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Diocese of Allentown
Adult Formation Newsletter
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The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday, September 8, 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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Ordination and Installation of the Fifth Bishop of Allentown
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Bishop Alfred Schlert was Ordained and Installed as the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown. You can view a video of the Liturgy on the Diocesan Facebook page:
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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 Fall of 2017!
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ICF 101 - Christian Anthropology
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What does it mean to be human? This course will examine who God is as the One who seeks to share Himself with His creation. A brief survey of Salvation History will be traced to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer who saves humanity, and teaches us what it means to be a human person.
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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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ICF 105 - Christian Morality
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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 health care, sexuality and social justice.
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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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ICF 201 - Prayer & Spirituality
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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.
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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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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 fulfillment 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 fulfill our deepest longing.
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Cost: $10 (includes wine and cheese)
Saturday, September 30, 2017
7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
(Doors open at 6:30 P.M.)
St. Thomas More Family Center
1040 Flexer Ave.
Allentown, PA 18103
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900
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Theology of the Body Seminars
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Come join us for one or all of our seminars which will delve into Pope Saint John Paul II’s groundbreaking teaching known as the Theology of the Body!
These seminars are for anyone recognizing the need for a restored relationship with God, others, and the created world.
Each seminar will take place in the Religious Education building of St. Mary Parish in Kutztown from 9:30 to 11:30am on the dates listed below. The cost is $20 per seminar or save $10 by registering for all three at once at
www.allentowndiocese.org/icf!
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Saturday, October 21, 2017
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This seminar will discuss God’s original plan for us and the gifts he bestowed on us before the Fall of our first parents in Eden. Our bodies are more than just vehicles for our souls. They express something deep in our human experience that connects us to God, each other, and the world. The presenter will be William Hamant, Ph.D. of DeSales University.
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Saturday, November 11, 2017
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The Redemption of the Heart
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This seminar will discuss the Fall in Eden and how it affects our relationship with God, each other, and the world around us. It won’t be all bad news; we will also explore how Jesus redeems our broken hearts and offers us a path to renewed relationship! The presenter will be Andrew Whitmore, a Ph.D. candidate studying at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
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Saturday, December 2, 2017
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This seminar will discuss the different vocations of love that we are all called to and will show how each points to our ultimate end in God’s loving embrace. The presenter will be Sara Hulse, a Ph.D. candidate studying at Marquette University while teaching at DeSales University.
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Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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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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Divine Mercy and 100 Years of Fatima
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Join us as
Rev. Richard James
explores what the messages of Fatima and Divine Mercy have to do with us today. What are the messages of Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Fatima? What do the messages of Divine Mercy and Fatima have to do with each other? 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, October 2, 2017
6:30 P.M.
Vito's Coal Fired Pizza and Restaurant
400 Terry Rich Blvd.
Saint Clair, PA 17970
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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Spiritual Battle: Good vs. Evil
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Join us as
Rev. Stephen DeLacy
of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia explores how we are daily engaged in spiritual battle. Does Satan really exist? Can I lose Salvation? How does sin 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, November 20, 2017
6:30 P.M.
Fegley's Allentown Brew Works
812 Hamilton St.
Allentown, PA 18101
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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TRUTH
What the Catholic Church Really Teaches
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Formerly known as the Apologetics Forum, this free series will discuss topics within the Faith that many of our contemporaries disagree with or don't ascribe to. Many of us believe the Church's teachings but don't know how to speak about them with our neighbors, co-workers, and children. This series will change that.
TRUTH: What the Catholic Church Really Teaches
will prepare every day lay Catholics with the tools of how to discuss the challenging teachings of our great Faith.
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The Rosary: Power Beyond Description
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Have you ever been asked or wondered… Is praying the Rosary worshiping Mary? Why isn’t the Rosary mentioned in the Bible? Why is the Rosary so powerful? Join us as
Fr. Kevin Gualano
discusses how to answer these and other common questions about the Rosary!
Thursday, October 26, 2017
7:00 P.M.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Hall
300 W. Babbitt Ave.
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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Finding God's Will in the Mundane
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We all make hundreds of decisions every day, large and small; how do you know what God’s will is in those decisions? Join us on Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 7 to 9PM at the McGlinn Conference and Spirituality Center in Reading as
Rev. Frank Kaminski, S.J. helps us to uncover the mystery of finding God’s will in our everyday lives and decisions. This event is free of charge, but please register at
www.allentowndiocese.org/aff as seating is limited.
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Thursday, October 19, 2017
7:00 P.M.
McGlinn Conference & Spirituality Center
460 St. Bernardine St.
Reading, PA 19607
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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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
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2024
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2017 Diocesan Family Festival
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A Fun-Filled Day for the Whole Family!
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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
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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Diocese of Allentown to be dedicated to Mary
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100th Anniversary
of Our Lady of Fatima Apparitions
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All of the dioceses in Pennsylvania are going to be dedicated to the Blessed Mother in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima. Join us as our diocese is dedicated!
Sunday, October 15, 2017
12:00 P.M. Mass
Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena
18th and Turner Streets
Allentown, PA 18104
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2017 Diocesan Men's Conference
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Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?
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A once in a lifetime opportunity for Catholics
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Cursillo (pronounced cur see o) is a worldwide lay movement within the Catholic Church dedicated to the renewal of the faith and Christian service to our communities. Cursillo has been active in the Allentown Diocese since 1970 and is open to all adult Catholics in good standing .
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88th Men's Weekend
Thursday, October 12, 2017
to
Sunday, October 15, 2017
St Francis Center for Renewal
Monocacy Manor
395 Bridle Path Road
Bethlehem, PA 18017
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88th Women's Weekend
Thursday, October 19, 2017
to
Sunday, October 22, 2017
St Francis Center for Renewal
Monocacy Manor
395 Bridle Path Road
Bethlehem, PA 18017
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For more information contact:
Or talk with your pastor or local priest
Click on the image for a copy of the flyer.
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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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The Bible and the Sacraments
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Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology
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Experience the power of the Church’s seven signs of grace in the St. Paul Center’s newest video study, The Bible and the Sacraments. During Lent, over 67,000 people completed the study.
Join host Matthew Leonard for this visually stunning eleven lesson series that explores how and why the seven Sacraments are God’s gifts of life and love to His children.
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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
Be A Man.
This presentation was made to the men of Erie, Pennsylvania for 10 weeks and the inspiration for Fr. Larry Richard's best-selling book "Be a Man". Fr. Larry draws on his many years of ministry and his own experience as a man to inspire other men as men. In this presentation Fr. Larry challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitation, while urging them to find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults. He inspires men to become the true heroes they long to be - men of authentic courage, compassion and integrity.
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For resources in our library visit
or Call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2027.
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What is the importance of the Old Testament for Christians?
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Christians venerate the Old Testament as the true
word of God. All of the books of the Old Testament are divinely inspired and retain a permanent value. They bear witness to the divine pedagogy of God's saving love. They are written, above all, to prepare for the coming of Christ the Savior of the universe.
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The Catholic Mirror:
Reflections on Our Life in Christ
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The history of humanity has been fraught with many evils and modernity is no exception. What are we to make of all this evil which seems to be mounting in our time? How can we reconcile the notion of God's goodness, with the utter lack of goodness present in the evils we experience?
There is no short and simple answer to these questions that could be exhaustively expressed in the short space of this reflection. In fact, the Catechism states, "Only Christian faith as a whole constitutes the answer to this question...
There is not a single aspect of the Christian message that is not in part an answer to the question of evil" (CCC 309). Perhaps then, our question shouldn't be about how evil can exist while there is a good God, but maybe we should reflect upon what the correct response to evil is.
Are we to do battle? Take up arms and challenge the evil we see head-on? Or are we to do nothing? After all, evil has been in the world from the time of our first parents and will be until the Second Coming of Christ (Parousia). Since we can never wholly defeat it, should we sit back and wait for Christ to defeat it?
Consider the following response. The first thing we should do is fall to our knees in fervent prayer. Pray for those suffering from evil; pray for those perpetrating evil; pray for those who observe evil. Pray for the suffering that they may find rest and that while they suffer, they may offer it to God. Take on suffering yourself (fasting) to stand in solidarity with those whom you pray for. Pray for those perpetrating that they may know the gravity of the errors which they commit, cease doing evil, and that they may have a conversion of heart, and offer themselves to the Lord in contrition. Take up a fast for their salvation. Pray for those observing evil, that they do not take the occasion to doubt God's goodness, that they do not despair, but act in hope following God's call, whatever it be, in whatever situation they find themselves. Fast with the intention of interceding for an increase in courage and wisdom.
Whatever else is done should flow from that prayer. Remember that at your Baptism you were "made sharers in [your] particular way in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ" (CCC 897). Please note that the priestly office of the laity is different from the ordained priesthood (See
CCC 898-913 for more on these offices). As
priests we are called to prayer and sacrifice. As
prophets we are called to proclaim Christ into every situation in which we find ourselves, even and especially the ones pervaded by evil. As
kings we are called to order not only our own lives, but the whole world, towards Christ. When faced with evil we are not to sit idly by, but rather to allow ourselves to be used by Christ, to be his hands, his feet, his mouth in every time and place. When confronted with darkness and evil, do not despair, for the darkness is like the moon in an eclipse, it can never totally block the light of the sun.
Let us Praise the Lord.
-And give him thanks.
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Thank you for reading. We pray that you have a fruitful Autumn. 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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The Feast of
Saint Matthew
on Thursday,
September 21, 2017.
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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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