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Greetings from the Diocese of Raleigh, Department of Catholic Formation and Evangelization. To take full advantage of this newsletter, please click to "allow pictures" to download and be sure to read all the way to the bottom.
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New Papal Encyclical on the Environment!
Bishops Urged to Help Catholics Understand
The encyclical is said to have "international implications, particularly regarding solidarity with the world's poor...and will require prayerful attentiveness." To that end, the USCCB will be providing homily hints, bulletin inserts and other materials for Catholic schools and parishes.
For more information, see the USCCB Scripture and Tradition links, the USCCB Discussion Guide, and check out the video available on the Diocesan website.
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 Bishop Burbidge to Celebrate Mass at 6 pm on June 25 at St. Joseph Church, Raleigh
We invite you to spread the word to all the faithful and to participate in the fourth annual Fortnight for Freedom, a 14-day celebration of our Freedom to Bear Witness to the values of our faith with respect to the gift of life, conscience rights, immigration, adoption, marriage, health care and many humanitarian concerns.
As part of our observance of the Fortnight, you are invited to join with Bishop Burbidge for the celebration of Mass on Thursday, June 25 at 6:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh. A reception and picnic sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will follow the Mass. For more information and educational resources on the Fortnight for Freedom, access our website at www.dioceseofraleigh.org/fortnight-for-freedom. Be sure to read the statement at the top from Archbishop Lori, check out the flyer from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops entitled Current Threats to Religious Liberty, and take advantage of the prayer resources. There is also an excellent one-minute video, "A Call to Prayer," and consider adopting one of the suggested prayer practices prior to and during the Fortnight. Prayer is the most important tool we have as we seek to protect our religious liberty.
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A Note of Gratitude
from Executive Director of Catholic Formation & Evangelization
Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
As I sit at my desk during these final days of ministry in the Diocese of Raleigh, I gratefully call to mind the hundreds of people like yourselves and the multitudinous opportunities God has so generously provided me to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. I have loved much and learned much from you and the ways you serve with competence, confidence and courage.
With God's grace, I have planted a few seeds of faith, hope, compassion and joy. My prayer is that God will provide the growth of those seeds by evangelizing many who will come to know Jesus Christ in a more personal and intimate relationship.
Please know of my deep gratitude for each of you and the many ways we have collaborated through the years. I promise to remember you in prayer and especially count on your prayers as I spread new seeds of God's love in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Always remember that we are on this journey together! May our Blessed Mother guide you and protect you.
God bless you and all you love and serve.
Sister Rose
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 Pope Francis Declares a Year of Mercy
From December 2015 to November 2016
The Jubilee Year of Mercy will begin on December 8th and end on November 20, 2016. An official prayer has been offered in both English and Spanish. The Pope entrusts the Holy Year to the Mother of Mercy and describes the Jubilee as an opportunity for every person and not simply an institutional event. "I am convinced that the whole Church will find in this Jubilee the joy needed to rediscover and make fruitful the mercy of God, with which all of us are called to give consolation to every man and woman of our time," he said.
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Orientation for New Faith Formation Staff
Gathering for New Faith Formation and Youth Ministers in August
 Each year, the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation hosts a gathering of all new Faith Formation Leaders and Youth Ministry Leaders in the Diocese. This year, our meeting will be held at the Catholic Center on Tuesday, August 11th. Check-in and hospitality begin at 9:00 am and our meeting will begin promptly at 9:30 am. There are no fees for this session.
Please print our 2015 Orientation flyer as a reminder to register early for this important opportunity! We hope you will learn about the Diocese of Raleigh's Department of Catholic Formation and Evangelization and we will get to know your needs as you begin your ministry. And...Don't forget to pass on this information to those who may not yet be receiving this newsletter!
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 Year of Consecrated LifeActivity Sheet Due June 30th
The Year of Consecrated Life Resource Booklet Activity Sheet was distributed to help you plan your activities for the months of September, October, November/December, and January. The Year of Consecrated Life Committee is looking forward to receiving your planned activities for these months. Please submit the Resource Booklet Activity Sheet to Dr. Michael J. Fedewa at Mike.fedewa@raldioc.org no later than June 30, 2015.
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Attention All DREs and Youth Ministers!
2015-2016 Youth Ministry Calendars Are In Your Mail!
 On Thursday, June 4th, comprehensive 2015-2016 Youth Ministry calendars were sent out to all parishes, missions, and schools. The calendars list the dates of all events including Youth Ministry courses, deanery meetings, retreats, and Youth Board meetings from June 2015 to May 2016. Additionally, the World Youth Day event, which is July 24th-August 2nd, 2016 and the National Catholic Youth Conference, which is November 19th-21st, 2015, are listed. Thank you DRE's and Youth Ministers for all your assistance, and we look forward to seeing you all at this upcoming year's events!
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 Confirmation Schedule 2016 ReleasedThe schedule for 2016 Confirmations has been released. Please be sure to check for your parish's date for reception of the Sacrament so you can plan accordingly for preparation.
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Confirmation Retreat Dates Needed!
Time to Email 2015-2016 Year 1 and 2 Retreat Information
 It's that time of year when everyone is planning calendars for the upcoming year! We had numerous requests again this past year for Confirmation Retreat information at various parishes. Many are seeking alternative locations if a candidate for Confirmation is unable to attend their own parish retreat. It is most helpful to all if the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation can put together a spreadsheet of retreats for our Youth Ministers to assist you in re-scheduling candidates.
We ask that you please not refer parents to the Diocese for this information. We want to provide this information directly to Youth Ministers to expedite helping your youth find another retreat. Please send the following retreat info to Diane.Quintal@raldioc.org:
Name of Parish, Is the Confirmation Retreat for Year 1 or Year 2?, Date of Retreat, Contact Name, Contact Email, Contact Phone, Cost, Maximum Number of Participants, and any other information you may deem necessary.
Thank you to all Youth Ministers and DREs for the work you put into building the Kingdom! You are all awesome.
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20th Annual Single/Single Again Beach Retreat
Eucharist: The Measure of Living
August 14th (8:00 p.m.)- 16th (noon)
Trinity Retreat Center
Salter Path, N.C.
Are you Single/Single Again?
Interested in making friends with others who think spirituality is important?
Looking for a chance to get away and recharge?
Please join us along with single/single again Catholics for a weekend of sun, prayer, renewal and relaxation. The age range is 35 plus.
Room Rates: Triple $165 and Double $185
Register by August 1, 2015 using the attached formto Celia Keator, 5018 Homeplace Drive-Apex, NC 27539.
Call Celia at (919) 649-5201 if you need further details regarding registration.
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Save the Date!
Celebration of Lay Ministry
 SAVE THE DATE! On Sunday, August 30, 2015, the Diocese of Raleigh will hold its annual celebration of Lay Ministry Sunday. On the day preceding this celebration all lay ministers are invited to attend a Mass, conversation, and lunch with Bishop Burbidge. We will gather at St. Mary Mother of the Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 29th. There is no charge for this special event, but all participants are asked to register in advance so we can prepare to welcome you. Questions? Contact Bea Callery (bea.callery@raldioc.org or 919-821-9715).
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Women of Wonder Conference 2015
Second Annual Conference Coming Soon!
Our Second Annual Conference will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2015 from 8 am - 3 pm at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Cary, NC. This year's Keynote Speaker is Lisa Hendey, national speaker, founder of Catholicmom.com, writer, webmaster, podcaster and author of "The Grace of Yes." Register here so you don't miss this great presentation. Lisa will speak on the virtues outlined in her latest book, "The Grace of Yes" which include Humility, Forgiveness, Rebirth, Ascending, and Hope. Early bird discount ends July 15th!!! Click here for flyer with more information.
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Youth Ministry Certificate Classes ONLINE
Don't Delay! First Course Begins in June!
We are starting a new year of the Youth Ministry Certificate classes. Our goal this time is that Youth Ministers can finish in a year all the courses required for Diocesan Certification. If you are interested in National Certification you need to complete the advancing section or (section B) for each class. The first course for this new academic year starts on June 2015.
Course 1A Fundamentals of Catholic Youth Ministry
Course Description: This course addresses the essential vision, research, and theory needed to understand the depth and the breadth of ministry to youth in the Catholic Church in the United States.
Orientation June 8-14 (for new students)
Week 1- June 15-21
Week 2 - June 22-28
Week 3 - June 29-July 5
Week 4 - July 5-11- 1A Portfolio Due at the end of the week.
Week 4- Break for Advance/National Certification students July 5-11 week
Course 1B Advancing the Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry
Week 5- July 13-19
Week 6- July 20-26
Week 7- July 27-August 2
Week 8- August 3-9 Portfolio due at the end of the week.
The cost for this first section is $45 dollars. To register contact Andrea.Stone@raldioc.org
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Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. Please watch for the next Faith and Ministry Formation Across the Diocese of Raleigh mailing in two weeks.
Blessings,
Diane M. Quintal
Diocese of Raleigh - Catechesis & Faith Formation
7200 Stonehenge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27613-1620
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