Diocese of Allentown
Adult Formation Newsletter
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The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Saturday, February 2, 2019
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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 grow deeper in the understanding of your faith
with ICF courses taking place in 2019!
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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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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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ICF 103
The New Testament
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This course picks up the story of God's plan of salvation with an introduction to the Gospels, Apostolic preaching and the origins of the Church, concluding with the conversion, preaching and travels of St. Paul.
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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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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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Salesian Spirituality:
Getting to Know the "Other" Saint Francis
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Join us as
Maggie Riggins, Campus Minister of DeSales University, introduces us to Saint Francis de Sales! Known as the "Gentleman Saint", he wrote prolifically about holiness in the everyday life of lay people.
Monday, March 18, 2018
6:30 PM
PJ Whelihan's
1101 Rocky Road
Reading, PA 19609
Questions: Please email
or call (610) 282-1100, Ext. 2021
There is no cost to attend Faith and Spirits. Menus will be available for the purchase of food or drink at your expense.
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An Evening of Divine Mercy
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“God’s Remedy for Our Sins”
A Lenten Reflection by Sr. Gaudia Skass, OLM
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Join us for a prayerful evening of reflection on the Divine Mercy!
Sr. Gaudia Skass, OLM will give a moving presentation about God's infinite mercy during an evening centered in prayerful Adoration of Our Lord.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
St. Joseph the Worker Parish
1879 Applewood Drive
Orefield, PA 18069
Questions: Please email
or call (610) 289-8900, Ext. 2021
There is no cost to attend this event.
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Lenten Morning of Reflection
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SPIRITUAL TRAINING:
Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving
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The Diocesan Commission for Men is offering a men’s Lenten morning of reflection featuring presentations by the
Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert and
Rev. Bernard Ezaki. Refreshments will be offered beginning at 8:30 AM in the Parish Activity Center. Presentations by will begin in the Cathedral at 9:15 AM, ending by 11:30 AM. The Sacrament of Confession will be offered as well.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena
1825 W. Turner St.
Allentown, PA 18104
Questions: Please email
or call (610) 289-8900, Ext. 2027
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Rachel's Vineyard Retreat
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An intimate spiritual journey for anyone
seeking healing after abortion
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In a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment you can focus on this painful time in your life and enter into the process of healing. Through scripture readings, guided meditations, and activities flowing from the meditations you can experience God’s compassion and forgiveness.
March 22-24, 2019
For registration information contact:
Sr. Meg Cole
1-866-3 RACHEL (Toll Free)
610-332-0442 Ext. 2019
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"Charles Taylor:
Science and the Disappearing Self"
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Dr. Gregory Kerr of DeSales University's Philosophy Department will give a public lecture entitled "Charles Taylor: Science and the Disappearing Self."
Given radical changes in our scientific understanding of the universe over the last millennia, we might wonder whether our understanding of selfhood has kept up. Dr. Kerr will address this issue by examining the thought of Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor, widely recognized as one of the 20th century’s great philosophers.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
DeSales University Center
Commonwealth Room
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 18034
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The Hesburgh Lecture Series
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Faith Taking Shape:
Early Christianity and the Arts
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Walking With Purpose Live Event
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Shining a Light in the Darkness
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God has promised us that light shines in darkness, and that darkness will never overcome it. This means that we can live triumphantly even when shadows fall on our hearts, families and communities. Join
Lisa Brenninkmeyer at WWP Live and explore how to win the battle in your mind, stand firm in the face of struggle, and live out of your true identity in Christ.
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March 11, 2019
7:00 PM
March 12, 2019
10:00 AM
St. Joseph Parish
332 Manor Avenue
Downingtown, PA 19355
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For more information or to register visit:
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Reel to Real Movie Series
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DeSales University's
Salesian Center for Faith & Culture sponsors special movie events to generate discussions on a particular topic of interest. These events are FREE and open to the public. FREE POPCORN TOO!!!
The story covers Paul going from the most infamous persecutor of Christians to Jesus Christ's most influential apostle.
Monday, April 15, 2019
7:00 PM
DeSales University Center
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 18034
Questions: Please email
or call (610) 282-1100, Ext. 1244
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Scott Hahn's
Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology is offering a new online program that you can stream for free this Lent!
Genesis to Jesus presents the whole sweep of salvation history, and helps you make sense of the Bible, literally, from Genesis to Jesus. By the end of Lent, you'll understand the importance of Easter as the eighth day of creation in light of God's unified plan for our salvation.
Sign up now to make the most of this Lent!
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Bishop Robert Barron's
Lenten Gospel Reflection Booklets
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Bishop Barron's Lenten Gospel Reflection Booklets now contain more than ever before to help you make the most of the holy season of Lent.
In the video below, Bishop Barron offers some Lenten advice and reveals what's included in the booklets this year.
Get 1 Booklet for FREE (+$5.95 S&H)
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For resources in our Diocesan library visit
or Call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2027.
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Why does the Profession of Faith begin with the words, “I believe in God”?
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The Profession of Faith begins with these words because the affirmation “I believe in God” is the most important, the source of all the other truths about man and about the world, and about the entire life of everyone who believes in God.
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The Catholic Mirror:
Reflections on Our Life in Christ
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Does your faith life bear fruit? Christ tells us, "every sound tree bears good fruit" (Matthew 7:17), and so we can gauge the "soundness" or strength of our spiritual life by its fruitfulness.
What do we mean by fruit? Here we are not discussing spiritual consolations or gifts, for advancement in the spiritual life involves the loss of spiritual consolation during certain periods. Certainly, one's own holiness would be a positive fruit, but the real fruit, which always grows from holiness, is the bringing of other souls to Christ.
Holiness does not consist only in pious actions, but it is an ever-deepening relationship with, and love for, Our Lord. It is out of this love that our pious actions come. If we truly love the Lord, we will keep His commands (cf. John 14:15), and His final command before His Ascension was to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). So the true "good fruit" is evangelization, bringing others into relationship with Christ.
The question of your faith life bearing good fruit can be rephrased as, "Do you evangelize?" If that question makes you uncomfortable, consider this for a moment. We naturally share with everyone what it is that we love or greatly enjoy. If you go to a restaurant and have the best steak of your life that is tender enough to cut with your fork, you are going to tell everyone about how great your experience was. Similarly, if you truly "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37), then sharing your faith with others would be a natural outpouring of that love. It isn't imposing something on others if you share your faith with them, rather it is proposing that they share in the same joy that overflows in your own heart.
Consider asking the Lord to fill your heart to overflow with His love so that you may "bear good fruit."
Let us Praise the Lord.
-And give him thanks.
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Thank you for reading. We pray that you stay warm and safe for the rest of this winter. 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 Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes
on Monday, February 11, 2019
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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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