Diocese offers August institute

Staff report

youngstown

The Diocese of Youngstown Office of Religious Education has announced the first Summer Catechetical Institute planned Aug. 8-10 for parish catechists, Catholic school teachers and principals, parish catechetical leaders, pastoral ministers and others.

The opportunity for faith formation and for catechist certification credit includes prayer, a keynote presentation, courses and workshops daily at St. Vincent de Paul Church Hall at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Vienna, and St. Michael the Archangel Church in Canton.

Keynote speakers are Nancy Bird, division manager for RCL/Benziger; Kathleen Glavich, a Sister of Notre Dame and freelance author; Sister Judy Gomila, a member of and public relations coordinator for the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross; and Jeanne Hunt, editorial director of product development for St. Anthony Messenger Press/Franciscan Communications.

At St. Thomas the Apostle Parish on Aug. 8, Hunt will present “A Church To Believe In” and two breakout sessions, “Holy Bells and Wonderful Smells” and “Walking With the Saints.”

On Aug. 9, Glavich will present “Intimacy With Jesus: The Gas in Our Tank” and breakouts, “You’ve Got Mail: The Bible” and “Mary, God’s Mother and Ours.”

On Aug. 10, Sister Judy will present “Spiritual Fitness” and two breakouts, “Are We There Yet?” and “Dressing For Success.”

At St. Michael the Archangel on Aug. 8, Glavich will present “Intimacy With Jesus: The Gas in Our Tank” and two breakouts, “You’ve Got Mail: The Bible” and “Mary, God’s Mother and Ours.”

On Aug. 9, Hunt will present “A Church To Believe In” and breakouts, “Holy Bells and Wonderful Smells” and “Walking With the Saints.”

On Aug. 10, Bird will present the keynote, “Simple Pleasures and the Sacramental Life” and two breakouts, “Balancing Leadership and Change: The Holy Dance” and “Partnering with Parents: Working Together in Faith Formation.”

Local experts offer core course of 10 hours each and breakouts on a variety of topics at each location.

Bird has served as a master professional catechist, parish catechetical leader and youth minister.

Glavich is a freelance author and pastoral associate from Cleveland. She has written faith formation materials, including 60 books. She has taught first- through 12th grades.

Sister Judy also works with global education for the National Council for Pontifical Mission Societies.

Hunt serves as editorial director of product development for St. Anthony Messenger Press/Franciscan Communications. She has served as a parish director of religious education, associate archdiocesan director of family life, parish mission preacher, retreat director, author and radio speaker.

Registration including lunch is $50 for all three days or $20 per day for one or two days. Course registrants pay an additional $11 for books.

The institute is partially funded by a grant from the Catholic Extension Society.

Participants can earn up to 14 hours of religious education certification credit.

Catholic school teachers employed by the diocese may be eligible to earn professional development credit for State of Ohio certification.

For more information, contact the diocese at 330-744-8451, by fax to 330-744-5899 or email tosgreco@youngstowndiocese.org. Reservations requested by Aug. 1.