Upcoming Events

Join us for an empowering workshop designed specifically for formation leaders. This workshop will cover practical methods, creative approaches, tools, and strategies to inspire and engage your community continuously and to keep faith formation dynamic and relevant throughout the year. Enhance your skills, share best practices, and connect with fellow educators dedicated to nurturing faith. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to make a lasting impact on the spiritual journey of those you guide!

Please register for this event using the form below.

About Patty Rodriguez:

Patty Rodriguez, the Director of the Catechetical Office for the Archdiocese of Newark, has dedicated over two decades to catechesis and faith formation. Her leadership has been instrumental in guiding catechetical initiatives across the region. Previously, Patty served as the Associate Director for Catechist Formation from January 2018 to July 2022, enhancing catechist training and support in the Bergen and Union regions. Her faith formation journey began at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bogota, New Jersey, where she served as the Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation for 14 years. There, she developed family catechetical programs, managed sacrament preparation and RCIA, and initiated a Spanish/bilingual catechetical program. Patty also focused on developing adult and teen leaders and collaborated closely with the Catholic School to integrate faith formation initiatives.

Register:

Every other week, parish faith formation leaders are invited to a half-hour online meeting to discuss upcoming events, learn more about what others are doing in their parishes, and brainstorm solutions to common problems. Our goal is to pray together, learn from each other, and leave affirmed that we are on the right path in our own parishes and ministry settings.

Who should attend?

Faith formation leaders, youth ministers, and others who are entrusted with catechetical leadership in their parish.

All meetings are on Tuesdays, and all are at 11 am. Meetings are not recorded.

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About Our Virtual Meetings
This gathering is a virtual meeting hosted by Zoom. The link below will take you directly to the live webinar. You may be asked to download Zoom. If you call in a few minutes before the meeting begins, you will likely hear music playing until we begin.

Join Zoom Meeting

If you would like to join by phone, dial one of these numbers: 646-518-9805, 646-558-8656, or 267-831-0333 and enter the Meeting ID: 834 6868 2589

Please note: the link for all parish leader check ins will be the same.

Learn about the innovative learning platform developed by the Institute for Catholic Formation and the Diocese of Bridgeport, in partnership with the nerds at Fivable, LLC!

This platform offers online formation, registration for face-to-face gatherings, and a single source of truth when it comes to data for those in ministry.

These sessions are free and designed especially for catechetical leaders, liturgical ministry coordinators, and anyone who needs to track formation in a parish. Lunch will be served, so pre-registration is required. Please use the form below!

If possible, bring your laptop or tablet so we can learn online together.

Topics to be covered:
Overview
Local Leaders
Using Tasks
Building Communities
Communication Tools
Reports and Tracking Formation
Creating In-Person Formation Opportunities
And More!

Register:

About

Join us for a listening session and lunch with Bishop Caggiano where he answers any questions you may have.  Afterwards, stick around for talks on living the Christian faith on campus and keeping truth, beauty, and goodness in your hearts and on your minds. Finally, spend time with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament with Adoration and confession followed by a vigil Mass to end the day.

Keynote Speaker

TBD — Please check back!

Schedule

Every other week, parish faith formation leaders are invited to a half-hour online meeting to discuss upcoming events, learn more about what others are doing in their parishes, and brainstorm solutions to common problems. Our goal is to pray together, learn from each other, and leave affirmed that we are on the right path in our own parishes and ministry settings.

Who should attend?

Faith formation leaders, youth ministers, and others who are entrusted with catechetical leadership in their parish.

All meetings are on Tuesdays, and all are at 11 am. Meetings are not recorded.

---

About Our Virtual Meetings
This gathering is a virtual meeting hosted by Zoom. The link below will take you directly to the live webinar. You may be asked to download Zoom. If you call in a few minutes before the meeting begins, you will likely hear music playing until we begin.

Join Zoom Meeting

If you would like to join by phone, dial one of these numbers: 646-518-9805, 646-558-8656, or 267-831-0333 and enter the Meeting ID: 834 6868 2589

Please note: the link for all parish leader check ins will be the same.

Learn about the innovative learning platform developed by the Institute for Catholic Formation and the Diocese of Bridgeport, in partnership with the nerds at Fivable, LLC!

This platform offers online formation, registration for face-to-face gatherings, and a single source of truth when it comes to data for those in ministry.

These sessions are free and designed especially for catechetical leaders, liturgical ministry coordinators, and anyone who needs to track formation in a parish. Lunch will be served, so pre-registration is required. Please use the form below!

If possible, bring your laptop or tablet so we can learn online together.

Topics to be covered:
Overview
Local Leaders
Using Tasks
Building Communities
Communication Tools
Reports and Tracking Formation
Creating In-Person Formation Opportunities
And More!

Register:

All catechists are invited to join us on Thursday, January 16th, for an insightful presentation by Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM, "The Catechist and Catholic School Teacher as Leaders and Models of Prayer."

As Bishop Caggiano likes to remind us, “You cannot give what you do not have.” If, therefore, a catechist or school teacher is not a person of prayer, a person who reflects on Scripture, or one who lives a virtuous life, how can that person prepare another for a life of faith?

Sr. Johanna, who served on the final editing team for the Directory for Catechesis, will lead us in a conversation about how our own stories of faith can serve as an inspiration for others. By emphasizing how prayer should permeate every aspect of catechetical instruction, aligning it with the life of Jesus and the teachings of the Church, our young people can be both formed and transformed. By fostering a deep personal prayer life, catechists and teachers can lead others into a closer relationship with Christ. Sr. Johanna will discuss different forms of prayer and encourage us to be models of prayer, following the example of saints and the early Church.

Please register for this event using the form down below.

About Our Presenter:

Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM, PhD grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. She is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George (FSGM). Sr. M. Johanna earned an undergraduate degree in deaf communication. She holds a BA in theology and elementary education from St. Louis University and an MA from the Angelicum, awarded after completing studies at Notre Dame Catechetical Institute. She also earned the Pontifical Catechetical Diploma. She has completed her doctorate at Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, England. In 1999, Sr. M. Johanna joined the Theology faculty of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She specializes in catechetics, and teaches both graduate and undergraduate students. Besides her teaching duties, Sr. M. Johanna travels throughout the country presenting workshops on catechist training, catechist retreats, and catechesis for persons with disabilities. She is a regular contributor to the Catechetical Review. In addition to her catechetical ministry, Sr. M. Johanna is engaged in research on the role of Catholic sisters in the American Civil War.

Register here:

Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM will lead a meeting for all DREs and principals on Friday, January 17th.

Please register for this event using the form down below.

About Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM:

Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, FSGM, hails from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, and is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. She holds a BA in theology and elementary education from St. Louis University, an MA from the Angelicum, and a doctorate from Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, England. She also earned the Pontifical Catechetical Diploma.

Sr. Johanna has extensive experience in catechetics at all levels. She began as a 7th and 8th grade teacher, where she also organized “Harmony,” a group of hearing-impaired students performing songs in American Sign Language. She served as associate director of the Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, where she trained catechists and developed religious education curricula. She also worked with the Catholic Deaf Community, interpreting Masses and teaching religious education.

Later, Sr. Johanna taught religion and served as chair of the Religion Department in Rock Island, Illinois, and directed Religious Education at St. Mary’s Parish in Alton, Illinois. She also taught seminarians at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

Since 1999, Sr. Johanna has been a Theology faculty member at Franciscan University of Steubenville, specializing in catechetics for both graduate and undergraduate students. She travels nationwide to present workshops on catechist training and catechesis for persons with disabilities, contributes to The Catechetical Review, and researches the role of Catholic sisters in the American Civil War.

Sr. Johanna serves on the Executive Board of the National Advisory Committee for the USCCB, consults for the Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, and has served the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Her book, "Mentors for the New Evangelization," is in its fourth printing.

Register here:

Gracias por inscribirse para la formación para el matrimonio. Su formación se llevará a cabo en persona en el Centro Católico (Catholic Center), 238 Jewett Ave., Bridgeport, CT. 06606.

• Llegue al estacionamiento inferior y utilice las puertas indicadas por las señales a más tardar a las 8:30 am


• Comenzamos a las 8:30 am y continuamos hasta las 5:00 pm.


• Recuerden que el retiro es solo para la pareja... si tiene hijos, favor de conseguir a alguien que los cuide.


• Habrá desayuno ligero y almuerzo

Felicitaciones por el gran evento en sus vidas y esperamos verlos.

Inscríbase ahora

Si no desea registrarse en línea, descargue este formulario este formulario y envíelo por correo ordinario.

Para registrarse en línea:

Every other week, parish faith formation leaders are invited to a half-hour online meeting to discuss upcoming events, learn more about what others are doing in their parishes, and brainstorm solutions to common problems. Our goal is to pray together, learn from each other, and leave affirmed that we are on the right path in our own parishes and ministry settings.

Who should attend?

Faith formation leaders, youth ministers, and others who are entrusted with catechetical leadership in their parish.

All meetings are on Tuesdays, and all are at 11 am. Meetings are not recorded.

---

About Our Virtual Meetings
This gathering is a virtual meeting hosted by Zoom. The link below will take you directly to the live webinar. You may be asked to download Zoom. If you call in a few minutes before the meeting begins, you will likely hear music playing until we begin.

Join Zoom Meeting

If you would like to join by phone, dial one of these numbers: 646-518-9805, 646-558-8656, or 267-831-0333 and enter the Meeting ID: 834 6868 2589

Please note: the link for all parish leader check ins will be the same.

Dr. Peter Kilpatrick will deliver the next Bishop’s Lecture, "What does it mean to be a Catholic University?".

To register, please complete the form at www.bridgeportdiocese.org/bls or email bishopslecture@diobpt.org

The Bishop’s Lecture Series features leading national Catholic writers and speakers who will offer their insights into renewal through truth, beauty and goodness as we seek to accompany all in their journey of faith. The lectures are presented free of charge and are open to all. Bishop Caggiano will offer brief remarks at every lecture.

The mission of the Bishop’s Lecture Series is to provide opportunities for compelling adult faith formation regarding catechetical, theological or pastoral issues of contemporary importance. Each year four lectures will be given in various regions of the Diocese.

Light refreshments will be available prior to the start of the program. After an initial period of prayer, the lecturer will present the talk that will be 45 minutes in length. After a short break, there will be a 30-minute period of conversation and dialogue with participants.

About Dr. Peter Kilpatrick:

Dr. Peter K. Kilpatrick was appointed president of The Catholic University of America in March 2022 and took office on July 1, 2022.

He was provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Illinois Institute of Technology from 2018 to 2022 and previously served as professor and McCloskey Dean of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame from 2008 to 2018.

At Illinois Tech, he developed the university’s five-year strategic plan, put in place new leadership, and drove development of an online master of applied science.

During Dr. Kilpatrick’s tenure as dean at Notre Dame, the number of faculty at the College of Engineering grew by more than 60% and enrollment by nearly 70%. External research funding more than doubled to over $50 million per year. He also launched Notre Dame’s first joint Ph.D. program with the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, later expanding to programs with universities in Brazil and Hungary.

Dr. Kilpatrick also served on the faculty of North Carolina State University in chemical engineering for 24 years, from 1983 to 2007, the last eight-plus years as the department head. Dr. Kilpatrick also served as the founding director of the North Carolina Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, a unique good manufacturing practice (GMP) facility that was designed to train the next generation of biopharmaceutical professionals and biotechnology industry professionals.

He is the author of more than 100 refereed journal articles in the areas of colloid and interfacial science, emulsion science, and molecular self assembly, particularly as they apply to energy and to bioseparations. According to Google Scholar, his work has been cited more than 5,300 times, largely in the areas of emulsions and interfacial and colloidal phenomena. He holds or shares 12 patents and has been actively engaged in two startups.

Dr. Kilpatrick is the recipient of numerous teaching and research awards, including the ASEE Regional Teaching Award. He holds an honorary doctorate from the Pázmány Péter Catholic University (Budapest, Hungary), the oldest university in that country. He is past chairperson of the Global Engineering Deans Council and serves as the chairperson of the Clover 2030 International Advisory Board, an initiative focused on reinventing engineering education in Chile.

He received his A.B. in chemistry from Occidental College (summa cum laude) in 1978 and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1983. He and his wife, Nancy, are the parents of four adult children.

 

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