A Message from Jeff

 Dear Students,

Following the return of your first end of module paper, it appears there is some need for clarification as to the markings on your paper. 

First, I want you to be very encouraged. The papers, overwhelmingly, displayed that you have a grasp of the information presented in the first module and that you are growing deeper in your knowledge and love of the Catholic faith. Second, I want to assure you that the comments made on your paper are all made out of charity. They are comments to help you grow in your knowledge, both of the faith and how to present it. 

The primary reason for feedback is that it helps you assess if you truly understand the content and if you can present it clearly in the context given to you—in this case, it was in the written form. It is critically important that you not only understand the subject matter, but that you are able to apply what is learned to your life, both in how you live the faith and how you share the faith, be that written, verbally or by your actions.

The goal of the Archbishop Harry J Flynn Catechetical Institute is to educate the laity in the Catholic faith such that they can live and share the faith with a renewed confidence, with conviction and hope. It is our job at the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute to teach you the faith and how to live it, and to send you with the tools to "go therefore, and make disciples" as you continue on this journey. There are over 600 Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute alumni currently carrying out this mission across the Archdiocese. Of those graduates, many are teaching faith formation or RCIA, many are educators, some work in the parish, some volunteer their time, some are writing for their parish bulletins and some are even writing for The Catholic Spirit. Thus, you can see that many of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute graduates are not only living the faith, but teaching and sharing it with that renewed sense of confidence and conviction, which is the goal of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute. 

Often the path to confidently sharing the faith comes with opportunities to grow in humility, and anytime we are corrected we are given that chance to grow in that great virtue. That said, I want to encourage you to pray about the comments on your paper, knowing in your heart that they are made out of charity to help you grow in your faith and in your confidence in sharing your faith on this journey from blessing to blessing.

On a personal note, I have written over 10 books and every time someone corrected my grammar or wording, I have had to deal with the same topic, humility, but I have become a better writer. Thanks to my brothers and sisters in Christ, I have also learned to become a better communicator.

Blessings in Christ,

Jeff