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Formation and Family Life Updates
April 2026
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+JMJ+
On this Holy Thursday, I find myself reflecting on my childhood memories of Holy Week. There wasn’t a year when we didn’t attend every Mass and prayer opportunity, spending more time at Church than at home during those sacred days. As a child, what impacted me the most was not only the liturgies, but the stillness: the quiet of Eucharistic adoration, the simple act of remaining with the Lord. Even then, I sensed that something sacred was unfolding, not just around me, but within me.
Tonight we begin the Triduum, or as I lovingly call it, the “Super Bowl” or the “main event” of the liturgical year. These are not simply events to attend, but one unfolding mystery to enter. From the Upper Room to Calvary to the empty tomb, we are invited not only to remember what Christ has done, but to participate in His self-giving love.
In the Garden, Jesus asks His disciples to remain with Him -- to watch and to pray. This same invitation is extended to us. As St. Paul writes, “Though he was in the form of God… he emptied himself” (Philippians 2:6–7). Christ does not grasp; He gives. He reveals that life is not found in self-preservation, but in self-gift.
As we accompany others, may we witness love that is lived through sacrifice, service, and faithful presence.
We are praying for you and those you serve as we enter these sacred days and the Easter season.
Anh Clausen, Associate Director of Child Formation
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Back to the Well: Rediscovering Our Call to Serve
August 20-22, 2026 | Mary Mother of the Church Center
Just as the Samaritan woman encountered Jesus and was transformed, join us to come back to the well, be renewed by Christ and sent forth to share the Good News.
Thursday and Friday are for Parish Catechetical Leaders, featuring a keynote by Dr. Timothy O’Malley of the McGrath Institute on Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, Mass with Archbishop Grob, workshops, mini-sessions, and exhibitors.
Saturday invites catechists and volunteers to attend tailored workshops for all ministry levels in both English and Spanish.
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June 15th-20th, 2026 | 9:00am-4:30pm
St. Jerome, Oconomowoc
Cost: $235 for Level 1, Part A
Registration Closes June 1st!
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CGS is a Montessori-based approach to sharing the faith with young children. This hands-on formation trains catechists to create a sacred atrium for children ages 3–6, rooted in Scripture and the Liturgy. More details on the registration.
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Monday April 20th, 2026 | 1:30pm | Zoom
(Note Date/Time Change Above)
Join us each month to explore a different aspect of OCIA, discuss with colleagues about best practices, and pray with other OCIA leaders around the Archdiocese!
This Month’s Topic: Evaluating Your OCIA Team and Process
Note: All past sessions are recorded and posted on the registration page as well!
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Sunday May 24th, 2026 | 3:30pm
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Registration Closes May 15th!
Registration for Adult Confirmation Mass with Archbishop Grob will open on April 9. For questions, please contact Laurie in the Worship Office at cossonl@archmil.org.
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Thursday June 11th, 2026 | 8:30am-2:30pm | MMCPC
Cost: $25/person
Registration Closes June 7th!
Join us for our 2nd annual Initiation Summit! We’ll spend the day digging into the OCIA rites with each other, all in effort to deepen the conversion of those who inquire about becoming Catholic. This year, we’ll be tying a bow on all we explored this year and how we make intentional changes to our parish processes for 2026 and beyond.
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Saturday June 6th, 2026 | 8am-12pm | MMCPC
Cost: $150/facilitator*
Registration Closes May 27th!
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Do you need facilitators trained for pre-marital inventory work with your engaged couples? We will be offering in-person training for the Prepare-Enrich inventory for new facilitators.
*Facilitators can be Individuals or a couple. The price is the same for either.
Note: while Prepare-Enrich can be done in many languages (including Spanish), this facilitator training will be done in English. If you know someone who would be interested in getting trained as a Spanish-speaking trainer, please contact Beth so we can offer training in Spanish as well!
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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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Events & News from the Archdiocese
More Events & News from our Friends
- Catholic Infertility Conference | April 10th-11th, 2026 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Journey Sensory-Friendly Mass | April 26, 2026 9:30 AM Mass | St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception, West Bend. Open to all persons, not only those with disabilities but all who experience sensory sensitivities. No incense, lower lights, softer music.
- Mareda Retreat led by Kristin Bird | May 21, 2026 | Holy Hill Basilica
- Franciscan at Home Webinars
- Tuesday, Apr 14 at 1:00pm CST – Part Two: Placing the Kerygma at the Center of Catechetical Efforts in Parish Life – Dr. William Keimig, Dr. Mark Ginter, Dr. Stella Marie Jeffrey of the Catechetical Institute, Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH Register Here!
- Wednesday, Apr 15 at 1:00pm CST — The Nature of Man and Woman: Part Two, What Do the Social Sciences Say? — Dr. Deborah Savage, Professor of Theology, Dr. Regina Boerio, Professor of Psychology, Register Here!
- Tuesday, Apr 21 at 1:00pm CST – The Story of Salvation through the Lens of the Theology of the Body – Katrina Zeno, Founder, TOB for Everyone! Apostolate Register Here!
- Thursday, Apr 23 at 3:00pm CST – Preparing Catholic Educators for Flourishing in a Secularized World – Dr. Rebecca Rook, Education Department Chair, Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH and Dr. Amy Roberts, Professor of Catechetics, Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH and Dr. Clare Kilbane, McGrath Institute for Church Life, Notre Dame, IN Register Here!
- Tuesday, Apr 28 at 1:00pm CST – In Spanish: Qué significa serguiados por el EspírituSanto en nuestra vida y en nuestro ministerio (What it Means to be Guided by the Holy Spirit in our Lives and Ministries) – Andrés Arango, Delegado del Obispo para el Ministerio Hispano y Director de Evangelización Diócesis de Camden, NJ Register Here!
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Position Changes: if your parish has changes to your catechetical staff (DREs, YMs, Adult Formation, etc.), please let us know! We want to make sure they get added to the correct email lists, and we often only know if you tell us.
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