Diocese of Allentown
Adult Formation Newsletter
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Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Friday, February 2, 2018
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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
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The Institute for Catechesis and Formation
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Learn Your Faith + Live Your Faith + Love Your Faith
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Join us to enrich your faith with ICF courses taking place in the Winter and Spring of 2018!
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CAT II - Classroom Applicaitons
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Practical information for catechists on their role as formators in the Faith. The course includes learning to create lesson plans, communication with parents and how to engage them in religious instruction, material delivery at age-appropriate levels, and more.
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ICF 102 - The Old Testament
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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.
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The Sacraments are intimate, personal encounters between God and His people. This course will present an overview of these signs of God's love for us, by which He makes a personal connection with us and conveys grace - His very life within us.
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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.
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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.
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National Presenter Matt Fradd
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Matt Fradd
is a Catholic apologist and chastity speaker. He works with the Internet-accountability company
Covenant Eyes
, to help protect families from online pornography and assist individuals in overcoming porn addiction.
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In this talk, Matt Fradd Iays out a vision for authentic Catholic masculinity and a plan for how to achieve it.
Following the example of some of history’s greatest and wisest Christian men, he shows you how to build the strengths and practice the habits that will make you a true man of God: a man of courage and strength who lives for others, a man who is fully alive.
All men are invited to this powerful talk. Fathers are encouraged to bring their high school age sons.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
7:00 P.M.
DeSales University
(Bishop McShea Student Center)
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 18034
Please register at:
Questions, please call:
610-289-8900 ext. 2028
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Parenting the Internet Generation
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Pornography is a pervasive problem today for people of all ages, especially teens. However, many parents aren’t sure how to protect their families, beyond using traditional internet filters.
In this presentation, Matt Fradd will offer parents a detailed look at the way pornography harms us and offer practical strategies that parents need to implement if they are to protect their children from the lies of an over-sexualized culture.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
7:00 P.M.
DeSales University
(University Center)
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 18034
Please register at:
Questions, please call:
610-289-8900 ext. 2028
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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!
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Join us as
Sr. Rose Mulligan, I.H.M. of Immaculata University explores a relic known as the Shroud of Turin. What is the Shroud of Turin? Where does it come from? What can relics like this tell us about Christ? 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, February 26, 2018
6:30 P.M.
PJ Whelihan's Pub
1101 Rocky Road
Westlawn, PA 19609
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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Exposition of Sacred Relics
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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
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An Afternoon Tea for Mothers and Daughters
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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
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Preparing Our Souls For Our Savior
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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
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Diocesan Marriage Conference
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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
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2018 Diocesan Women's Conference
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Rachel's Vineyard Retreat
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Are you carrying the emotional hurt associated with a past abortion? God in his mercy wants you to experience forgiveness and peace. Come to a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown.
Friday, March 9, 2018
Click on the flyer for more information.
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This Lent, get daily reflections from Bishop Donald Hying, delivered right to your email, every day. Available in both English and Spanish (Disponible en Español)!
Watch, Read, and Reflect for just 10 Minutes a Day:
- Watch a beautiful, 5-minute video reflection from Bishop Hying's ECHO series
- Read an inspiring passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Reflect on how God's truth applies to your daily life
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Give FORMED for free to your family and friends for Lent!
FORMED is available for FREE during Lent. Share this opportunity with your loved ones, and they can register for the free trial when they sign up for FORMED Lenten Reflections!
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For resources in our Diocesan library visit
or Call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2027.
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Who are the principal witnesses of the obedience of faith in the Sacred Scriptures?
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There are many such witnesses, two in particular: One is
Abraham who when put to the test “believed in God” (
Romans 4:3) and always obeyed his call. For this reason he is called “the Father of all who believe” (
Romans 4:11-18). The other is the
Virgin Mary who, throughout her entire life, embodied in a perfect way the obedience of faith: “
Let it be done to me according to your word” (
Luke 1:38).
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The Catholic Mirror:
Reflections on Our Life in Christ
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If you have had many conversations with a two-year old, you know well their favorite word: "
Why". Their response to everything is "why?" It can make you wonder if they are challenging everything you say, budding philosophers, or simply wonderstruck at the world around them of which they are constantly discovering new facets.
Have you ever asked the favorite question of our miniature companions? Not their small "why", such as, "Why aren't hippos purple?" but the bigger adult "WHY?" The existential question of "Why am I here? Why do I exist?" One would hope that you have asked it, since, at least on a personal level, this question is at the heart of any vocational discernment. Vocational discernment may provide the answer of our specific task or undertaking which God has prepared for us, but if we stop there, we may be limiting our self-understanding to being no more than simple tools in the hand of the Divine.
If we want to know the deeper meaning of why God created us, we need to go no further than the first sentence of paragraph 1 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): "God, infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in His own blessed life." That may sound like some theological jargon, so let's briefly ponder that statement.
By referring to God as "infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself" the CCC is indicating that God didn't need to create us. He wasn't lonely or bored. He didn't need help with anything. God contains all joy and happiness within Himself.
The second part of the statement tells us first that God created us in a "plan of sheer goodness". There were no ulterior motives. Secondly, we learn that we were created "to share in His own blessed life". God created us so that we could join in his own "infinitely perfect and blessed" life! First and foremost we were created for happiness, for joy!
With Lent fast approaching, it may seem odd to reflect on God's creating us for joy as we are about to embark on a season of penance and fasting. But, the purpose of Lent isn't for us to be miserable; rather, it is for us to recognize our fallen nature so that we can turn towards the Creator who is both our source and our destination. We are to be propelled towards the Easter joy by joining our hearts closely with Christ's.
In the coming days, please be encouraged to reflect upon the rest of the Catechism's first paragraph, taking it line by line, word by word. Let the invitation to move ever closer towards God permeate your life and be the motivation for a solemn Lent.
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in His own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of His family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In His Son and through Him, He invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, His adopted children and thus heirs of His blessed life.
Let us Praise the Lord.
-And give him thanks.
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Thank you for reading. We pray that you have a holy start to 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
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Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
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Rick Dooley, Assistant Director
Office of Adult Formation
610-289-8900, Ext. 2027
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Mary Fran Hartigan, Director
Faith Formation
610-289-8900, Ext. 2026
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