"MOOC" Breaks Open Evangelii Gaudium and Invites YOU to Bring It to Life

I'm guessing that while many of our readers have never heard of a "MOOC" before, the concept behind an upcoming learning opportunity will really appeal to you. MOOC stands for Massive, Open, Online, Course and in this case the topic to be discussed is Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. While the conversation is being hosted by National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders, parents are specifically being encouraged to attend and participate. The great thing about a MOOC (along with the fact that it's FREE) is that the online format allows you to learn according to your own schedule and in the company of other course participants from around the country.

I'm including a press release below that spells out the specifics of the format and the amazing instructors who will be teaching us. I've already signed up to learn and hope you will too. While most of us are not "youth ministers", without a doubt every parent ministers to our youth. Savoring and digesting Evangelii Guadium and the joy Pope Francis leads us to in living out the Gospel will be a true blessing for our families this Easter season and beyond. I hope you'll join me for this great opportunity!

Thousands expected to participate in online Youth Ministry Discussion

An international Massive Open Online Course for those helping young people encounter Jesus

Washington D.C.: Almost a thousand people have pre-registered for an upcoming free MOOC that takes a closer look at Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, in relation to the faith lives of today's youth.

The National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (NACYML) is hosting a Massive, Open, Online, Course (MOOC) that has already attracted registrants from America, Canada, England and Australia.

The NACYML MOOC weekly will include a reading from Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium, a video from a Master Teacher, a live panel discussion (offered at both 1 and 8 p.m. CST), discussion boards with a Net-Sourcing learning community of participants' choosing, and additional content and resources from ministerial organizations and experts.

• Week 1, April 12-18, "Encounter as Transformative Missionary Action." Master Teachers: Bishop Caggiano, Diocese of Bridgeport and Center for Ministry Development Staff, Tom East, Joan Weber and Angel Barrera.
• Week 2, April 19-25, "Encounter as Inculturating Faith within Cultural, Secular, and Ecclesial Realities." Master Teacher: Dr. Ansel Augustine, Archdiocese of New Orleans.
• Week 3, April 26-May 2, "Encounter as the Call to Spiritual Accompaniment and Being Heralds of the Word." Master Teacher: Bob Rice, Franciscan University of Steubenville.
• Week 4, May 3-9, "Encounter as Social Mission by Becoming the Hands and Feet of Christ." Sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, Master Teachers: Archbishop Kurtz, Archdiocese of Louisville and Dr. Carolyn Woo, Catholic Relief Services.
• Week 5, May 10-16, "Encounter as Spirit-Filled Evangelizers." Master Teacher: Rev. Joseph Espaillat, Archdiocese of New York.

Net-Sourcing learning community discussion boards will be available for those in youth ministry, Catholic school teaching, campus ministry, young adult ministry, religious education, continuing education, scouting, Hispanic ministry and parents/guardians.

The NACYML MOOC is open to anyone interested in learning more about ministering to young people, and/or Evangelii Gaudium. Continuing Education Units will be available for those wanting to fully engage in course materials and complete a learning journal.

To register or to learn more about the NACYML MOOC, visit www.nacyml.org. You may also follow @NACYML or #NACYMLMOOC on Facebook or Twitter for regular updates.

   NACYML is a service center for the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).