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No images? Click here  FEATURED EVENT 
Fall Forum 2026 September 12, 2026 Bishop Caggiano is inviting all parish catechetical leaders to join him for a conversation, updates on initiatives, and more. Who Should Attend? Everyone who bears responsibility for formation in the parish: DRE/CRE, youth ministry leaders, OCIA coordinators, and those who help prepare families, young people, or adults for reception of the sacraments. UPCOMING EVENTS Listen, Teach, Send Conference August 29, 2026 
How to Bring Lapsed Catholics Back Home | Bryan Mercier September 17, 2026 
Catechetical Sunday 2026 Materials (USCCB) September 20, 2026 
Life Outdoors Spending time outdoors is incredibly beneficial for teens. Studies show that just two hours a week in natural settings can significantly reduce emotional distress, especially among teens with mental health challenges. This includes improvements in anxiety, depression, and social interactions. Additionally, 34% of teens reported a decline in their connection to nature, which correlated with a 52% decline in mental well-being. Simply put, nature acts as a natural stress reliever and mood booster, promoting overall mental health and resilience. Time spent in nature can boost physical and mental well-being This brief post describes some of the benefits of spending time outdoors. 
Spending Time in the Great Outdoors Helps Children with Mental Health Issues, Says New Study Nature has long been understood as having a healing capacity for us in our pain, loss, anxiety, stress, etc. This article unpacks this truth regarding youth and mental health issues. 
Research Highlights Importance of Outdoor Activity and Connection to Nature Research shows that connectedness with nature is essential for our health and well-being. As our use of technology increases, we have to become more intentional about safeguarding this connection. START WITH SUNDAY Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time See this week's readings come alive for you and your kids in our animated video. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 
Arthur the King Due to strong language and some intense drama, this week’s film is more appropriate for older viewers. Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) is an experienced racer longing to finally win a championship. He’s got one last hope: he and his team enter a grueling 435-mile race through the difficult jungle terrain of the Dominican Republic, a multi-day challenge that will include trekking, cycling, kayaking, and climbing. Based on a true story, Arthur the King celebrates loyalty, selflessness, and learning to measure victory by something other than a finish line. It is a theme familiar to lovers of animal stories: animals that depend on us have a unique way of putting the rest of life into perspective. The film is rated PG-13 for strong language and some frightening scenes. FROM THE FIELD 
Jon Leonetti: God is Enough This week, Jon reminds us that God is enough, if we just stop to take note of our needs. 
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September 17, 2026. 6:30pm - 8:30pm
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No images? Click here  FEATURED EVENT 
Fall Forum 2026 September 12, 2026 Bishop Caggiano is inviting all parish catechetical leaders to join him for a conversation, updates on initiatives, and more. Who Should Attend? Everyone who bears responsibility for formation in the parish: DRE/CRE, youth ministry leaders, OCIA coordinators, and those who help prepare families, young people, or adults for reception of the sacraments. UPCOMING EVENTS Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1, Part 2 Training Aug 10, 2026 - Aug 15, 2026 
Listen, Teach, Send Conference August 29, 2026 
How to Bring Lapsed Catholics Back Home | Bryan Mercier September 17, 2026 
Good Cinema Good cinema can play a significant role in the spiritual and mental well-being of Catholic teenagers. Films that convey positive values, moral lessons, and authentic human experiences can help teens develop empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of their faith. According to the Catholic Answers Magazine, thoughtful Christians recognize that movies can be a powerful medium for conveying important messages and fostering personal growth. A Catholic Guide to Watching Movies With so many films out there, we need more than a list of approved movies. Can we enlist a few principles that will help guide us in choosing movies that will be truly good to enjoy? This article attempts to do this. START WITH SUNDAY Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time See this week's readings come alive for you and your kids in our animated video. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 
August Rush Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore) is a young orphan who hears music in the sounds all around him, from the wind to the city streets. Convinced that his parents are out there somewhere and that music is the thread connecting them, Evan runs away from his group home and finds himself alone in New York City. Before long he falls under the influence of a manipulative street musician (Robin Williams) who recognizes Evan’s musical talents and tries to exploit them. August Rush is a warmhearted film that asks viewers to believe in the almost magical power of music, hope, and the bonds of family. The film treats music as something close to transcendent, connecting souls in ways that words cannot. The film is rated PG, but parents should be aware that the story is set in motion by a night of premarital intimacy between the two lead characters, though it is implied rather than shown. FROM THE FIELD 
Katie Patrizio: Making Sense of Abraham Sacrificing His Son The story of Abraham's intended sacrifice of his son Isaac in Genesis can be a sensitive subject for some, but there's much more to the story! This week, Katie expands on important context in the story to point out its subtle prophetic message. 
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