Formed In Faith
Sharing the Word through Faith Formation, Archdiocese of Louisville
Learning to Interpret Christian Art
Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus, National Gallery, London (Wikimedia Commons)
In looking into some online educational resources, I recently fell down the delightful rabbit hole that is Kahn Academy’s series of presentations and videos connected with their AP Art History course. A section on culture and religion for art history begins with short lessons on the basic context of Christianity, standard scenes from the life of Christ in art, the image in early medieval art, and architecture and liturgy. The lessons culminate with a fine series of short videos, “The Audacity of Christian Art.” The beautifully produced series is written and presented by Dr. Chloe Reddaway, Howard and Roberta Ahmanson Curator in Art and Religion at London’s National Gallery. Drawing on her background in both theology and art history, she leads viewers through rich visual elements of mostly Renaissance-period Christian art, pointing both to theological understandings and ways that viewers are invited to interact with the works.
Sacramental and Liturgical Guidance
Click the image to read the document.
VLCFF- registration for cycle 5 is now open
Registration for cycle 5 classes with the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation begins today. Classes will begin July 12, but do not hesitate to register; classes fill up quickly. https://vlcff.udayton.edu/
If you need assistance determining which classes to take to help you with your catechist certificate with the Archdiocese of Louisville contact Lynn, lmcdaniel@archlou.org.
The following classes fulfill some requirements for the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Associate Level Catechist Certificate. Click here to see the full list of upcoming classes.
Class List -University of Dayton, VLCFF
With the COVID- 19 social distancing restrictions still in place many catechists and teachers are looking to online options for their professional development and faith formation. The University of Dayton, through its Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF), offers many online classes with CEUs that can be transferred to catechist credits with the Archdiocese of Louisville.
To find out more information about VLCFF click here to visit the VLCFF website.
All Are Welcome Here – Practicing Christ’s Call to Hospitality
Author: AGNES KOVACS is the Director of Continuing Formation at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and has a certificate in Pastoral Care with a specialty in reflective practices.
Click here to order.
“Hospitality matters because it is necessary for fulfilling the evangelization mission of the Church. In other words, without hospitality, there is no Church. May this booklet affirm what is already happening, pose some challenges for expanding our common understanding of hospitality, and be a source of encouragement to seek and find the face of Christ in all whom we encounter.”-from the Introduction
Although the ways parishes provide hospitality might be different right now, the spirit of welcome and helpfulness will never change. This inspiring booklet for parish leaders and volunteers is filled with inspiration about the nature of hospitality, and ways we might rethink our own comfort and convenience for the sake of others. “Hospitality in community is contextual,” says Agnes Kovacs. “While it conveys universal values, it does so in a particular place and time.” And while hospitality in community may seem more complicated than ever, she assures us that “all God asks of us is to begin.” A wonderful booklet for thought and reflection as pastors and parish leaders have conversations about hospitality and welcome—now and in the months ahead.
Celebrating the RCIA scrutinies outside the usual times
“These are huge, huge, huge spiritual benefits! We would never want to deny this powerful step in the conversion process to the elect. Because this step is so crucial to their spiritual conversion and their preparation for initiation, all three scrutinies must be celebrated.”
During a recent TeamRCIA Community Chat, several questions came up about celebrating the scrutinies outside the usual times. Let’s take a look at some issues that parishes may be experiencing.
Planning for Year-Round RCIA
Because baptisms have been postponed, this may be the first time you have had catechumens in your RCIA process in the summer. And the anxiety and grief caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is causing some new seekers to inquire about becoming Catholic right now. “But we don’t have a plan for that!” you might be thinking. Well, just like learning how to work from home, use new technology to keep connected, or catch up on important but not urgent projects, now is the time to learn some new RCIA skills. In this community chat, we are going to talk with Leisa Anslinger about making a plan for a continuous (year-round) RCIA process.
We are suffering a crisis of imagination in the church and world
Unsplash/Belinda Fewings
One common refrain I have heard frequently (and even said myself) over the last six weeks of the pandemic shutdown has been: “I could never have imagined something like this!” This is a sentiment that makes perfect sense to me. Our current reality is one that is hard to anticipate in its particularity — pace epidemiologists that actually predict such realities for a living — and even confounds the creative minds of brilliant novelists like Stephen King.
As I have reflected on this line and feeling for the last few weeks, I have found myself considering the importance of imagination and the dangerous lack of it in our church and world today.
Click here to continue reading this article by Daniel P. Horan from the National Catholic Reporter.
Renewal of the Consecration of the United States of America to the Blessed Virgin Mary May 1, 2020
On Friday, May 1, Archbishop Gomez will lead the country in a prayer which consecrates the United States to Mary, Mother of the Church. Canada, too, has chosen this day to offer prayers and to consecrate their country to Mary, Mother of the Church.
“This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus,” said Archbishop Gomez in a letter to the U.S. bishops. Each year, the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. “This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic,” he continued.
Archbishop Gomez will lead a brief liturgy with the prayer of re-consecration on Friday, May 1 at 3:00 pm EDT and has invited the bishops to join in from their respective dioceses and asked them to extend the invitation to the faithful in their dioceses for their participation.
RESOURCES FOR THIS MAY 1 PRAYER
The USCCB releaseD an official text for the prayer of consecration.
- You may access these at http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/consecration.cfm (Scroll down to find the PDF’s)
- PDF of Presider Text and Worship Aid – English http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/upload/consecration-usa-mary-mother-of-church.pdf
- PDF of Presider Text and Worship Aid – Spanish http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/upload/consecration-usa-mary-mother-of-church-spanish.pdf
- For more information, please visit, http://usccb.org/news/2020/20-65.cfm
| U.S. and Canadian Catholic Bishops to Seek Intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, for Strength in Struggle Against COVID-19
usccb.org U.S. and Canadian Catholic Bishops to Seek Intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, for Strength in Struggle Against COVID-19 |
- For additional information and a link to the Facebook feed: https://lacatholics.org/consecration/
Does this change the liturgical texts on May 1?
No, the day remains the memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker. Indeed, many bishops are also offering Masses that day for those whose employment has been impacted by the coronavirus. Please see The Roman Missal for May 1 and The Lectionary for Mass, no. 559. The gospel for the day is proper.
How should we be praying in the entire month of May?
Certainly, the Easter Season and its rich Mass texts should be the focus of our liturgical prayer. The Sundays of Easter, especially, provide rich fodder for reflection on the sacraments of initiation, most especially the Eucharist. These so-called ‘Masses for the Neophytes” (cf. RCIA 247) are so rich that they may be used even when initiation has been celebrated outside the usual times (ibid.).
The Pope, Archbishop Gomez, and the bishops of the USA, have encouraged us to increase our devotional prayer during the month of May – a month traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Francis has encouraged the daily recitation of the rosary. In addition, the USCCB will make a downloadable holy card available for private prayer.
Does this change the liturgical texts for June 1?
No, the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church is celebrated on the Monday following Pentecost. This year, that falls on Monday, June 1. The Mass texts for that day remain the same (see Lectionary no. 572A or no. 1002 ).
A note from the USCCB Liturgical Year Calendar for 2020:
“8. In a decree dated February 11, 2018, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments inscribed the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church in the General Roman Calendar to be observed on the Monday after Pentecost, taking precedence over an obligatory Memorial that coincides with it. Thus, June 1, 2020 shall be observed as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and the Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr, is omitted.”
Does this change the fact that the USA recognizes Mary, the Immaculate Conception as our patroness?
This prayer entrusts the country to Mary, Mother of the Church during the pandemic. This does not change the fact that our official national patroness is Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception. Our national patronal solemnity remains December 8.
Witness- a Two-Week Virtual Event from NCCL
Join NCCL for a 2-week virtual event May 13-15 and May 19-21 featuring networking, professional development, workshops, resources, and opportunities for prayer. This virtual gathering will remind us of our mission and equip us to be bearers of hope, healers of hearts, and companions in pain. Let us be a witness to the Good News that is Jesus Christ. For more details, click here.
Schedule of Events
Witness will offer a variety of content that is both pre-recorded and streamed live. Participants will have the opportunity network and engage with others via Chat Rooms, Discussion Groups, and Lounges. Our Virtual Exhibit Hall enables participants to check out resources from our vendors and partners.
Check out the tentative schedule of events here.
Download the PDF
Learn more about Witness and download a flyer.
Full access to Witness is available for just $75. This includes all keynotes, workshops, lounges, and discussion groups. With full access, you are able to join our event in real-time or access content at a later date.
Not Sure? A portion of each days events will be offered for free!
Formed In Faith 