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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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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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Catechetical Sunday
Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Human Person
 This year, Catechetical Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, September 20, 2015. The theme selected by the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis is Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Human Person. On this special day, we commission all those in catechetical ministry and encourage them in their commitment to hand on the faith. We will also celebrate Master Catechist Sue Gammon, our 2015 Mary Dowling Master Catechist of the Year, at a liturgy and reception to be celebrated at Saint Catherine Church in Wake Forest.
For more information and wonderful handouts, go to the USCCB website for Catechetical Sunday and stay tuned to our Diocesan website for some great links prepared in collaboration with the Office of Human Life and Dignity and the Department of Catholic Formation and Evangelization.
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More on the New Papal Encyclical!
Office of Human Life and Dignity Posts Resources
This encyclical is said to have "international implications, particularly regarding solidarity with the world's poor...and will require prayerful attentiveness."
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Need Confirmation Retreat Information?
Spreadsheet of Retreat Dates Updated
 We had numerous requests again this past year for Confirmation Retreat information at various parishes. The Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation has put together a revised 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. If you would like your retreats added to the list above, 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.
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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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Lay Ministry Events Scheduled
Celebration of Lay Ministry, Lay Ministry Sunday, Julianne Stanz!
 You're invited! All lay ministers are invited to join Bishop Burbidge for the annual Celebration of Lay Ministry at St. Mary Mother of the Church, Garner, on Saturday August 29, for Mass, conversation, and lunch. Advance registration is required for this no-cost celebration. Questions? Contact Bea Callery in the Office of Lay Ministry (callery@raldioc.org or 919-821-9715).
MARK YOUR CALENDAR. The Diocese of Raleigh will celebrate Lay Ministry Sunday on August 30, 2015. Each parish is invited to celebrate the sanctity of God's call to all the baptized and the generosity of the faithful who respond to that call as lay ministers. Parishes are encouraged to acknowledge the service of their lay ministers in some way, e.g. a special addition to the General Intercessions, a blessing of lay ministers, or perhaps a reception honoring lay ministers.
YOUTH MINISTERS AND MASTER CATECHISTS, watch for details concerning a special workshop with Ms. Julianne Stanz, director of New Evangelization for the Diocese of Green Bay, on Thursday, September 10th. We will be focusing on how today's culture conflicts with the message of the Gospel and how we can help people hear and live that message.
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 Are you interested in providing some great adult education for your parish? Are your catechists working on certification? The Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation has a list of certified Master Catechists who can offer Doorways to Formation in the Faith courses. If you do not have a certified Master Catechist in your parish, we can help connect you with one who is willing to travel to your parish. |
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Early Bird Registration Extended
Reduced Rate Until August 15th!
 Early Bird Registration Prices have been extended for Family Honor's online course, The Truth and Meaning of Sexuality, Love and Family. In this course, the adult learner will gain an understanding of core truths of sexuality, love, and family as defined by Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and natural law. These truths will be further explored as a foundation for authentic formation of human persons in their dignity as images of God. For more information, visit www.FamilyHonor.org or call 803-929-0858. |
 Update on U.S. Papal Masses
SPECIAL NOTICE!!!
According to ABC news in Philadelphia, "SEPTA announced that it is suspending online sales of Regional Rail passes for the pope's visit in September until technical problems can be fixed." If you are attending the World Meeting of Families, be sure to check the article for more information.
IN OTHER NEWS...
Presently, dioceses have not been given tickets for any of the U.S. Papal Masses. In addition, there have been no official announcements regarding plans for the laity's attendance at these Masses - with the exception of the 4 pm public Mass on September 27th at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philly. There are no tickets needed for the public Mass on the Parkway. Approximately 2+ million people are expected in Philadelphia during the World Meeting of Families. Because of the huge numbers, the majority will be viewing the Mass by jumbotrons throughout the city center. Auto traffic will be restricted within a 3-5 mile radius from Friday through Sunday and no one will be allowed to occupy the area overnight to reserve a space.
Buses and passenger bus parking in Philly is by registration only through http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/plan-your-visit/travel-transportation/transportation-bus-portal/.
There will be no pilgrimage at the Diocesan level for the Masses or World Meeting of Families. Several parishes are organizing trips suited to the needs of their parishioners.
Updates will be available on the USCCB site under papal visit. Check frequently as directives may change.
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Women of Wonder Conference 2015
Don't Miss This National Speaker!
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." Lisa's three talks are:
1. Cultivating Our "Yes" in Belief and Generativity
2. Creativity, Humility, and Integrity in Our "Yes"
3. The Grace of "No" and Out Call to New Life in Christ
Click here for flyer with more information.
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The Gate by Nancy Carabio Belanger
A Summer Read for Teens
For smart-aleck Josh, being a Christian in the eighth grade is completely irrelevant, especially with the temptations that middle school can bring. When his teacher assigns a pen-pal project, Josh meets Pie, a spunky senior citizen with a love of his Catholic faith, Saint John Bosco, and the New York Yankees. But much to Josh's surprise, Pie creates his own project for Josh, and Josh realizes that God has a plan-even for him.
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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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