The work of evangelization is the work of relationships: self-giving, pouring out, and surrendering. This work can lead to everything from joyful exhaustion to burnout; powerful sacramental encounters with Jesus to feelings of frustration.
The Parish Support Team invites you to step away for just a few days at the Reignite Retreat on January 13 & 14, 2025. This retreat is designed for you to rest, pray, receive the Sacraments, and be encouraged in your own faith. This year we are partnering with the Integrated Life Foundation to provide spiritual mentorship throughout the retreat, as well as an incredible slate of talks and small groups.
A retreat by evangelists, for evangelists! Join us for a one-night, two-day retreat to relax and recharge. Reignite includes time for rest (literally, there’s a nap time), reflection, prayer, socializing, and being reignited for ministry. Take a break in the middle of the school year to join other evangelists from around the Archdiocese (and beyond)!
Last week, Jeremy Helmes and I hosted a webinar on how to foster the spirit and character proper to the Purification and Enlightenment period. You can find the PowerPoint slides and a recording of the webinar on the“Initiate” Webinar Series page. That is also the page you can use to register for the entire series (the registration form is about half-way down the page).
Our next webinar will be a deep dive into the new National Statutes. If you want to see me fully geeking out over some ritual norms, then be sure to join me for that webinar onWed., Jan. 15, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Other Formation Opportunities
Besides what we are providing, we want to keep you updated on what other publishers and apostolates are providing. LTP will have a new round of training in 2025, starting in January:
Orientation Sessions for New OCIA Coordinators: Part 1 (Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10) and Part 2 (Feb 15)
If you attend any of these sessions, please let me know what you think!
Keeping Up Your Records
If you recently celebrated the Rite of Entrance, don’t forget to record all of the necessary information in the Register for Catechumens by using the register currently available to purchase or the template from our Chancellor’s Office:
The Marriage & Family Evangelization team is pleased to share that our Marriage Preparation website has been updated with the 2025 dates for Genesis: Pre-Cana Retreat and This One At Last. Please note that the Spanish Genesis retreat will be offered in two locations in 2025. For questions regarding an English retreat, please contact Katie Englefield at kenglefield@catholicaoc.org, and for questions regarding a Spanish retreat, contact Adriana Vasquez at avasquez@catholicaoc.org.
In addition, Marriage Data Folders can be ordered from Central Services. The folders come in packs of 25 and there is a minimal fee. Place your order by contacting Central Services at centralservices@catholicaoc.org.
American Heritage Girls (AHG) is a youth ministry equipping Catholic girls in discovering their vocation and establishing a life-long faith. AHG is a Christ-centered, girl leadership and character development program for girls ages 5 to 18. Using familiar, time-honored traditional methods (like outdoor adventure and badge work) as a form of ministry, AHG is fulfilling its mission of building women of integrity. Families love AHG’s family-friendly, multi-Program Level structure that allows all girls ages 5 to 18 meet together as a single Troop at the same time. During Troop meetings, girls and leaders break into Units where programming is tailored to the different age groups and abilities. This structure allows for natural mentorship for younger girls and leadership opportunities for older girls.
AHG offers Catholic Girl Members several opportunities to deepen their faith and widen their knowledge of the teachings of the Catholic Church. The AHGCatholic Faith Awards were created for Catholic American Heritage Girls to learn more about their faith and develop a stronger relationship with Christ in a fun and hands-on manner. Additionally, girls enjoy Catholic-aligned patch programs including the Eucharistic Revival Patch, the Respect Life Patch, the Religious Vocations Patch Program, and more. The result? A generation of Catholic girls with deeply rooted faith, aspiration to discern their vocation, and a lifelong commitment to the Church.
Catholic Churches and schools nationwide are turning to AHG to offer girls in their parish community a scout-typeexperience in an environment aligned with their Catholic faith. While the AHG Ministry does not claim one Christian denomination, all Charter Organizations and Adult Members must adhere to a Trinitarian Statement of Faith. When volunteers, curriculum, and Charter Organizations are aligned, girls benefit from a unified program and exemplary faith lives.
Ready to bring faith, service, and fun to the girls in your community?Click here to learn more about bringing an American Heritage Girls Troop to your parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Parishes can apply for funding to cover the cost of a new AHG Troop through the Missionary Option Grant found HERE.
