From the Business Office:

KDSA Update as of December 31, 2009


From the Office of Evangelization, Catechesis & Initiation:

A complete list of events and presentations can be found at dioceseofkalamazoo.org/eci


From the Office of Christian Worship:

Music Ministry Mini-Retreats, Friday, March 5th, 2010, 3-5 and 7-9 pm and Saturday March 6th, 9 am – Noon,  Fontbonne Auditorium, Nazareth with Rev. Robert Hutmacher, OFM, composer and music director at St. Peter in the Loop, Chicago. Come for one session or for all three sessions. These sessions are offered for musicians, singers, clergy and laity who want to grow in their love of sacred music and the Liturgy.  For more information contact the Office of Christian Worship, 269-349-8714, ext. 245 or dreilly@dioceseofkalamazoo.org

NPM WEBINAR: PREPARING FOR THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL
How should pastors, musicians, and other pastoral leaders prepare themselves, their communities, and their liturgical ministers for implementation of the new English language edition of the Roman Missal?  Explore this and other questions during the upcoming webinar “Preparing for the New Roman Missal,” on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm ET, 1:00 pm CT, 12:00 noon MT, 11:00 am PT.  The webinar will be presented by Father Paul Turner, who has been serving as secretary to the bishops of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy as they have worked on the new English translation of the Roman Missal.

In addition to individual registration at $25, there are special rates for groups who view the webinar at the same computer.  Visit the http://www.npm.org/  for details. 

Roman Missal Formation Materials
Visit these four sites for their resources for the new English translation of texts and music that will assist you in the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.
http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/
http://www.fdlc.org/
 http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/girm/
http://www.icelweb.org/news.htm

Rite of Election –The Rite will be celebrated in Saint Augustine Cathedral, Kalamazoo on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 3:00 pm with a snow date of Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 3:00 pm.

Chant Workshop – Saturday, March 13, 9am – 3pm- Fr. David Grondz will conduct a workshop on the chants of the Triduum, at Hackett Catholic Central High, Kalamazoo. Deacons who wish to improve their chanting of the Exsultet and other Triduum chants are encouraged to attend. Contact Fr. David at BroDavid@stphilipnerihouse.org or (269) 342-0621

Adult Confirmation - April 18, 2010 - Bishop Bradley will celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation for Catholic adults who have yet to receive the sacrament. The Mass will take place on Sunday, April 18 at the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral. For more information contact the Office of Worship at (269) 349-8714, ext. 245.

Roman Missal Workshop May 11, 12, 2010 - Grand Rapids, MI for Priests and diocesan leaders. Sponsored by the USCCB and the FDLC (Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commission). The workshop will provide background on the new translation, an overview of the new texts, discussion of the ars celebrandi, demonstration and practice of the chants of the Missal, implementation strategies and discussion of leading a community through change. Registration information will be forthcoming. For additional dates in other cities contact the Office of Worship, (269)-349-8714, ext 245. 


From the Office of Christian Service:

View the February issue of the Charity and Justice Newsletter. There is useful information in this.  Please copy and share it with the appropriate people.

HAITI COLLECTION – If your parish has not sent in the funds from the second collection for Haiti, please send these funds in as soon as possible. 

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES’ OPERATION RICE BOWL – ORB begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17h and ends on Easter Sunday, April 4th. memo from Sister Susan on Operation Rice Bowl.

IOCESAN HEATING ASSISTANCE COLLECTION - Despite difficult economic times, our parishes and parishioners were very generous in supporting the Diocesan Heating Assistance Collection.  Thanks to all parishes/missions who contributed to this.  If your parish has not sent in its DHAP collection funds yet, please do so as soon as possible.  Note that when funds run out and Diocesan Heating Assistance Program is closed, all Heating Assistance Volunteers and County Agencies will be notified by mail.

RACHEL VINEYARD RETREAT – See flyer and bulletin announcements about this retreat for women or men wounded by abortion in South Bend, IN, March 5 – March 7. 

THE PARISH RESPONDS TO THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN


From the Office of Marriage & Family Ministry:

World Marriage Day – Sunday, February 14, 2010. WMD: Clergy/ Family Life materials can be downloaded at http://wmd.wwme.org/

Mother/Daughter Program - explores God's special gift of human fertility and the beauty and wonder of growing up and becoming a woman, for 10-12 year old girls and their mothers (or significant female).  Contact Lynn Brunner at the NFP Center at 269-349-8714 x114 with any questions. registration    promotional flyer

SAVE THE DATE: Apex, a wonderful and zany Christian juggling group, will be here on Sunday, March 21st at St. Ambrose Parish, Parchment for a fun filled afternoon for families.

Theology of the Body seminar on Saturday March 13, 2010. St. Ann Catholic Church,12648 East D Avenue, Augusta. Cost is $50/person and includes a workbook and lunch. The speaker for this event is Bill Donaghy from the Theology of the Body Institute.  His biography identifies Bill as holding an Associates Degree in Visual Arts, a Bachelor’s in Philosophy and a Masters in Systematic Theology. He teaches theology at Malvern Preparatory School, as well as Immaculata University, and lives near Philadelphia, PA with his wife and family. Through a collaboration with the Theology of the Body Institute, and trained by Christopher West, Bill also speaks widely on Pope John Paul II's groundbreaking teaching on human sexuality. The day will be geared to a variety of participants. You might encourage the people in your parish involved in religious education as catechists, those working in marriage preparation as facilitators or mentor couples, and engaged couples in particular, to come.  An often heard comment is that folks wish they had heard this message earlier, so any young people active in the parish might also be well suited.  It is hard to image anyone that would not benefit from the experience.  Contact Pat Vanderpool: patvanderpool@comcast.net  (269-731-4721) for more information.


From the Office of Hispanic Ministry:

Marriage Encounter (in Spanish) – March 13, 2010 from 10:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.  Location: Immaculate Conception Church, 63559 60th Ave, Hartford, MI.  One day marriage formation retreat for engaged couples.  The retreat is all in Spanish.  This retreat does not replace the formation provided by each parish.  Topics include: Spirituality of Marriage; administration & family budget; communication between the couple and the family; and many other important topics.  Cost is $30 per couple and they are asked to bring a plate of food to share during lunch. registration

Catechist Certification (in Spanish) – April 10, 2010 from 9:30a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Location: St. Thomas More Parish, 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, MI  49006. The Office of Hispanic Ministry in coordination with the Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Initiation are offering this course on Theology and Methodology in Spanish. The course is for all Spanish-speaking catechists of the Diocese of Kalamazoo for catechist certification.

Quinceañera Retreat (Bilingual) – April 17, 2010 from 9:00a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Location: St. Joseph Parish Center, 63 N. 24th St., Battle Creek, MI.  Bilingual Retreat for the preparation of Quinceañeras.  This retreat does not replace the formation provided by each parish to the Quinceañeras.  Topics include: Symbols and liturgical meaning of the Sacraments; Origin of the Quinceañera fiesta; being a youth in today’s society; challenges; being a Parent/Sponsor in today’s society; and other important topics for the youth and adults.  Cost is $20 per Quinceañera.  registration 


From the Office of Ministry with Persons with Disabilities:

Workshops for Catechists - Ministry with Persons with Disabilities is offering three workshops about special needs students in Religious Education. These sessions will focus on practical skills and knowledge that will make for better experiences for the students, catechist, family and the parish program as a whole. 

Welcoming Students with special needs and their families, what does the church say about disabilities?
February  8  7:00-8:30 pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center

Welcoming Students with Autism and Learning Disorders
February 15  7-9 pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center

Planning lessons for all children using the multiple intelligence/universal design principles.
February 13 9:30-12:30 St. Mary Visitation Parish New Salem
February 22  7-9 pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center
March 22  7-9 pm St Martin Parish, Vicksburg

Catechetical workshops are approved for Method hours towards certification.  There is no cost for the workshops but registration is required 24 hours in advance.  Contact Ministry with Persons with Disabilities to register.  269-349-7276  asherzer@dioceseofkalamazoo.org

The winter retreat for youth and adults with developmental disabilities will be Febraury 19-20 at Camp Friedenswald near Cassopolis.  Details and registration forms can be found at www.dioceseofkalamazoo.org/disabilities