Monday Message, October 7, 2024

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KNOW

We have our 84th Parish Leader Check In tomorrow. The link is here and our conversation will focus on our SOP document. Please take some time to review the document, found in your binder from our Fall Forum. The next two meetings will be a chance to offer feedback, corrections, etc. If you do not have a binder or already lost it on your desk, click here for the document.

Our next Lunch and Learn is on October 16th at St. James. Come and learn what’s new in LEAD, how to make the most out of the great resources and more. Let us know you are coming so we can bake you a cake (or order lunch).

By now, you have heard the very good news: the Diocese of Bridgeport has been awarded more than a million dollars by Lilly Foundation to focus on improving our worship experiences with children. Read all about it here. Specifically, this grant will allow us to move ahead with our plans for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. A memo will go out to all pastors today, inviting them to consider attending a workshop with Sr. Mary Michael Fox. The workshop will focus on the what and the how of CGS. You can see details and sign up here.

Only parishes at the meeting will be eligible for round one of this project, so we strongly encourage you to attend. Like many new programs, it helps to know what you are getting into before agreeing to it. This workshop will precede any commitment of funds, locations for atria, and formation of catechists for CGS. Sign up today!

Please note: this is in additional to the generous grant that funds First Witnesses. Great things are happening in faith formation!

Catechist formation continues. The meeting schedule is here. A reminder will go out this week. In the meantime, it would be really helpful if you:

  1. Update your catechists in LEAD
  2. Remind your catechists that the Bishop is inviting them to attend one of these meetings

If you have anyone over the age of 18 who is a registered member of your parish and a practicing Catholic and is seeking Confirmation, please send them this link. If your parish already has a method for forming them for the sacrament, fantastic!

REFLECT

On this anniversary of so much death and the beginning of another round of fighting in the Middle East, let us pray together for peace.

God of mercy and compassion,
of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:
Jews, Muslims and Christians,
Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all.

Amen.

LAUGH