Month: January 2024

Discipleship and Evangelization

Upcoming Events

Walk for Life and Hour of Reflection
SD Right to Life Event
January 28, 2024 – State Capitol, Pierre

Confirmation Retreat – Watertown
January 27, 2024 – Holy Name Parish, Watertown

Last Collar Standing
February 4, 2024 – Online

D-Camp 2024 – Broom Tree
June 16-19, 2024 (High School)
July 7-10, 2024 (High School)
July 11-14, 2024 (Junior High)

National Eucharistic Congress
July 17-21, 2024 – Indianapolis

More Info

Walk for Life & Hour of Reflections
South Dakota Right to Life is hosting its annual Walk for Life and Hour of Reflection. Join SD Rep. John Hansen and SD Pregnancy Resource Centers for a walk around the State Capitol grounds from noon to 1 p.m. Then gather at the Capitol Rotunda for the Hour of Reflection featuring keynote speaker Bishop Donald DeGrood at 2 p.m. For more info call 605-220-8678 or visit the SD Right to Life webpage.

 

Confirmation Retreat – Last Chance
Holy Name Parish in Watertown has partnered with us to offer a Confirmation retreat on Saturday, January 27 that will be open to any youth in the diocese in need of a Confirmation retreat. Registration for this retreat is now open and can be found on our Confirmation webpage  or on our For Parish Leaders webpage.

As a reminder, every parish sending youth to this retreat must also send Safe Environment compliant adults to assist with small group facilitation. There is a specific (free) ticket type for them on the registration page.

 

D-Camp 2024 – Early-Bird Discount Ends Soon
Save $50 if you register by January 31!

Discipleship Camp is a transformative experience for the youth in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. It is designed to help teens deepen their prayer life, grow in their understanding of who God is, and meet other teens who are engaged in their faith from throughout the diocese.

If your parish would like to sponsor your youth to attend D-Camp, please reach out to our office at discipleship@sfcatholic.org, and we can set up a discount code for your parishioners to use when they register.

For more information, please visit our D-Camp webpage.

 

Last Collar Standing – Plan Your Watch Party
Our 5th Annual Last Collar Standing event will be on February 4 live on our YouTube page. Mark your calendars and start planning your watch parties now! Keep an eye on our social media for updates, announcements of the contestants and promotional opportunities. Pick a priest to sponsor and help them win advantages in the games! Visit  www.sfcatholic.org/lcs for more information. Text LASTCOLLAR to 84576 to join our text/email list for updates.

Bulletin Blurb: Last Collar Standing will be February 4 at 4 p.m. Pick a priest to root for and help him win advantages!  www.sfcatholic.org/lcs 

Bulletin Blurb: Last Collar Standing will be February at 4 p.m. Text LASTCOLLAR to 84576 to stay up to date and be involved in the voting.

 

Eucharistic Revival – Lenten Small Group Resources
During the year of the parish, the USCCB is encouraging each parish to host small groups using their new seven-week study, Jesus and the Eucharist. They have made it so easy! There is an online training for planning the small group, parish implementation and table facilitators. They give you the curriculum, videos, slide show presentations, handouts and more. Many parishes are considering this for a Lenten study.

If you are interested, please connect with your Eucharistic Revival Parish Point Person or check out the resource webpage for more information.

 

National Eucharistic Congress – Discount now open to FAMILIES too
The National Eucharistic Congress has updated its prices for families, making our greatly reduced tickets a great deal for families. Regular family tickets are $299 for parents, $250 for teens and $0 for 12 and under. Regular individual tickets are $360. Our tickets are $200 for anyone, small children still free.

These tickets are for anyone in the Sioux Falls Diocese and are first come – first served. To claim your ticket, go to sfcatholic.org/eucharist.

In addition, the USCCB is encouraging every parish to send a team of representatives to the National Eucharistic Congress next summer. They will be commissioned as Eucharistic Missionaries to bring the joy and love of the Eucharist back to your parish and community. 

Bulletin Blurb: The USCCB is inviting YOU to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, 2024. This is a pivotal moment in the life of the Church in the USA. Tickets are only $200 for a limited time if you get them through the diocese. That is a savings of $175! Get all the info at sfcatholic.org/eucharist.

 

School of Missionary Discipleship for ADULTS – New Cohort Begins Now
The School of Missionary Discipleship will be launching a 12-week course on prayer. This course is a prerequisite for any future courses in the School of Missionary Discipleship and is only offered every couple of years. Don’t miss out!

This course will consist of formation in Christian prayer and virtue, which will provide a great foundation to help those new to personal prayer, as well as those well experienced in personal prayer, to enter more deeply into their daily relationship with God.

The course design is a series of weekly videos in conjunction with Q/A sessions and small group meetings via Zoom on Thursday evenings. For more information about the school and to enroll today, please visit the School of Missionary Discipleship webpage.

 

Lumen Christi Summer 2024 Team Requests
Requests for Lumen Christi 2024 summer teams are open! Your request helps inform our hiring process. If you would like a team, please submit your request at the Lumen Christi webpage. 

We will do our best to accommodate your preferences. You will receive a confirmation email as soon as the 2024 Lumen Christi missionaries have been hired and the calendar has been finalized. This will probably be around March 2024.

 

Do you know a great Lumen Christi recruit?
We are about half way through the recruiting season for Lumen Christi Summer 2024 , and we are still looking for passionate and dedicated college-aged young adults who have a burning desire to share their faith with youth throughout our diocese. If you know someone from your pastorate who has a deep desire to evangelize and catechize, we invite you to encourage him/her to apply to be a missionary. For more information, please visit the Lumen Christi webpage.

 

PCL Email List
If you are new or newly diving into our offerings, we invite you to join the PCL email list. You can sign up on the diocesan For Parish Leaders webpage.

Weekly “Power Hour” for Formation Leaders – Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
Each week during the academic year, we hold a Zoom call for Parish Catechetical Leaders (PCL) from around our diocese. The goal is to offer an opportunity for growth in both spiritual and professional development and to have a space to bounce ideas off one another and inspire and encourage one another in our shared mission. Power Hours are held from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesdays. Zoom invitations are sent to the PCL email list weekly.

Chancery Updates

  • If you are part of a parish/pastorate staff and find the Ministry Forum helpful, please check with others on staff to make sure they are getting it. It’s always helpful when everyone has all the same information! If there is someone who wants to be added, please have them reach out to me at rkranz@sfcatholic.org.
  • Are you an RCIA instructor who knows someone with a compelling conversion story? Or do you just know someone whose faith story really resonates with others? If you do and you think they might be interested in telling their story in the Bishop’s Bulletin or on the Catholic Views podcast, please share their name! Check with them first to make sure they’re okay with being considered for an interview. Then email me (Renae) at rkranz@sfcatholic.org with your thoughts and their contact information.

Eucharistic Miracles display at St. Lambert

St. Lambert Parish in Sioux Falls is hosting a Eucharistic Miracles Display on Saturday, January 27 beginning at 2 p.m. and Sunday, January 28 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Below is a tentative itinerary for the event.

Saturday, January 27
2 p.m. – Exhibit opens
3:15 p.m. – Earl Markley will give a short presentation
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Mass
5:30-??? p.m. – Exhibit
Sunday, January 28
8:30-9:30 a.m. – Mass
9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. – Exhibit will be open
9:45 a.m. – Earl Markley will give a short presentation
10 a.m. – Mass
2 p.m. – Exhibit Closes

 

Childcare will be provided for one hour after each Mass. Catechesis during childcare will focus on Candlemas.

Eucharistic presentation in Luverne

Join us on February 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine Church in Luverne, Minnesota, for a Eucharistic Presentation by Father Leo Patalinghug. Fr. Leo is an author/speaker, creator and founder of an international food and faith movement called Plating Grace. He is a host for radio, podcast and a weekly international food and faith show on EWTN, “Savoring our Faith.” The mission to see food as a gift from God to nourish your family and to strengthen relationships is making this world a better place one meal at a time. All are welcome from 6th grade through adults. We would love for you to join us.

Broom Tree Retreat and Conference Center Events

Silent Retreats:
Women’s: February 1-4, February 29-March 3, April 18-21
Men’s: February 15-18, April 4-7

Day of Recollection: Broom Tree Days of Recollection begin at 10 a.m. and include conferences, time for adoration, Mass, and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The day ends in mid-afternoon. Because lunch is served, we ask that you please register. A prayerful donation is requested.

2024 Days of Recollection
January 16 – “Live Today Well: The path to ordinary holiness,” directed by Fr. Tom Anderson
February 13 – “Romance in Sacred Scripture: Man and Woman made for love,” directed by Fr. Joe Forcelle
March 5 – “Even Darkness Is Not Dark To You: Hope Amidst Suffering”, directed by Fr. Nick Haiar

Healing Retreats
February 23-25
Undone: A Healing Retreat- directed by Fr. Scott Traynor
This retreat will assist participants in becoming aware of Jesus’ desire to bring restoration in their lives.

Couples Retreats
April 12-14, 2024, directed by Fr. James Mason
During this retreat, couples will have the blessed opportunity to spend time together receiving from the very heart of God. The environment at Broom Tree makes for a perfect couples get-away: no TV, no radio, no phones or computers, just beautiful, peaceful surroundings, good food, and all the time and good direction you need to experience renewal in your marriage. Register early.

The Lourdes Center

Camp Sydney – The Lourdes Center will be offering a grief camp for youth and their families at Broom Tree Retreat Center, beginning at 6 p.m. June 21 until 11 a.m. June 23. This two-day camp will include fun activities, discussion and support. The grief camp is offered free of charge.

Please register at www.thelourdescenter.com. Registration will begin January 15 at 8 a.m. Call The Lourdes Center at 605-988-3775 for more information.

CampSydney flyer

 

Held Grief Series presented by The Lourdes Center.

This eight-week grief series will begin Tuesday, February 6 from 6-8 p.m. The series will blend education and faith surrounding the loss of a loved one through death.

Each session will allow for small group discussion according to your particular loss (loss of a child, spouse, parent/sibling). Registration is required. Free-will donations accepted. Call The Lourdes Center at 605-988-3775 to register.

HeldFlyerFeb2024

 

A God Who Knocks – The Lourdes Center will be presenting a four-week series exploring the impact of emotional wounds and opening the door to God’s healing love. This series will be held on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. beginning March 5.  Register for this series at www.thelourdescenter.com. Please call 605-988-3775 with any questions.

 AGWK flyer

 

Technology Tips/Reminders

Parish/Pastorate Websites

If you have a parish or pastorate website, please make sure your Mass times are accurate and updated. If you have a website but aren’t sure how to access or update it, please contact the IT office and we will gladly help you. If you are looking to establish a parish or pastorate website, we will gladly help you with that as well.

Email helpdesk@sfcatholic.org

End-of-Year Tax Statements to Your Donors

Tax statements are a once-a-year task for many of us, so a refresher course can be helpful. ParishSOFT is offering some webinars to assist you with this task.

Click Here to register for a session or watch a recording

End of Year webinar for ParishSOFT Accounting

Click Here to register for an EOY accounting webinar

ParishSOFT Family Directory mailings reminder

I’ve heard from a few staff members who meant to send a letter to all of the registered households within their parish and mistakenly included households that were designated as unregistered or deceased. I thought it would be a good idea to remind everyone of the importance of using the Filtering Icon before you pull a Family List or Mailing Labels. Use the filter to choose “registered” and also which “family group” designation you want (ie “active”), then click on the Quick Reports on the right-hand side of the screen to pull your list or labels for that “filtered” group.

*The filter icon looks like this and is located just to the left of the blue Add Family button on the main family screen. 

Feel free to email helpdesk@sfcatholic.org if you have additional questions.

May our loving Father bless you, your families, and your ministry in the new year.