DCS MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY - February 2025 Updates

Dear LA Catholic School Partners, Advocates and Friends,

As we step into February, we are reminded of a beautiful and profound dedication—the month of the Holy Family. This devotion, originating in the 17th century and later affirmed by Pope Leo XIII, encourages us to reflect on the lives of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a model of virtue for our own families.

The Holy Family of Nazareth exemplifies love, unity, and steadfast faith amidst life's challenges. Their example is a guiding light for Christian households, calling us to embrace the virtues of patience, humility, and selfless love in our daily lives.

In the words of Pope Leo XIII, "Nothing truly can be more salutary or efficacious for Christian families to meditate upon than the example of this Holy Family, which embraces the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues."
As part of our efforts to assist families in forming faith at home, we are pleased to announce the launch of the new "Forming Faith at Home" track for parents on Franciscan's Catechetical Institute.This is free to all school communities and can be accessed on your Franciscan at Home account.  (Please see the Information sheet found in this newsletter for further information).
The following feast days are celebrated in this month of February: February 1: Bl. Benedict Daswa and St. Brigid of IrelandFebruary 2: Presentation of the LordFebruary 3: St. BlaiseFebruary 5: St. AgathaFebruary 6: St. Paul Miki and CompanionsFebruary 7: Bl. Pope Pius IXFebruary 8: St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine BakhitaFebruary 9: Bl. Anne Catherine EmmerichFebruary 10: St. Scholastica and St. Jose Sanchez del RioFebruary 11: Our Lady of LourdesFebruary 14: Sts. Cyril and Methodius (St. Valentine)February 17: Bl. Elisabetta SannaFebruary 18: Bl. Fra AngelicoFebruary 20: Sts. Jacinta and Francisco MartoFebruary 21: Bl. Richard Henkes and St. Peter DamianFebruary 22: Chair of St. PeterFebruary 23: St. Lazarus Zographos and St. PolycarpFebruary 27: St. Gregory of Narek and St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Let us commit this year to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, seeking their guidance as we work toward our shared vision of vibrant Catholic education. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us, and may God's blessings abound in your families, ministries, and endeavors.
May all of God's holy men and women, pray for us!
__________________________________________________________________

 Archdiocese of Los Angeles Vocations Office

Those who wish to bring these programs to your school, contact Majo below!  [email protected]

As Black History month is upon us, this would be a great opportunity to start a consistent and intentional engagement in these important conversations about this social injustice and how our Catholic response could be an impactful force in eradicating this evil from our world.
Please feel free to review the following websites and resources in combating the Sin of Racism and honoring Black Catholic Saints:

• Office of Life, Justice, and Peace
• Sophia Institute: Principles for Having an Educational Discussion on Racism
• Before Gethsemane Initiative website 
• LA CATHOLICS RACISM RESOURCES
• BLACK CATHOLICS ON THE ROAD TO SAINTHOOD - BOOK
• LA CATHOLICS - the Holy Six
• LA CATHOLIC RESPECT LIFE WEEK RACISM RESOURCES (by grade level)
• Resources for Catechesis in Black Perspective

The Office for Divine Worship in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has curated a comprehensive set of resources and guidelines for Lent and Holy Week 2025. Included are English/Spanish documents covering the Rites of Purification and Enlightenment, Lenten Guidelines for 2025, and upcoming Holy Week Guidelines for 2025. Additionally, practical checklists for the Parish Reception of Oils, Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday celebration of the Lord's Passion, and Easter Vigil are available for download in PDF format. Prepare for a meaningful and organized observance of these sacred seasons with these valuable tools.
https://lacatholics.org/liturgical-lent-resources/Here are also additional resources to organize a School Lenten Penance Service:Below are some links to resources you might find useful:

• Lenten Resources from NCEA-for teachers, families, and others
• Lenten Resources from various apostolates and publishers
• Catholic Relief Service- Operation Rice Bowl-Lenten Almsgiving Program
• Ash Wednesday Lesson Plan
• Lenten Resources for Teens
• Lenten Program of Prayer, Penance and Charity for young people & families

Ideas to organize a School Lenten Penance Service

• Penance Service Resources from Saint Mary’s Press
  
  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025 and goes through Thursday, Apr 17, 2025 

SAT, MARCH 22
QUEEN OF ANGELS CENTER FOR PRIESTLY FORMATION

5434 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
9:00 am - 12:30 pm

To Register visit https://web.cvent.com/event/80649af9-fe27-47a0-be68-d5480b1b19e9/summary , there are also scholarships available if you apply on the website!

The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14)and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 12) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. This year's theme, "Marriage...one flesh, given and received" highlights the one-flesh union of husband and wife that is willed by God. It also indicates the personal self-gift of each spouse, one to the other. These concepts point to Christ who gives Himself under the appearance of bread and wine—as real flesh and blood.Please visit and share the following resources:

• https://www.foryourmarriage.org/
• https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/national-marriage-week
• https://www.marriageweek.org/

CREATE YOUR FREE FRANCISCAN AT HOME Account to access the New Forming Faith at Home Track.  Detailed instructions for account setup can be found in the provided PDF guide.

Pueri Cantores, the national student choral organization of the Catholic Church,
invites all parish and school treble voice choirs (grades 4-12) in the region to participate in a Festival & Mass. Singers will unite with hundreds of their peers as one combined choir to sing beautiful music from the Church's rich historical repertoire.Watch this video to learn more about Pueri Cantores and how best to prepare your
choir for the Festival day. Check out the website about our Festivals, including attire,
how to access music and MP3 rehearsal tracks, and much more.
For the full flyer, click here!

Below are some resources that may assist in creating meaningful service project experiences that will assist your students in living out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy: 

• National Catholic Committee on Scouting - Service Project ideas by age level
• LetsVolunteerLA-find meaningful volunteer opportunities in the Los Angeles region 
• UCLA Volunteer Center
• Discover LA Volunteer Opportunities

The Teaching Life and Human Dignity Symposium at the University of Notre Dame McGrath Institute for Church Life is a five and a half-day gathering from July 13-18th at the University of Notre Dame for leaders in Catholic education and diocesan ministry. Participants can expect to develop a deeper understanding of human dignity in the Catholic intellectual tradition and its application in educational and pastoral contexts. In addition to intellectual formation, educators and pastoral leaders can expect to develop distinct professional skills:

• Educators will participate in workshops that develop the effective integration of life and human dignity issues across the subject areas and think about how to create a culture of human dignity in the classroom and school. 
• Leaders in ministry will participate in workshops that develop and build the pastoral skills necessary for promoting the Gospel of Life in a complex world.

Visit this website for further information.

The bishops of the California Catholic Conference have issued directives for catechetical certification for all catechists to promote effective catechesis and to standardize the quality of formation of catechists and teachers.

Both parish religious education programs and Catholic schools are required to follow these directives as implemented in the archdiocese. The Office of Religious Education and the Department of Catholic Schools have specific program directives for the certification of their catechists and teachers. In the archdiocese, parish religious education catechists must meet certificate requirements, all elementary school teachers must participate in catechist formation, and high school religion teachers must meet specified academic and certification requirements.

Regardless of the catechetical setting or environment, "catechesis is the responsibility of the entire Christian community" (General Directory for Catechesis, 220). All members of the parish religious education program and the faculty of Catholic schools are an integral part of the process of religious education (seeGeneral Directory for Catechesis, 233).
Please visit: https://bit.ly/DCS-CC for information on how to obtain Catechetical Certification for Catholic School teachers.  

ATTENTION ES PRINCIPALS: NCEA-ACRE- INFORMATION:
Traditionally, the ACRE Exam has been used in the ADLA to assist elementary school leaders in the evaluation of catechetical/religious education programs in Catholic schools and parishes.  ADLA has opted to utilize the ACRE in grade 5 (Level 1) and grade 8 (Level 2) for the last several years. Although the ACRE testing window has traditionally been early December, we learned recently that the DCS control that window.  As a result we are encouraging schools to complete the ACRE assessment no later than March 1^st.  This would only be for 5^th and 8^th grades.  The information for signing up a school can be found here: https://ncearise.org/Our-Assessments/ACRE
The only schools that would be exempt from ACRE are those participating in the ARK Pilot Program. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.  
Should you need further information to ensure that your school is prepared for this assessment, please contact: [email protected] or call at 1-800-707-NCEA.  More information can also be found on their website at:  https://ncearise.org/.

ARK PILOT SCHOOLS:  For those school pricnipals who have recevied notification of being an ARK Pilot School, please check your email for important information regarding next steps and the upcoming Zoom meeting on February 5th. A remnider that the ARK testing window is March 17- May 2, 2025.  Please contact[email protected] should you need further information. 

As followers of Jesus, we believe strongly in the power of praying for one another. St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Hebrews:Each week our team gathers to pray before meetings and other gatherings. We invite you to submit any prayer requests you may have that we may include in our personal and team prayers for you and your ministry. Please submit any prayer intentions you may have here. 

Throughout February, let us strive to restore the true spirit of family life within our homes and hearts. Whether through prayer, acts of kindness, or moments of quiet reflection, may we draw closer to one another and to God.

Thank you for being a part of our school family. May the example of the Holy Family inspire and guide us all as we continue to grow in faith together.

In His service,
Erick Rubalcava & Greg PereaMission in Catholic Identity Team
Contact us at: Archdiocese of Los Angeles- Department of Catholic SchoolsErick Rubalcava (213) 637-7485 │ Greg Perea (213) 637-7022[email protected]g │ [email protected]g