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Parish Partnership Program
Parish Partnership Program
Aware that travel distance is often a consideration when people are deciding whether or not to attend a workshop, we are pleased to inform you that the Office of Evangelization and Parish Development will COME TO YOU!
Would you consider participation in the "Parish Partnership Program?" Parishes or parish groups in the Trenton Diocese may invite members of our staff or other resource people to do parish-based talks, workshops, and retreats on topics with an evangelizing perspective. Right now we are scheduling events.
The following is just a beginning list of programs available. Topics may be done as a retreat weekend, a single day (i.e., 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or shortened to an afternoon (i.e., 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Parts of topics might be done in evening session(s) (i.e. 7:30 to 9:30 or 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.) or as a single presentation. Other topics than these are available upon request. Most sessions include: prayer, talks, personal reflection time, and small group sharing. For more information, please contact the Office of Evangelization and Parish Development, 609-406-7400, ext. 5590, or jbouch@dioceseoftrenton.org.
Evangelization Topics
Answering Life's Burning Questions: Discovering Our Deepest Identity
At times we all face "life' burning questions" that might open us up to the lifelong, ongoing process of radical and profound change of mind, heart, and life known as conversion. How can we help others embrace these questions? Includes: Call to Conversion, How Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization Overlap, The Wisdom of Evangelizing Catechesis.
Are We Evangelizing Disciples and Communities?
Like Jesus Christ (Lk. 4:18-19), through Baptism, we are God's anointed ones. Explore what this means for a contemporary model of discipleship, evangelization and small groups in parish life. Reflect on its relationship to personal and communal spirituality. Includes a time of faith sharing, and highlights some basic faith and Bible sharing skills.
Becoming a More Welcoming Parish
How can we create a deeper sense of warmth and welcome in our parish? What can we do right now that says, "This parish is here for you! Here you can find Christ, faith and a community of faith?"
Being a Christian in the Modern World
What does it mean to be a Christian today in the midst of daily life and strife? How can we grow more deeply in the Lord and in community life? Series will discuss obstacles to spiritual growth and how to overcome them. Topics include: God's Call, The Work of Christ, Christian Community, Being a Christian, Growing in the Lord.
Connecting Others to Jesus
Christian service and parish ministries are focused on one thing - helping us to find Jesus TOGETHER! Discover how to do this, as we reflect on our relationship with God, desire to share that relationship, and learn to share God's love with others in concrete ways.
Conversion, Baptismal Graces, and New Life
The Creed and our Baptismal Vows are wellsprings for a vital and ongoing experience of the Sacraments of Initiation. Life is a process of conversion that is spiritual, emotional, ecclesial, intellectual and socio-political. Discover life-long learning and a deepening thirst for the spiritual life.
Deepening Our Relationship with Jesus
How can we meet Jesus face to face each day and draw strength from the Spirit for daily life in the world? Topics include: Prayer: A Personal Relationship, Thinking of God, Talking to Jesus, Resting in the Lord, Making Spiritual Progress.
Evangelization, Stewardship, and Beyond
How can our parish staffs, ministries, and people be good stewards who continue the evangelizing mission of Jesus? Includes: Steps in the Evangelization Process, How Stewardship Can Foster Evangelization, Forming More Evangelizing Ministries, What's Working in Evangelization?
Internet: Tool for Faith and Spirituality
Explore church statements, as well as practical techniques, for delving into spiritual resources with a computer. Learn strategies you can use for yourself, for family members, and for ministry. Special attention will be given to beginners and to those who need a road map for finding God on the Internet.
New Age Spirituality: Yes, No, Maybe?
How can we understand and reach out to participants in New Age spirituality, while standing firmly in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Church? Includes: The Challenge of the New Age Movement, Differences Between New Age and Christian Spiritualities, Reaching Out to New Age Friends and Relatives, Questions and Answers About the New Age Movement.
Parish Ministries: Evangelizing Power in the Parish
How can our parish be more evangelizing through what we already do? Discover the incredible potential of committees and ministries to become evangelizing ministerial communities in every area of parish life. Includes: Creating an Evangelizing Ministerial Community, Shared Discipleship and Community, Explicit Sharing in Christ's Ministry: Mission, Holiness, Maturity and Collaboration.
Keys to Reaching Inactive Catholics
How can our parish ministries effectively reach out to the 75-80% of Catholics who are inactive? Find out what causes people to become inactive or to return to active practice of the Catholic Faith. Includes: Why Catholics Become Inactive, Reaching Inactive Catholics Today, Overcoming Obstacles, Relational Evangelization, Programs and Projects, Stages in the Evangelization Process, Catholic Reconciliation Programs and Resources.
Saints: Tried and True Evangelizers
Gain new strength as you travel the journey of faith in the company of the Saints. Discover intimate friendships with saints as they train you to spread the Gospel. Explore a realistic process for building vital relationships with individual saints by exploring their lives, prayers, ministries and faith experiences. Gain new confidence in our spiritual mentors, guides and evangelizers.
Seeking the 'Real' Jesus?
Why not look for Jesus with the folks who have seen and touched, walked and talked with him from the beginning--in the Catholic community of disciples? Come and seek "the Christ" who is the Answer and the New Life that makes us whole! Meet the Jesus of history, and the Christ of faith. Workshop includes individual prayer, faith sharing with others, stories and presentations. Topics include: When Jesus Walked, Let's Get Serious About Jesus, and Connecting Others with Jesus.
Simple Ways Catholics Can Share Faith: A Personal & A Parish Vision
Discover the many ways we can share the Good News of Jesus. Explore what Church documents say about Catholics and the call to evangelize through both a silent witness and by offering invitations to experience Jesus, the Church and God's transforming love for the world. Learn practical skills for sharing your faith in the context of daily life in reaching out to loved ones, friends and acquaintances in the home, the neighborhood or the workplace.
The Mission that ‘HAS' the Parish
What is the fundamental mission of the Catholic Parish? How can Catholics and Catholic institutions reach out more effectively with the Good News of Jesus to others? How might our mission shape everything we do as Catholics, in ministries and in parish communities? Includes: Sent on Mission; Stages in the Evangelization Process; Kinds of Conversion; Who Do We Bring to Jesus? ; Practical Ways to Reach Out to Inactive Catholics; Effective Parish Evangelization; andLeading a Parish in Becoming Witnesses to Christ
The Mission-Motivated Catholic
What is my reason for living? Why am I here? How can I make a difference in the world? What is God asking of me? Discover some ways to uncover God's plan for us. Includes: The Mission-Motivated Life, The Mission-Motivated Ministry, The Mission-Motivated Parish.
When Children and Families Don't Go to Church
It is no secret that textbooks, parents and parishes expect teachers to instill faith in children from unchurched families. This situation calls for an evangelizing catechesis that uses the Church's essential building blocks in new ways: Scripture, the saints, story telling, drama, sacramental preparation, and the spiritual resources of the faith community. Discover ways to offer "evangelistic nourishment" and strengthen the spiritual dimension of family life. Learn about family evangelization - the hidden strength of sacramental preparation.
When Someone You Love Stops Going to Church
All of us have friends and relatives who have given up on God, the Church or both. How can we reach out to them with the love of Jesus and invite them to return? Includes: Bringing Your Friends and Family to God, Alone in the Faith: What Are My Choices? Parenting Christian Children, Drawing Teenagers, and Young Adults to the Lord.
Witnessing Across the Generations: Preserving Your Faith Story
If you find yourself reflecting about your whole life in the light of God's presence, then this workshop is for you. If you want to share the story of your relationship with God, but aren't sure if grandchildren, nieces and friends are ready to listen, then we can help. Get practical guidance in writing your life story with Jesus as the most important character, even when He seemed to be silent.
Other topics are available upon request…
PARISH PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Parish Development agrees to:
- Help for the hosting parish or group to diagnose the learning needs and interests of their people (if these are not already known).
- Help to design a course, workshop or retreat based upon these felt or assessed needs.
- A speaker on the topic(s) requested will contact you with regard to stipend, travel, costs, etc.
- Guidance on how to publicize the event.
- Printed materials for each participant.
- Guidance on how to organize setup, hospitality and registration.
- Evaluation of how the participants responded to the event, and suggestions on how to conduct future events.
- Reimbursement for normal expenses of coffee and cookies, etc. (receipts need to be submitted to speaker).
- Publicity at the diocesan level for the event if scheduled at least four months in advance.
Parish or group agrees to:
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Provide space for the course for a mutually agreed upon topic, date and time.
- Do publicity locally to pre-register and bring in parish or group participants. Information on how to do publicity is available from the diocesan office.
- Provide two or three people to help host the event:
- Coordinator for on-site registration table. Registration materials and folders brought by the speaker.
- Provide a hospitality/refreshments table and setup on the day of the event (chairs, tables, coffee +, signs, bathroom supplies, etc.)
- Someone to help setup and handle sales at book table. Change for sales brought by the speaker(s).
- Forward local pre-registrations to the Office of Parish Life one full week before the event. This allows for proper materials for the event to be prepared.
Contact Us:
Office of Evangelization and Parish Development
Diocesan Pastoral Center
701 Lawrenceville Road
Trenton, NJ 08648
Director: John J. Boucher
609-406-7400 ext. 5590
Fax: 609-406-7436
jbouch@dioceseoftrenton.org
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