PCL Virtual Meeting: Friday June 26, 2020 at 10 a.m.

Meeting Notes

Opening Prayer (Mary Immaculate, pray for us)

AoA Updates (Andy Lichtenwalner):

Bishops attended Province meeting earlier in the week, and the Priests’ Council met for the first

time since Archbishop Hartmayer was installed.

The Archbishop’s Memo of Instructions and the accompanying FAQs are updated periodically.

o The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for persons with health

reasons or concerns remains in effect for all in the Archdiocese through Sunday, August

2. To view the latest memo click here. A link to the memo is available on the Come Holy

Spirit page.

o Guidance for summer faith formation: All recurring, summer faith formation

(PSR/youth ministry, VBS, etc.) should be virtual. There was some confusion about the

allowance for “meetings and classes” of up to 25 persons. These instances outside of

parish operations are meant to be only single occurrences for specific occasions

(preparation for Baptism, etc.). There should be no recurring, in-person faith formation

sessions at this time. (Since the call, OFD has provided further guidance for those

wishing to host a one-time gathering of youth within the current parameters of

Archdiocesan instructions. This guidance is available on www.atlyouth.org and is subject

to change.)

Family Forming Disciples: First lesson is available on the www.evangelizationatl.com. Lessons

will be in Spanish and English. We will share an outline for the whole year during the next check-

in call on July 10. To view lesson click here.

o PowerPoint presentation from last week’s meeting: Available at archatl.com/ofdnow

and the Planning Ahead page.

Atlanta Catechist Conference: ACC on August 22 will be virtual and registration is free. ACC will

be promoted nationally. (Since the call: Registration is opening this week – a link will be

available soon. Check here for more info.)

The Chancery will be closed Friday, July 3, 2020, in observance of the Independence Day

holiday. There will be no PCL check-in call on July 3. Calls will resume next Friday July 10. A

memo is going out to pastors and all priests, inviting them to participate in one of three

different options for calls on the Families Forming Disciples approach (Wednesday July 8 at 3

p.m., Thursday July 9 at 9 a.m., and Friday July 10 at 2 p.m.).

PCL updates, questions and concerns:

A PCL asked if they could hold a rehearsal for First Communion.

OFD staff responded that a single-occurrence meeting is possible for a rehearsal, with proper

protocol being followed re: gathering limits, social distancing, face masks, and other

safety/health protocol.

One PCL asked they could access what has been disseminated from Catholic Schools.

OFD staff will check with OCS if they could add memo that was sent to parents earlier this week.

(**See attached memo to these meeting notes.)

A PCL suggested if the newly revised memo updates could be bolded at the top so they do not

have to read the entire memo.

OFD staff will let Communications know.

Another PCL asked if the dispensation was through August 1 or 2.

It is August 2.

A PCL asked about interpreting the dispensation from the obligation to participate in Mass (e.g.,

families that may have children uncomfortable wearing masks, etc.).

OFD staff replied that they’d defer to the bishops for a final interpretation; generally, the

dispensation is broadly applicable. While the exercise of it should be judicious – for health

reasons or other pertinent concerns – the bishops are not parsing it out further but leaving it to

the discretion of the laity. For those with continued concerns or questions, OFD advises they

check with their pastor or another priest.

A PCL wanted to know if anyone has done a virtual VBS. They are planning a virtual VBS this

summer at their parish.

One PCL shared they have a successful virtual VBS at the parish and they use the “Be Radiant”

model. Another PCL suggested contacting Nancy Bird at RCL; they did a webinar on virtual bible

school, nbird@rclbenziger.com A PCL wanted to know if there was a specific Mass for Confirmation.

Office of Divine Worship staff answered yes there is a specific Mass for Confirmation (see Ritual

Masses in Roman Missal) and they can send it in a PDF. To request a PDF email

odw@archatl.com.

One PCL asked what the guidelines were for students going to other parishes to do their First

Communion. PCL mentioned that parish is offering Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and they

have people from different parishes attend.

OFD staff responded that the general encouragement is for people to receive Sacraments at their

home parish. Checking with the pastors would be essential. Office of Divine Worship staff

responded that people are allowed to go to another parish if both pastors agree. The pastor of

the parish where the sacrament was received would need to write a letter to the pastor of the

home parish informing him of the First Communion.

Another PCL asked for clarification on the 25 people for gathering and if faith formation should

be all virtual.

OFD staff responded that, yes, for the summer, all faith formation should be virtual. There was

some confusion with the guidance allowing up to 25-person gatherings. This was envisioned for

single-occurrence meetings/gatherings only, not recurring faith formation/youth ministry

gatherings.

A PCL asked if parishes should follow public school districts even if they have fewer restrictions

than the AoA.

OFD staff responded that the current guidance is for parishes that are not attached to a Catholic

school to follow their county’s public schools when it comes to fall activities. However, parishes

should be mindful of additional guidance that may need to be taken into consideration from the

Archdiocese. For example, there may be guidance from Catholic schools that becomes adapted

to all parishes as well. Please stay tuned. (For fall faith formation, registration can begin, but

OFD advises that parishes plan for a hybrid approach that includes virtual modes and modified,

in-person gatherings where possible. With rising concerns about COVID-19, parishes should plan

to be able to provide all-virtual gatherings if necessary. OFD’s hybrid, family-focused approach

provides a model that parishes can follow and adapt to their circumstances.)

One PCL wanted to know if the AoA will provide waiver forms similar to what parents sign at

dentist offices, etc., that they are assuming risk of infection even though all protocols are

followed.

OFD staff responded that they are waiting to hear back and will share info ASAP. (At this point,

not further direction has been provided. Parishes who want to create/use waiver forms should

submit them to the AoA for review.)

A PCL wanted to know if each family checked in individually with a DRE using the family

approach and how that would look like. How are the families grouped since different ages?

OFD staff responded that they envisioned one catechist for a group of families if the PCL and

catechist are comfortable with that (could also consider two catechists per group of families if

available). Catechists will be responding to families. This is easy to transfer to in-person and

hybrid where possible. It also depends on the size of the parish. Parishes will want to make

adaptations that make sense for them. Where possible, families with similar ages of children

might be grouped together, but it depends on what works best for the parish situation.

Some PCLs mentioned they were having challenges with catechists because catechists do not

want to do virtual faith formation. One PCL wanted to know if it was ok to bring parents in twice

a month to meet with catechist if they need help with the class/session.

OFD staff responded that there would be training sessions for catechists so they could feel more

comfortable. OFD staff suggested to start gathering catechists virtually in the summer and to use

their platform to start modeling for them. Let them know you will be there to support them and

that they are not alone. Start sharing faith online with them to get them acclimated. (There may

be various reasons why some catechists are not comfortable with virtual catechesis. Some may

be more comfortable teaching children and not parents. Others may be wary of technology. OFD

will seek to continue to address these concerns where possible, and PCLs are encouraged to work

with their catechists on these concerns. Given the uniqueness of this year, it is expected that not

all catechists may be ready or willing to serve. OFD is committed to offering periodic trainings

with the lessons being developed for Families Forming Disciples to help catechists.)

One PCL wanted to know if the AoA could purchase a platform for all the parishes to use. PCL

mentioned that there has to be a way that is safer, secure, and reliable.

At this point, the AoA has not decided to buy one platform for parishes. The Chancery utilizes

GoToMeeting, which is an affordable platform that allows for multiple accounts so that each

office has its own account to use.

A PCL asked for the Catechetical year theme for 2020-2021 from the USCCB

The ACC theme is “Abide in His Love, Pass it on. Permanece en Su Amor, ¡Transmítelo!” We are

still waiting for the official theme for Catechetical Sunday 2020 to be released from the USCCB.

One PCL mentioned that Cobb County is letting parents pick in-person or virtual learning. Will

the Archdiocese allow the same?

OFD staff responded that they do not have word on their final plans yet. (As noted above, current

guidance does direct parishes without Catholic schools to look to public school guidance. OFD

advises that parishes plan for a hybrid approach, but it is also wise at this time not to guarantee

in-person gatherings until more information becomes available as we move through the next few

weeks.)

A PCL asked if the no-recurring, in-person meetings apply to support type groups, such as

bereavement groups, etc.

OFD staff responded that any recurring gatherings are to be virtual: monthly meetings etc. (If

there is a question about accommodations for particular support groups that parishes have

traditionally hosted, OFD recommends that pastors check with the Archbishop’s office if they

have further questions.)

Another PCL asked if the no-recurring gatherings for faith formation apply for the fall.

At this point, no. No guidance has been offered about fall faith formation except for OFD’s

recommendations to plan for a hybrid approach. See comments above related to following public

school guidance (for parishes without an attached Catholic school).

Concerns about Mass attendance in the future

Several PCLs had concerns on the number of people that will be attending Mass once the pandemic is

over and on how many people currently participate in Mass.

One PCL mentioned that the dispensation has given the impression of lowering the importance

of Mass.

A PCL shared an article that brings up some very salient points. To view article click here:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.patheos.com/blogs/ericbarr/2020/06/catholicos-they-

are-not-coming-back-unless/amp/

OFD staff responded that participation in virtual Masses has varied from parish to parish; with

faith formation, participation has been dropping with virtual learning.

Another PCL shared that summer classes are at 75%. EDGE is meeting every other week and is

looking favorable because young people like virtual. It is lower than in-person in the past.

A PCL shared that summer RCIA is at 50% and they are getting inquires for Easter Vigil 2021 from

people that do not attend Mass.

One PCL shared they would have 180-200 attend youth ministry gatherings but now they

currently have two high school students. They have not opened registration for fall.

Another PCL shared that the PCL and YM are meeting on a weekly basis with young

people/families (virtually). They are having a First Communion retreat in a bag where they send

home banners to make, cubes, bake bread, etc. they want to make it simple and fun.

** See June 22 memo from Catholic Schools below.