mercy Moments, Rejoicing in Mercy: A Prayer Commentary on the Gospel of Luke and Adopt a Work of Mercy Booklet Find attached the document with details 5

6 EVANGELIZING CATECHESIS NEW VISION NEW DIRECTIONS Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12 A Series of Articles on Themes From the General Directory of Catechesis "In 2000 Jerry Baumbach described the catechumenate as a navigational aide for catechesis. While the societal landscape has changed in the last fifteen years, the essential guideposts in accompanying seekers on their journey with Jesus Christ and the Church remain the same. Like a GPS-global positioning system- that so many now rely on for communication and travel, the catechumenate depends on sufficient connectivity and real-time feedback on local conditions to navigate the various opportunities and roadblocks in the journey of faith." Read the full articles by both Lori Dalhoff and Jerry Baumbach here. Catechetical Sunday September 18, 2016 PRAYER: THE FAITH PRAYED Those who the Community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. 6 Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith. The USCCB website has more details about the 2016 theme.

7 Divine Mercy Novena Prayers Starts on Good Friday... From 1931 to 1938 Our Lord revealed the secrets of His great mercy to St. Faustina. He designated the first Sunday after Easter as the Feast of the Divine Mercy of God. In preparation of this Feast, He asked that a Novena be started on Good Friday, a Novena which asks for prayers each of the nine days for a different group of souls in order to immerse them in the sea of God s Mercy! Mass, Confession, Communion are required on Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter. Our Lord promised to the souls who follow these requests a complete remission of sin and punishment! Our Lord thus instructed Sister Faustina: My daughter, speak to the whole world of My incomprehensible Mercy. I desire that the Feast be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, especially for poor sinners. The very depths of My Mercy will be opened on that day. I will pour out a sea of graces upon those souls that will approach the font of My Mercy. Those who go to confession and receive Holy Communion on Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, will obtain complete remission of sins and punishment. Let no soul fear to come to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. Tell ailing mankind to draw close to My Merciful Heart and I will fill it with peace. Mankind will not find peace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy. FIRST DAY Good Friday, March 25, 2016 Let us pray that God may deign to show His Mercy to all mankind. O Most Merciful Jesus, for Whom it its most proper to be merciful unto us and to forgive us, look not upon our sins, but upon the hope which we have in Thy infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Thy Most Merciful Heart and do not permit anyone to depart there from for all eternity for the love which unites Thee with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, just as we trust in Thy Holy Name, for Thou art all powerful, most kind, patient, faithful, good and merciful. Eternal Father, view all mankind with a merciful eye, and especially the poor sinners, whose only hope is the Most Merciful Heart of Thy Son and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through His sorrowful Passion stretch Thy mercy over us, that together we may glorify Thy omnipotence for all eternity. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... SECOND DAY Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016 Let us pray for the clergy of all ranks, through whom the Mercy of God is poured out on all mankind. Most Merciful Jesus, from Whom all good proceeds, increase Thy graces in the souls of Thy priests and religious, that they may worthily and fruitfully accomplish their tasks in Thy Vineyard, and that they may lead all by words and example to a rightful cult of Divine Mercy for all eternity. The Font of Mercy and Love Divine Resides in the hearts of the humble and the innocent, Till, bathed in the wavelets of God s Mercy, They sparkle like the stars and the morning dew. Eternal Father, cast Thy Merciful glance upon the laborers in Thy Vineyard on the souls of priests, nuns and brothers, who are the special beloved of Thy Son and Our Lord Jesus Christ. Adorn them with the power of Thy blessing and grant them special light, that they may consistently lead others along the path of salvation and may obtain for them all the graces of Thy Mercy. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... THIRD DAY Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 Let us pray for all the faithful Christians. O most Merciful Jesus, who dost bestow Thy graces upon all in abundance from the treasure of Thy Mercy, receive all faithful Christians into the abode of Thy Most Merciful Heart and do not abandon them for all eternity. We beg this of Thee through the love that unites Thee to the Father and the Holy Ghost. The marvels of Mercy are unexplored, Nor sinner nor just can plumb it s deep. God views us all with Mercy s eye. And of His love would have us reap. Eternal Father, cast Thy Merciful Eye upon the souls of the faithful, who are the loving heritage of Thy Son, and through His sorrowful Passion grant them Thy blessings and encompass them with Thy unceasing care, that they may never lose their love and treasure of divine faith, but that they may glorify Thy boundless Mercy with the multitude of angels and saints for all eternity. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... FOURTH DAY Easter Monday, March 28, 2016 Let us pray for pagans and infidels who are still in ignorance of the Mercy of God. Most Merciful Jesus, light of the world, receive into the abode of Thy Merciful Heart the souls of pagans and infidels who have not yet acknowledged Thee. Let the rays of Thy grace enlighten them, that they too may praise the wonders of Thy Mercy with us for all eternity. May the light of Thy boundless Love Enlighten the darkling infidels. May they acknowledge and may they praise Thy goodness for all eternity! Eternal Father, cast Thy Merciful glance upon the souls of pagans and infidels, who still remain in ignorance of the Most Merciful Heart of Thy Son and Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Draw them near to the light of Thy Gospel that they may recognize how great a happiness it is to love Thee and to glorify Thy Mercy for

8 all eternity. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary.. Glory be to the Father.. FIFTH DAY Easter Tuesday, March 29, 2016 Let us pray for heretics and schismatics, who rend the Mystical body of Christ, that they may return to the unity of the Church. O Most Merciful Jesus, who are goodness itself and who dost not refuse divine light to those who humbly seek, receive into the abode of Thy Most Merciful Heart the souls of heretics and schismatics. Attract them by Thy light into unity with Thy Church, that they may praise the liberality of Thy Mercy with us for all eternity. May those who have rent the cloak of Thy unity Draw from Thy Heart a surging torrent of Mercy. For Thy Mercy alone, O Lord, Can lead these souls out of error. Eternal Father, look down with Mercy, we implore Thee, upon the souls of heretics and schismatics, who have abused and squandered Thy graces and who stubbornly persist in their errors: look not upon their evil, but upon the love and the bitter Passion of Thy Son, who, about to suffer His Passion, so ardently begs of Thee: That they all may be one (John 17,21) -- and grant, that they may return to that unity as quickly as possible and that they may praise Thy Mercy with us for all eternity. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father. SIXTH DAY Easter Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Let us pray for little children and those souls, that have become like to them in their purity and simplicity. Most Merciful Jesus, Who hast said: Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart (Math. 11,29), receive into the abode of Thy Most Merciful Heart the souls of little children, and those who, like little children, have become meek and humble and have thereby graced heaven with the most pleasant delight and are a fragrant crown before the throne of Thy Heavenly Father. Grant that they may constantly dwell within Thy Sacred Heart and may continually praise the Mercy of God. A truly humble soul and meek Foretaste on earth the bliss of Paradise: The odor of a chaste and simple heart Delights all heavenly spirits and their Maker. Eternal Father, look down with Mercy upon the souls of little children and upon the souls of all those who are meek and humble and who have thereby become especially like unto Thy Son, and the fragrance of whose virtues rises up to Thy throne. O Father of Mercy, we beg of Thee, through the love and the delight which Thou hast in these souls, bless the entire world that all may unite in rendering eternal praise to Thy Mercy. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... SEVENTH DAY Easter Thursday, March 31, 2016 Let us pray for all adorers of Divine Mercy, that they may become the living image of the most Merciful Heart of Jesus. O Most Merciful Jesus, Whose Heart is love itself, receive into the abode of Thy Heart those souls which especially venerate and give praise to the greatness of Divine Mercy and which, though cruelly tormented for the sins of mankind, strive to make known Thy infinite goodness and abundant mercy to the entire world, Enfold them with Thy ever increasing Mercy and strengthen them always with the grace of perseverance, fortitude and patience. Praising the goodness of its Master, The soul is especially loved by Him; It is privileged to stand close to the living font To draw continual graces from Divine Mercy. Eternal Father, cast Thy Merciful Eye upon those souls which are especially devoted to the veneration and praise of Thy infinite Mercy and which glorify Thee by word and deed and are merciful towards their fellowmen in imitation of Thee. We humbly beseech Thee, show them even grater mercy according to the hope which they placed in Thee and in accordance with Thy promises. Protect them always and especially in the hour of death. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... EIGHTH DAY Easter Friday, April 1, 2016 Let us pray for the souls in purgatory, that the stream of Christ s Blood may diminish and shorten their suffering. Most Merciful Jesus, Who hast said: Be merciful, as your Heavenly Father is merciful (Luke 6,36): receive into the abode of Thy Most Merciful Heart the souls suffering in purgatory to pay their old debt to Divine Justice. May the stream of blood and water which gushed forth from Thy Heart quench the flames of purgatorial fire, that there too the power of Thy mercy may be glorified. From the horrible heat of purgatory s fire A suppliant sigh seeks Thy Mercy s throne. Grant these souls a cooling, solace and relief In the soothing stream of blood and water from Thy Side. Eternal Father, look down with mercy upon the suffering souls in purgatory and through the sorrowful passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the bitterness with which His Most Sacred Heart was filled, show pity to those who are now paying their debt to Thy justice. We beg of Thee, behold them through the wounds of Thy Most Beloved Son and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose mercy surpasses His justices. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary.. Glory be to the Father.. NINTH DAY Easter Saturday, April 2, 2016 Let us pray for the lukewarm and indifferent souls. O Most Merciful Jesus, lead into the abode of Thy Most Merciful Heart all lukewarm souls, which like decaying corpses filled Thee with aversion and loathing in the Garden of Olives. Plunge them into the fire of Thy most pure love, that they may become inflamed with an ever increasing fire of love and may ever praise Thy boundless Mercy. Fire and ice will never unite: Either the fire must die or the ice must vanish. Only the fathomless Mercy of God Can change the ice of tepid hearts into a flame. Eternal Father, cast Thy merciful glance upon lukewarm souls. We beseech Thee through the bitter passion of Thy Most Beloved Son and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and through His agony upon the Cross, inflame these souls with a new zeal for Thy glory and pour a true love into their hearts. Thus quickened may they perform deeds of mercy and may they glorify the Mercy of God for all eternity. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father... TENTH DAY Mercy Sunday, April 3, 2016 Go to confession, attend Mass, and receive Holy Communion must be done on Mercy Sunday then all your sins for your whole life will be forgiven and all the punishment due to them will be wiped away. These Last Days Ministries, P.O. Box 40, Lowell, MI Phone: tldm@tldm.org

9 Theology of the Body High School Leadership Weekend High School Leadership Weekend Grades 9-12 April 15-17, 2016 CrossWoods Camp, Mason, WI $110 includes training, food & lodging Featuring Aly Aleigha Enco unt er t h e l ife - givi n g tru th and love of J esus Christ, w ho reveals m an unt o himsel f Learn how the Theology of the Bod y b r ings jo y an d ful fi llmen t Learn how to bri n g TOB hom e int o yo u r life and yo u r communit y Make C atholic fri ends wh o can encourage yo u in yo u r fai th Aly is a Catholic singer/songwriter, worship leader, speaker and youth minister. Originally from Rice Lake, Aly graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville last May and now works for Fr. Mike Schmitz at UMD and for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth. Says Aly: I am enthusiastic about sharing the faith & living what Papa Francis calls "the Joy of the Gospel!" I love coffee, leading praise & worship, going on crazy adventures and discovering what it means to be fully alive (John 10:10). ****Parishes are required to send background checked and safe environment trained chaperones with their youth. Diocese of Superior 315 W. 5th St. PO Box 280 Haugen, WI (715) For registration materials, please visit the diocesan website or contact Chris Hurtubise at churtubise@catholicdos.org or

10 Diocese of Superior ~ Open to all lay people with a heart of service and passion for the common good. All sessions are on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. at St. Anthony s in Tony, Wisconsin. Cost: $35 per session or $90 for all three October 17, 2015 Spirituality: Individual and Communal Pat Pintens Our spiritual life is important: both individually and communally as people of faith. Join this session to explore more deeply who you are at your core, how to develop your personal spiritual life, as well as to enter more fully into the spiritual life of the local faith community and Church as a whole. April 16, 2016 Fr. Dennis Mullen Moral & Ethical Leadership This session will explore basic dimensions of living a moral life, i.e. what does it mean to be moral, how can a moral life be developed and so on. It will also provide informative and practical applications regarding how to make moral and ethical decisions in leadership positions. June 18, 2016 Deacon Craig Voldberg Service Emersion Burying the dead is a Corporal Work of Mercy. This service immersion opportunity will help maintain and beautify the cemetery, an eternal place of rest, that serves the St. Anthony de Padua faith community in Tony, WI Cut and Return Lay Ministry Enrichment Diocese of Superior Name Parish/City Address: City: State: Zip Code Phone: Address: I will be attending all three sessions I will only be attending the following session/s October 17, 2015 April 16, 2016 June 18, 2016 Amount enclosed: $ Please return registration portion along with fees to: Ms. Chris Newkirk / Lay Ministry Enrichment Diocese of Superior P.O. Box 969 Superior WI, No Later than October 1, 2015

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