Page 2 - The Annuelle Collection - Catholic Church of Montreal - Volume 3, Number 1, September 2020

TESTIMONY OF ANGELA, DONOR AT THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
DECONFINING

JESUS THE FAMILY, THE

First named «Office de l’enseignement», the Office of Faith FIRST PLACE OF FAITH
Education (Office de l’éducation à la foi -ODEF) was born in EDUCATION
1953. Adjusting to social changes and the changing reality
of Quebec society, the ODEF steered a major turning point I am Angela, wife and mother of 3 teenagers. We are a family
for our diocesan Church. In fact, from 2000 to 2008, the THE ODEF TEAM of 5 members.
State repealed the confessional status of school boards. The Our motto during the pandemic is to pay more attention
de-confessionalization of schools has continued in stages The new pastoral year invites to our fellow human. In reality, it is not easy to ask this of
up to the situation we are currently experiencing. ODEF has ODEF to reinvent its activities a teenager. But we have found that by putting our will into
overseen the preparation and implementation of what will according to the «new normal», it, the Lord has taken care of the rest. Our field of action
become a diocesan project called Proposing Jesus Christ including : has gone beyond the family. Our attention to our neighbour
Today (PAJC, published in 2003) as well as the training of • The review of catechetical is manifested through active listening, availability, charity
personnel deployed in parishes. The Office has become the orientations in light of a and prayer. Everyone tries to make a difference. Philemon,
lead project hand in support of parishes in all matters related new General Directory for our eldest son, sends messages of support and hope on
to evangelization and education in the faith at all ages of life. Catechesis, as well as our social networks and helps his friends who are going through
Archbishop’s desire to be a difficult times with their loved ones. Thomas, our youngest
more missionary Church; child of 12, has created a group to help young online
For the pastoral year 2019-2020 until • The development of family gamblers who have lost everything in the game to regain
the beginning of the pandemic, ODEF has: catechesis with an emphasis their enjoyment of the game. 65 young people signed up
• Supported the 194 parishes and missions in their from private Catholic schools; on the role of parents in the in less than 4 hours. Our daughter Alice developed the
efforts to educate in the faith at all stages of life • Supported and nourished about 15 adult Bible- education of their children in art of cooking. She, the big sleeper, wakes up early in the
for French, English and cultural parishes; sharing groups on the Adventure of the Gospel; the faith; - morning to make breakfast with pancakes and fruit and
• Helped parishes in their efforts to operate the • Held the celebration of the Decisive Call for • The development and support “healthy”meals before going to work.
various catechetical programs for thousands of catechumens on their faith journey. of new hybrid models, both
children; Due to the health crisis, several of our regular face-to-face and online, to What helps us hold it together?
• Promoted and helped implement programs to events had to be cancelled, On the other hand, accompany and support
awaken young children to the faith (P’tite Pasto, since the beginning of the health crisis, ODEF pastoral agents and families Daily family prayer makes us more confident in God’s
À petit pas, Cadeaux de Dieu, Viens et suivez- has adapted its activities: in the formation of children, presence in our lives.
moi, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, etc.); • Be more attentive to the needs of parish adolescents and adults in the Masses and prayers that are broadcast on social networks
• Helped parishes in their efforts to implement personnel who are retained at home; faith; and on Salt and Light by the Catholic Church in Montreal
the various catechetical programs for children • Offer material to parish personnel to enable • The design of new alternative galvanize us and allow us to live our faith.
and young adults (P’tite Pasto, À petit pas, Gifts them to provide catechetical information to formulas to large gatherings of We are replaying our old films on DVD about the Bible, the
of God, Come and Follow Me, Catechesis of the parents by e-mail; people, as well as to formation. New Testament, the passion of Jesus, the life of Saint Paul...
Good Shepherd, etc.); • Offer a tool for spiritual perspectives It is possible to access the full text of Even if some of them are in cartoons for young children,
• Prepared about twenty training sessions for “Proposing Jesus Christ Today” https:// we had a lot of fun and interest in watching them several
pastoral agents, catechumenate directors, and diocesemontreal.org/sites/default/files/ times and it served us among other things as a reminder of
ressources/ressources_paroisses/
volunteer catechists responsible for catechesis personnel_patoral/proposing.pdf catechism lessons.
in parishes; IN A MISSIONARY The family discussion is led by Georges, my husband, with a
• Held three networking meetings (prayers, sharing space for listening and exchanges on «how everyone spent
of experiences and presentation of resources) COMMUNITY, WE ARE their day», discussions of current topics, the management
for those responsible for catechetical programs ALL RESPONSIBLE of the pandemic, racism, etc.
in French and English; We also follow scientific documentaries, play board games
• Organized 2 catechetical congresses (French FOR PROCLAIMING and take short walks. This testimony is a thanksgiving for
and English) to complete the training of nearly AND CATECHIZING. the wonders God has done in our family. Our thoughts and
400 volunteer catechists in parishes; prayers go out to all those who are currently grieving in
• Organized the back-to-school Mass at any way. - Angela
St. Joseph’s Oratory for about 2,000 students