Dear Pastors, Pastoral Administrators, and Parish Secretaries,
          This year, the Diocese will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 21. On this day, you are invited to bless all who facilitate faith formation with your parish's children, youth and adults. If you are in a parish where Catholic school teachers are in attendance on Sunday, please invite them to stand for the blessing. There is a blessing for parents whose children are on the sacramental journey or in catechesis in the document attached below and a blessing for the children. If this Sunday does not work on your parish calendar, please choose one of the first two Sundays in October to have this blessing.

          As we begin a new ministry season, it is time to bless and pray for the catechists of children, youth, adults, and Catholic School teachers in our parishes. Catechetical Sunday is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on each person's role by virtue of their Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Those whom the community has designated catechists to the parish's children (including the students in the Catholic Schools), youth, and adults can be called forth and commissioned on this day.

This year I would like to highlight the resources for catechists offered by Loyola Press. The first link to the left will lead you to one of the three-minute retreats that is particularly prepared for catechists. The second link will lead you to the 3-minute retreat archives. The third link will lead you to the page inviting you to sign-up to receive the 3-minute retreat daily in your inbox.

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The next three links to the left offer practical support through videos and articles for catechists.  The first link offers a clip to catechists of children and youth on 'Tips to Teaching Catechesis Remotely' by Joe Paprocki. The  second link for catechists of children and youth leads to Joe's Pop-Up Catechesis videos which offer practical advice and ideas for leading catechetical sessions. The third link offers a page of resource links of tips and ideas for making your adult faith formation ministry, from RCIA to Bible Study, a success.