Monday Musings

September 27, 2004

1.    Holocaust Education:  The National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education, as a cooperating partner with March of the Living, is recruiting Catholic educators in "An Educational Mission to Poland for Catholic Educators" from May 3 to 8, 2005.
        This educational mission on the 60th anniversary of the victory in Europe is a tribute to Holocaust survivors and victims and to those who fought for freedom, and will provide a powerful educational experience for Catholic educators.  By taking part in the program, Catholic educators will acquire new skills to effectively convey the lessons of the Holocaust and to promote tolerance.  The group's itinerary will feature present-day Catholic life in Poland, as well as visits to historic and cultural sites, including concentration camps and centers of pre-war Jewish life.
        To enable Catholic educators to take part in this special interfaith program, March of the Living is offering a limited number of scholarships on a competitive basis based on demonstrated financial need.  While the cost of the program is $1600, these scholarships can lower the cost of the program to as little as $500-$800.  It will also allow them to seek additional funds from other sources should even this low amount prove challenging. 
        Applications are due December 1, 2004 and will be processed by The Holocaust Resource Center at Queensborough Community College (718-281-5770.)
        If you have any further questions regarding your involvement in the program, or to request an application and to inquire about scholarships, please contact:
                    Dr. William Shulman
                    Holocaust Resource Center at
                    Queensborough Community College
                    718-281-5770
                    hrcomol@qcc.cuny.edu

        Applications must be submitted no later than December 1, 2004.

2.    JASON Academy:  On line accredited science workshops are convenient and affordable and are eligible for license renewal.  JASON Academy's on line science workshops, conveniently and affordably, help teachers earn graduate credits from Ashland University.
        To learn about JASON's complete science and math curriculum and professional development offerings, visit www.jason.org or call 888-527-6600.

3.    Weekly Religion Ideas - September 22, 2004 - Standard II E: 10; Standard III E:7, 10
       
For the Teacher:  As we look to October, the month of the Rosary, thoughts go to Mary and who she is for us.  Have our images of Mary grown like our images of Jesus?  Do we see her as really human like us; struggling like we do with everyday demands and challenges; and trying to understand and follow Jesus' teachings like we do:  One of her titles is Mother of God because she is Jesus' mother.  Mary In the New Testament (Paulist Press) is a classic which explains the various references and stories of Mary in scripture.  Another good book is What You Should Know About Mary (Liguori, $3.95) by Charlene Altemose, MSC.  It gives a history of Mary in our belief and devotional life.  Whatever Happened to Mary by Mary E. Hines, $9.95 (Ave Maria Press).  Books which can be used for personal prayer or for prayer services about Mary are:  Mary of Nazareth Prophet of Peace ($9.95); My Soul Magnifies the Lord (15 prayer experiences celebrating Mary, $10.95) and Mary's Song (Living Her Timeless Prayer - The Magnificat, $9.95).  All these books are from Ave Marie Press (1-800-282-1865.)

        For the Classroom:  Helps in praying the Rosary with students are found in two little booklets:  Praying the Rosary:  with the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries from Our Sunday Visitor (1-800-348-2440 X 3) and A Rosary for Peace from USCCB (Unites States Catholic Conference of Bishops) Publishing (1-800-235-8722).  Celebrate feasts of Mary with older students doing some research of these feasts:
            October 7 Our Lady of the Rosary
            November 21 Presentation of Mary in the Temple
            December 8 Immaculate Conception of Mary
            December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe
            January 1 Mary, Mother of God
            February 2 Presentation of the Lord
            February 11 Our Lady of Lourdes
            March 25 The Annunciation when Mary said yes to being the mother of Jesus
            May 31 The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
        In June we celebrated the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Saturday after the Sacred Heart; July 16, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; August 5, Dedication of St. Mary Major, August 15, The Assumption of Mary into Heaven and August 22, The Queenship of Mary; September 8, The Birth of Mary and September 15, Our Lady of Sorrows.

        Resources - Videos that can be used are
            VC 6843    Art Shapes Faith Shapes Art                Sr High & Adult
            VC 6242    Mary (Sacred Heart Kids Club)            Primary
            VC 6207    Our Lady of Guadalupe                        Interm/Adult
            VC 6408    Saints Alive: Mary Mother of God        Prim/Interm
            VC 6546    Story of Our Lady of Perpetual Help    Adult
            VC 6255    Vatican II Mary                                    Sr High & Adult
            VC 7018    We Learn from Mary                            Prim/Interm
            VC 6555    What Catholics Believe About
                                    Mary and the Saints                        Sr High & Adult

4.    From the Office of Vocations:  Listed below are events sponsored by the Pontifical College Josephinum and the Office of Vocations for the 2004-2005 year.  If you know of any young man who is interested in learning about the priesthood or who, because of his good qualities, should become a priest, please call and give us his name.  Then, Fr. Jeff Coning, Director of Vocations will send him an invitation to the event for his age group.  To give us a name or if you have questions, call 221-5565.
        Oct. 21-24, 2004 - Fall Live-in - Pontifical College Josephinum - Young men (HS juniors/seniors through college age) can experience firsthand all aspects of a college seminary program.  There will be presentations on the seminary formation program, student life, the discernment process and more.

        Jan. 17, 2005 - YVEP Seminary Day for 9th & 10th graders - A one-day seminary visit, which includes sport activities, brunch, Mass and a campus tour.

        Feb. 21, 2005 - YVEP College Day for HS juniors & Seniors - Josephinum - Young men can learn about seminary life through class visits, discussions, Mass with the seminarians, brunch and a campus tour.

        Feb. 27, 2005 - YVEP Seminary Day for 7th & 8th graders - Josephinum - A one day seminary visit which includes sport activities, brunch, Mass with the seminarians and a campus tour.

        Mar. 31-Apr. 3, 2005 - Spring Live-In - Pontifical College Josephinum - Young men (high school juniors/seniors, college age and those with a college degree) can experience firsthand all aspects of a college seminary program.  There will be presentations on the seminary formation program, student life, the discernment process and more.

Events to Help in Your Planning -
        Jan. 9-15, 2005 - National Vocation Awareness Week For Vocations - National Week dedicated by the Church for prayer and awareness of religious vocations.  Parishes are asked to sponsor, support and participate in vocation related activities.  Contact the Office of Vocations for VAW materials.  Call 614-221-5565.

        April 17, 2005  - World Day of Prayer for Vocations - A day to focus on prayer for religious vocations.  Parishes are encouraged to coordinate a vocations-centered liturgy and related activities.  Materials are available through the Vocations Office, 614-221-5565.

        June 25, 2005 - Diocese of Columbus Priesthood Ordination - St. Joseph Cathedral - Plan special parish activities to pray for and support those to be ordained.  Send a card.  Bring someone who is discerning to see an ordination ceremony.

Reminders:

        Faith Formation Congress 2004 - Have you registered yet?  If not, why wait?  Be an early bird!  You don't want to miss the excellent line-up of workshops and exhibits we have this year.
        If you have not received your brochure, please contact your principal or call Sue Reihing at 614-221-4633 or go on-line at www.cdeducation.org/dre and click on FFC.

       Ohio State University Fee Waiver requests for Winter, 2005 are due to the Personnel Office by October 1.

        Individual Professional Development Plans for teachers new to the Diocese or who renewed a license during the summer months must be sent to the Diocesan LPDC no later than October 6.  (The Diocesan LPDC meets at Saint Anthony School on October 7).
       

Comments to office@cdeducation.org

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