What's Happening

September 6, 2024, Detroit – Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP, an author long involved in adult faith formation, recently published two books that offer support and encouragement to parish catechists, those who teach religious education to the children in their parish.

Guided by the Directory for Catechesis: Transforming the Vision and Practice of Parish Catechesis provides a guide and offers suggestions to catechists on how they should apply the 2020 Directory for Catechesis to the circumstances of their parish. The guidebook challenges and encourages catechists in their ministry of providing effective and lifelong faith formation for parishioners of all ages. Sister Janet co-wrote this book with Catherine LaVecchia and John Roberto.

As the Holy Year of 2025, Pilgrims of Hope, approaches, Sister Janet’s latest book, Catechists as Pilgrims of Hope: Reflections and Prayers for the Jubilee Year offers reflections on the hope lived out by catechists in their ministry. The booklet, based on Scripture, offers encouragement and suggestions to catechists as they strive to live out their ministry of sharing the hope and the joy of the Gospel.

An Adrian Dominican Sister, retreat leader, and consultant for catechists and adult faith formation leaders, Sister Janet once served as Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Detroit. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL). 

Sister Janet has written numerous catechist books and resources, including Spirituality for Catechists and The Creed: A Catechist’s Guide. She also writes annual Advent reflection booklets.

The books are available through Twenty-Third Publications or from the Weber Center Shop at Weber Retreat and Conference Center. The Weber Center Shop is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. The shop is closed for lunch from noon to 12:45 p.m. The book can also be ordered by calling 517-266-4035 or emailing [email protected].  
 

September 6, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana – Six students at Xavier University’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) were named inaugural recipients of the newly endowed Sister Jamie T. Phelps, OP, PhD, Scholarship. The scholarship was named after Sister Jamie, an Adrian Dominican Sister and who was an inaugural member of the IBCS and its long-time director.

Receiving the 2024 scholarships are Ali Mumbach, Alicia Gray, April Williams-Bell, Shaylyn Cothron, Rahsaan Garlin, and Pattie J. Griffin.

Read more here about the scholarship recipients and Sister Jamie’s role in the IBCS. 
 

Caption for above photo: Sister Jamie Phelps, OP, speaks at the commencement for the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University, New Orleans, in August 2023.