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Catechetics News & Updates
July 2025
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Happy Summer, All!
I hope you are all enjoying the slower pace and sunshine of Wisconsin Summer. If you're like me, your "I'll get to that in the Summer" list is about 1000 items too long, and you're trying to decide which few of them you'll actually get to this year. :)
In any case, one thing I'm working on this summer is onboarding our newest team member, Claire Ziolkowski. Claire is our new Associate Director of Adult Formation and comes to us after several years at St. Dominic in Brookfield. Claire's main focus will be running our Sustaining the Mission program for Catholic School teachers. You will also see her at our main events, as well. When you do, please say hello and welcome her!
Please know that our team is here for you even in the Summer! Never hesitate to reach out with questions, needs, or prayer intentions.
See you soon!
Doug (with Anh, Andrew, and Claire)
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Welcome, Claire Ziolkowski!
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This summer, we added a new staff member to our team. Claire Ziolkowski joins us as the Associate Director of Adult Formation. Her primary responsibilities involve the implementation of our new model for Sustaining the Mission. She comes to us with a dozen years of experience in ministry and a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Notre Dame. As a mom with two kids in Catholic school, she is excited to put her experience to use helping to form the staff that form our children. Welcome, Claire!
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August 21-23, 2025 | MMCPC
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Beacons of Hope: 3 Days of Inspiration and Formation
Join us as we kick off the new catechetical year with three meaningful days of formation, networking, and prayer.
August 21-22 (Thursday & Friday): For Parish Catechetical Staff
These two core days include keynotes from Julianne Stanz, Mass with Archbishop Jeffrey Grob (Friday), office updates, workshops, and time to connect with colleagues and exhibitors. All parish catechetical staff across ministries are encouraged to attend.
August 23 (Saturday): Formation for Leaders & Catechists
This day is for catechists, team leaders, and volunteers. Enjoy keynote talks and workshop tracks for children's, youth, and adult ministry at both introductory and advanced levels. Saturday workshops will be offered in Spanish and English.
Be inspired, equipped, and connected - we look forward to seeing you!
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Save the Date: Initiation Summit
September 30 - October 1 | MMCPC
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This Fall, the Archdiocese will host a two-day gathering on Initiation (OCIA). The first day will be devoted to the initiation of adults, and the second will focus on appropriate adaptions for children going through the rites. These days will include keynotes, breakout sessions on specific topics, as well as time to share among leaders about best practices and brainstorm new solutions. Registration will open in August, but mark your (and your clergy's) calendars now to join us!
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Youth Evangelization Corner
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This summer is off to a great start! We had our first week of Love Begins Here in Union Grove followed immediately by a trip to the Steubenville: Joliet Conference this past weekend. So many glory stories to share! I will continue to be working offsite until July 23rd. I appreciate your patience as my response time to emails and calls will be more delayed than usual.
Middle School Encounters:
For nearly a decade, middle school students have encountered Christ in powerful ways through the Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally. With the recent announcement from ARISE MKE, we now face a significant gap in opportunities for this age group. Recent studies highlight the growing need for renewed, meaningful encounters designed specifically for middle schoolers.
I invite you to join a special conversation at the upcoming Catechetical Conference. Together, we'll explore how we can respond to this need and discern what kind of event or ministry will most effectively impact and inspire our middle school students.
NCYC:
We are looking to bring a third bus to NCYC this November! If you would like to bring a group, please join this waitlist by July 20th so we can determine if we will commit to a third bus or not.
Thriveanooga | September 22-25, 2025:
Thriveanooga is a one-of-a-kind event for Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders to not just survive in ministry, but to thrive! Join others this September in Chattanooga to connect, create, and collaborate. There will be no 2026 Thriveanooga, so if you have been thinking of going (or going again) this is the year to do it! Learn More Here.
Love Begins Here 2026:
Love Begins Here is our local mission trip that allows our students to serve those in need right here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Make sure to join us at the Catechetical Conference for the unveiling of the summer 2026 schedule. Parish registration will open in September.
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Upcoming Events & Other News
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Our offices sponsor many events for you to receive deeper training and support to help you and your parishioners encounter Christ and be formed in ways your parish might not be able to do alone. Learn more about them below, and help us share the word to your parishioners (or come yourself!):
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Events & News from the Archdiocese
More Updates from Our Friends
- The Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University is offering several FREE webinars to support catechists, teachers, and leaders! Here are the dates
- Tuesday, July 8 at 1pm - Devotional Guidance: Praying in Front of the Blessed Sacrament
- Tuesday, July 22 at 1pm - Seeing, Holding, and Maturing a New One Among Us: The Catechumen as a Member of the Household of God
- Tuesday, July 29 at 1pm - In Spanish: Cómo responder cuando nuestros estudiantes vienen con heridas, Parte II: Lo único que yo necesito es amor // Part II: How to respond when our students come with wounds: All you need is love
- Forming the Catechetical Spirit Program | September 2025 - May 2026 at St. Alphonsus in New Munster| Register by August 15!
Position Changes: if your parish has changes to your catechetical staff (DREs, YMs, Adult Formation, etc.), please let us know! We want to make sure they get added to the correct email lists, and we often only know if you tell us.
Know someone who should be getting these emails? Email Steffany at garcias@archmil.org and we'll add you to our list!
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