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Mission Education is a key component of our Catholic faith and formation! Our St. Cloud Diocese and the Mission Office provide numerous ways for you to incorporate it into your ministry, ranging from our Speakers Bureau, to classroom resources, to continuing education, to global connections, and more. Many schools, parishes, families and groups have had wonderful and very powerful experiences with providing mission education programming for their group. Why not be among them?!
Who is Mission Education Programming for? Mission Education is an important aspect of all levels of our Catholic faith formation. This means EVERYONE needs it, including:
What can this programming include? Mission Education can include a large variety of things, such as:
Mission Education programming often easily fits into your exiting parish or school programming and events. Mission education relates to nearly every subject and area of parish life, such as:
Why do we include Mission Education in our parish and school programming? Our Catholic Church proclaims a Triune GOD - a relational GOD. Created in the image of our GOD, we recognize that we are called daily to live in relationships - giving and receiving from one another - not only within our families or local communities but throughout the world as well. Our call to Mission stems from our Baptismal Call and is what it means to be Church. The United States Bishops published the document, Teaching the Spirit of Mission Ad Gentes: Continuing Pentecost Today. This document reiterates the importance of mission education throughout our US Dioceses, and calls forth all those in educational ministries to help those with whom they minister to understand the important call each of us has for being a part of Mission in our world. Read more about our Call to Mission Education (pdf) Learn more about the Vatican II document on Mission, Ad Gentes by reading a summary (pdf) and what Bishops are still saying about it today
What can the Mission Office offer you for Mission Education Programming? A LOT! The Mission Office offers a huge variety of ideas and help in finding the right Mission Education compenents right for you, including:
But best of all, we you personal consultation and on-going support to any school, parish or group investing in Mission Education or Mission involvement. We also offer our quarterly MISSION CONNECTIONS newsletter. And in addition, we offer a monthly "Educators Bulletin" supplement during the school year with up-to-date reflections, ideas and events in mission and mission education. View our most recent (February 2010 (pdf)) Educators Bulletins, or view previous editions in the left-hand menu. Check out a great video to share with young and old alike to help them understand being global neighbors - it will make you smile while sharing an important message! Look into the many videos & Media Resources (pdf) available to you through the Mission Office. View our suggestions for celebrating mission Liturgies, including petitions and song ideas.
What is the Speakers Bureau? The Diocesan Speakers' Bureau hopes to foster a greater appreciation of our faith's global dimensions. Composed of a variety of volunteer and professional speakers, the Speakers Bureau can help with many different topics, countries, and activities. Host a speaker in conjunction with a service project or an intensive global awareness program with a series of on-going weekly lessons, music, songs, videos, cultural education, and ethnic foods given throughout a semester or school year. View a list of Speakers Bureau countries & topic areas (pdf)
What other Resources are available? There are also other mission education resources that are provided by other mission or social concern organizations, such as:
Just to name a few of the MANY. Some of these resources are available at our office for you to preview or borrow. Others are only available through their publishing organization. Regardless, however, all are great ways to bring mission into your classroom or group, and many coincide perfectly with speakers, projects, Liturgical seasons, or lesson plans you're already doing or hope to do. Why not combine the materials that provide the head-knowledge, with the people and activities that provide the heart-understanding? At the Mission Office, we will help you do both! Look into the many Mission Education RESOURCES and Curriculum ideas (pdf) available to you
How do we plan Mission Education Programming? Incorporating Mission Education into your programming is as easy as 1, 2, 3. 1. Look at your parish, school or group's purpose and goals. Find ways in which mission, global, peace and justice-awareness and activities would help you meet your goals. 2. Look at your calendar, curriculum and plans. Find ways in which different mission-focused speakers or activities may fit in naturally, or times when additional events may enhance your existing programming. 3. Contact the Mission Office to share your ideas and request help fulfilling your mission education programming needs. Contact us with questions, comments, needs or ideas, or stop by the Mission Office today to check out the many opportunities available for you and to get started arranging for your mission education dream to become a reality! Then sit back and watch your class or parish get excited about Mission and our Catholic faith! It's as simple as that.
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