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Formation and Family Life Updates
February 2026
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+JMJ+
Dear Friends,
Each year, the Church dedicates the month of February to the Holy Family. Throughout this month, She invites us to reflect on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of Christian virtue, particularly within the context of the family, the “Domestic Church.”
Perhaps it is providential, then, that this month we introduce our new Office of Formation and Family Life, which is dedicated in a special way to Holy Family of Nazareth. We will introduce ourselves and our work more fully below. If you are used to receiving our “Catechetics” or “Marriage & Family” update emails, this newsletter is for you! Each month, you’ll hear from us with updates, opportunities, and resources to help you in the work you do. And while we will still include some things for youth (grades 6-12), most of that information will be found in emails from the new Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
We are so grateful for all that you do! Please know of our prayers for each of you and the people you serve.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us!
In Christ,
Doug Ulaszek and the Office of Formation and Family Life
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The Office of Formation and Family Life is one of several teams that comprise the new Department of Parish and Diocesan Life. Established by Archbishop Grob in January, this department exists to accompany, support, and enhance the efforts of all the parishes and ministries of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Office of Formation and Family Life particularly focuses on ministries dedicated to passing on the faith, with an emphasis on doing so through and with the family. This includes the areas of catechesis for grades K-5, sacramental preparation, support and formation of catechists, parish catechetical staff, and Catholic school teachers, marriage enrichment and support, and human sexuality.
Keep an eye out for similar emails (re)-introducing the other parts of the Department of Parish and Diocesan Life. While our office configuration is new, our team members and their areas of support remain the same and are here for you! Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us with your needs and questions:
Doug Ulaszek - Director
Anh Clausen - Associate Director of Child Formation
- clausena@archmil.org | 414-831-8485
- Grades K-5 Formation, First Reconciliation & Communion, Catholic Scouting, Formation for Persons with Disabilities
Claire Ziolkowski - Associate Director of Adult Formation
Beth Ulaszek - Coordinator of Marriage Preparation
Claire Sun - Program and Events Coordinator
Natural Family Planning Coordinator (OPEN)
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You may have noticed our brand new Archdiocesan Website! If you haven’t seen it yet, please click here to take a look!
Our new site is designed for public consumption and to lead people to parishes and schools within the Archdiocese. With that shift of focus, many of the support materials and resources for parish leaders have been moved to a new site known as The Intranet. You can find the Intranet below.
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As with most new endeavors, we’re still working out some bugs. If you notice something missing or can’t find it, please let one of us know or email:
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Each year, Christian churches around the country observe National Marriage Week to highlight the importance and goodness of the institution of marriage. In a culture increasingly confused about and hostile to the Sacrament of Matrimony, the week presents a great opportunity to speak about marriage and family topics in your parish.
The USCCB has put together a webpage full of resources to help your parish celebrate the week well. These include bulletin announcements, social media posts, and even an at-home couples retreat. Many resources are available in both English and Spanish. We encourage you to plan how you might observe National Marriage Week at your parish this year. If you would like to talk more, please contact us!
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March 12, 2026 | 9:00am-2:30pm
Cost: $25
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In collaboration with Marquette University, the Lay Initiative is excited to host an Lenten Day of Reflection for pastors and their lay pastoral staff. We are honored to
welcome Fr. Michael Simone, SJ, pastor of the Church of the Gesu as our spiritual
guide for the day.
The cost of the event is $25.00 per person which includes continental breakfast,
lunch, and parking validation.
Even if your pastor is unable to join us, we welcome individual members of
lay pastoral staffs to attend and share in this time of prayer, learning, and
renewal.
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Network Event
Monday, February 9, 2026 | 10:00am-11:15pm
St. Francis Borgia Parish, Cedarburg
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Catechists and parish leaders engaged in or interested in learning more about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) are invited to a morning of fellowship and support. This gathering will provide an opportunity to connect with others, to exchange ideas, and to strengthen the network of CGS leaders across the archdiocese.
Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the atrium space at St. Francis Borgia Parish.
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Free Adaptive Sacramental Kits and Remote Preparation
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Due to a generous Faith in Our Future grant, every parish can receive free Loyola Press resources: Adaptive Finding God and Adaptive Sacrament Preparation Kits (in English and Spanish) for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. This curriculum is designed especially for children with developmental disabilities and includes multisensory tools to support meaningful catechesis in parish and home settings.
If you have already received your resources but need more, we have extra adaptive kits and resources that you can pick up from the Pastoral Center.
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Did you know the Archdiocese is affiliated with the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities (NCPD)?
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Anyone in the diocese can receive 15% off NCPD online courses using the code 2026-AFFILIATE15.
Most courses are just $25 and cover topics such as autism, faith formation, parish advocacy, sacraments, and more - great for those new to disability ministry and those looking to deepen their formation.
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Youth Confirmation Updates
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We have received updated Confirmation Liturgy Guides from the Office of Worship. All three Bishops will be using the same guide. Please visit the link below for the updated guides.
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It’s retreat season! If you are willing to take students who are unable to make their own retreat, please take a moment to fill out the form below.
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February 22nd, 2026 | 3:30pm
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Registration Closes February 9th. Space is Running Out!
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Remember – in 2026, we have invited only Catechumens. If you would like to celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion for your candidates along with the Rite of Sending, please use this document prepared by the Office of Worship - Call to Continuing Conversion Form
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February 17th, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:30pm on Zoom
Come and Join us as we walk through and instructions for the Rite
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Adult Confirmation Consultation
The ordinary minister of the Sacrament is a Bishop. We are trying to see how we can become more “ordinary”!! Right now we have the celebration of Confirmation for Catholic adults with a Bishop once a year at the Cathedral. Other options can be added to that scenario.
- Twice a year at the Cathedral
- Once a year in each Deanery, rotating at which parish.
- Once a year with two Deaneries joined together.
- Four times a year, north / south / west / central; anyone can come to any of them.
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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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March 14th, 2026 | 7:30am-4:00pm
General Admissions $50 - Student Admission $20
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Events & News from the Archdiocese
More Events & News from our Friends
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