SAN DIEGO — All parish catechists are invited to attend “Spring Forward.”
The annual event is the diocesan Office for Evangelization and Catechetical Ministry’s mid-year catechetical conference.
Three separate conferences will be offered in San Diego and Imperial counties, with a different presenter for each.
The theme for San Diego’s Spring Forward is “United in the Breaking of the Bread.” It will be presented by ValLimar Jansen, a nationally-known speaker, composer and recording artist. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, at Holy Trinity Parish in El Cajon. Registration is $25.
A week later, Jesuit Father Eduardo Fernández will present the Imperial Valley’s conference, with the theme of “The Eucharist & Social Justice,” from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29, at St. Mary Parish in El Centro. Father Fernández will reflect on how the Eucharist nourishes us to be missionary disciples sent out to a world in great need. The cost to attend is $15.
Both of these conferences will be in English. A Spanish-language Spring Forward, presented by Franciscan Brother Moisés Gutiérrez, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Michael Parish in Poway.
“Spring Forward Mid-Year Catechetical Conferences serve as a booster shot for catechists and catechetical leadership as we begin the second half of the faith-formation year,” explained diocesan Chancellor Marioly Galván, who also directs the Office for Evangelization and Catechetical Ministry.
Galván said this year’s themes were selected to follow up on the diocese’s Eucharistic renewal initiative that took place in the fall. The conferences are intended to provide an opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge as they prayerfully reflect upon what it means to be a Eucharistic community.
“The hope for these catechetical events is to draw our practitioners to a deeper appreciation of their faith through ongoing formation, prayer and fellowship,” Galván said.
For more information or to register for “Spring Forward” conferences, visit sdcatholicdisciples.net.
