May 2013 Regional Gatherings
As we continue our journey through the Year of Faith, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is hosting regional gatherings to bring all catechetical staff in the diocese together for fellowship and to consider some selected and important catechetical topics.
Morning Session: Analyzing and interpreting your ACRE assessment reports
Now that we have administered the ACRE assessment for the first time, how do we analyze the reports, interpret the results, and make a resolution or two for improvement? Deacon Tony Abts from the Diocese of Green Bay will guide us through a working session on how to do these important functions. Therefore, please be sure to have a copy of your ACRE assessment results either as a hard copy or electronically on a personal computer. Deacon Abts is a delightful gentlemen that all will surely enjoy.
Afternoon Session: the RCIA, RCIC and Adult Faith Formation
How do we properly and most effectively conduct an RCIA or Adult Faith Formation program? What is the proper process of preparing a child over the age of reason for the sacraments of initiation? Michelle Nilsson or Marie Lins will be introducing a new diocesan initiative for training in the RCIA, RCIC, and in Adult Faith Formation. This session will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m. (except in Madison where it will start at approximately 1:15 p.m. due to noon Mass). Our day will conclude no later than 2:30 p.m. in all locations.
Complementary lunch is provided for all registrants unless they stipulate otherwise below. Lunch will begin approximately at 12 noon in all locations except Madison where it will be at 12:30 or 12:40.
It is expected that all full time catechetical staff will be in attendance at one of the days. Please encourage your colleagues who assist in these rolls to register and attend with you. Those responsible for the catechesis of young people should attend the full day's offerings as the afternoon will also address the children’s catechumenate. Those responsible for only the RCIA and adult faith formation may attend the afternoon session alone.
It is our hope and expectation to have at least one person for each of the areas above present from each parish of the diocese. Pastors and priests are always most welcome as well.
For optimum convenience we have again scheduled and offered multiple dates and locations. Parish catechetical leaders are free to attend at any location, but there is value in attending with neighboring parishes. Sessions will run from 9:30 a.m. to no later than 2:30 p.m. with lunch provided. Dates and locations are as follows:
- Lancaster, St. Clement -- Friday, May 3, 2013
- Janesville, St. John Vianney Parish -- Tuesday, May 7, 2013
- Madison, Bishop O'Connor Center -- Thursday, May 16, 2013
- Fort Atkinson, St. Joseph -- Tuesday, May 21, 2013
- Montello, St. John the Baptist --Friday, May 24, 2013
- Madison, Bishop O'Connor Center -- Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Please register online here (below) by Friday, April 26, 2013 so we can plan appropriately. See you there!