Maryvale Institute conference on Directory for Catechesis

Maryvale Institute, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, has announced a free, virtual conference that will focus on the new Directory for Catechesis. The Directory, published in March 2020, makes clear the essential elements in teaching and personal formation required by the mission of catechesis. Building on the previous two catechetical directories (1971 and 1997), this new text is a vital resource for all those engaged in the Church's work of proclaiming the Gospel.

This conference offers an opportunity for those either involved with or interested in catechesis, to explore the main themes and key emphases of this important text, and to reflect on its implications for their work in the Church and the world.

Dr Stephen Yates, Maryvale's MA Programme Director, says: "The Maryvale Institute is hosting an online conference exploring the new Directory for Catechesis, a key document promulgated last year by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation. The conference constitutes an opportunity for those with pastoral and evangelistic apostolates to study the main themes and key emphases of this important text, and to reflect critically on its implications for their work in the Church and the world."

The conference will be take place across four sessions, focusing on different aspects of the directory:

Session 1, Friday 12th March, 2-4pm:'Dynamic Continuity': The Purpose and Distinctive Emphases of the New Directory. Speakers confirmed so far: Archbishop Rino Fisichella (Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation), Archbishop Bernard Longley (Archdiocese of Birmingham and Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation) and more.

Session 2, Friday 16th April,2-4pm:Key Emphases/Foci of the New Directory: a Closer Look. Speakers confirmed so far: Fr Jan Nowotnik (Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Archdiocese of Birmingham), Katherine Coolidge (Catherine of Siena Institute), Dr Tamra Fromm (Catholic Biblical School of Michigan and Maryvale Institute), Sr Hyacinthe Defos du Rau OP (Dominican Srs of St Joseph and Maryvale Institute) and more, followed by breakout sessions.

Session 3, Friday 14th May, 2-4pm:Growing in Faith: A Lifelong Journey of Catechesis. Speakers confirmed so far: Angela Wood MA (Maryvale Institute), Sr Carino Hodder OP (Dominican Srs of St Joseph), Lianne Pap (Archdiocese of Birmingham and Maryvale Institute), Paul Northam (Archdiocese of Birmingham, Beccy Roseman (Kenelm Youth Trust, Archdiocese of Birmingham) and more, followed by breakout sessions.

Organised by St John Henry Newman Research Centre for Catholic Theology:

Session 4, Tuesday 1st of June and Wednesday 2nd of June 2-6.30pm: The New General Directory for Catechesis: Philosophical Reflections - Global Challenges

Speakers: Professor Emeritus Dr Herman Lombaerts (A member of the De La Salle Brothers & a member Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of Leuven), Fr Paul Keane (St Mary's College, Oscott & a priest of the Diocese of Brentwood), Sr Dr Eleanor Gibson FMA, (Tangaza University College, Nairobi), Fr Dr Rogi Narithookil, CST (Little Flower Congregation, Scots College), Fr Marcus Holden (St Bede's, Archdiocese of Westminster, Founder, St Anthony Communications and the Evangelium Project), Bishop David Evans (Auxiliary Bishop Archdiocese of Birmingham).

There is no cost to register and attend all sessions of the Conference, although we would encourage delegates to consider a donation of £5 or £10 or more towards scholarships for those enrolling on Maryvale Institute's adult formation courses, to help support and train the catechists of the future.

To register for sessions one to three: https://bit.ly/2Z2KqIX

To register for session four email: marketing@maryvale.ac.uk

For more information please visit: www.maryvale.ac.uk/conference-2021.html or contact marketing@maryvale.ac.uk