Paulist New England Outreach

Parish Renewals

There are three mission/renewal themes available for fall of 2007 and spring of 2008.  Both options begin with the homily at the weekend liturgies and both continue with three evening sessions.  Additional talks or meetings with parish groups can be added.

The mission talks for the series entitled The Catholic Way of Life deal with Spirituality, Conscience and Social Justice, and Identity in Christ.

The mission talks for the series entitled the Mission of the Parish deal successively with the three goals mandated by the U.S. Bishops' document Go and Make Disciples.  These are Personal Conversion, Calling Others to Conversion, and Impacting the Broader Culture with the Message of Christ.

The mission talks for the series entitled Lost and Found:  Spirituality of a Journey deal with Losing and Finding, Finding the Way Back to the Church, and Finding Faith in Today's Challenging World.

Parish Goal Setting

Today, Tomorrow, But Not Forever is a facilitated meeting or series of meetings of parish staff and lay leaders, or even of the whole parish family.  During these meetings the parish reflects on itself and establishes goals for the next five years.  While this process can stand alone, it is an ideal follow-up for the renewal series Mission of the Parish described above.  This program utilizes Open Space Technology.

Adult Religious Ed

Keeping Kids Catholic is designed to help answer the question, "How can I keep my teenager interested in the Catholic faith?"  Designed for young parents and prospective parents, this one-evening presentation takes a long-range perspective.  Many practical suggestions are offered to create a family atmosphere that makes practice of the Catholic faith integral to family life from the beginning in a way that builds up the personal identity of children and teens as members of the Church.

The Holy Land Now and Then provides an overview of the geography and politics of the Holy Land of Jesus' day and of current times.  Slides of maps and geographical sites bring the area to life and shed much light on the Gospel stories.  While this presentation would be valuable to any parish group, it will be especially helpful to a parish about to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  This presentation can be one or two evenings long, depending on the depth of coverage desired.

Weekend Mini-Retreats are reflection periods offered in a parish on Friday evening and the following Saturday morning and afternoon.  Themes vary based on the time of the year in which a mini-retreat is offered, but all include prayer, discussion, and quiet time.

Catholic Update is a five evening series covering central elements of the Catholic faith (Scripture, Jesus and the Trinity, Moral Decision-Making, Sacraments, Catholic Identity).  Suitable for anyone seeking renewal of faith, it will be especially helpful to prospective RCIA sponsors.

A Discernment Seminar is a one evening session devoted to prayerful reflection on such important life choices as moving to a new city, vocational options, and volunteer commitments.  A Paulist spirituality of openness to the Holy Spirit in one's life, in the world, and in the Church will be utilized.

New--Twilight Retreats--New

These are evenings of reflections that are both practical and spiritual.  Aimed particularly at business people, the evening includes dinner and two reflection-discussions.  Themes suitable for Advent, Lent and the Easter season are available.

Parish Evangelization

Evangelization 101 provides a one-evening overview of the U.S. Bishops' document, Go and Make Disciples.  The three goals of evangelization outlined in the document are presented and suggestions for implementation given.  Care is taken to tailor the discussion to the particular needs of a given parish.  This one-session event is especially suitable for a parish staff and/or pastoral council in-service.

                             *******************

Building an Outreach Committee is a four month long program designed to assist a parish in establishing an evangelization committee.  Initially the group meets weekly with the PNEO facilitator to discuss Go and Make Disciples and Paul VI's landmark Evangelii Nuntiandi and to study the character of the parish and its outreach needs. 

Then, an initial outreach project is selected, planned and undertaken.  Meetings with the facilitator become less frequent over the course of the four months.  Gradually, the committee is solidified and able to continue on its own.

Larger Workshops

PNEO staff will work with diocesan personnel, religious communities and other Church groups to plan and provide one, two and three day workshops in any of three areas:  Evangelization, Ecumenical and Interfath Relations, and Reconciliation Ministry.  These are hands-on workshops involving task oriented  small group work as well as lectures and discussions.  Typically these workshops involve several presenters, both Paulist and laity.

Ministry Reflection

These are half-day events, usually held Saturday morning.  They provide support and renewal for those who volunteer in particular ministries in the parish, e.g. extraordinary ministers of Eucharist and readers. Presentations include discussion of ministry in general and of theology of the specific ministry in question. 

Special Projects

The Catholic Faith Inventory (CFI) is an instrument developed several years ago to aid ministers in tailoring the parish catechumenate to the particular needs of their group.  Now it is updated and revised for use with university students.  It can be taken online with feedback provided to individual participants and group feedback given to campus ministers.  Feedback covers nine areas: Spiritual Awareness, Scripture, Prayer, Conscience & Morality, Social Justice, Basic Christian Doctrine, Catholic Identity, Catholic Sacrament and Community Participation. 

Since it is still in a developmental stage, its use with campus groups is by invitation only.  If you are at a campus ministry and are interested in using the CFI with your students, contact us.

An online version of the parish edition of the CFI is available will be available.  It is  for use in the RCIA.  CFI results can also be used to plan content for "returning Catholic" and other groups.  Parish-based small faith communities will also benefit from its use.  CFI feedback will provide input for up to nine small group sessions.  To help you decide if the CFI is something you would like to use with one of your parish groups you can complete the Inventory online by clicking here.