Use the quicklinks to get you the information you need fast, without scrolling through the whole newsletter to find a link!

Do you regularly interact with parishioners or visitors?

Do you minister to teens and families?

Do you walk families through funerals, community crisis, or disaster?

Do you engage in social, youth, family, grief, senior or children's ministry?
Were you part of a worldwide pandemic in the last few years?

If you can answer yes, to any of these questions, you need to spend the day focused on Trauma-Informed Ministry. Learn from a licensed social worker who has navigated trauma situations working in both schools and organizations. We all need skills in this area! Please invite all staff members to attend!

This day is for all who are new, as well as returning to, Catechetical Ministry. It's an important day to gather new staff members for insight into policies, methods, materials and more! If you are hiring new staff this summer, please direct them to this orientation day, which will help start them off with the knowledge that will be most helpful in their new role. If you began a ministry position during this programming year, come and catch your breath and have the opportunity to ask questions, reflect on challenges and engage in fellowship with your peers in ministry! To join this free day, email Leslie at leslie.barkin@dor.org. We will gather at the Pastoral Center in Gates from 9 am to 3 pm. Lunch will be provided.

an article from St. Mary's Press Blog

The Summer 2023 Edition of The Bridge, the quarterly publication that showcases the latest news and events of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, is now available. It is filled with insightful articles and inspiring stories about the NCCS community and its members. You can read the summer edition of the Bridge by clicking the file below.

In the video we take a look at St. Clare of Assisi's 4-fold approach to prayer (Gaze, Consider, Contemplate, and Imitate) that she outlines in her letter to St. Agnes of Prague. Then we look at how that same approach reflects what we do in catechesis.

As part of an effort to help parishes, we are hosting three Confirmation Retreats this coming academic year. The first will be at Notre Dame in November, the other two will be at Camp Stella Maris in the spring.

These retreats are aimed at serving two needs: (1) providing parishioners who are unable to attend their parish retreat an option and (2) providing parishes with groups too small for a parish retreat an option. At this time, we are asking parishes to limit their participation to five candidates to ensure the opportunity is available for as many parishes as possible.

In order to ensure that we are meeting Safe Environment policies and that our team can focus on facilitating the retreat, we are asking that participating parishes be ready to send a CASE trained adult if you have parishioners attending. Registration will be forthcoming and will go through the parishes.

Please reach out to Don directly to discuss your parish’s needs, and how E&C can help meet them.

Notre Dame Retreat

Theme: Eucharistic People

When: Saturday, November 4 starting at 10:00 and ending with 5:00 Mass

Where: Notre Dame Retreat House

Cost: $35 per participant

Have you thought about what you might do before summer ends to expand yourself? Summer is often a good opportunity to spend some time on you before programs start again. Maybe a walk in the summer air is enough, or getting together with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Or maybe you want to expand your mind a little. Might one of these options would be good for you?

Revive Parishes Courses

(https://learn.reviveparishes.com/)

The Augustine Institute has a series of free courses that have great information and are presented well. Check it out!

Highlighted Courses:

• A Christ-Filled Marriage that Lasts with Greg Schutte
• Small Groups with Lisa Brenninkmeyer
• The Foundations of Great Parish Communications with Dan Rogers

Five-Dollar Courses at dor.training

(https://learning.dor.training/home.aspx?pagename=ADULT_FORMATION)

Want to learn about a new topic, or refresh on one you’ve already learned? We have short inexpensive courses that might spark an idea for future programing.

Highlighted Courses:

• Baptism and Confirmation
• Docility to the Holy Spirit
• The Sacraments of Healing
• The Practice of Prayer

Loyola Press Three Minute Retreat

Busy and only have a few minutes to recenter and refocus? Try this!

https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer/

Abbey of the Genesee Liturgy of the Hours

Up for a trip to Piffard? Consider taking some time for yourself and praying with the monks!

https://www.geneseeabbey.org/liturgy/liturgy-of-the-hours/