USCCB's NDC Denver Workshop

Mike Steier answers questions during the USCCB's Denver workshop on implementation of the National Directory for Catechesis.

NDC Workshop

I’m in Denver CO waiting to participate in the USCCB’s NDC workshop. I’ve heard good reports from several people who’ve attended the workshops. I’m looking forward to hearing what Dan and Mike have to say about the Directory. Is there someway we can share outlines we’ve created to conduct workshops on the NDC in our own Dioceses? If we found a way to share workshop outlines over the internet would you share files or accessing outlines from other dioceses? Leave a comment and let us know what you think about sharing NDC workshop outlines.

Don

Fall 2005 Rep Council Meeting

The Fall 2005 Rep Council Meeting will be held October 27-29, 2005 at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove Village, IL. The meeting will begin with dinner at Dinner 5:30 PM. We end with Mass on Saturday at 5 PM. New Rep Council members will have an orientation on Thursday at 4:30. I will post the agenda for the meeting once the agenda is published.

Treasures from the NDC

I’m finding some treasures as I work my way through the National Directory for Catechesis. For example the Conclusion to chapter two is an excellent summary. (NDC pages 67 – 68) I find the part of the conclusion quoted below useful to explain catechesis to parents, catechists and even first year parish catechetical leaders.

Catechesis nurtures the seed of faith sown by the Holy Spirit through the initial proclamation of the Gospel. It gives growth to the gift of faith given in Baptism and elaborates the meaning of the sacraments. Catechesis develops a deeper understanding of the mystery of Christ, encourages more profound incorporation into the Church, and nourishes Christian living. It encourages discipleship in Christ and instructs in Christian prayer. Just as the mission of evangelization enlivens the Church’s pastoral and missionary activity, catechesis makes concrete her mission of evangelization. It constitutes the “Good News” that Christ commissioned his apostles to spread throughout the whole world and announce to every person. (NDC page 68)

Diocesan Directors Symposium--Info Sent

An email with registration information for the December Symposium has been sent to Diocesan Directors. As you know,Dr. Gaillardetz will be working with us to examine the contemporary cultural and ecclesial contexts in which we minister. We will have the opportunity to explore the variety of ecclesiologies underlying the pluralism in today's Church and to develop strategies for carrying out catechetical ministry in this postmodern environment.

Who: Diocesan Directors and those invited by diocesan directors

When: December 8-10, 2005
Begins 7 PM on Thursday ends 6 PM on Saturday

Where: Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village, IL

How much: The total costs for the symposium, including registration, room, reception Thursday evening, breakfast, lunch, dinner on Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday, are as follows:

Single 2 nights:$385.
Single 3 nights:$465 (Saturday evening)

Double 2 nights:$305.
Double 3 nights:$345 (Saturday evening)

Financial Assistance available. To obtain an application contact Patty Vrabel at pvrabel@nccl.org.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Katherine J. Kandefer, BVM, 202.884.9755, kkandefer@nccl.org or Jim Kemna, 573-635-9127, DDREForum@gmail.com, who has been chairing the planning committee for the event.

Click here for a list of advanced reading material for the symposium.

Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Meets with Publishers

Just received this from NCEA's Department Of Religious Education Executive Director Diana Dudoit Raiche

Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism - Meeting with Publishers of Catechetical Materials:

Approximately 20 publishers and invited representatives from national organizations met with the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism on September 9, 2005. Bishop Leonard P. Blaire of Toledo, OH chaired the meeting for Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans, who was unable to attend. Of the topics discussed, the following seven items may be of interest to diocesan and parish catechetical leaders.

1. The Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is not intended to supplant the Catechism, but it is expected to be an ancillary text suitable for Catholic high school and possibly some junior high school students. Following the four-pillar structure of the Catechism, the Compendium, a new composition, includes prayers in the vernacular as well as in Latin, and includes formulas of Catholic doctrine. Memorization of common formulas of the faith and prayers in Latin is encouraged.

2. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults awaits the recognitio from Rome. Based on the 15 months that it took to receive the recognitio for the National Directory for Catechesis, approval of the adult catechism could possibly arrive in early 2006.

3. Catechetical Treatment of the Trinity: Retaining the mystery of the Holy Trinity is a matter of concern. As the central mystery of our faith, it is necessary to present and explain the divinely revealed names of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is acceptable to use the title God, as is commonly done for the First Person alone, provided that it is made clear that each Divine Person individually can properly be called God.

4. Justice and Charity: It is important not to confuse these two concepts and to offer a parallel treatment of them. Justice refers to what is due human beings as human beings. Rather than an act of duty, charity is giving that is motivated out of love.

5. Doctrinal Guidelines for High School Materials: Consultation from the field regarding these Guidelines is completed. It is expected the Guidelines will go before the Bishops for vote in June 2006. Each bishop will implement the Guidelines as he sees fit.

6. Guiding Principles for Education in Human Sexuality focuses on morality, virtues, the moral virtue of chastity, doctrinal elements, as well as the rights and responsibilities of parents, the Church's role and the role of directors for education. Still in process, this document is expected to go before the Bishops at the 2006 November meeting.

7. Whole Community Catechesis should be used in conjunction with ordinary, systematic catechesis.
Department of Religious Education newsletters available here.

National Directory for Catechesis

I’m thinking about the upcoming Rep Council meeting. The Rep Council will met October 27, 2005 through October 29, 2005 for its fall meeting. I hope one of the agenda items will be a discussion of the NDC. Specifically I hope we will articulate the support Provinces and Organizations would like to see NCCL offer as they implement the NDC in their provinces and organizations. Given the Directory’s emphasis on planning I would like to see a comprehensive list of planning tools parishes, dioceses and organizations could use in developing a process to plan for catechesis. What about an evaluation tool dioceses and parishes could use to evaluate their catechetical efforts based on the Directory. The list of 23 functions for a diocesan catechetical office found on pages 250 – 252 would work to create an evaluation form. What other tools do we need because of the vision painted by the Directory?

Don

Please Comment

The DDRE Forum blog allows for you to add comments. To add a comment click on the “comment” link you will find at the bottom of each blog entry. Then click on the link “Post a comment” link which will bring you to a box to type in your comment. If you want to sign up for a blogger account click the appropriate box or make your comments “Anonymously.” If you have trouble please let us know by sending an email to DDREForum@gmail.com. Join the discussion by leaving a comment.

LIM and LIMEX Temporary Web page

The Loyola Institute for Ministry Hurricane Update Page is located here.
You will find links for sharing course materials and other LIM and LIMEX resources. The site also contains links with other information on New Orleans.

Loyola New Orleas Link

Loyola New Orleans

The following information from the Loyolan New Orleans Blog
Loyola New Orleans is closed at this time. The University experienced only minor physical damage from the storm; however, the threat of rising water is a continual concern. At this time, we have personnel onsite assessing the damage and making necessary emergency repairs. Obviously, no determination has been made about resuming normal operations.

Click here for the blog.

Communicating with Loved ones!

I can't take credit for this idea. I first read it here. With my own children in three different cities and my parents and siblings scattered all over the country I plan on implementing this idea.

"have we conjured a definitive communications plan, for our loved ones, to employ in the event of a disaster? The American Red Cross encourages every household to develop a 'Family Communication Plan.'"

We've already added the "ICE" item to our cell phones and PDAs. (ICE stands for Incase of an Emergency.) Now I see it is time to take the next step.

If you have word from or about any of our members in the HURRICANE region leave us a comment (Click on the comment link below) or send us an email at DDREForum@gmail.com and I'll post your comment.

Don

Information on HURRICANE KATRINA

If you are looking for information on Hurricane Katrina here are a few links:
Everything New Orleans Nola.com is here.
Round up of Charities is here.
BBC News is here.
The Christian Science Monitor Daily on Line is here.
Google News is here.

Halley's Comment: But For The Grace Of God Go .... All Of Us

Halley's Comment: But For The Grace Of God Go .... All Of Us: "But For The Grace Of God Go .... All Of Us
Try to imagine someone just told you the entire city you live in ... New Orleans, in this case ... will be uninhabitable for several months.

In other words, whatever you have with yo -- most likely only one suitcase -- is all you have until Christmas.

Your home, probably your job, all your possessions, are destroyed or off limits.

Where do you go?

What do you do?

How on earth do you manage?

And this was a hurricane but could have been any number of other natural disasters."

This post form Halley Suitt's blog Halley's Comment, made me wonder, "How on earth do you manage?"

During a workshop I conducted last night (8/30) we prayed Psalm 27.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whome shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life:
of whom shall I be afraid? "

When there is little to nothing I can do and words fall so short our ritural of praying the Psalms is comforting.

Don

The New Catechetical Reality

"The New Catechetical Reality: Forming Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context" symposium for Catechetical Leadership is scheduled for the December 8 – 10, 2005. "The New Catechetical Reality: Forming Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context" symposium will be held at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village near O’Hare airport. The cost of the symposium will be between $305 and $465. The cost includes the registration fee, room and board for two or three nights with a single room or double room. We hope you will make plans to participate in the Symposium. Watch for details and additional registration material coming to an in-box near you shortly after September 1, 2005. Click here for a list of advanced reading material for the symposium. Read the registration material for information on scholarships.

Board drafts new NCCL Mission Statement

As a member of the NCCL Representative Council I recently received the following Email from the NCCL Board of Directors.

Dear Colleagues:
As the board of directors prepared to do strategic goals and objectives on the weekend of June 24-26 in Chicago, our facilitator helped us to realize that we needed to articulate our lived mission in current language to enable the board and the members to make the necessary decisions for our future.

We are excited by the following statement's simplicity and by the mutual agreement and excitement this conversation generated with among board members. It's not perfect but we think that we need to live with it and see how it may help us to promote energy and focus to our catechetical efforts.

We consider you to be a key catechetical leader in the organization (because of your role in the representative council, committee, or as a past president or a representative of an affiliated organization,)

Therefore the board committed to personally share this statement and our enthusiasm with each of you first, so that you will be ready to answer questions when others contact you after we soon share this statement with the general membership.

We look forward to seeing you in the Fall Representative council Oct 27-29 as we look at what this strengthened and refined statement will mean for us all and for our efforts in the catechetical ministry.

It is our hope that every leader, committee chair and staff member will look at what we do in light of this mission. As we move into our planning of goals and objectives for these coming years, our members, the representative council, the forums and constituencies, and the Office Staff will all need to consider:

What is (my, our) role in this mission as representative council, forums, committees, task forces, Office Staff, etc. ?
Who is responsible for authorizing this aspect of NCCL decision making?
Who implements this NCCL decision?
Who are the key supporters needed to guarantee the success of this decision?
Who should be informed about this decision?

The statement is:
The Mission of NCCL is "To go and make disciples"(Matt: 28:19) by creating a community of catechetical leaders who:
Read "the signs of the times" regarding catechesis and explore their underlying questions;
Promote effective catechesis for our times;
Recruit, develop and support catechetical leaders; and
Offer our expertise to our Bishops, pastors and the entire Church.

After reading the email I sent the following email.

I would be glad to talk with you about the “NCCL Mission Statement.” However, I have some strong and immediate reactions that will not wait. This work is further evidence that convinces me NCCL is no longer a grassroots organization. Here a, non-representative group of nine, determines the mission of a so-called grassroots organization. Where was the consultation? If the Rep Council is the heart of NCCL why was the heart not consulted? Why were the Forums not consulted? Regardless of the quality of the statement, even though the Board says, “It's not perfect but we think that we need to live with it,“ the process used to create the statement disregards the values that make NCCL different and valuable for Catechetical Ministry in this country. Mission Statements to be effective require the ownership of the membership. Why should we “look at what we do in light of this mission” when we had no part in establishing it. The Board owes the membership more respect than this! We seem to have abandoned our core identity and for that I grieve.
Peace,
Don Kurre
reo at nque dot com

I want to encourage the members of the DDRE Forum to contact your representative on the Representative Council, the members of the Board of Directors and Forum Animators and let them know how you feel not only about the content of this statement but also about the process used to establish a new NCCL mission statement. Now is the time to speak out!

Something to think about

David Haberman, the Chair of the Indiana University’s Department of Religious Studies, had some interesting comments on religion in the Summer 2005 issue of the Relgious Studies Alumni Newsletter. Haberman said in part,

I have recently finished reading Reza Asian's new book No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam. Not only do I recommend this book as a great read, but I also believe that it highlights the fact that religion is a highly influential — yet vastly contentious — force in global affairs today. The need to understand religion is, therefore, greater than ever. Asian remarks in his book: "Considering how effortlessly religious dogma has become intertwined with political ideology since 9/11, how can we overcome the clash-of-monotheisms mentality that has so deeply entrenched itself in the modern world? Clearly, education and tolerance are essential. But what is most desperately needed is not so much a better appreciation of our neighbor's religion as a broader, more complete understanding of religion itself." I could not agree more; these are times of ideological religious warfare. To understand the tremendous struggle going on within almost every religious tradition today to define the nature of that tradition, one must grasp how religion functions in public life.

It's wiki time

As diocesan offices face reduced budgets and small staffs we find ourselves looking for new and less expensive ways for working together or colaborating. If you need to revise a document or prepare new guidelines for choosing catechetical texts you might find a wiki helpful. (The name wiki is derived from a Hawaiian word for "quick") Follow this link to a PC Magazine article titled, "Working Together With Wikis." If you need to save time, money and generally be more productive why not try a wiki?

When faith and science meet.

I would like to see the Diocesan Directors Forum create a resource for catechists who will need to address the issue of "intelligent design" (ID). It would be in our best interest to provide resources for catechists who will lead discussion on ID from the perspective of Catholic Tradition. The Roman Catholic tradition has much wisdom to share in a discussion of the relationship between faith and science. We need to avoid the mistakes of the past. Providing catechists with a resource to use in bringing that wisdom to the discussion of ID is a service the DDRE Forum can provide. Any one interested in leading such a project?

Don

Frist Backs 'Intelligent Design' Teaching - Yahoo! News

Frist Backs 'Intelligent Design' Teaching - Yahoo! News: "NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Echoing similar comments from
President Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said 'intelligent design' should be taught in public schools alongside evolution.
ADVERTISEMENT

Frist, R-Tenn., spoke to a Rotary Club meeting Friday and told reporters afterward that students need to be exposed to different ideas, including intelligent design.

'I think today a pluralistic society should have access to a broad range of fact, of science, including faith,' Frist said."

Churches seeking marketing-savvy breed of pastor

csmonitor.com:

A year ago, the Rev. Scott Schlotfelt was weighing job offers from three churches smitten by what he had to offer.

But they weren't talking about his preaching or counseling skills. What they were seeking, like a number of churches across the United States, was some savvy marketing. And like a growing number of pastors, consultants, and volunteers, Mr. Schlotfelt was eager to do some branding for the Lord.

"I've kind of had a heart for marketing, [and] I think a lot of churches are looking for outreach" specialists, says Schlotfelt, outreach pastor at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Md. He received his undergraduate degree in marketing, then studied for the ministry and helped

Read the article from the Christian Science Monitor here.

Symposium with Richard R. Gaillardetz Update

The Symposium Planning Committee held a conference call Friday, August 12, 2005 to continue planning for the December 8 – 10, 2005 Symposium for Catechetical Leadership. The Committee agreed on a title for the symposium. The title will be: "The New Catechetical Reality: Forming Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context." We hope you will make plans to participate in the Symposium. Watch for details and additional registration material coming to an in-box near you shortly after September 1, 2005. Click here for a list of advanced reading material for the symposium. Read the registration material for information on scholarships.

This just in

America, United States, Times Online, The Times, Sunday Times: "

Da Vinci plot may get new twist to placate Catholics
By Dalya Alberge, Arts Correspondent
THE film version of The Da Vinci Code is attempting to reduce the offence that the best-selling book caused to Roman Catholics.

Sony Pictures, the studio behind the film starring Tom Hanks and Sir Ian McKellen, is reported to have been so concerned that it has consulted Catholic and other Christian specialists on how it might alter the plot of the novel to avoid offending the devout.

Film officials have held talks with Catholic groups and other organisations despite Dan Brown, the author, insisting that “it’s only a novel and therefore a work of fiction”, The New York Times reported yesterday."

CNN.com - Gibson asked to recreate 'Passion'

This story appeared on both CNN and Yahoo news
CNN.com - Gibson asked to recreate 'Passion': "Gibson asked to recreate 'Passion'"

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Hollywood actor-director Mel Gibson has been asked to recreate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the streets of Sydney if the city is selected to host a major Catholic gathering in 2008, a newspaper reported Saturday.

Click here for the link to Yahoo News.

Wired News: A Hacker Games the Hotel

Wired News: A Hacker Games the Hotel: "A Hacker Games the Hotel

Since I find myself spending time in hotel rooms I found this information interesting and helpful.

"A vulnerability in many hotel television infrared systems can allow a hacker to obtain guests' names and their room numbers from the billing system.

It can also let someone read the e-mail of guests who use web mail through the TV, putting business travelers at risk of corporate espionage. And it can allow an intruder to add or delete charges on a hotel guest's bill or watch films and other premium content on their hotel TV without paying for it."

Click here to read the whole article.

A quote from Nelson Mandela

"Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times -- times in which the world boasts breathtaking advances in science, technology, industry and wealth accumulation -- they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social ills. Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life." (Nelson Mandela)

I found this quote as part of a post on Dave Pollard's blog, "How to Save the World" here.

Don

Has it been 20 years?

Has it been 20 years? Cindy called me down to help her with a computer emergency and I walked into a suprise anniversary party. I've been the DRE for the diocese of Grand Island for 20 years this month. The Staff at the NP Catholic Offices threw me a party and gifted me with this large Gum Ball machine filled with M&M peanuts. (see the picture) The Gum Ball machine has a lable that says, "Diocesan RE Director, 1985 - 2005, SWEET!" I was very surprised and overwhelmed even speachless. For those same 20 years I have been a member of NCCL and I am very greatful for the friendship and support I receive from the people I've meet through NCCL over these 20 years. Prior to becoming a Diocesan Director, I remember Matt Hayes encouraging me to join, what was in those days, NCDD. Moving to Nebraska and joining NCCL are two of the significant blessings of my life. I've truly enjoyed the past 2o years.

NCCL Offices are Moving

National Conference for Catechetical Leadership Online: "Important Information NCCL Offices are moving. NCCL offices will be temporarily relocating to Trinity University for the next 18 months or so until our present location at St. Paul’s College is renovated into the St. Paul Hecker Center for Ministry. As of August 5 our new address and phone number will be:

National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
Trinity University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
202-884-9753

We ask for your patience during the moving process we will not able to receive calls or answer email until August. 9. All emails you send and registrations for the conference will be saved on our web server so nothing will be lost. "

Union Pacific RR's No. 844

The Union Pacific Railroad's steam locomotive No. 844
You may be wondering what a picture of a steam locomotive is doing on the Diocesan Director's Forum Blog. Good question. The Union Pacific Railroad is the major employer in North Platte and North Platte is home to the worlds larges railroad classification yard or hump yard. Steam locomotive No. 844 was in North Platte today (7/28/05) and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures and I thought I would share one. If you are interested in the vital statistics of No. 844 click here.

Don

Institute for Peace and Justice

I received the Institute for Peace and Justice’s Peace Pieces for Christian Educators by email today. Peace Pieces is a free email newsletter full of ideas and resources for promoting and educating for peace and justice from womb to tomb.

If you are not familiar with the Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) I encourage you to visit IPJ’s website at www.ipj-ppj.org/index.html and become familiar with the Institute. It is hard to admit but I’ve known Jim and Kathy McGinnis, founders of the Institute, for over 20 years. I am challenged by Jim and Kathy’s commitment and dedication to formation, education and witness to and for peace and justice. For Kathy and Jim peace and justice is at the heart of their discipleship. Their ministry and the ministry of the Institute is worthy of our support as catechetical leaders.

Resources from the Institute and the “Families Against Violence Advocacy Network” including the “Pledge of Nonviolence” are valuable resources for your diocesan newsletters and other formal communications. I especially like Jim’s "I Want Love to Win" essay, available here.

Remember to sign up to receive IPJ’s free email newsletter “Peace Pieces for Christian Educators.” Sign up here.

Contact IPJ at: 4144 Lindell Boulevard #408, St. Louis, MO 63108, (314) 533-4445, Fax (314) 715-6455 e-mail: “ppjn at aol dot com” and on the web here.

Don Kurre

Loyola Update from Cecelia M. Bennett

The university opened for normal business this morning. We in New Orleans escaped any damage from this hurricane. This is not the experience of many residents of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida who are without power and who have had property damage due to the hurricane. Many people on the gulf coast still were not in their homes from last summer.

Our prayers and best wishes go out to all our LIMEX colleagues in these areas. It you want to make donations to charities that help out in these areas, check out the fema web page.

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=5151

Information from Loyola Institute for Ministry

Cecelia M. Bennett from Loyola Institute for Ministry in New Orleans, LA sent and email saying:

Today as of 1:15 the university will be officially closed due to the possible threat of Hurricane Dennis. Right now the Florida Gulf Coast through the Louisiana Gulf Coast is all in the potential path of Hurricane Dennis. As of this morning, Florida has the most probability of a landing. They certainly do not need another storm after last year's season, and we still have people in New Orleans (Two who work in LIM) still without power from Tuesday's storm. So 60 hours out we all need to prepare, as we in this part of the world know, things can change at any minute.

For updates on the status of the university's opening or closure, please go to www.loyno.edu or 504-865-2186

I know I will be keeping all those who could be in the path of Hurricane Dennis in my prayers.

Don

Discernment Committee Looking for Help

The Discernment Committee, according to Joe Swiss, is seeking your suggestions for the best persons to fill the role of President. To be eligible, they must be professional members of the association who have already attended at least two annual meetings. However, there are several additional criteria that should be considered in suggesting candidates. First, what leadership qualities do they possess that demonstrate their ability to lead the association into the future? Second, do they have the qualities necessary to represent the association at the national level? Third, how have they exhibited a vision of catechesis and ministry? Fourth, what gifts have they demonstrated that indicate their ability to lead NCCL in fulfilling its strategic issues? Lastly, are they now or have they been involved in the governance of NCCL?

If after prayerful consideration you feel there is someone or several individuals who should be considered, we would appreciate hearing from you. We will contact them about possibly running for office. In submitting a name or names for consideration, please share with us your thoughts on each of them for the five criteria listed above. Click on reply to respond electronically to either jswiss-at-archbalt-dot-org or to mwestenburg-at-stmattsgb-dot-org by July 15, 2005. You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your submittal. Thank you for your support.

Joe Swiss,
Chairperson

Empty Thoughts, or Do Zen Monk Robes Have Pockets?

As the thermostat pushes into the upper 90's today in North Platte this article from celsius1414 made more and more sense. Robert Daeley: askes, "Do Zen Monk Robes have Pockets?"

For an era when millions of urban folks have supposedly left behind the burdens of a rural existence, we sure are burdening ourselves like pack mules. Take a look around at the next business gathering, especially if there are a lot of geeks in the room — check out the bulging cargo pants and Bat-Belts of devices, the modern geek’s pocket protectors. Wonder at the laptop bags and suitcases with hidden crannies stuffed full of all manner of supplies.

Read the whole article here Celsius1414: Zen Pockets. Thanks to Merlin Mann at 43 Folders for this link.

"Give me, O Lord. . .

"Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give me an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give me an upright heart, which no unworthy prupose may tempt aside."

Thomas Aquinas

Inculturation and the Media

The NCD in Chapter 2 Section 21, D has this to say about inculturation and the media:

"If the new evangelization of the mass media is going to be effective, however, the Church must deepen her understanding of the culture in which the communications media are so consequential and learn how to make proper use of the media to proclaim Christ's message. Pastoral min­isters need to be trained as specialists in communications technology; state-of-the-art production centers need to be set up; communication networks need to be developed; and the faithful need to learn how to be more discriminating in their use of the media, especially in their homes. 'Using the media correctly and competently can lead to a genuine incul­turation of the Gospel'". (NDC page 67)

It's In The Numbers

"One-quarter fewer students attend Catholic schools today than did in 1950, but more than four times as many students participate in parish catechetical programs." (NDC page 35)

Quote Of The Day

"Being a believer means that one lives a certain way--walking with the Lord, doing justice, loving kindness, living peaceably among all people." NDC, page 11.

Symposium Preparation

The following set of articles/book will be recommended for advance reading for the symposium with Richard R. Gaillardetz, December 8 - 10, 2005. Reflection questions will be provided.

Barron, Robert. “Beyond Beige Catholicism.” Church (Summer, 2000): 5-10.

Doyle, Dennis. “Beige or Technicolor: Catholicism Requires Different Theological Approaches.” Church (Summer, 2000): 11-14.

Gaillardetz, Richard. “Apologetics, Evangelization and Ecumenism Today.” Origins 35 (May 19, 2005): 9-15.

Komonchak, Joseph. 2005. "The Church in Crisis: Pope Benedict's Theological Vision". Commonweal 132 (11):11-4. http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/print_format.php?id_article=1249

Portier, William. “Here Come the Evangelical Catholics,” Communio 31 (Spring, 2004): 35-66. http://communio-icr.com/articles/PDF/portier31-1.pdf.

Rausch, Thomas P. Reconciling Faith and Reason: Apologetics, Evangelists, and Theologians in a Divided Church. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2000. (Click here for price at amazon.com)

If you have questions about the Symposium contact us at DDREForum@gmail.com. Or leave a comment on the Blog. We do like hearing from you

Symposium with Richard R. Gaillardetz

Symposium with Richard R. Gaillardetz December 8 - 10, 2005. The Symposium will be held at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village near O'Hare airport.

Symposium with Richard R. Gaillardetz Update

The Symposium Planning Committee held a conference call Wednesday, June 15, 2005 to continue planning for the December 8 – 10, 2005 Symposium for Catechetical Leadership. We hope to publish the details including registration information on the symposium around July 15, 2005. Registration information will be sent to Diocesan Directors as an attachment to an email from the National Office. Directors are encouraged to invite members of their staff to participate in the Symposium. We are compiling a reading list to be given to symposium participants prior to the symposium. I’m convinced the symposium will be one of the major catechetical events of 2005, an event not to be missed. Scholarships will be available.

Social Justice Movies

The April/May 2005 issue of the "BluePrint for Social Justice" Newsletter published by the Twomey Center for Peace through Justice at Loyola University http://www.loyno.edu/twomey/blueprint/ contains a 13 page list of "Social justice Movies" with a brief description. The list seems impressive. If you are not familiar with this newsletter it is worth looking at.

World Vision 70,000 people have already died

World Vision Online Donations: Root: "In the Darfur region of Sudan, 70,000 people have already died in brutal ethnic conflict and over two million people have been driven into homelessness with their huts and villages pillaged, burned, and destroyed. They are living in ramshackle grass huts spread in camps on the edge of the Sahara with no access to food, water, clothing, or shelter. Health care is non-existent. Killings and sexual assaults are rampant. These families are on the edge of survival, living in conditions that World Vision has rarely seen in its 50 plus years of serving the needy. Lives of thousands of children are threatened. Many have lost their fathers, their homes,"

Jesus died of blood clot, Israeli researcher says - Science - MSNBC.com

Jesus died of blood clot, Israeli researcher says - Science - MSNBC.com: "JERUSALEM - An Israeli researcher has challenged the popular belief that Jesus died of blood loss on the cross, saying he probably succumbed to a sometimes fatal disorder now associated with long-haul air travel."

How Many Americans Really Attend Church Each Week?

As you remember during the 2004 Annual Meeting we talked about the role of social sciences in catechecial ministry. Continuing this line of discussion I think Dave Olson's analysis of church attendance is very interesting.

Dave Olson, director of church planting for the Evangelical Covenant Church, surveying only Christian churches (i.e., evangelical, mainline, and Catholic) says the percentage of Americans regularly attending church is 18.7%.

Olson has collected his findings in an eye-opening slide-show entitled Twelve Surprising Facts about the US Church.

Here is the direct link to the chart that shows the percentage of population attending a Catholic Church on any given weekend in 2000. It seems to me that Olson's analysis raise some good questions for catechetical ministry.

U.S. Catholic Bishops - Social Development & World Peace

"The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property, and to economic initiative. Respecting these rights promotes an economy that protects human life, defends human rights, and advances the well-being of all." U.S. Catholic Bishops - Social Development & World Peace

The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation

VLCFF @ UD: "The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is a growing initiative to offer adult religious education and faith formation anytime and anywhere via the internet. The goal is to support the church's professional ministry of religious education and faith formation in cyberspace.

The VLCFF is coordinated and sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton - a Catholic Marianist Institution.

Our mission is to mobilize the resources of the University of Dayton for partnerships with the Church that create and implement innovative pastoral initiatives designed to meet the needs of the Church and to articulate faith within the context of contemporary culture."

If you are looking for a new way to provide formation for the catechists of your diocese I suggest that you look at the University of Dayton's VLCFF program. I'm convinced that VLCFF is one of the most valuable resources for faith formation available today. As a VLCFF partner diocese, VLCFF enables us to provide a richer variety of formation opportunities across the great distances of Western Nebraska.

Don Kurre

Congo's Conflict: Heart of Darkness

"Congo's Conflict: Heart of Darkness
With 30,000 deaths a month from violence and disease, Congo is the world's deadliest place. Does anyone care?"

How do you measure the horror in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Add up all of the American deaths in every single war we’ve fought in since 1776, including World War II and the Civil War (1,540,665). Now add to that the estimated deaths from the recent tsunami (169,752 confirmed dead, 127,294 missing). Next, add to that the estimated..." Read the story here: Beliefnet.com

(My) 7 guidelines for effective corporate e Learning

"In adult learning, cognitive goals are always application oriented’ we don’t have any 3- hour exam to sit for - real life is our examination hall! We need both explicit and tacit knowledge when we need it - on demand." soulsoup

I (Don) thought there was some important information in this blog entry for our ministry in Catechist Training. What do you think?

Post a comment to the Blog

I (Don Kurre) want to invite you to post a comment on the Diocesan Director's Forum Blog. The DDRE Forum blog is intended to be a conversation about catechetical issues and activities of the Forum. At the end of each blog posting you will find a comments link. Click on the link to leave a comment to the above post. Clicking on the comments link brings you to a page with a "Post A Comment" link. Clicking on the "Post A Comment" link brings you to the "Leave your comment" form. Type in your comment. Choose an identity, if you are a registered Blogger user choose that identity or click on the anonymous option. Then Click on the "Logo in and Publish" button. Return to the Blog's home page and after a few minutes your comment will appear with the "Comments" link is clicked. If you have any questions or difficulty posting a comment please contact me at reoatnque.com. (Replace "at" with @ to contact me by email.) Please leave a comment.

Don

TIME.com: It's a Wiki, Wiki World -- Jun. 06, 2005

TIME.com: It's a Wiki, Wiki World -- Jun. 06, 2005: "From the Magazine | Business
It's a Wiki, Wiki World
Want to add your 2¢ to an encyclopedia? Join the crowd"
Being the founder of the Internet's largest encyclopedia means Jimmy Wales gets a lot of bizarre e-mail. There are the correspondents who assume he wrote Wikipedia himself and is therefore an expert on everything--like the guy who found vials of mercury in his late grandfather's attic and wanted Wales, a former options trader..."
Here is the link to Religious Education in the Wikipedia. The "Catechesis" does not show up in the encyclopedia at all. Maybe we need to fix that. What do you think? But there is a link to The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Click here.

Don

Gaillardetz's Hecker Lecture in "Origins"

The address Richard R. Gaillardetz, who will conduct a Symposium for Diocesan Directors December 8, 2005 through December 11, 2005, gave at the annual Hecker Lecture was published in the May 19, 2005 (Volume 35, No. 1) issue of Origins. The title of the lecture is, "Apologetics, Evangelization and Ecumenism Today."

Symposium with Richard R. Gaillardetz Update

The Diocesan Director’s Forum Symposium Committee held a conference call today, Friday, May 20, 2005, to continue planning for the Symposium with Richard R. Gaillardetz. Please note: The Symposium will begin on Thursday evening, December 8, 2005 and end with Liturgy on Saturday evening, December 11, 2005. The Symposium will be held at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village near O’Hare airport. The cost of the symposium will be between $305 and $465. The cost includes the registration fee, room and board for two or three nights with a single room or double room. Participants will register through the National Office. Diocesan Directors are encouraged to invite members of their staff to participate in this symposium. Diocesan directors will receive an Email from the National Office next week (5/23—5/27) with further details and the possibility for early registration. Scholarships for the Symposium will be available. The Committee continues to work on the details of the symposium including title, schedule and process but we wanted to share the basic information with members of the Forum as offices prepare their budgets for fiscal 05-06.

Example of Good Adult Ed Methodology

Gnomedex is a tech conference that began in Iowa. Dave Winer who will be one of the keynote speakers had this to say in his blog today, Scripting News: 5/16/2005: "Gnomedex is right around the corner. It seems everyone is going this year, me too. I'm giving one of the keynotes, it's going to be BloggerCon-style, so I'll talk for 10 minutes, maybe do a demo, then lead a discussion. Are you going? What should we talk about?" Asking potential participants what they would like to talk about is great adult ed methodology.

jkOnTheRun: The Tyranny of Email

Something to remember about Email from jkOnTheRun: The Tyranny of Email: "Finally, remember that email is a public and permanent record. Email is plain text and goes out over public networks, and is often stored on servers for a long time and may be backed up for a longer time. It might feel 'throwaway' at the time, but it will not be thrown away, as senior executives at Microsoft, Enron, Worldcom, and others have discovered. If you have something to say which won't bear the public light of day, it shouldn't be said in email. And if you are sending something confidential or sensitive, consider sending it as an encrypted and/or password-protected attachment."

Coffee Hacks

If you are like me and spend a lot of time in your car you might find this "Coffee Hack" helpful."The hole in a roll of duct tape laid flat on the floor of your car makes a handy extra coffee cup holder." You will find more coffee hacks here: Coffee Hacks:

Don Kurre

Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome

Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome: "

American Succeeds Pope in Former Office
Archbishop Levada New Prefect for Doctrinal Congregation

VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI named the archbishop of San Francisco to succeed him as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The Vatican announced today that Archbishop William Levada, 68, will fill the vacancy left by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger upon his election to the papacy. Code: ZE05051303"Date: 2005-05-13

The Word From Rome May 13, 2005

The Word From Rome May 13, 2005: "By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

On May 13, as had long been rumored, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop William J. Levada of San Francisco as the new prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith."

An E-mail from Sister Rose Pacatte, F.S.P.

*I received this e-mail from Sister Rose and post it here with her permission. Please remember Sister Rose and her family in your prayers.*

Dear Sisters, Friends and Family,

The Paradise (CA) Post came out today with the obituary for my nephew Gabriel Harry Mordecai. You can read it here and sign the guest book if you would like.

OBITUARY for Sr. Rose's nephew Click here

We also received the official finding for the cause of death: asyphyxiation by hanging: accident. Gabe did fall off of the top bunk, but he had a rope around his neck. However, it was not suicide. He was trying to get high - and he had done it before. Another kid taught Gabe and his twin how to do it.

I wondered if I should draw your attention to the cause of death - but if it might help parents become aware of what their kids are doing, they can help them. Therefore, I decided to share this with you as sad and distasteful as it is. Risky behavior has always accompanied adolescence.

For some of you this may be a whole new aspect of life that you have no wish to explore, and I respect that - but we need to know the reality of adolescence, the choices kids are making and why: one of the behaviors that is killing them. These are the people of God to whom we are sent to communicate God's love. I keep asking myself: what more could I have done? I was lucky if I saw my sister and her children every other year or so; we are such a large family; could I have called more? Been more "prsent"? All my siblings are asking the same questions. However, the bigger question for me is: Gabe, his brother, and maybe the other kids in the story were and are familiar with God's Word - did it mean anything to him at 13 years of age? Did anyone teach about risky behavior in Bible study, homilies, religious education, in regular school? How can we help to bring faith and life closer in a meaningful way, so that faith can inform the decisions ! and lives of children, teens, young adults, parents? The eternal question... I am the first to admit it is very, very hard to speak publically about what has happened to my nephew, but if we do not speak of it, how do we prevent it from happening again?

I think my sister went so public with this because she wants to prevent this from happening to another family. Professionals are telling her that doing something positive would help her know that others could be helped by this devastating death of her child - who was messing around as kids will do, but in a very dangerous, risky way. We were told that a few days before Gabe was brought in to the hospital, another boy, the same age, died the same way.

News article about "Asphyxiation" as thrill seeking Click here

Thank you for your messages of prayer for our family; they mean a lot.

Blessings to you and your families. May God enlighten parents and caregivers everywhere to "see" on time and respond to their children in ways that respect the body and life.

Sincerely,
Sr Rose

National Conference for Catechetical Leadership Online

National Conference for Catechetical Leadership Online

A Brief Walk through the National Directory for Catechesis
By Daniel Mulhall
Published in the March 2005 issue of "Catechetical Leader." This article is now available on the NCCL web site. Click here to access the article.

DDRE CLUSTER NOTES

These are the notes taken during the Cluster Discussions held at the Annual Meeting in Louisville.

Critical issues

Some recommendations from the Critical Issues Cluster

• NCCL should be more active in national conversation about catechesis
• We need a broader-national network among DDRES
• We must keep NCCL really grassroots.
• We can make the organization be more proactive.
• It is time to invite Bishops to come. Hear us and how we work.
• Invite bishops to things like Diocesan forum. Especially at the Cleveland Meeting.
• Get more people involved from individual dioceses.

Common Competencies

· How can evidence be gathered to prove competency based assessment? (journaling, gathering materials for portfolios, certificate which supports which standard it meets).

· Use writing/journaling as an assessment tool. Help people to see they can achieve competency in several areas.

· How much pre-education /consultation should proceed a diocese implementing? Beginning a portfolio for each catechist and even a fact sheet can be disseminated as educational piece.

· Textbook selection for lay ministry formation program. There is a Bishops’ document, coming out in Nov. saying what content areas should be covered in course areas - (suggest: set the standards first and then review text content in light of this.)

· Committee on standards and certification is looking at making sure certifications granted by accredited agencies be recognized nationally.

See Carol Gastelum: a Retreat/reflection experience to educate the various ministry (ministries ) on the standards certification for their specific ministry.

Whole Community Catechesis

What is positive and exciting?

· Collaboration of “whole” parish staffs in planning and process

· Number of family groups reacting positively

· Eucharist liturgy becoming focal point

· Families sharing faith with children

· Positive model of adult faith formation - OHWB

· An experience of a catechumenal model

· Can be a form of evangelizing catechesis

· Attracting adults without children

· Energizes parish as community

· An outburst of creativity

· Using the giftedness of new people

· Liturgy and catechesis working together

· Sacramental catechesis as separate component

· Parishes supporting and more conscious of households of faith

· Publishers supporting model with print materials and websites

· State and national workshops/conferences on theme

· Parishes collaborating

· Increase in understanding of and participation in liturgical life of Church

· More opportunity for works of service and justice

· Parishes working to include “non-participating” parishioners in catechetical outreach - homebound, young adults away at college or military, outreach to those in hospitals, care facilities, those incarcerated.

· Inclusion of persons with disabilities and special needs

· Can be more affordable model

· Support by excellent catechetical leaders - Bill Hubesch, John Roberto, many diocesan directors

1. What do we see as challenges and concerns?

· Maintaining a consistent, authentic, and developmental curriculum that reflects Vatican, national and diocesan norms

· Families who choose to not participate and leave

· Children without families faith support being neglected or abandoned

· Integrating this model into comprehensive youth ministry

· Not building a team - catechetical leader overcommitted

· Sustaining this model beyond first few years

· Parishes eliminating texts and developing own materials

· Sustaining model when staffing changes

· Adequate catechist formation

· Sustaining model where liturgy is mediocre or poor

· Inconsistent attendance by Families

· High energy to offer preparation sessions multiple times

· Uncertainty that Catholic doctrine is being taught adequately and learned well by children and young people

· Inadequate space for model which encourages community meals and large assemblies

Formation of Parish Catechetical Leaders

Some suggestions

· The parish will need to wait. (While DREs get trained.)

· Everyone will need to spend significant money.

· Preparation must be multi-faceted.

· Create a growth plan and time line.

· Don’t think of DRE formation as training for a job. Think of it as training for a cluster of jobs.

· Make a big public display of the accomplishments of those who do things

· Use national profile on catechesis to support our positions

· Motivate with a power point presentation –

“Why do you want a professionally trained DRE?”

$700-$1000 needed/year. Make it quantified

Prep needs to be multifaceted

Create a growth plan and a time line – everybody benifits

· Use the DRE series.

20 sessions, once a month – all day Sat.

Dioceses and college cooperate

Different on-site classes

In most cases parishes pay for it

· NCCL set up info link so dioceses can find out which place have available courses on-line

· DREs who need financial assistance

Diocesan funds needed

In our diocese Bishop mandated a fund

Can NCCL do it nationally?

Endowment

Run in cohorts – get MARE

· Can we get names of people who gave money for endowments?

What are Catechetical Leaders to do?

It’s hard to believe a week ago I was in Louisville. Now a scant six days later and I’m mostly dug out from under the stuff that awaited my return to Nebraska. A lot of junk mail got sent to the trash, Spam deleted from my inbox, phone calls returned and people visited. Somehow I never learn to avoid scheduling major events just days after the Annual meeting. Oh, when will I learn? I’ll make a note in my palm pilot to remind me. It was an OK meeting as Annual meetings go. I do appreciate the energy two or three catechetical leaders gathered together generate. I will admit to being disappointed by the lack of discussion, conversation or outrage sparked by Peter Steinfels book and presentations. The strongest statement I heard was, “We knew that already.” I am left wondering, if Steinfels’ descriptions accurately reflect Catholic life today, what are we, the catechetical leaders to do?

Don Kurre

A Symposium - Preliminary Information

A Symposium for Diocesan Directors and Staff with Richard Gaillardetz. The Symposium will be held in Chicago December 8-11, 2005 at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village near O’Hare airport. The event will begin Thursday with dinner and end Saturday evening with Liturgy (about 6:00 pm).

The cost for room and board would be approximately $350 for a single room, $250 for a double, plus tax. A reception Thursday evening, three meals on Friday, breakfast and lunch Saturday would be provided for the above cost. Snacks during the day would also be provided. Participants would go out for dinner Saturday evening after the liturgy. The meal would not be included in the above cost. The registration fee, above room and board, has not been set. A planning committee is in the process of finalizing the goals and content outline for this symposium. We will forward that information to you as soon as it is complete.

Members of the Planning Committee are: Sr. Edith Prendergast, Jim Kemna, Mary Kay Cullinan, Sr. Pat McGinley, Sharon Horgan, Don Kurre and Maribeth Mancini with assistance from Neil Parent and Kathy Kandefer.

Please leave a comment with your thoughts on the Symposium.

Viewpoint: The treason of the clerks

Viewpoint: The treason of the clerks: "The treason of the clerks
Church leaders and Catholic educators are killing Catholic schools
By ANDREW GREELEY"
Have your read Andrew Greeley’s column in the April 8, 2005 issue of the National Catholic Reporter? It’s worth reading. He has some strong words to say about the lack of support for Catholic Schools.

Greeley says, “Why don’t these clergy or quasi clergy want to accept good news about either the priests or the schools?”

“Another reason,” Greeley says, “is that the schools belong to the pre-Vatican II church. They have to go, just like everything else—the Mother of Jesus, saints, holy water, the rosary, the souls in purgatory, angels, all that kind of junk. Then we can really build a new church around the liturgy and the catechumenate and religious education.” Strong words may be an understatement.

He continues saying, “Don’t they understand that the combination of the neighborhood parish and the parochial school is one of the most ingenious community-building mechanisms that humankind has ever devised?”

“God forgive”, Greeley concludes saying, “those who are permitting Catholic schools to slip under the waves.”

Greeley’s reflections provide some additional information for us as we dialogue with Peter Steinfels at the Annual Meeting. I wonder what part I’ve played in catechizing about Catholic traditions, practices and rituals and is my own ministry based on a to narrow vision of Catholic life.

Pope John Paul II * 1920 - 2005

Pope John Paul II
1920 - 2005

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

At 9:37 PM, April 2, 2005
the Holy Father enterned into eternal glory.

Pope John Paul II

Rose Pacatte, FSP, shares the following, for information on the Pope, here's a web site you can refer to; it was put up by our publishing house, Pauline Books & Media ... www.johnpaulpapacy.com

DDRE Forum Annual Meeting Agenda

Agenda Update: The Diocesan Director’s Forum meeting will be held on Tuesday April 12th in the McCreary Room at the Galt House Hotel.

2:30 Prayer:
Welcome and Icebreaker: A chance to meet new directors and reconnect with everyone.

3:00 NDC Discussion and Reaction/Input by Bishop Malone
This segment will begin with two questions:

• What excites you about the National Directory?
• What alarms or concerns you about the National Directory?

Bishop Malone will respond to the discussion that ensues from these questions. The group will interact with him with questions and comments.
A final question for sharing (or possibly in a cluster) would be “Where do we go from here?”
Directors are asked to review their draft of the NDC before the meeting, if possible.

Break: Refreshments: Ave Maria Press will provide snacks.

4:00 Clusters of Interest:
Directors will be able to gather at tables with others who share an interest in discussing any of the following issues:

• Formation of Parish Catechetical Leaders: Pete Ries
• Whole Community Catechesis: Jean Schrempf
• Recruitment and Retention of Catechetical Leaders: Carol Augustine
• NCCL Critical Issues: Don Kurre
• Implementing the NDC in the Diocese: Maribeth Mancini
• Common Competencies/Standards: Harry Dudley

Other clusters may form spontaneously around a table for open discussion of any topic that might be of interest once the group forms.

4:45 Other business:

• Election of New Animators.
• Discussion of possible symposium.
• Evaluation of Meeting

Blogs and wikis

InfoWorld: Enterprise collaboration with blogs and wikis: March 28, 2005: By Michelle Delio :
“Blogs and wikis play opposite roles,” says Martin Wattenberg, a researcher on the collaborative user experience team at IBM Watson Research Center. “Blogs are based on an individual voice; a blog is sort of a personal broadcasting system. Wikis, because they give people the chance to edit each other’s words, are designed to blend many voices. Reading a blog is like listening to a diva sing, reading a wiki is like listening to a symphony.”

The Revealer: Dumb, Dumber, Dumbest

The Revealer: Dumb, Dumber, Dumbest

He is Risen

Happy Easter

DR. MARIE MURPHY DIES SUDDENLY

DR. MARIE MURPHY, DISTINGUISHED CATECHIST AND SADLIER’S NATIONAL RELIGION CONSULTANT, DIES SUDDENLY. I wasn't aware of this and thought we all might like to know.
Dr. Marie Murphy, nationally known catechist and speaker, went home to God on February 19, 2005. (more...)

James DeBoy: Honored For Catechetical Leadership

Did you see Ed Gordon's column in the March issue of the Catechist magazine? The column titled, "James DeBoy: Honored for Catechetical leadership" is a stirring tribute to one of the pillars of Catechetical Ministry. Thank you for putting into words what many of us, for whom Jim has been a mentor, feel. As Ed said, "Being a caechetical leader was a big part of who he was 24/7. . . Jim's words and deeds flowed so naturally from his deep faith. . . " I hope you'll find a few minutes to read Ed's reflections. (Catechist, March 2005, page 5)

Implications and Applications of the NDC

The February 17, 2005 issue of Origins contains a transcript of the talk Bishop Malone gave at the recent symposium on the NDC. I wasn’t able to attend the symposium so I appreciated the opportunity to read Bishop Malone’s reflections. Spending time reflecting on his list of fourteen “Other Implications and Applications” would provide us with a comprehensive agenda for both our ministry and the work of NCCL well into the future. However I think it might be more important to discuss his “metaimplications.”

Bishop Malone named four metaimplications of the NDC. Those implications are:

1) “Everyone in ministry in the diocese/parish/school or other program or institution must appreciate the fact that evangelization and catechesis are in some way part of their own responsibilities.”

2) “Everyone must be ‘on the same page regarding the three purposes of the National Directory for Catechesis as a major resource for the continuing renewal of catechesis. . .”

3) “All must agree to engage in evangelization and catechesis in the context of an overall pastoral plan.” And

4) “Attention is paid to the cultural context for evangelization and catechesis with regard both to its challenges and its opportunities.” (“Origins” February 17, 2005 Vol. 34: N0. 35, Page 566.)

If you did not hear Bishop Malone’s talk I recommend that you read it in the current issue of Origins. (Pages 565 to568)

Don Kurre

Special Announcement from NCCL

We received word that Maria Harris died Wednesday Morning February 2, 2005. Gabe Horan was with her when she entered eternal life.

Maria was a key figure in Catechetical Ministry over the years.

We don't have any specific details at this time. When we receive more information it will be passed on to you.

But ...will the world ever learn?

I was touched by the remarks Nobel Laureate and Auschwitz survivor Elie Wiesel made to the United Nations General Assembly before the 60^th anniversary of the Allied liberation of the Nazi death camps. In concluding his remarks he said,

“The Jewish witness speaks of his people's suffering as a warning. He sounds the alarm so as to prevent these things being done. He knows that for the dead it is too late; for them, abandoned by God and betrayed by humanity, victory came much too late.

But it is not too late for today's children, ours and yours. It is for their sake alone that we bear witness. It is for their sake that we are duty-bound to denounce anti-Semitism, racism, and religious or ethnic hatred. Those who today preach and practice the cult of death, those who use suicide terrorism, the scourge of this new century, must be tried and condemned for crimes against humanity. Suffering confers no privileges; it is what one does with suffering that matters. Yes, the past is in the present, but the future is still in our hands.

Those who survived Auschwitz advocate hope, not despair; generosity, not rancor or bitterness; gratitude, not violence. We must be engaged, we must reject indifference as an option. Indifference always helps the aggressor, never his victims. And what is memory if not a noble and necessary response to and against indifference?

But ...will the world ever learn?”

Here is a link for a transcript of Wiesel’s complete speech.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/160/story_16004_1.html

Don

Communicating in the Forum

Yesterday (1/18/05) during the Directors Forum Subcommittee’s conference call one member suggested that we establish a listserv for Diocesan Directors. Here is a description of a listserv and here is a description of a Blog. A key difference between a listserv and a blog is this. Listserv messages are sent to your E-mail’s inbox. Once you subscribe to a listserv messages are automatically sent to your inbox. To access the messages on a blog you must use your web browser to access the blog. In short with a listserv messages come to you and with a blog you go to the messages. However, it is possible to subscribe to a blog through “Really Simple Syndication” (RSS). Committee members heard a number of Diocesan Directors say they did not want additional email in the inbox and so we stayed away from using a listserv. At the same time, a number of Diocesan Directors identify a need for greater and more frequent communication within the Diocesan Director’s Forum. The questions seem to be which tool will most effectively facilitate further communication among DDREs?

The future of the DDRE Forum is a related question. The future of the Diocesan Director’s Forum is in our hands. We have two choices. The Forum can be the 2 to 4 hours we spend together at the Annual Meeting or it can serve the needs of the Diocesan Directors on an annual basis; facilitating communication and discussion, providing educational opportunities and lobbying for the needs and vision of Diocesan Directors and our role in Catechetical Ministry. I hope we chose the more active role for the Forum. It seems to me that the first step in moving the Forum is to find a method of communication that we will and do use.

Add your comments by clicking on the “comments link” at the end of this post.

Don Kurre

The Ministry of Catechesis

I'd like to close the year 2004 by sharing with you a passage in Michael Warren's book
At This Time, In This Place (1999, Trinity Press).

On page 131 Warren writes

"Catechesis has discrete activities for fostering an ever-maturing living faith. Some . . . have to do with preparing persons for 'next steps' . . . . Other activities encourage reflection on communal dilemmas facing discipleship . . . . While catechesis has standards of excellence, those standards measure not catechesis but the excellence of discipleship.

Discipleship is a practice . . . . found only partially in written texts about it but most fully in the flourishing practice of present-day practitioners . . . . The community of this practice celebrates all levels of this proficiency, with special recognition given the achievements of virtuoso practitioners . . .

Catechesis is not primarily activity toward mastering the theoretical concepts involved in its own catechetical activities; it is primarily about the practice of discipleship. The work of catechesis is reminding the community of the standards of excellence they have adopted and the kind of responsiveness those standards demand from those who are, or who are trying to become, practitioners. Catechesis provides reminders about conditions under which practice is diminished or enhanced or cautious. The eye of catechesis is on the community's practice; not its catechetical practice, but on the discipling practice to which catechesis points. Catechesis fosters the efforts of the community to maintain its standard of discipling practice. Catechesis is the coaching of practice. [Emphasis mine]

In recent centuries, catechesis has tended to lose its way, becoming a practice unto itself instead of pointing to the practice of discipleship. It has become an activity about ideas, giving the impression that correct understanding represents adequate practice, whereas in fact that understanding directs and redirects the actual practice. Consequently, communities engaged in 'churchly practices' have been able to remove themselves from preoccupation with discipleship itself."

I make Mike Warren's challenging words (the book is packed with them) my Christmas gift to you. Chew them with care, nibble by nibble, as if you were eating the precious elf bread from the Lord of the Rings. I hope you will find it filling.

JIM KEMNA

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all Diocesan Directors! I pray that God continues to hold us in the palm of His hand.

Don