Meetings, meetings and more meetings.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings. Meetings seem to fill most of our working life. It follows that our ministry would be more effective and perhaps more enjoyable if we ran productive meetings.

I found a list of 9 tips for running more product meetings on one of my favorite websites, "43 Folders." So here are Merlin Mann's 9 tips for running more productive meetings.

You might find this hard to understand from me but I especially liked his point number 4. He said,

No electronic grazing. Period. - Laptops closed. Phones off. Blackberries left back in the cube. You’re either at the meeting or you’re not at the meeting, and few things are more distracting or disruptive than the guy who has to check his damned email every five minutes. Schedule breaks for people to fiddle with their toys, but fearlessly enforce a no grazing rule once the meeting’s back in session. Emergency call to take or make? They have to leave the room. No exceptions. If you’re too busy to be at the meeting everyone else has made firewalled time for, just leave.

Read all 9 of Merlin's tips here.

Don

Lenten Retreat - "On Bended Knee"

If you are looking for something to enrich your expereience of Lent in 2006 I would suggest the VLCFF seminar, On Bended Knee.

Based on the Pastoral Letter of Bishop Anthony G. Bosco, Diocese of Greensburg, this mini-online course is a spiritual journey for critically reflecting upon one's understanding of the Eucharist and its meaning and impact on our relationships with one another. Eucharist is so much more than getting our attendance card checked off in heaven for attending Mass on the weekend. The Eucharist calls us to service! Environment: While journeying through this mini-course it is appropriate, if you are able, to create a special reflective space or environment to enter into the experience. You may need to select a special time to participate in these sessions to ensure your prayerful journey. You may decide to light a special prayer candle. Begin each session by taking a few moments to center yourself in the presence of God. In session #2, you are asked to reflect on a cross (one given to you for the course or one that is particularly special to you). Journal: It is recommended that you keep a personal journal as you proceed through the mini-course. You may do this in a handbook or as a Word document. The journal helps us to focus and monitor our reflections for growing in understanding how Eucharist calls you to service!

Click here for more information.

Don

Blogging, The Newest Evangelization

The Winter, 2005 issue of Church has an article on blogging entitled, "The Newest Evangelization." The lead to the article by Phyllis Zagano says, "Find out what opportunities blogs and bloggers offer pastoral ministers who are eager to reach young readers online?" In the conclusion to the article, Zagano says,

Anyone who writes or speaks about Catholic matters and affairs is well advised to take stock of the 'new Catholics,' who receive their informaiton and opinion from an ever-increasing variety of places.

The article is in Church Volume 24, Number 4, page 19 -- 24.

Don

Compendium of the Catechism Available March 31

WASHINGTON (February 6, 2006) — The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced that the new Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a 200-page synthesis of the 1992 Catechism, will be available starting March 31, 2006. It will be published exclusively by USCCB Publishing, the publishing office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Read the story here.

A friend sent me an email with a variety of funny signs to brighten my Friday. As I scrolled down the email the sign on the left popped up. I figured catechetical leaders would appreciate the clarity of the message. I hope you have a great day.

Don

Neil Parent’s Father Passed Away

Kathy Kandefer, BVM, reported today by way of e-mail that, Executive Director Neil Parent’s father, Gerard, passed away yesterday in his sleep. He was just shy of his 98th birthday, which the family was planning to celebrate later this month in Los Angeles. As of today (2/1), there are no details on funeral arrangements. NCCL will provide that information as soon as it becomes available. Expressions of sympathy can be directed to Neil at the NCCL office, 125 Michigan Ave. NE., Washington DC 20017.

Kathy Kandefer, BVM

Adult Faith Formation Blog

The Diocese of Des Moines has established a web log (blog) for those engaged in Adult Faith Formation ministries in the Diocese of Des Moines. Visit the web log here.

Deus Caritas Est #2

For those of you who may not have easy access to ORIGINS, the letter is available in PDF format on the USCCB website.

Deus Caritas Est

The February 2, 2006 issue of Origins contains two articles of note for Religious Educators. This issues has the text of Pope Benedict XVI's "Deus Caritas Est: Encyclical." It also contains a homily Pope Benedict XVI gave when he baptized 10 infants January 8 in the Sistine Chapel. The homily is titled, "What Happens in Baptism."

Don

Pope Coming To Baltimore in '07

Incase you missed the announcement. Pope Benedict XVI will be making a trip to the United States in 2007. William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, was told that a Papal trip to the United States was being planned for 2007and Baltimore would be part of the program. Find the story here.

Catechism Update

The Catechism Update (Winter 2005), published by the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism, USCCB reports that the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults is set for publication.

With a decree dated November 22, 2005 and signed by Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Archbishop Csaba Ternyak, the Secretary of the same Congregation, the bishops of this country were notified that the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults had been given the recognitio necessary for its publication. The projected publication date is March 3 I , 2006.

Symposium follow-up

During the symposium with Dr. Richard Gaillardetz titled, Forming Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context, held in Chicago December 8 to 11, 2005 we said that the power points used by Dr Gaillardetz would be available. Due to some technical difficulties we've been unable to post the Power Points. However, If you would like a copy of the power points used by Dr Gaillardetz send an email to DDREForum@gmail.com and I will email the power points to you.

One of the books Gaillardetz recommended during the symposium was his book, A Daring Promise: A Spirituality of Christian Marriage (Crossroads; 2002). Dennis Beeman, says "I'm rereading this book for the third or fourth time!" Click here for information on the book from Amazon.

Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context

A Report on the symposium with Dr. Richard Gaillardetz titled, Forming Catholic Identity in a Postmodern Context, held in Chicago December 8 to 11, 2005 was published on the NCCL web site here. The article was written by Dr. Kathy Kleinlein, Diocese of Venice and Dr. Anne Roat, Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana. In part they say:

"Gailardetz also addressed the demise of the Catholic subculture that helped form millions of baby boomer and older Catholics. This loss poses challenges, he said, for forming Catholic identity in an ecumenically sensitive manner. While catechetical leaders must be sensitive to other faiths, they must insure that Catholic teaching is presented with integrity. He concluded with an examination of the levels of authority in Catholic doctrine and discussed how understanding those differences helps constructive dialogue among the Church’s varied ideological populations."

Read the whole article here.

Bishops Urge U.S. to Transition Out of Iraq

The latimes.com is reporting, Bishops urge U.S. to transition out of Iraq.

Declaring that the United States was at a crossroads in Iraq, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops said Thursday the time had come to withdraw U.S. troops as fast as responsibly possible and to hand control of the country to Iraqis.

"Our nation's military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as it takes for a responsible transition, leaving sooner than later," said Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., speaking for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Read the article here.

Statement available online at the USCCB site here.

Discussion of end times

I'm following several discussions flowing from the comments of a TV preacher after the stroke suffered by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. I thought one comment made by David Whidden on his blog Baconboy's blog was relevant for our ministry. He said:

"In fact, there are many Methodists, Episcopalians, and Catholics who now believe that there will be a rapture and Israel will still be here. These (primarily) lay people don't believe this because they are taught it in their churches, as the mainline denominations don't hold any dispensational ideas. Rather they believe this because the mainline denominations have abandoned discussions of the end times completely, and in that theological void many lay people are getting their ideas from the Left Behind series, which is clearly dispensational."

Read Whidden's whole column here.

Don

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.

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

Disney Hires Evangelical Publishing Company To Promote Chronicles Of Narnia Across UK Churches…

Britain, UK news from The Times and The Sunday Times - Times Online: "The Walt Disney organisation has appointed Christian Publishers and Outreach, an evangelistic publishing company, to promote the Christian message behind the story in churches across Britain."
Read the story here.