Programs offered during Year of Family and Faith

   
    The Office of Evangelization and Eucharistic Renewal, whose mission is to encourage “communion with Christ in his Eucharist through an active participation in the Mass and through eucharistic adoration outside of Mass,” has the following programs on tap during the Year of Family and Faith:
For Families
➤ A New Look at the Mass: The Eucharist as the Heart of the Family
    Geared to parents who have chosen to have their children educated in a Catholic school or a parish school of religion, the program is designed to remind parents of the dignity of their role as the first educators of their children in the faith, and of the importance of setting a good example through their actions. The program’s goal is to encourage consistency between what children are hearing in faith instruction and what they are hearing at home. Scheduling options include one-hour evening parish programs for parents – especially for those whose children are preparing for the reception of the sacraments – and presentations for parents’ club groups.
For Archdiocesan Educators (Elementary and High School)
➤ The Mass: Christ and the Catholic Educator
    Catholic identity is explored through the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life. Strategies are shared to “train the trainers,” so that teachers can help their students more fully participate in the Mass. The graces and challenges involved in catechesis are explored in light of the New Evangelization, with the purpose of fostering unity and devotion among teachers. Catholic education is explored as an extension of the formation that ideally should begin in the home, and strategies are shared to accomplish this goal. This program can be done as a one-hour session or full day of reflection.
For Educators, Administrators and Catechists
➤ A Catechesis for the New Evangelization
    This program explores the unique role of the catechist in the formation of youth and adults. Using the principles of the New Evangelization, it provides a model of catechesis that meets contemporary culture in its most pressing questions and offers Christ as the answer. The program presents Christ as the perfect model of the catechist, and shows how this truth can guide educators, administrators and catechists in a compelling way.
For Archdiocesan High School Students and Confirmation Preparation (two programs)
➤ The Mass: A How-to Guide to Who We Are
➤ The Eucharist Reveals My Life’s Purpose
    These interactive programs help to encourage full, conscious and active participation in the Mass by meeting Parish School of Religion and high school students in the questions that they are asking and showing them how the answers are found in Christ and in the Mass. Designed for teens, the programming identifies some of the unique challenges and opportunities of high school life and how the answer to those questions can be found in Christ.
    Schools can choose from two options: A one-day program per school culminating in a scheduled Mass or in eucharistic adoration; or a two- or three-class program that allows more depth and interaction for a class or grade level(s).
    Parishes can arrange a one-hour talk for their PSR or Confirmation preparation students; a longer retreat format is also available.
For Archdiocesan Elementary School Students
➤ The Mass: A Personal Invitation from Jesus, Himself
    The goal of this interactive program is to increase love of the Eucharist among young people. Designed for elementary-aged children, the program walks through the four main parts of the Mass and reveals each as a personal invitation to closeness with God: to the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy Spirit. The program can be tailored to suit the needs of specific age groups and uses the readings and the specific Eucharistic Prayer that the students will be hearing at their next scheduled Mass. A musician leads the students in song to reinforce what they are learning and add to their enjoyment of the material. Scheduling, done in collaboration with the school, can be adapted to accommodate single classrooms or larger assemblies.
    Other office resources include a Family Mass Resource CD set and “Let the Children Come to Me,” a parish-based program designed to introduce families to eucharistic adoration and enhance their appreciation for the Mass. The program, which is coordinated with the parish DRE/CRE, includes age-appropriate explanations of items associated with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, take-home crafts, eucharistic hymns and a closing pizza party. For more information, call the office at 482-8010.
    SOURCE: Office of Evangelization and Eucharistic Renewal