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Diocese of Allentown
Adult Formation Newsletter
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The Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.
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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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Vatican Announced 5th Bishop of Allentown
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Bishop-Elect Alfred A. Schlert
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On Tuesday, June 27, 2017 it was announced that Pope Francis has appointed a priest of the Diocese of Allentown, Reverend Monsignor Alfred A. Schlert, as the Fifth Bishop of Allentown.
Below is a video of Bishop-elect Schlert's press conference that took place later that same morning.
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Bishop-elect Schlert’s Ordination and Installation will be held on Thursday, August 31at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena in Allentown. Please remember Bishop-elect Schlert in your prayers as he prepares to begin his episcopal ministry here in the Diocese of Allentown.
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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 Summer of 2017!
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An overview of fundamental Catholic teachings based on the founding Symbol of our Faith. This course provides catechists with a foundation in the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith, and is a good starting point leading to further study. The course is highly recommended for Catechists; but
everyone is invited to learn more about what it means to say, I believe…
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CAT II - Classroom Applications
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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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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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An Evening with Married Saints and Holy Couples
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Free!
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
7:00 P.M.
Monocacy Manor
395 Bridle Path Road
Bethlehem, PA 18017
or call 610-289-8900
Light refreshments will be provided.
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Fulfilling Our Deepest Longing
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We all have a longing deep in our hearts that isn't satisfied by the things of this world.
Many people search for fulfilment in a variety of ways, but are left with a sense of emptiness.
National presenter Bill Donaghy will explore what and who we are made for so that we can finally attain our desire and fulfil our deepest longing.
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Cost: $10 (includes wine and cheese)
Saturday, September 30, 2017
6:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
St. Thomas More Family Center
1040 Flexer Ave.
Allentown, PA 18103
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Natural Reproductive Technology
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A Restorative Approach to Infertility
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The Diocese of Allentown invites medical professionals and all lay faithful to attend a seminar about the medical breakthroughs in natural systems of fertility care. Dr. Anne Nolte MD will be the presenter.
One CNE for nurses and one CME for physicians are available. This seminar is free; light refreshments will be available. Register by July 21, 2017.
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Wednesday, July 26, 2017
5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
DeSales University
Gambit Center Auditorium
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 18034
or call 610-289-8900 ext. 24
*There is a $10 processing fee for those needing the CNE and CME*
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Annual Diocesan Anniversary Mass
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For Couples Celebrating 5, 25, 40, 50, 60 or More Years of Marriage
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
3:00 P.M.
Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena
1875 W. Turner St.
Allentown, PA 18104
or call 610-289-8900 ext. 24
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2017 Diocesan Family Festival
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Sunday, September 24, 2017
11:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Bethlehem Steel Stacks
101 Founders Way
Bethlehem, PA 18015
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Steubenville Adult Conferences
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July 17-27, 2017
St. John Bosco Conference
Jesus, Our Hope
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July 26-28, 2017
Applied Biblical Studies
The Book of Acts:
How the Holy Spirit Leads the Church Through Hard Times
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July 28-30, 2017
Defending the Faith
Always Reforming: Authentic Renewal, Ongoing Conversion
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There is a bus running from within the diocese for those interested in attending the
Defending the Faith Conference on July 28-30, 2017. If you are interested in joining the bus, please contact Deacon Bruce Swist at
b@swist.us.
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This September the Sistine Chapel Choir, also known as the "Pope's Choir" will be giving concerts during a short tour in the US! It is the oldest choir in the world dating back to the seventh century.
The locations and dates are:
New York City
Saturday, September 16, 2017
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Detroit
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Detroit Opera House
Tickets prices start at $50 per person
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Originally released in the Fall of 2015,
FORMED, a revolutionary online platform, provides access to the best Catholic audio talks, movies, ebooks, and video-based studies from trusted providers like
Augustine Institute,
Ignatius Press,
Catholic Answers,
Sophia Press,
St. Paul Center, and more! Now they have released a new app for iOS (Apple Device) users.
This service is available to parishes to purchase for all of their members, or an individual can have their own subscription. They have a 7-day free trial available if you are interested in taking a closer look at what they have available
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How is Sacred Scripture to be read?
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Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted with the help of the Holy Spirit and under the guidance of the Magisterium of the Church according to three criteria: 1) it must be read with attention to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture; 2) it must be read within the living Tradition of the Church; 3) it must be read with attention to the analogy of faith, that is, the inner harmony which exists among the truths of the faith themselves.
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The Catholic Mirror:
Reflections on Our Life in Christ
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On Tuesday, July 11, 2017 the Church will celebrate the Memorial of St. Benedict of Nursia, a monk who lived in the 6th century and is considered to be the father of Western monasticism. The life of a monk may sometimes seem unapproachable to lay persons, but there are many things that we can learn from reading his life and his
Rule. This reflection will focus on one point in particular.
In the
Rule of Saint Benedict (Chapter 43 if you are interested), the Saint states that "nothing is to be preferred to the Work of God." As a point of clarification, "Work of God" refers to prayer in the context of the
Rule. One may here think that is a nice thing for a monk, but it can't apply to those of us living in the so-called "real world" who have jobs and other responsibilities. It is true that monks are blessed to live in a community that facilitates an intense prayer life, but they also have to work, building shelters, planting and harvesting food as well as many other tasks. That is the point of Saint Benedict making this particular statement; the monks had to stop what they were doing, no matter how important it seemed, at the appointed hours and gather for prayer.
Prayer must be a priority for all Christians. As laity, we cannot simply stop in the middle of our workday and take 15 minutes to recite the Psalms as the Benedictine Monks are enjoined to do, but we can structure our lives in such a way to foster opportunities to commune with God. Can you rise a few minutes earlier to allow time to pray? It is commonly observed that the morning is the best time to pray for many people, before all of the distractions of the day set in. Is there an opportunity before going to sleep to pray? If we are taking an hour for lunch, can we not take the first 10 minutes of that hour to pray before going to eat? A benefit of making specific times to pray is that it augments our ability to follow the Biblical command to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) by making points throughout the day for us to re-collect ourselves. These points can foster a constant awareness of God's presence in our lives and propel us further in our journey towards sanctity.
This gives us an opportunity to reflect and consider what it is in our lives that we consider more important than prayer. Let us ponder what wisdom can be found in the great Saint Benedict so that as he found ways to sanctify the chaotic and corrupt culture in which he lived, we too may find ways to sanctify our lives and culture.
Let us Praise the Lord.
-And give him thanks.
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Thank you for reading. We pray that you continue to have a restful summer. 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
http://www.allentowndiocese.org/aff
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The Feast of Saint James
on Tuesday,
July 25, 2017.
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Rick Dooley, Assistant Director
Office of Adult Formation
610-289-8900
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Mary Fran Hartigan, Director
Faith Formation
610-289-8900
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