The USCCB has shared the timeline for the implementation of the new translation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The ritual text will be available for sale November 1, 2024 with a first use date of December 1, 2024 (First Sunday of Advent). Mandatory use for the new text will be March 5, 2025 (Ash Wednesday). While the ritual and study editions will not be available until November 1, formation resources related to the new translation will be available beginning August 1, 2024 through many outlets.

Updates have been made to the Ritual de la Iniciación cristiana de adultos (RICA) and a new translation will be made available. The timeline for implementation is the same for the Spanish and English editions. The Spanish name will remain RICA, while the English has been changed to match with OCIA.

As soon as the publishers of the new texts are identified, the Office of Christian Formation will be taking orders at the same time as we take the normal liturgical year orders in late July and early August. We also will be taking orders for the new Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside of Mass. The OCF gets the best discounts through Liturgical Press and Liturgical Training Publications (30-40% off generally)

16th Annual Summer School of Theology

June 17-21, 2024

Dr. Joshua McManaway

McGrath Institute for Church Life

He has Spoken to Us through a Son:

Christology, Salvation, Revelation

 No registrations accepted after June 11. The School meets daily, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Wisdom Center at Marywood.

Summer School of Theology Brochure

jotform with more info and to register

The Diocese of St. Augustine is one of 20 dioceses in the United States to be asked to participate in a 1.3-million-dollar grant given to the NCCL by the Lily Foundation. This grant is to further catechesis with families in our parishes and schools.

Ten of our parishes have been invited to participate in this five-year grant that will reap benefits for all of our parishes. As we move through the initial steps of the grant, we will share the fruits of the labors of each parish's team as they learn ways to put families at the center of formation.

“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2)

Fathers William Barry and William Connolly, in their book The Practice of Spiritual Direction, define spiritual direction as:

“Help given by one Christian to another which enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow in intimacy with this God, and to live out the consequences of that relationship.”



Building on this thought, it is good to keep in mind that the real director in the spiritual direction relationship is the Holy Spirit. The primary relationship is between the Holy Spirit and the directee, the secondary relationship between the director and directee.

Here are some basic “dos and don’ts” of spiritual direction:

Spiritual direction is and can be:

• An experience that over time, helps the directee become more attentive to God’s presence and action in your life.
• Facilitates the growth of the directee’s relationship with God and can lead to a greater appreciation for the role of the sacraments in your life.
• A contemplative approach rather than a psychological approach
• Facilitates the formation of growth (and/or development) in both the human and divine likeness of Christ.
• A process of seeking to understand and follow God’s will in all aspects of life.
• Something that flows from and enriches religious experience.
• A discernment of the movement of the Holy Spirit working in the life of the directee.
• A relationship of trust that involves a commitment to be open and candid.

Spiritual direction is not:

• Directive in terms of telling a person what to do.
• Psychological counseling
• Pastoral or crisis counseling
• Life coaching
• The sacrament of penance. However, if your spiritual director is a priest, you may discuss with him how the sacrament of reconciliation may fit into the direction setting.
• Primarily advisory (although some suggestions might be offered)
• Primarily informative (although there can be “teachable moments”)
• Relinquishing of personal responsibility
• Always comfortable

Spiritual Direction Training Programs

List of trained and cleared Spiritual Directors

"Catholic School Special"

June 10 -13, 2024

San Juan de Rio Parish Hall, upstairs meeting room hosted by San Juan del Rio School

FULL and closed.

Upcoming locations and dates:

Holy Faith, Gainesville

August 3 and 4

August 17 and 18

Jotform to register

St. John the Baptist, Atlantic Beach

September 7 and 8

September 21 and 22

Jotform to register

St. Luke, Middleburg

November 2 and 3

November 23 and 24

Jotform to register

St. Matthew, Jacksonville

January 11 and 12

January 25 and 26

Jotform to register

A Few of My Favorite Newsletters (besides Echoes)

Yes, it is odd to be promoting other newsletters on a newsletter, but there are so many helpful ones out there. Here are a few of my favorites which subscriptions are all free:

GEMS Great Ideas Mined and Shared is the newsletter of Sr. Janet Schaeffler, O.P. It focuses on adult faith formation. This month issue, which is linked, speaks about beauty and our need for it. Sr. Janet gives examples of what p parishes are doing on her monthly newsletter. All of her newsletters are archived on the site, and you can search by topic.

Jump in Catholic Deacon Matt and Stacey Halbach's blog and monthly newsletter. They support Catholic families with down-to-earth advice, relatable stories, and practical resources that actually work for busy families. Their website has many free resources for the domestic church.

Marriage Moments and Parenting Pointers June 2024 This long standing monthly resource, produced by Susan Vogt, has many bulletin worthy tips for couples and families. Susan her husband Jim have been serving in Family Life Ministry for over 40 years. This newsletter is also produced in Spanish. As long as you put her name on the materials, you can print for parish use. Visit her website for more family resources:

Susan Vogt website

NCCL Blog The latest and greatest from NCCL. Subscribe to the blog and it will come right to your inbox.

The Religion Teacher On his weekly newsletter, Jared Dees provides resources on current liturgical year topics. He has a subscription service as week, but the newsletter is free.

Team Initiation, formerly Team RCIA Informative free newsletter. They also provide training in the area of OCIA and other articles. Some have costs involved, but the newsltter is free.

Summer is not a break from our Faith, having a Faith filled summer with your children

by Erin McGeever, published in St. Augustine Catholic Summer, 2022. Full article available by clicking link below.

As the Easter Season ends and the school year winds down, vacation begins. But it is not a vacation from our Catholic faith. How and where do families find spiritual enrichment during the summer months? While we are entering the Ordinary Time of the Church’s liturgical year, there is nothing ordinary about the feasts we have over the summer months that can be highlighted in the home. 

Pentecost Sunday, which is May 19^th this year, is followed on May 26^th by Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is a great day to remind children (and adults) of the triune nature of God. Two common prayers accent this for us: the Glory Be and the Sign of the Cross.  Review the significance of these common prayers as a family and create a family table centerpiece of three interwoven circles or another Trinity inspired design. The family itself is an image of the Holy Trinity: “The ‘Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father, and the Son in the Spirit.” (CCC 2205) For more ideas: https://www.catholicicing.com/trinity-resources-for-catholic-kids/

Summer Formation Article (cont)

Summer Intensive on Autism

Mon, 06/10/2024 - 1:00pm EDT to Thu, 06/13/2024 - 4:00pm EDT

The Summer Intensive on Autism is for diocesan or parish leadership. Subject experts from across the United States.

Registration now open.

Fee for the 4 afternoons is $80.

I have grant money available

Day One:

Topic: Introduction to Autism

Topic: Profoundly Affected by Autism

Day Two:

Topic: Application in Parish Life

Topic: In Our Voice: Self-Advocates

Day Three:

Topic: Autism and Mental Health

Topic: Sacramental Preparation

Day Four:

Topic: Systematic/Symbolic Catechesis

Topic: Bridging Relationships between Church and Family

More information and Registration

The Eucharist and Catholic Schools Virtual Conference

The Eucharistic Revival has been important to parishes around the United States. But what does the Revival have to do with Catholic education? With the life of the school? In this six-week virtual conference, Catholic educators will be invited to explore these themes over the course of six weeks. Each week will include opportunities to reflect, watch interviews with theologians, educators, and pastoral leaders related to the Eucharist, read classic texts related to the theme, and practice what you’ve learned through short assignments. In addition, there will be a live session each week on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM Eastern Time, where you’ll be able to dialogue with leaders throughout the United States. Those who complete each of the assignments at the end of each week will earn a certificate from the McGrath Institute for Church Life.

This six-week course is only $40.

This online Conference runs from June 10 through July 24, 2024.

The Eucharist and Catholic Schools

 The road for us as disciple-ministers is filled with many challenges. But also much grace. Let us gather to explore the movement of God in our lives. We will consider how Jesus invites you to deeper intimacy. With the help of story and theological reflection, quiet time and sharing, we’ll call upon the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts for what lies ahead on this great and mysterious journey of ours. Receive this brief retreat as a gift of time to be nourished…for yourself and also for your ministry.

Link to page to sign up