Hello everyone,
That was a great and productive meeting this week! Thank you to one and all, especially those who help put together a successful week.
1.) WARM WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS/OFFICERS: As your new chair, I thought I would send some warm messages, particularly for the 3 dioceses that were not represented/present this week, and give some encouraging words. For my first act, I would like to entrust Region XI DDCM to Inmaculado Corazón de María. May she accompany us together on the journey as missionary disciples during this Jubilee Year on Pilgrims of Hope. We have or will have quite a bit of new DDCM members, so my priority as the new chair is to support new DDCM members and to encourage their regional involvement. I recognize that this requires a little bit more flexibility for your first or even second year in a Chancery trying to have a work-life balance, but let's explore in the upcoming months how we can even revise/reform the bylaws to increase newer member participation. This will also allow people to get to know one another more. I plan to reach out to new members.
2.) UPDATE ON CATECHETICAL GUIDELINES DRAFT: A second priority is to advance the catechetical guidelines. Thanks to Sister Celeste for moving us forward; happily, we were able to edit and approve the draft guidelines document this week. The 3 dioceses that weren't there this week can give their final feedback, if any. Thank you to the 10 dioceses that spent hours revising and editing this draft that you see here. The updated catechetical document draft can be found here: ...
I'm also attaching it as a PDF document for those that wish to print it out. As Sister Celeste from the guidelines committee mentioned, after the 3 dioceses that were not represented give their final input and votes, the hope is that, once unanimous, Sister said that we plan to present the draft to the directors for youth and young adult ministry for their feedback in the fall. The state superintendents will provide their feedback, too. Thank you to Sister for her leadership.
3.) THANKFUL FOR DDCM OFFICERS: For those that missed the presentation of appreciation memorabilia, here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpWBWYQT3Y0. As Kevin mentioned, his position in Sacramento has been restructured to project manager and so his term of office ended last Thursday; we look forward to working with his successor. Tish (Monterey) is also leaving DDCM in the fall, and Katie (Orange) retired a month ago. Luis (Orange) received on her behalf. These appreciation certificates that were presented to them are also a way to encourage newer members. As Tish said, it was worth it for her to get involved, even after over 22 years in Chancery ministry.
4.) NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ELECTIONS: We opened up the nomination process for a new Vice Chair and Secretary. Email nominations of names to me before the end of the month, Aug. 31. I've already received a nomination for Vice Chair. Nominations will close in a couple of weeks on Aug. 31, and we hope to have elections in early September.
The new Vice Chair needs to be a Director. The Secretary can be either a Director or Associate Director.
An Associate Director can be on DDCM but with permission of their director/supervisor. The decision is for the local Diocesan director to make about having the Associate at DDCM.
After these two vacancies are filled, in the fall, let's discuss having an Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer as part of the executive team. I've been on the executive team for 6 DDCM chairs (after serving twice as vice chair and twice as secretary), and I think having these assistant roles where 2 people are involved with certain tasks will keep things moving forward and help developing newer members. This is part of the efforts to gradually involve newer members and give them regional experience on DDCM.
Attached is a group photo that we took while on a nice tour to St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park. Hope you like the photo.
5.) SAVE THE DATES: Gracie (Stockton) will send out the Minutes from this week when they are ready. Thank you for taking notes, Gracie. Please save the dates for the next general DDCM meetings in the Fall 2025: ....
Thank you, everyone. And thank you especially to His Excellency, Bishop Marc of Los Angeles, for accompanying us. Many blessings upon summer and your fall season.
Tu hermano, and your servant,
Dennis
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Deacon Dennis Purificacion
Director, Department of Religious Education | Diocese of Santa Rosa
985 Airway Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 566-3313 | srdiocese.org
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