Operation Catechesis

"...the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

John1:5

In this Christmas season, as we celebrate in the ever radiant light of Christ, please remember to include Operation Catechesis in your planned sharing and prayers. Operation Catechesis is a project of NCCL to help reestablish parish catechetical programs in the hurricane-ravaged parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the dioceses of Biloxi, Lake Charles, Houma-Thibodaux and Beaumont .

The money you donate will be earmarked for the first phase of this important project. Resources will be distributed to the dioceses in an equitable manner according to needs identified by the diocesan directors. These dioceses face extreme hardship. Rebuilding the parish as the loci of catechesis will make an enormous difference.

Financial contributions are made payable to:
NCCL/Operation Catechesis
125 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20017 202-884-9753
nccl@nccl.org
Credit Card donations can be made online here.

Members of the Operation Catechesis Task Force are in contact with the diocesan directors of the impacted dioceses. Rebuilding these parish programs will take years. The directors are very grateful for NCCL's outreach through Operation Catechesis. Each of these dioceses, understandably, is at a different point in the recovery process. Diocesan directors are in contact with affected parishes and have a fairly good idea of the damage and their preliminary needs.

The next phase involves parishes throughout the country partnering with those in need in the Gulf Coast. Operation Catechesis will remain in close contact with the diocesan directors and will work directly with them to organize these partnerships.

On behalf of the Catholic faithful who are suffering this Christmas season, thank your for your generosity. You are indeed a light shining in the darkness!

Advent Blessings,
Task Force Members of NCCL's Operation Catechesis

125 Michigan Ave., NE w Washington, DC 20017 202-884-9753 www.nccl.org

Symposium Is a Success

The symposium with Richard Gaillardetz entitled, The New Catechetical Reality: Forming Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context, held in Elk Grove Illinois December 8, 9, and 10, was an overwhelming success. Nearly 80 diocesan directors, staff and publisher representatives grappled with constraints and aids to forming Catholic Identity. Gaillardetz lead the participants in an indepth exploration of the catechetical reality we face today. A report from the symposium will be posted here on the Director's blog in about a week. Gaillardetz also agreed to make the Power Point he used in his presentations available.

"Operation Catechesis”

Jeanne Schrempf reported that "Operation Catechesis” is under way. The Operation Catechesis committee sent letters of support, prayers and concern to the Dioceses affected by the hurricanes.

“We've been in contact with Diocesan Directors in the effected dioceses voicing NCCL’s concern, prayers and support. We are asking Directors to contact parishes to assess the needs with respect to catechetical ministry” Schrempf said. “What's being called ‘Operation Catechesis’ is an effort to identify parishes that have lost catechetical supplies,” Jeanne reported. Catechetical supplies and centers have been lost and the need for support and assistance will be long term. Response to the project has been good.

The affected dioceses are grateful for the support, prayers and concern of their peers through out the county. Needs identified from the assessment will be put on the NCCL Website under the title "Operation Catechesis." Financial support is also a need. As a result NCCL is being asked to set up a long term fund for people who need help. Jeanne also asked symposium participants and all NCCL members to be aware of the need to publish catechetical openings. People have lost jobs and will loose jobs as the result of these disasters. “We know,” Jeanne said, “we will come together and we will be able to help. Stay tuned.”

With the Snow closing airports and clogging roads the Symposium with Richard Gaillardetz, The New Catechetical Reality: Forming Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context, began in Elk Grove Illinois. The weather prevented a number of people from arriving in Elk Grove or delayed their arrival. I will not be blogging the Symposium as it unfolds.

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