CNE Newsletter - August 22, 2024

The best kind of evangelization is often non-programmatic; it is person-to-person, doesn’t follow a set timetable, and is messy. Those who work in the trenches of evangelization do not seek recognition or accolades. For these reasons, evangelization efforts are frequently overlooked and undervalued.

This is why it is all the more important to intentionally share our gratitude for their labor in the vineyard. Furthermore, we know that recognizing those who are doing exceptional work in the areas of parish evangelization, young adult evangelization, marriage and family evangelization, and Hispanic evangelization helps create a culture for mission across the Archdiocese that will support all of our efforts.

This is why we have the annual Radiate Christ Awards. We want to spotlight great work happening throughout the Archdiocese. I encourage you to submit your nomination for our 2025 Radiate Christ Awards! The recipients of these awards will be announced at our 2025 Evangelization Appreciation Banquet on February 1, 2025.

Sean Ater
Director, Center for the New Evangelization
sater@catholicaoc.org

Meet Denise Jasek! She recently joined the Center for the New Evangelization as Associate Director for Adult Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry. She supports evangelists and pastoral ministers in their roles to renew and grow parishes, with a focus on growing missionary disciples and fostering opportunities to encounter God. She finds joy in accompanying others on their faith walk and fostering intimacy in prayer, especially alongside our Eucharistic Lord and Blessed Mother Mary.

Denise and her husband, Chris, are blessed with five grown children. New empty nesters, they enjoy hiking, camping, and birding together.

It looks like the links in the OCIA Corner were broken in the previous edition of the newsletter. Let’s try that again:

• New National Statutes of the OCIA
• National Statutes Highlights: A list of those points from the new National Statutes that have no parallel with the current National Statutes or with the current RCIA text.
• LTP Orientation Sessions for New OCIA Coordinators: Part 1 and Part 2 (click each link for more details and to register)
• Our OCIA page for resources and updates on formation opportunities

Now, for some news: Our online meeting for OCIA Coordinators and other initiation ministry leaders to discuss the new translation and the new National Statutes will be on Tues, Sept 24, from 1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Fr. Jason Williams will also be joining us to discuss changes to archdiocesan policy and practice, and Jeremy Helmes and I will be presenting our formation plan for the coming months.

Register here: https://resources.catholicaoc.org/divine-worship-and-sacraments/news/ocia

I realize that this meeting and the formation opportunities we have planned will be taking place after most of you have already started with a new cohort in the process, but we can only do so much without the new translation in hand, and the only major change you need to make for this year is in the use of a Register for Catechumens (to record those who celebrate the Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate) and a Register for Reception Into Full Communion (to record those baptized Christians who become Catholic). See Norm 14 and 16 from the new National Statutes. Also, be mindful of Norm 7, which says that those catechumens in an irregular marriage cannot celebrate the Rite of Election.

As always, send me an email (nhardesty@catholicaoc.org) if there’s anything I can do to help!

The Peace of Christ to you,
Nicholas Hardesty, Assoc. Dir. of Adult Evangelization & OCIA

As we continue our journey through Beacons of Light, the Center for the New Evangelization continuously evaluates our own initiatives, programs, and roles as we seek to better evangelize our Archdiocese. We know that you are working tirelessly for your families of parishes, and we hope that the resources and tools we provide are helping in your mission to evangelize. To this end, the Center for the New Evangelization, with consultation and approval from the Archbishop, has discontinued ACRE testing in favor of the Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK). ARK provides "clear, actionable insights that enable you to ensure a robust Catholic foundation" for students in grades 2-12 and their catechists. ARK is required for all parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Your Director of Evangelization has received logistical information regarding preparing for ARK, how to administer ARK, and how to use results from ARK. This includes a series of webinars, formation opportunities, and in-person consulting for every Family of Parishes. If you have not yet identified a Director of Evangelization, your pastor received that email. Please see that email for details regarding the first steps.

All marriage & family evangelists, priests, deacons, and NFP instructors are invited to our annual Marriage & Family In-Service on September 24, 2024
at St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. This event is hosted by the Marriage & Family Evangelization team annually to provide ongoing formation and fellowship. Resources and lunch will be provided, and the cost is $5 per person. Please RSVP by September 20, 2024. For more information and to register, click the button below.

All married couples, family and friends are invited to our annual St. Gerard Mass of Hope for the Blessing of Children on October 16, 2024 at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Basilica, Cincinnati at 7:00 pm. This free event is an opportunity to pray for all married couples who are struggling with primary or secondary infertility, or grieving the loss of their infant through miscarriage or stillbirth. This event is hosted by the Marriage & Family Evangelization Team. No RSVP is needed. For more information, click the button below.