Monday Message, July 10, 2023
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are very excited to announce that the Institute for Catholic Formation is the recipient of a grant of nearly 1.2 million dollars. You can read the entire press release here.
For years, we have dreamt of accompanying parents from the time they bring their children to our parishes for Baptism to the moment they enroll the young child in formal education or formation. This generous grant will support the project we call First Witnesses. It will allow us to hire a full time coordinator of the project, finish the website we started, post the videos we created, and so much more. In the coming months, a plan will be announced and invitations will be sent to pilot parishes or clusters of parishes. It is my sincere hope that over the next five years, we can change the culture of our parishes, give support to young families, and welcome children who have already learned so much about their faith because we have assisted parents and caregivers in their role as first witnesses.
Stay tuned and if you have ideas, please do not hesitate to share.
But wait, there’s more!
Deacon John DiTaranto recently concluded his tenure as assistant director of the Institute. On July 1, 2023, Bishop Caggiano appointed Deacon John as the director of the diaconate program. Deacon John will soon move next door or down the hall, or (as I tease him, to the roof) and begin his new adventure. We wish him well.
On a personal note, I will miss working alongside Deacon John, but am grateful for all he did while he was here. He will continued to coordinate the Ambassador program, so the great work and collaborative effort will continue.
In addition to replacing Deacon John, in whatever capacity we decide, we will also be adding a LEAD content manager to our team in the coming months. That person will be in charge of creating new content, entering into new licensing partnerships, and continue to grow the platform that is now used by more than 8,000 faithful ministry leaders.
We are blessed indeed!
Until we meet on September 16th with Bishop Caggiano, let us continue to pray for each other. May God grant you rest this summer, though I know many of you work just as hard in these hot months, and may your ministry continue to bear much fruit.
PJD