Diocese of Allentown
Adult Formation Newsletter
|
|
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, March 19, 2018
|
|
Greetings!
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and learn about all of the great offerings that we have planned for the coming months!
We hope that you are able to join us at some of the wonderful events and courses that we have available for you!
In Christ,
Office of Adult Formation
Diocese of Allentown
610-289-8900
|
|
|
The Institute for Catechesis and Formation
|
|
Learn Your Faith + Live Your Faith + Love Your Faith
|
|
Join us to enrich your faith with ICF courses taking place in the Spring of 2018!
|
|
ICF 102 - The Old Testament
|
The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to His creation, and the story of His love for us. This course will provide a brief introduction to the origin of Sacred Scripture: its source, how the Canon was formed, and the senses in which we can interpret Scripture. The remainder of the course will focus on the Old Testament: the creation of the earth and God’s covenant of love with the human person, the fall into sin, and the revelation, over time, of God’s plan of salvation.
|
|
ICF 105 - Christian Morality
|
Learn not just the
what, but the
why, of the Church’s moral teachings. Participants will examine virtue, conscience formation and make application to contemporary moral issues in the areas of healthcare, sexuality and social justice.
|
|
The Church is the place of encounter between God and His people on earth. This course will provide a brief overview of the origins of the Church; Her identity as One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic; and what it means to be "the Body of Christ" on earth.
|
|
ICF 201 - Prayer & Spirituality
|
Deepen your relationship with Christ by learning the fundamentals of a Catholic prayer life and spiritual dispositions. Participants will examine what it means to pray, why we pray, and how to have a fruitful prayer life. Practical exercises of traditional Catholic prayers and devotions will be covered so
you will learn how to express yourself to God and how to hear his voice in your everyday life.
|
|
The Institute for Catechesis and Formation is intended to provide an opportunity for all of the faithful to delve deeper in their understanding of God's saving plan for us all.
|
|
Faith and Spirits
was created to provide a forum for all adult Catholics to learn more about their faith in a comfortable setting. It is offered at various locations throughout the Diocese with a variety of engaging speakers and intriguing topics. Come enjoy an evening out, a meal with friends, and an opportunity to deepen your faith!
|
|
|
The Forgotten Person of the Trinity
|
|
|
|
Join us as
Deacon Tony Campanell explores the third person of the Blessed Trinity. Who is the Holy Spirit? What is the role and relationship of the Holy Spirit to us and the Church? How does a relationship with the Holy Spirit affect me? These questions and more will be discussed. There is no cost to attend and no registration is required.
There will be menus available for ordering food and drink at your expense.
Monday, April 23, 2018
6:30 P.M.
Fegley's Allentown Brew Works
812 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
|
|
Exposition of Sacred Relics
|
|
You are invited to a teaching and exposition of Sacred Relics. Over 150 relics will be shown, some believed to be as old as 2000 years.
Among the treasures will be relics of St. Catharine of Siena, St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Maria Goretti, St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the "Little Flower"), St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Faustina Kowalska.
In addition, there will be also present a piece of a veil which is believed to have belonged to Our Lady and one of the largest remaining pieces of the True Cross in the world.
Monday, March 12, 2018
7:00 P.M.
St. Catharine of Siena Parish
4975 Boyertown Pike
Reading, PA 19606
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
|
|
An Afternoon Tea for Mothers and Daughters
|
|
Mothers of daughters from 9 to 13 years of age! Join us for a special afternoon exploring God’s precious gift of human fertility in a respectful, loving atmosphere, establishing a foundation for dialogue between mothers and daughters within the family.
Sunday, March 18, 2018
1:30 P.M.
DeSales University Center
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 18034
Questions: Please call
610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
|
|
|
Preparing Our Souls For Our Savior
|
|
|
|
The Diocese of Allentown Commission for Women invites you to the
Preparing our Souls for our Savior Lenten Reteat
Saturday, March 24, 2018
9:00 A.M.
Diocesan Shrine of St. Therese of Lisieux
1 E. Garibaldi Ave.
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
Questions: Please call Joanie Norelli at
|
|
Diocesan Marriage Conference
|
|
Together in Holiness is a marriage conference series for dioceses that inspires and empowers Catholic couples to grow together in holiness. Each conference brings to life a theme from St. John Paul II's teachings on marriage and family life. They include insightful and practical presentations for spouses, as well as Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
8:30 A.M.
St. Ignatius Loyola Parish
St. Albans Dr. & Whitfield Blvd.
Reading, PA 19608
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2028
|
|
|
2018 Diocesan Women's Conference
|
|
Women of all ages are invited to learn how their lives can be transformed through a deeper understanding of their vital role in God’s plan for creation. Presenters will challenge women to discover who God made them to be through topics of embracing the universal call to holiness in daily life and unveiling their unique vocation, as St. Catharine of Siena affirmed when she said, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” This second annual diocesan women’s conference includes four keynote speakers, exhibitors and opportunities for adoration and reconciliation. The day will conclude with a Saturday evening Vigil Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown. A separate Spanish track will be offered. A special session for high school age young women will be offered as part of the day.
|
|
or for questions, call (610) 289-8900, Ext. 2021
|
|
The Hesburgh Lecture Series
|
|
|
|
Do miracles still occur? How can we understand the meaning of a miracle? What is the biblical and theological basis for a Catholic understanding of miracles? How do miracles serve in the process of the canonization of saints? This lecture takes up these topics and other related questions.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
7:00 P.M.
DeSales University
(University Center)
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 18034
This event is free and open to the public.
No tickets are required.
(610) 282-1100 ext. 1244
|
|
Well known Catholic actor
Jim Caviezel joined Dr. Scott Hahn Live on FORMED to discuss the new film
Paul, Apostle of Christ and the challenges and benefits of bringing a New Testament story to life for 21st-century filmgoers.
Paul, Apostle of Christ will be in theaters beginning March 23, 2018 and features Caviezel as Saint Luke and James Faulkner as Saint Paul. It shares the story of Paul’s last days as he reflects on his life and conversion.
The discussion was be hosted by Franciscan University of Steubenville and led by EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo. The film’s executive producer, Eric Groth, also joined on the panel. The event was live streamed and the recording is now available to view.
|
|
|
The Office of Adult Formation has a resource library that is available for parishes, prayer groups, and individuals to review. This month we will highlight one of our resources called
Walking With Purpose
.
|
|
The modern woman’s guide to the Bible.
Have you ever considered that your day-to-day struggles are, at their core, timeless and universal? Though your challenges are deeply personal, they are also deeply human, and God has provided workable solutions for you through the teachings of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church.
Walking with Purpose would like to help you enjoy a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nurtured through personal Bible study and small group discussions created just for women.
|
|
For resources in our Diocesan library visit
or Call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2027.
|
|
What does it mean in practice for a person to believe in God?
|
|
It means to adhere to God himself, entrusting oneself to him and giving assent to all the truths which God has revealed because God is Truth. It means to believe in one God in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
|
|
The Catholic Mirror:
Reflections on Our Life in Christ
|
|
The period of 40 days of sacrifice which we partake in each year in preparation for Easter is to place us in union with Christ's 40 days of fasting in the desert detailed in the first 11 verses of Matthew's fourth chapter (also Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13). The time of 40 days would remind the Jewish contemporaries of Christ and the Early Church of the 40 years in the desert during the Exodus. The Israelites had acquired an affinity for idol worship during their time in Egypt from which they needed to be purified before entering the Holy Land. It could also remind them of Noah's 40 days of rain where the earth was purified from the evils perpetrated by the descendants of Cain. The number 40 then seems to be associated with a time of purification. Jesus was without sin so in what purification was he taking part?
To understand what is taking place in the desert, we need to first connect it with the immediately preceding story of Christ's Baptism. As the Lord ascended out of the waters of the Jordan River, the Spirit descended upon him. This would remind a Jewish audience of the anointing of a king; immediately following the anointings of Kings Saul (1 Samuel 10) and David (1 Samuel 16) the Spirit descended upon them. Following their anointings, both kings went to battle with Israel's enemies, Saul defeating the Ammonites and David defeating Goliath. That is what we see Christ doing here; He is going to battle with the true enemy, not just of Israel, but of the whole of humanity.
The three battles that Christ faced have been mirrored by the Church's traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. First, Jesus dispatched the temptation to turn stones into bread. We join in that same battle by fasting. Secondly, Christ resisted the temptation to test God. Almsgiving corresponds to this skirmish because here we are giving of ourselves as an act of trusting in God's goodness and providence. Finally Our Lord silences the tempter's lure of attaining earthly power and glory through worship of him. Prayer is where were join in this final combat as we offer worship to God alone.
Perhaps you aren't tempted to turn stones into bread, but do you let your hunger control your actions and disposition? Perhaps you aren't tempted to jump off a building so that God can send his angels to catch you, but are you willing to trust God enough to give of yourself to a point of discomfort? One would hope that devil-worship isn't on your to-do list, but are you committed to a life of prayer? A life of deep intimacy with Our Lord? That is what we are called to in this Lenten season of purification. Are you taking this opportunity to enter into the battle for purification?
Let us Praise the Lord.
-And give him thanks.
|
|
|
|
Thank you for reading. We pray that you have a holy remainder of Lent. Hopefully we will see you at some of our events!
Deo Omnis Gloria.
Diocese of Allentown
Office of Adult Formation
2121 Madison Ave
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017
610-289-8900
|
|
Good Friday, March 30, 2018.
|
|
Rick Dooley, Assistant Director
Office of Adult Formation
610-289-8900, Ext. 2027
|
|
Mary Fran Hartigan, Director
Faith Formation
610-289-8900, Ext. 2026
|
|
Click "Update Profile" below to choose what information you want to receive from the Diocese of Allentown. By clicking "Unsubscribe" you will be removed from
ALL
of the Diocese of Allentown's email lists.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
