E&C Newsletter

To celebrate this significant year commemorating the 800th anniversary of St. Francis' death, we will provide monthly connections to his life and prayers for your use. Look for ideas in The Family Zone and Echo as well!

While in Egypt and encountering the sultan, it is likely St. Francis contracted a severe bacterial eye infection. This infection was painful and worsened after he returned to Italy, ultimately leading to near blindness in his final years.

As his eyesight failed, he wrote a canticle of praise for God where he praised God for all around him. Starting with the sun, moon, and stars, and then the elements and even death. He wrote it in a dialect of Italian common around Assisi, making it one of the first pieces of writing in everyday Italian rather than Latin.

In 2015, Pope Francis entitled his encyclical “Laudato sí” which is the first line of the Canticle, translated as “Praise be to you.”

Click for a downloadable PDF of the calendar

Each and every parish in our diocese is responsible for sharing YEARLY Safe Environment lessons to every age group in grade school. This is a yearly requirement of YOUR CURRICULUM. Please be sure to follow our diocesan requirements. More information can always be found in our policies and procedures portal, by clicking on the green button below. PLEASE NOTE that our policies and procedures portal has been migrated to the new Catechist Portal on our updated website. YOU WILL NEED THE PASSWORD EC1150 to explore that portal. That password is to be shared only with diocesan employees and volunteers. Thank you!

You will also find new, updated lessons for PK-6 grade in the portal. These are the same lessons you received following our mandatory policies and procedures meeting and can be used instead of the former lessons, though you are not required to switch. We are just providing an updated option.

The Handbook on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process calls us to focus on three types of goals: Interior Life, Behavioral, and Cognitive. How can the lessons we create this year attend to all three goals and create a space of encounter? This workshop will be a great overview for your newest catechists and a helpful refresher for your seasoned volunteers. Please make plans to provide required catechist formation by encouraging your catechists to attend! Presenter: Leslie Barkin

Dear Faithful in Christ,

I am a Master of Theological Studies student at St. Bernard’s School of Theology. Under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Kuhner, Vice President and Academic Dean at St. Bernard’s, I am working on my thesis with the goal of contributing to the renewal of our diocese and the Catholic Church at large.

My thesis focuses on the mission of the New Evangelization and our call to catechize the faithful, those who have fallen away from the Church, and those who are unaffiliated with the Church. As we enter a time of rebuilding and renewal, it is important that we identify where the greatest needs and opportunities for catechesis, evangelization, and spiritual growth exist. My hope is that this research will help us better understand those needs and identify effective ways to respond to them.

As part of my thesis, I have constructed a survey to help assess the needs for evangelization and catechesis. You can find the link to this survey below.

It is my hope that all priests, deacons, and lay religious workers will complete this anonymous survey by October 2, 2026. The results will be shared with the Most Reverend Bishop John S. Bonnici and other diocesan directors in early October.

Technology and human interaction both play important roles in the evangelization process. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly bringing these two elements together. It is important to understand how each influences the way we reach and engage people, and how technology and human interaction can work together effectively to strengthen the Church’s evangelizing mission.

Thank you again for your help! It is truly a gift to have your assistance and support throughout this process.

Again, the survey is completely anonymous. However, if you would like to provide your name and email address or share any additional thoughts, you may do so at the end of the survey. Those who provide their contact information will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes as a “thank you” for participating. Additional information about the raffle is available through the survey link.

Like you, I have served the Diocese of Rochester in various catechetical roles since 1998, including youth and adult ministry, school ministry, and marriage ministry. I cherish my Catholic faith and desire to share that agape love with as many people as possible. Thank you for joining me in this mission.

In Peace,

Katie (Kathleen) Van Damme

We are all aware that the holidays bring people to our Church doors whom we hardly ever see, so how can we make the most of our interaction with them? Now's the time to plan.

Things to consider:

1. Leverage your parish social media to include warm video invitations from your pastor. Plan for your community, not just your parish.

2. Simplify the language: avoid insider Church language and make sure materials are available for everyone to follow along, either in paper or digital format.

3. Provide clear signage for parking, restrooms, children's rooms, etc.

4. Employ your friendliest volunteers as greeters.

5. Promote upcoming events that are attractive to seekers and those who have been missing, such as a service outreach event, children's or family program, or young adult gathering.

6. Make an ask: for example, "If you enjoyed your time with us today, we invite you to join us for three weeks in January to see if you could find a home with us here." Then create a welcoming space for seekers in January.

In last month's edition of ECHO, we shared information about a children' s story by Bonnie Engstrom (now very famous as the mother of the child attributed to Bishop Sheen's miracle. We have her book Fulton Sheen and the Very Bad Week available for borrowing from our office, and now there is a dedicated activity book to accompany the story. The story is a great tool for talking to kids about God's plan for their lives! The activity pages can also be used on their own to share more about Blessed Fulton Sheen!

A full prayer service outline from franciscanmonth.org

Are you supporting caregivers in your parish? Would you like to do more? Learn how with this caregiver-friendly toolkit for faith communities.

Thanksgiving is an ideal time to show appreciation to your catechetical staff. Why not give them the beautiful gift of prayer? Invite parish staff and families in the faith formation program to gather to offer a Rosary or Holy Hour prayed specifically for the intentions of your volunteers, or invite families to write prayers of gratitude for those who share the faith with their children.

Wednesday, October 28

2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. (Virtual)

Planning for our pilgrimage to NCYC 2027 will begin this fall following NCYC 2026 in Long Beach, California (Nov. 20-21)! This preview meeting is for ministry leaders who are interested in bringing a group to the conference and would like to learn more about our pilgrimage plan or would just like to learn more about NCYC. The meeting will be offered virtually TWICE during the day. Individuals can join at either time! The same information will be shared at both times. Pre-Registration is REQUIRED! Register by clicking on the buttons below. This meeting will be recorded for those who cannot join live but would like the ability to view the meeting at a later time. If you have questions, email Mark at Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org

Don't miss the opportunity to hear from renowned speaker, Jason Evert for this special event for teens and adults, ages 13+. Get answers to life's tough questions about love, dating, and relationships. This double feature event includes Purified and Gender and the Theology of the Body, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This combination transforms a couple of talks into a retreat for the family and parish community, allowing you to encounter the source of purity, healing and renewal, Jesus Christ. The evening also includes free resources for all attendees! For more information and to register, click the button below.

This training resource equips youth ministry leaders with the tools to engage across cultural differences with humility and confidence. Rooted in prayer and grounded in practical skills, the resource includes a lively icebreaker game, short teaching on flexibility, listening, and asking questions, and meaningful table discussions. The training resource also includes a personal challenge and commissioning prayer, ensuring leaders are inspired to better understand and serve the diverse cultures in their parish. Find the resource and discover other great youth ministry resources from Marathon Youth Ministry by clicking below.

As NFCYM looks ahead, they are focused on strengthening the support, formation, and connections you need for today’s ministry. As part of this effort, they have invited 10 dioceses, including the Diocese of Rochester, to help shape the future of NFCYM Connect through a new pilot initiative. This pilot offers early access to expanded tools and resources while providing an opportunity to help guide future member engagement and support through NFCYM Connect. As part of this pilot, all youth ministry leaders will receive access to the exclusive member resource libraries regardless of one's membership status with NFCYM. More details about this pilot program and how to access the exclusive resources will be share in the coming weeks.

Notre Dame Retreat House wants to be a place where young adults from across the Diocese of Rochester can gather, connect, reflect, and recharge. They are hoping to put together a half-day retreat or experience during Lent. What would make a Lenten retreat meaningful, engaging, and relevant to young adults? Notre Dame is looking to gather a small group of young adults to share ideas and help shape the experience. No major commitment just a willingness to share thoughts and help them dream a little! If you know a young adult who might be a great fit for this work, please email Nancy Lynch at nlynch@notredameretreat.org.

Young adults (ages 19-29) are being sought to engage in the 2027 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage by serving as Perpetual Pilgrims. Next summer, these Perpetual Pilgrims will accompany the Blessed Sacrament as the Eucharistic Caravan travels from diocese to diocese across the country. Perpetual Pilgrims will participate in daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, processions, and countless other opportunities to help others encounter Jesus in the Eucharist. The life of a Perpetual Pilgrim is intense, but joyful, and full of grace. For more information, click the buttons below. Applications close on October 15!

A prayer leader is not necessarily a teacher or expert, but someone who is willing to invite others into a conversation with God alongside them. At the same time, someone who is going to lead other young adults in prayer should have their own personal relationship with God, and feel comfortable conversing with him, so that he or she can model that type of conversation for others. To learn more about how to help young adults lead a young adult ministry or their peers informally in prayer, click the button below.

Connect with us!

Please help us congratulate Kelly Thompson from Holy Cross in Charlotte on being nominated to receive the Saint Elizabeth Anne Medal. The Saint Elizabeth Anne Medal, the first citizen born in the United States to be canonized a saint, is given by the Rochester Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, under the auspices of the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton recognition was inaugurated in 1980 to recognize the meritorious contributions of adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and Camp Fire. This medal affirms the work of those who help youth develop their spiritual lives within the context of these organizations. If you would like to learn more about the Saint Elizabeth Ann Medal and the other adult Catholic Scouting recognitions, click the button below.

The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) religious emblem program is to help Catholic youth (especially those in Scouting) to develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. Catholic scouting leaders are offering an opportunity for all Catholic youth (ages 13-14) in Scouting America (including troops, venturing and sea scouts) to earn this emblem this fall. Youth ages 11-17 in grades 7-12 can also work on this emblem.

For general information about the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem, click the button below. If there is interest in being a part of the opportunity to earn the emblem, please email Colleen Trevisani here or call her at 585-672-5568.

Don reflects on the postures we assume at Mass, and why.

Help us plan

We are starting to plan for Spring Confirmations! Please submit your numbers by October 10. We can update numbers after that, but a strong estimate will help us plan.

https://forms.gle/DZGJk2oJMeBieri79

Coordinator Meeting

Please plan to be present on Wednesday, October 14 for a Coordinator Update Meeting. Choose one meeting to attend.(repeated for your convenience).

• 10am @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rochester
• 2pm @ St. Francis & St. Clare, Waterloo
• 6pm on Zoom (click on the link below to join)

Rite of Election & Calling to Continuing Conversion Dates

Save the First Weekend of Lent! Saturday, February 13 in the Southern Tier and Sunday, February 14 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Don will email details when he returns from the National Meeting of the FDLC.

We would like to host a refresher and clarification gathering for OCIA. A chance to answer questions and provide support for those new to the ministry and a chance to ensure we are all on the same page. Please fill out the form to help us plan: https://forms.gle/DHDdvHoyb2PUwbup7

LTP has Offerings

Consider learning from national experts in the field.

Catechesis in the Children’s Catechumenate

Wednesdays, October 14, 21, and 28, 2026 from 8:00-9:30pm ET

Registration Link: www.LTP.org/events/details/VWCICCC

Cost: $50.00 per person.

Welcome to Sofia Frongillo, the new catechetical coordinator working in the Greece parishes alongside Maura Spencer. Sofia is new to the area, so please extend a warm welcome to her!

We also welcome Lois Binet Azessie who is the new Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Southeast Rochester Catholic Community. He is a recent graduate of St. Bernard's with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies. We are so grateful for those who join the ranks of lay ministry. We need your gifts!

Contact for information on all newsletters, evangelization, training, consultation

Mark Capellazzi, Project Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry x1375

Contact for youth ministry/young adult or Catholic scouting consultation/website questions, Certification process

Don Smith, Coordinator of Sacramental Catechesis and Family Life x1243

Contact for Sacramental information and Fully Engaged

Website: oec.dor.org
Location: 1150 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3228