Catechetical Office - NY Faith Formation

One of the pioneers of the Catechetical Office, 
Sr. Miriam Eugene Fenton, SC, 
went home to God
on January 5, 2013.  Read more.

 For the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict has encouraged us to study and reflect on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Sign up and you'll start getting a little bit of the Catechism emailed to you every morning. Read that little bit every day and you'll read the whole catechism in a year. 

 Kateri Tekakwitha and Sister Maryann Cope, two women with New Yorker roots, are being canonized Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI.

 For the Year of Faith, the USCCB has published Sacramental Catechesis: An Online Resource for Dioceses and Eparchies, which discusses challenges to catechesis and offers principles for doctrinally and pastorally sound catechesis for each of the seven sacraments.

 How much do you know about poverty in the USA?  Find out by taking this quiz.

 Want help making sense of Christian art? art/y/fact.Xn helps you delve into the riches of Christian art wherever you encounter it. The app is available on the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android platforms.
 

 In an effort to respond to a need for priests, the Vatican released Pastoral Guidelines for Fostering Vocations to Priestly Ministry to help promote, recruit and educate a new generation of men for the priesthood.

 The Vatican applied to control the new Internet address extension  ".catholic" and decide who will be able to use this new domain extension.

 Goodness Reigns: Share the Story calls upon teens and young adults to produce short films depicting the history, teachings, sacramental life and present-day missionary spirit of the Catholic Church.

 The Church welcomes with joy and compassion the mothers who, recognizing that all life is a gift from God, come to the Church seeking a blessing for their unborn child. The Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb is now available online from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

  The Hunger Games was a box office success.  Father Robert Barron calls it "dangerously prophetic." He comments in this video.

  The online Diocesan Educational / Catechetical Leadership Institute is offered free of charge to all interested individuals and is of special interest to parish catechetical leaders and catechists. Sponsored by the NCCB, NCCL and NCEA.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement, Our First, Most Cherished Liberty, urging Catholics to stand up for religious freedom.

 Two women with New York roots, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha and Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai, will be canonized in October 2012.

 Are you following "40"?  It's a web-based dramatic series that offers a unique Lenten experience to believers and seekers from Loyola Press.

3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage.

  The U.S. bishops have established an Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty to address growing concerns over the erosion of freedom of religion in America.

The latest Catechetical Leadership Podcast features a conversation about the Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI.

 Got the travel bug?  Take a virtual tour of Córdoba Cathedral, a beautiful Spanish church which dates back to the year 600 AD.

RCL Benziger has launched a new website, Sister Rose Goes to the Movies which helps families and educators choose appropriate movies for young people.  Features media expert Sister Rose Pacatte.

  Based on the game show, this game tests your knowledge of vocations to the single and religious life.  Don't forget to put your answer in the form of a question! 
 

 Need some help with holiday party conversation? Reading Five Myths about Christmas by Father James Martin, SJ, may help you.

As chief catechist of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Timothy Dolan affirms and supports catechists in the ministry of faith formation and the importance in handing on the faith in our times.

Does Sex Ed Undermine Parental Rights?  A New York Times op-ed article argues against the government forcing parents to send their children in public schools to classes that may contradict their moral and religious values on matters of intimacy and personal conduct.

This five minute quiz challenges your knowledge of the changes in the liturgy with questions regarding the new translation of the Roman Missal.  See how well you do!

Family and Faith, a monthly series of articles featured in Catholic New York, invites Catholic families to engage in thoughtful and constructive dialogue about how we are called to live like Christ.  Written by catechist, Kelly Galimi.

 "If there are cars in heaven, the bumper sticker will read, 'If you are reading this, thank your catechist,'” writes Archbishop Timothy Dolan in his Catholic New York column.  Read the entire article about the importance and challenges of faith formation.

The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities publishes a program packet each year to call attention to numerous human life issues. These materials are especially helpful for catechists.

 Ten things you need to know about the new English translation of the Roman Missal.  If you have been hearing the buzz but are not completely up to speed, this is for you!

Exercise your parental right to opt out and to remove your child/children from mandate sex education classes in public schools.  Such programs do not reflect the Catholic understanding of the gift, the moral dimensions of human sexuality and certainly do not respect the dignity of each human being. Read more.

 The Archdiocesan Catechetical Office joins with the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA in prayer and gratitude for the life of Sofia Cavalletti, who died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, August 23 at the age of 94.

Forgiveness.  Feels great to receive, but sometimes hard to give.  How forgiving are you? When someone hurts you, are you likely to turn the other cheek?  Try this quiz...

 Looking for a prayer break? Try this three minute retreat courtesy of Loyola Press.

Are you a Thrillionarie?  You are if you enjoy giving to others.

 Food Security & Economic Justice: a Truth Based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger, is a resource made available by the the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, a faith-based membership organization focused on agriculture, food, and the land.

Think of it as an opportunity to find God in your day -- at lunch or whenever you have a few moments. Try the lunch time Examen.

 31 Days with Saint Ignatius Loyola is a month-long celebration of Ignatian spirituality.

Did you know you have a prayer personality?  Discover yours and discuss it over dinner!  Prayer personality quiz.

 First Fridays for Food Security is an invitation from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to eat meals that cost only as much as is allotted for a family of your size by the USDA Modified Thrifty Food Plan.

Gift of the Gospels is a free scripture study offered by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston available to all who wish to study the Gospels of Luke and Matthew and adaptable for use in parish, home, and individual settings.

On June 16, 2011 the US Bishops approved To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Assisted Suicide.  Read it here. 

The Complete Catechist Guide to Using Skype brings you from setup to ideas for use in a catechetical setting. 

In honor of his beatification, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a website to bring you the vast amount of information and photos in our archives about Pope John Paul II.

The Vatican has set up a website, Facebook and YouTube webpages to promote the teachings and life of the Venerable Servant of God John Paul II.

The process for canonization continues for the first African-American priest, Father Augustus Tolton.

YOUCAT is short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official catechism for World Youth Day. It is written for high-school age people and young adults.

Who is my neighbor in the digital world?  Pope Benedict reflects on the opportunity and challenges of online evangelization.

A new iPhone app explains the coming changes in the New Roman Missal.  Check it out.

The Revised Edition of New American Bible (NABRE) has been approved and will be available on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.  This will not replace the edition used for the mass readings (lectionary).

Verbum Domini is the post-synodal apostolic exhortation of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.

Thanksgiving is coming soon.  Check out these resources for parents and catechists.

Catechetical Leaders coach parents to take a stronger role in forming their own kids.  Check out this video.

Catechists, need help to start preparing for the coming year?  Check out these resources.

How much do you know about religion?  Take this survey from the Pew Forum and compare your results with the national survey.

The 2010 OSV Internet Guide is available online.  Check it out.

Catechetical Leader Podcasts on religious education, faith formation and evangelization sponsored by NCCL. Check it out.

Social Media Guidelines is the USCCB's best practices for Church personnel using social media in ministry.

Deepen Faith, Nurture Hope, Celebrate Life: Catholic Bishops' Priority Plan.

Have the daily Mass readings sent to your e-mail or mobile device.  Subscribe at the Daily Gospel.

Movement 77 challenges you to help God change your world, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week.  How is God calling you?

Check out this video, Made for Each Other: A Catechetical and Educational Aid on Sexual Difference and Complementarity.

The American Catholic History Classroom is a continuously-updated primary document site featuring a range of materials related to the American Catholic experience.  Check it out.

A free iPad app will contain the complete Roman missal -- the book containing everything that is said and sung during Catholic Mass throughout the liturgical year. More here.

You've heard about the Apostolic Visitation of Women Religious in the U.S.  Find out more at its website.

Parents concerns about the impact of media on their children: a survey conducted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

You will see them if you go to the Vatican.  Who are the Swiss Guards? 

The Vatican News Service now blogs.  Check it out.

Abuse of Minors: the Church's response.

The Vatican is tweeting. Check it out.

Confessions of a Slipaholic: encouragement for Lent.

Learn about the life of St. Bernadette of Lourdes in this video.

Need some encouragement to face Lent?  Check out this video.

The USPS is honoring Mother Teresa in a commemorative stamp. Check out the press release.

The Princess, the Priest and the War for the Perfect Wedding.  Check out this Busted Halo video series.

So where do we find God?  Check out this Busted Halo video.

The National Prayer Vigil for Life takes place in Washington, DC.  Resources are available.

How do you know you're a Catholic?  Check out this humorous list from Loyola Press.

Gloria.tv presents The Nativity Story: the Names of God in this inspiring video.  See for yourself.

Are you ready for the new changes in the Mass?  Check out the USCCB website for catechetical materials to prepare yourself and your parish.

How are the US Bishops encouraging married life?  You can find it in their new pastoral letter on marriage.

Did you know that November is Black Catholic History Month?  Find out more.

Have you read Cardinal Dolan's  blog? Check it out at archny.org.

Interested in on-line faith enrichment? Try a Catholic Faith Byte.