Presented by Patrice Spirou and colleagues of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on May 17, 2022. St. John Paul II tells us that, “Family catechesis . . . precedes, accompanies and enriches all other forms of catechesis” (Apostolic Exhortation “On Catechesis in Our Time,” Catechesi tradendae 68). These words challenge us to examine our thinking about how to pass on the Catholic faith within the parish or school we serve, and specifically to look at how to encourage the formation of the entire family. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we read, “The family is the community in which, from childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honor God, and make good use of freedom” (CCC 2207). Since the family is essential in the work of catechesis, this webinar discusses how to center ministry around family catechesis, which allows parishes and schools to aid the family by providing the education, encouragement, and accompaniment that families need. It can also be helpful for parents, catechists, and so on, who wish to understand aspects of implementing family catechesis within a parish, or who simply desire to grow in their spiritual lives in such a way as to lead their own families closer to Christ.

Hosted by Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP of the Dominicans Sisters of St. Cecelia of Nashville on May 10, 2022. The principle of “fidelity to God and fidelity to man” stands as a fundamental guide for catechists as they make choices regarding catechetical content and methodology. In practice, this principle requires more than a “see-saw” balance of the two; it requires a deeply integrated understanding of both the nature of God’s revelation and the nature of the human person for whom God’s revelation is meant. For an understanding of God’s revelation, we have the wisdom of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Papal encyclicals, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For an understanding of the human person—particularly the child—we have the wisdom of Dr. Maria Montessori. Maria Montessori was a Catholic medical doctor, scientist, educator, and Thomist! Without exaggeration, she ranks among the great thinkers of her time and ours. It is unfortunate that in the United States too often her insights have been egregiously misunderstood and misapplied and for this reason her teachings have gone largely unexamined by Catholic catechists and educators. Yet, her pedagogical and anthropological wisdom promises to guide catechists in an authentic renewal that guarantees fidelity to God and fidelity to the child. Join us in this webinar as we explore a few salient insights of Maria Montessori regarding the nature of the child and in particular the nature of children’s religious education. Catechists participating in this webinar can expect gain: - A general knowledge of Maria Montessori’s educational project including her philosophy of education. - A general knowledge of Montessori’s catechetical experiment and its underlying principles of education, specifically children’s catechesis. - An overview of Montessori’s work “The Four Planes of Education” and “The Human Tendencies.” - A few practical and immediate ideas for applying Montessori’s pedagogical and anthropological principles in catechesis.

Presented by Dr. James Pauley, Franciscan Catechetics Professor and Chris Carstens, Director of the Office of Sacred Worship for the Diocese of La Crosse. Apr 26, 2022. There is a vital relationship between the liturgy and evangelization – it is that sacred action which is most essential to forming genuine disciples and enabling authentic conversion. The Church’s ever-new vision places maximum emphasis on apprenticing people into an active and fruitful sacramental life in Christ. This is the only true path to human fulfillment – to lasting peace, joy, and belonging. This webinar will explore how the liturgy forms and transforms us, and what catechists and teachers can do to prepare people for the liturgical encounter?

Presented by Ana Lisa Piñon Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization Programs for the Diocese of Arlington. May 3, 2022 In any ministry setting actually living out a call to pastoral accompaniment is highly challenging. Mentoring skills, evangelical hospitality, and forms of ongoing pastoral care are ever more important in the course of evangelizing and catechizing work, small group facilitation, parenting, and any form of outreach that seeks to offer not just programs and structures, but generous love and sacrificial presence. Pastoral accompaniment is integral to the success of any ministry in the Catholic Church, as well as to life in the home. We are privileged to be able to participate in the Blessed Trinity’s divine and loving care for souls. Our ministry, then, is a participation in His divine accompaniment. This webinar will explore how to pursue realistic ways forward to gain and help others gain the skills, spiritual awareness, and commitment to best practices which make pastoral accompaniment a reality in parish life.

Presented by Dr. Petroc Willey, Director of the Catechetical Institute. Apr 12, 2022. “Since it belongs to the supernatural order, grace escapes our experience and cannot be known except by faith. We cannot therefore rely on our feelings or our works to conclude that we are justified and saved. However, according to the Lord's words ‘Thus you will know them by their fruits’ – reflection on God’s blessings in our life and in the lives of the saints offers us a guarantee that grace is at work in us and spurs us on to an ever greater faith and an attitude of trustful poverty.” (CCC 2005) We enter into the mystery of Christ through a transforming sacramental grace, the living Word, evangelizing catechesis, and evangelical communities. This webinar will explore how a rich understanding of the grace by which souls enter into Christ’s life can be fostered in our approaches to ministry. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) to call each soul to Father’s loving plan and sure hope in His life shared with us by grace. In order to pass on the truths of faith in season and out, those in ministry must be securely grounded in grace.

Hosted by Robert Siemens, Founder and Director of Franciscan University’s School of Spiritual Direction. Apr 5, 2022. “Jesus thirsts; his asking arises from the depths of God’s desire for us” (CCC 2560). Jesus not only desires to have a relationship with you and all His people, but with you specifically in your ministry role. Yet spiritual progress is so often illusive or inconsistent in many Catholics’ lives, even those in ministry. We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures. We are the sum of the Father's love for us, and our real capacity to become the image of his Son. Guidance along the spiritual journey seek to aide those not satisfied with their present level of closeness to God and aims to provide an accompanying helper, aiming at real growth. This desire to grow in authentic wisdom and happiness comes from the Holy Spirit and will not go unrewarded.

Presented by Dr. Scott Sollom, Director of Franciscan’s Office of Catechetics and Dr. Bill Keimig, Assistant Director of the Catechetical Institute. Mar 30, 2022. We are announcing here the founding of a US-based international Guild, anchored to Franciscan University’s work and charism in the fields of evangelization and catechetics. We hope it will be a diverse and high-contact entity serving two main constituencies: catechists in any role and leaders at any level. A guild is defined as an association of people for mutual aid and the pursuit of a common goal, providing a way for skills to be learned and passed down in a context of apprenticeship and mentoring, with clearly defined and shared standards of craftsmanship, methods, and commitment to excellence. A key aspect of this Guild is to make possible strong formation and relationships, so that people who sometimes feel isolated in being faithful to the Church would not remain unsupported and unaccompanied, and the faithful creativity we see arising in so many places can be fruitfully shared under the grace and guidance of Mother Church. This webinar will discuss what we are seeking to offer in creating this Guild.

Presented by Ken Ogorek of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Dr. Chris Burgwald of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Mar 15, 2022. All diocesan leaders desire to be agents of growth in the Body of Christ, and specifically sources of authentic help to the myriad of ministers laboring in parish vineyards. At its best this is always to be a great one-to-one work as much as possible with those serving in parish and school leadership, but also must have the character of a strategic approach that bears the vision of the bishop into practical forms of generous aid with resources, prudent advice, and wise policy. A challenge to balance to be sure! This webinar explores these realities from the perspective of two deeply experienced diocesan leaders.

The Catechetical Institute has launched a new track – we invite you to discover our new workshops for ministry to young adults!

Setting your expectations, learning best practices, and discovering other tools to help you make the most of your Franciscan At Home membership!