Author Archives: bparker

Diocesan schools earn accreditation

The Diocese of Rochester’s 19 Catholic elementary and secondary schools have been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, according to a joint press release from the diocese and the national association.

“The Middle States Systems Approach to accreditation examines school systems as a whole, ensuring that all levels are strategically aligned and working collaboratively to meet common goals and help grow and improve student performance,” stated Henry G. Cram, president of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “I congratulate the Diocese of Rochester Catholic schools for their ongoing commitment to achieving excellence.”

Creating a Safe Environment Newsletter | Spring 2017

Alliance fights to prevent abuse of developmentally, intellectually disabled children
Child sexual abuse is at epidemic levels, but even more so when the victims are intellectually or developmentally disabled children.
Nationally, according to the Rochester-based Bivona Child Advocacy Center, one in 10 children are sexually assaulted before their 18th birthdays; among disabled children, the rate is three to six times higher.
That grim reality prompted the formation of the I/DD (for Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled) Alliance of Greater Rochester in the fall of 2015. The collaboration of 12 agencies (including law enforcement, funders, and organizations that serve the developmentally disabled population) are working together to investigate, evaluate, treat and prevent sexual and physical abuse of children with disabilities.
The alliance is under the umbrella of the Bivona Center, itself a multi-disciplinary collaboration that brings together educators, law enforcement, child protective services, treatment providers and others to streamline the response to reports of abuse and ease the trauma children are subject to when they are forced to retell their stories again and again.

From Conflict to Communion: Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue

Lutherans and Catholics in Rochester to dialogue, worship together in 500th Anniversary Year of the Reformation
Rochester, N.Y. – In hopes of contributing to a long-term relationship of cooperation, mutual respect and understanding, local Roman Catholics and Lutherans will engage in a series of dialogues over the next several months, culminating in an ecumenical service celebrated by the local bishops of both Christian denominations.
Noting the 500th Anniversary in this year 2017 of Martin Luther’s public posting of his “95 Theses,” resulting in the Protestant Reformation, we seek the opportunity to unite in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds and hearts that, in the words of Jesus, “all may be one.” (John 17:21) After centuries of division, the Catholic Church’s Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s opened the way for efforts at reconciliation. On both an international level and on a
national level in the United States, Lutherans and Catholics have been involved in more than 50 years of dialogue aimed at finding common ground in such areas as interpretation of scripture, the sacraments and doctrine.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Resources

The bishops of the United States are committed to their Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal to parishes. Through the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, dioceses have put in place effective policies for safeguarding the most vulnerable. Learn how you can take part in ensuring children and vulnerable adults are kept safe in your own communities and beyond with these three easy steps this April.

21st Annual Schools Golf Classic

REGISTER ONLINE
at
dorschools.org/golf
OR complete the form below.
Make check payable to
Catholic Schools
and mail to: Diocese of Rochester,
Attn: Golf Classic, 1150 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624

Deaf Catholic Retreat 2017

Witnesses of God’s Love
RETREAT THEMES

1. Called to a Loving Encounter with Jesus
2. With Words & actions: Do it!
3. Walking Together with Jesus
4. Bearing Fruits of New Life
5. Celebrating the Joy of Being Missionary Disciples

Safe Environment Newsletter

Caregivers play vital role in protecting kids from guns

By Jane Sutter
Nicholas Naumkin was a 12-year-old middle schooler who loved acting, drawing andcomputer animation. But just a few days before Christmas 2010, the Saratoga County youth was accidentally shot in the eye by a classmate in the kitchen of the classmate’s home. Nicholas died the next day.
The classmate had taken the pistol out of his dad’s dresser drawer to play with it, according to the Times Union newspaper in Albany.

Diocesan Mass for Life Jan. 22

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER
Bishop Matano will be celebrating Mass on
Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.
HOLY APOSTLES CHURCH
7 Austin Street, Rochester
in support of all human life, especially the unborn
This Mass for Life is a local celebration to give thanks to God for the gift of human life
and to pray for the legal protection of unborn children, coinciding with
the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Roe vs Wade decision.
COFFEE AND DOUGHNUT RECEPTION TO FOLLOW
For more information, contact Suzanne Stack, Life Issues Coordinator
at 585-328-3210 x 1304 or

March for Life 2017 information

DOR TO DC MARCH FOR LIFE
Buses leaving Thursday night, January 26
and
returning Friday, January 27 by
midnight
Mass at the Basilica with Bishop Matano
10 AM
Gathering near the Mall
to m
arch with
Bishop Matano
12:45 PM

The Season of Advent

Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, Advent (from, “ad-venire” in Latin or “to come to”) is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).

Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Our Advent calendar above can help you fully enter in to the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare you spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ.  More Advent resources are listed below.

Deacon Information Session Dec. 14

When: 7:00 PM Wed. Dec. 14

Where: St. Mark Church, 54 Kuhn Road, Greece.

Details: We will provide an overview of the 5 year application and formation process and the time commitment involved and answer questions about ongoing ministry. An eligible applicant for permanent deacon formation is a man of strong and active faith who can demonstrate a record of service in the communities in which he lives, works and worships. He must be at least 35 years of age and no more than 62 years of age at the time of ordination, in good health, emotionally mature and stable in his professional and personal relationships. Men may be single or married. Interested men and their wives are encouraged to attend.

For more information: Please contact Deacon John Brasley, Director of Deacon Personnel & Director of Deacon Formation, Diocese of Rochester, 585.328.3228 or

Schools recommended for accreditation

The Diocese of Rochester’s Department of Catholic Schools announced today that all 19 of their schools have been recommended for Systems Accreditation by a Visiting Team from the Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), a worldwide leader in accreditation and continuous school improvement.
MSA-CESS is a non-profit organization that evaluates and accredits school systems throughout the world. Their accreditation process is voluntary, and schools /dioceses/districts choose to undergo the extensive process to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of performance standards. The accreditation process helps schools – and ultimately students – to continuously grow and improve. By examining institutions within the system as a whole, Middle States Association Commission is able to assure that the students and families within our communities are receiving an excellent quality of education provided by Rochester Catholic Schools.“ Our principals and teachers are truly deserving, and we are honored to receive this prestigious recommendation,” says Dr. Anthony Cook, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “Upon the expected approval of the visiting team’s recommendation in the Spring of 2017, our school communities will continue on a trajectory of growth as a system of schools.”

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote.

The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (en Español), our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.

White Mass Nov. 5

Taking its name from the white coat commonly worn by those in the medical
field, the White Mass is the Catholic Church’s opportunity to pray with and
for Catholic health care professionals, doctors and medical personnel
who are dedicated to their Faith and are privileged to participate
in the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician.

Fall 2016 Creating a Safe Environment Newsletter

Cell phone safety for children

When and if a child should get a cell phone is ultimately a parental decision. Children want cell phones for games and social communication. Parents want their children to have a cell phone for safety. When you give your child a cell phone, you are giving them a portable computer with mobile Internet capability. Know a phone’s features and capabilities before you purchase. It’s important to discuss issues of privacy, inappropriate texts/photos, and safety. For parents wanting extra safety features, there are special phones designed just for children.
It’s a fact: just about everyone in America has a cell phone. There are now more activated cell phones than there are people in the United States. Children are no exception. The average
age for a child’s first cell phone is just over 11 years old; 77% of children ages 12-17 have a cell phone. Cell phones are the primary form of communication for teens; and they send more
texts in a month than they do phone calls. With statistics like that, cell phones need to be a primary focus for safety.