Scholarship Fund

Dear Diocesan Director:

This brief note is to inform you that a temporary scholarship fund has been established to assist diocesan directors of religious education to attend the NCCL Annual Conference. As you well know, natural disasters, settlements of lawsuits, and diocesan downsizing have placed budgetary restrictions on many diocesan religious education offices. This has resulted in the inability of some diocesan directors to attend the annual conference. If, for these or other reasons, you need financial help in order to attend the 2007 annual conference, please consider this opportunity to apply for financial assistance.

It is important for NCCL to have your presence and your voice as we continue to advocate for and develop the ministry of catechesis. Your insight and experience, and the needs of the catechetical community of your (arch)diocese will be missing if you do not attend the annual conference in Columbus.

We hope all is going well in your ministry.

Blessings and Christ's peace.

NCCL Scholarship Committee :

Anne Roat, Diocese of Lafayette, chairperson
Sr. Margaret Kuntz, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Daniel Luby, Diocese of Fort Worth
Jim Kemna, Diocese of Jefferson City
Pete Ries, Diocese of Lansing

Jean Marie Webber takes position at Cardinal Stritch University

JEAN MARIE WEBER JOINS THE FACULTY AT CARDINAL STRITCH UNIVERSITY, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, AS PART OF THE NEW SAINT CLARE CENTER FOR MINISTRY FORMATION

Dear Colleagues:

This announcement comes to you within the context of gratitude to all of you, my co-workers in the vineyard of our God with whom I have labored for these past four years as Director of Certification for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation (USCCB/CCA). I have been recruited and have accepted a position on the faculty of Cardinal Stritch University, effective, January 16, 2007. I look forward to being part of launching a newly formed Saint Clare Center for Ministry Formation which will be fully operative by August, 2007.

The main focus of this new Saint Clare Center for Ministry Formation is the education and formation of lay and ordained ministers of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and other Christian churches of Southeast Wisconsin. The Center is shaped by the Franciscan tradition, serves a diverse ecumenical community and assists the Religious Studies Department in helping students discern their individual callings and prepares them for a wide variety of ministries. Cardinal Stritch University is opening this new Center in response to the closing of Saint Francis Seminary here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The University is located in Milwaukee at 6801 North Yates Road, Milwaukee, WI 53217-3985, (414) 410-4000, (800) 347- 8822, weberjm@sbcglobal.net

I am grateful for the opportunities that the USCCB/CCA afforded me since October 2, 2002. It has been an honor and privilege to have served in this role with you and for you. My position of Director of Certification at USCCB/CCA has not been cut, but we have been informed of the forthcoming budget reductions and potential restructuring plans for the USCCB/CCA effective 2007. I leave the USCCB/CCA with regret, since I have both loved and enjoyed this important, national leadership work, but know that this new employment offer is the next step in God’s plan for me. You are part of my praying and learning community and in that Spirit we remain connected. Please pray for God’s blessings on this new and challenging ministry.

Thank you,
Jean Marie Weber

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the LORD. . . .

(Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Joyce Crider's Brother Passed Away

Kathy Kandefer, BVM sent the following email.
I would like to share some sad news with you.

Joyce Crider, associate director for NCCL, brother, Alton Ray Crider, passed away on New Years Day. Ray is being buried today in Georgia. He is survived by his wife Edith, children and grandchildren.

Please keep Joyce and Ray’s family in your prayers.