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See the "Events & Opportunities" section below to register for upcoming events.
Recordings of previous opportunities for catechetical leaders:
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Remain in Me - A Process of Reflection on Take, Bless, Break, Share
The Remain in Me series helps facilitate a process of encounter, understanding, and response to Christ’s abiding presence in the Eucharist.
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Based on Cardinal Cupich’s Take, Bless, Break, Share: A Strategy for Eucharistic Revival, each reflection session unpacks one of five central themes of our sacramental and liturgical lives through engaging video content, Scripture, prayer, individual reflection and small group discussion.
The five-part Remain in Me series, developed by the Office of Lifelong Formation and the Office of Divine Worship, is perfect for both parish-wide gatherings and small group faith dialogue. Each session was designed to be complete within a 90-minute timeframe in mind but can easily be adapted based on your parish needs. Presented in a user-friendly format via Microsoft Sway, Remain in Me allows group facilitators to simply scroll through the presentation and lead participants through the process. These sessions and other parish resources are available at EucharisticRevivalChicago.org/resources.
For questions on parish implementation, please contact Deborah Breakey.
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Help Parish Youth Explore the Possibilities of Catholic High School
Help Catholic High Schools connect with your students and families. Catholic High Schools would like to share information about their school, admissions processes, scholarship opportunities, and more with families in faith formation programs in the Archdiocese – but they need to know how to contact them.
The Office of Lifelong Formation has worked with the High School Liaison for the Office of Catholic Schools to provide a few ways to share students’ contact information with Catholic High Schools. We realize that you may have some questions about why this information is being requested, the benefits of sharing contact information, and who the information will be shared with, etc. This FAQ sheet will answer those questions!
To share your faith formation students’ contact information with Catholic High Schools, you can:
- Upload your faith formation program 5th-8th grade roster here, or
- Share this Catholic High School Interest Form link with your faith formation program parents so they can share their contact information directly.
If you’re looking for a little more information to share with parents about Catholic High Schools, here’s a PDF with more information, including a list of Catholic High Schools in Cook and Lake Counties.
If you have any questions about this opportunity or uploading rosters, please contact Steve Tortorello, the High School Liaison for the Office of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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National Vocation Awareness Week
November 5 – 11, 2023
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From November 5 – 11, the nation will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) through prayer, education, and promotion for all vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life.
While you MAY NOT be able to incorporate vocation awareness into your faith formation sessions this month, consider utilizing these resources when your catechists WILL BE exploring the Sacraments at the Service of Communion (marriage & ordination) with their disciples.
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Resource Library: Guided Tours for Catechetical Leaders & Youth Ministers
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023
9:30am-11:00am (on Zoom)
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ALL Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministers, and those who prepare candidates for the sacrament of Confirmation are invited to join the Office of Lifelong Formation for a "Resource Library: Guided Tour" of the Supplemental Confirmation Preparation Program "Embracing the Call of Jesus."
As we gather virtually to learn about, explore, and review this resource, created by the Office of Lifelong Formation, parish leaders will be able to envision together how to use the Supplemental Confirmation Preparation Program resource and adapt it to local parish realities.
Register here to join us (on Zoom) on Wednesday, Nov. 15th at 9:30am.
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Faith Sharing Workshops
November 11 & 12
Do you struggle with the right words to describe the joy of your faith? Are you someone who wishes they could share their faith in a more engaging way?
Join one of these Faith Sharing Workshops on Nov. 11 (9:30-11am) at St. Juliana Parish or Nov. 12 (3:30-5pm) at St. Barnabas Parish to learn how to tell a compelling story and how to recognize opportunities to share your faith. Click here to register.
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Courageous Conversations
Tuesday, November 14, 6:00 p.m.
Dominican University Siena Center, Lund Auditorium & Online
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A special conversation between Sister Simone Campbell (of Nuns on the Bus) and Sister Bernadine Karge, both attorneys and advocates for public policy and systemic change.
Tickets $10. Register here.
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Forgive Everyone Everything Gregory Boyle, SJ
Tuesday, December 5, 7:00 p.m.
Dominican University, Lund Auditorium
Gregory Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world.
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Father Boyle is the author of the 2010 New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion; Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship, and The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness. Most recently, he authored Forgive Everyone Everything an anthology of writings accompanied by Fabian Debora’s artwork.
Dominican University, in collaboration with The Well Center for Spirituality, is hosting this evening of stories of radical kinship, healing and forgiveness shared with Fr. Boyle’s incredible capacity for courage and kindness and incredible ability to recognize God in all people and things.
Tickets $10. Register here.
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Teaching the Liturgical Year
The first Sunday of Advent might seem far away, but it's never too early to start looking for new ways to teach about the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. Here are a few resources to help your catechists form themselves for teaching and celebrating the Liturgical Year with children and youth!
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Lessons & Crafts
Videos for Catechists
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Celebrating the Seasons: Resources for Catechists and Faith Formation Families
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A Glimpse Inside
Helping young people discover the dignity of every human life
The truth about life in the womb is simple, and a visual generation needs a visual answer.
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Young people are at a high risk of being influenced by a media-saturated culture that denies the humanity of the unborn, the tragedy of abortion, and sexual responsibility. This leaves them vulnerable to experiencing unexpected pregnancies, choosing abortions, and encouraging their partners and peers to choose abortions.
A Glimpse Inside™ is a groundbreaking education program that provides young people with scientific evidence of the dignity of life in the womb. The program includes physician-led videos on fetal development, guided 3D/4D ultrasounds, and a thought-provoking curriculum. Created in collaboration with the Sophia Institute for Teachers and Cardinal Studios, A Glimpse Inside™ highlights the humanity of the unborn and addresses the tough ethical issues that shape the next generation. The materials are appropriate for middle school, high school, and college students.
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Retrouvaille – A Lifeline for Married Couples
If your marriage has become troubled or stressed, unloving or uncaring, or if your relationship has grown cold or distant, if you are thinking of separation or divorce, or if you are already separated or divorced, but you want to try again – then Retrouvaille is the program that can help you.
Upcoming Weekend Programs:
- November 17-19, 2023 – Chicago, IL
- December 1-3, 2023 – Minneapolis, MN
- February 16-18, 2024 – Central, WI
- February 23-25, 2024 – Milwaukee, WI
For more information, call 1.800.470.2230 or go to the website. You may call anonymously and/or Register Online. Please be assured that all names are kept in the strictest confidence.
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Opportunities for Catechetical Leaders and Catechists!
One of the most challenging aspects to ministry is to keep learning ourselves. As catechetical leaders we know that there is always something new to be discovered and shared with others. As we encourage those to whom we minister to keep growing in their personal life of faith, we too need to nourish our own personal and ministerial lives. Here are a few opportunities for you to consider for nourishing yourself and your ministry, and for your catechists:
The Catechumenate Is the Inspiration for All Catechesis – Sadlier Religion Master Class
- Learn how the catechumenate must live and experience a deep understanding of faith.
Catholics and the Bible – Sadlier Religion Scripture Mini Course (pdf)
- In these articles, you will track the Church’s embrace of the modern biblical renewal and consider some of the principals for a sound interpretation of the Bible by a community of faith.
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Oportunidades para líderes catequéticos y catequistas!
Uno de los aspectos más difíciles del ministerio es seguir aprendiendo por nosotros mismos. Como líderes catequéticos sabemos que siempre hay algo nuevo que descubrir y compartir con los demás. A medida que alentamos a quienes sirvimos a seguir creciendo en su vida personal de fe, nosotros también necesitamos alimentar nuestras propias vidas personales y ministeriales. Aquí hay algunas oportunidades para que usted considere para alimentarse a sí mismo y a su ministerio, y para sus catequistas:
Católicos y la Biblia - Sadlier Mini Curso sobre las Escrituras (pdf)
- En estos artículos, trataremos como la iglesia abrazó la renovación Bíblica Moderna. En artículos futuros, trataremos cómo la Iglesia abrazó la renovación moderna de la Biblia y consideraremos algunos de los principales para la interpretación de la Biblia por la comunidad de fe.
Mi Espirtualidad y la de Mis Estudiantes – Sadlier Webinar
- Esperamos que se siga uniendo a nosotros durante el año mientras celebramos el Año de la fe. Visite www.creemosycompartimos.com donde encontrará ideas, inspiración y recursos para ayudarle en sus actividades pastorales.
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Saints, Mystics & the Eucharist
André Frossard
(1915-1995)
“Since the time when I encountered God, I have never succeeded in growing tired of the mystery of God."
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One day, when looking for a friend in a chapel in Paris, André (a skeptic and atheist writer) was unaware that he was in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and then something amazing happened that had great repercussions in the world!
Learn more and share his amazing story with the children, youth, and families in your faith formation program with this poster.
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From the Field
This month, we hear from Elizabeth Kos, the Director of Lifelong Formation at St. Paul VI Parish in Riverside. Elizabeth has been involved in ministry there for 10 years.
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What called you to ministry?
In my previous career, I was able to travel around the country and meet lots of powerful and interesting people from all walks of life. I regularly ate gourmet and exotic foods and was able to try some of the best wines and liquors the world had to offer. When I would tell people about my job, their response would always be something like, "Wow! You have the best job ever!" At first, I would agree with them and thank God for leading me to that job. As the years went on, I began to feel doubt creeping in. I no longer felt the same joy that I once had in my work and I found myself wondering why it didn't feel like the best job ever.
One evening, it hit me that I was made for more than this. I thought that helping raise money for a non-profit gave me purpose and fulfilled me, but God made it obvious that He had different plans! I decided to go back to school. Instead of telling myself that I was beginning a master's program, I told myself that I was going to take one class and would see how it would go. I enrolled in "The Catholic Theological Tradition," and I knew I had found my path. It was the hardest and most rewarding class I had ever taken up to that point and I couldn't get enough!
God continues to call me to the most interesting places and to meet truly fascinating people. Though I rarely find myself dining with celebrities or drinking five thousand dollar bottles of wine these days, I wouldn't trade my job for any other. There is no athlete, film star, or politician who can compete with the look in someone's eyes when they describe an encounter with Jesus. There is no finely-aged wine that can come close to the sweet taste of the Eucharist after it has been blessed upon the tomb of Christ.
I am so humbled that God chooses to use me in the ways that He does. I love that my life is unpredictable and follows a path that only God knows. I look back at my life and am so grateful that all the twists, turns, and headstrong decisions I made led me to a place where I could hear his call and answer it. I am honored to be able to walk with people in their faith journeys even for just a short while and I look forward to whatever God has in store for me next! St. Paul VI, pray for us!
What is your favorite Bible story or Bible verse? Why does this story/verse resonate with you?
My family loves spending time in National Parks and we have had the opportunity to explore several caves in our many adventures. During every cave tour, there is always a moment when the tour guide shuts off all the lights so that everyone can experience total darkness. In those times, I can't help but think of my favorite verse from the Gospel of John, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness is unable to overcome it." (John 1:5).
This verse speaks to me in so many ways, but I especially love it at those moments in the cave. Whether my eyes are opened or closed (you can't tell the difference any way!) I know that the darkness can never really be total. Even underground, I can feel the light of Jesus shining on me. As much as the darkness may be seemingly complete, my heart is screaming that it's not even close. I know that the darkness has forever been defeated; it will never overcome the light. But I'm still happy when the lights come back on!
In what geographical place do you feel closest to God?
I have a quote from John Muir in my house that says, "The mountains are calling and I must go." When I am in the mountains, I feel the greatness of God's creation and the small place that I occupy in it. I am aware that the same God that created all the beauty around me also thought that the world needed me too. And I'm so very grateful He created me!
What is something you have learned from your time in ministry?
The biggest thing I've learned is that you have to leave room for the Spirit! You can have the best laid plans and every detail worked out, but the Spirit is going to take things wherever He wants. I am tempted to be frustrated that things didn't go how I planned, but I know that my plans are never as good as his. The best I can do is plan, plan, plan and then pray, pray, pray!
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