Diocese of Allentown
Adult Formation Newsletter
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The Ascension of the Lord on Thursday, May 10, 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 Summer of 2018!
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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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If you have been thinking about taking an ICF course but not sure about making the investment, this is for you! We are offering a course for free this summer. The only risk is that you will leave wanting to take more classes!
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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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Instructor: Sr. Marie Clark, MSC
Location: St. Mary, Kutztown
Parish Religious Education Center
Dates: Tuesdays, June 19, 26, July 3 & 10, 2018
Time: 9:45 AM to 11:45 AM
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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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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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Have you ever been asked or wondered… Do Catholics worship Mary? What is the Biblical evidence for the Assumption? Why is Mary referred to as the "Queen of Heaven"? Join us as
Sr. Emily Vincent, I.H.M. discusses how to answer these and other common questions about the Church's teaching on the Blessed Mother!
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
7:00 P.M.
St. Joseph Parish Hall
(Annunciation BVM Hall
9 S. Broad Mountain Ave
Frackville, PA 17931
Questions: Please email
or call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2021
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Steubenville Adult Conferences
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Power and Purpose Conference
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Do you want…
- to learn more about the Holy Spirit and what He can do in your life?
- to discover a purpose for your life?
- freedom and healing from past wounds?
June 8-10, 2018
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St. John Bosco Conference
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Do you want…
- renewal and revitalization in both your personal spiritual life and in your ministry?
- to be equipped to be a better minister?
- to experience community with other catechists and evangelizers?
June 16-19, 2018
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Applied Biblical Studies Conference
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Do you want…
- a greater devotion to and understanding of Sacred Scripture?
- to learn how to pray with Sacred Scripture?
- to be able to have better discussions with our Protestant brothers and sisters?
July 25-27, 2018
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Defending the Faith Conference
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Do you want…
- a deeper understanding of Catholic Church teaching and knowledge of how to convey it to friends and family?
- a greater sense of confidence in your faith?
- to learn how to live your faith in your everyday life?
July 27-29, 2018
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Daily Catholic Wisdom doesn't just give you free access to great content, it also unlocks exclusive discounts from Ignatius Press and Saint Joseph Communications.
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For resources in our Diocesan library visit
or Call 610-289-8900, Ext. 2027.
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Why is there no contradiction between faith and science?
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Though faith is above reason, there can never be a contradiction between faith and science because both originate in God. It is God himself who gives to us the light both of reason and of faith.
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The Catholic Mirror:
Reflections on Our Life in Christ
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The word "Pentecost" likely brings to mind the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary in the upper room fifty days after Easter. Perhaps you have heard it referred to as the "birthday of the Church." But did you know that it was originally a Jewish feast?
The feast was originally known as the "Feast of Weeks" which the Israelites celebrated 50 days after Passover. This commemorated the giving of the law to Moses from God on Mount Sinai most commonly known for the tablets of stone with the 10 Commandments written on them (Exodus 19-20). It was traditionally held that this took place 50 days after the Passover which facilitated Israel's release from bondage in Egypt.
The scene at Sinai is described as follows: "There was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud upon the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast so that all the people who were in the camp trembled... And Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire and the smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain quaked greatly" (Exodus 19:16, 18).
A Jew visiting Jerusalem during the feast of Pentecost would have that account in mind when they saw: "Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the hose where they [the Apostles] were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire" (Acts 2:2-3).
In both accounts we see storm imagery and fire as elements of God's presence. At Sinai God gave the law to his people; in Jerusalem He pours out His Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. At Pentecost the prophecy of Jeremiah is fulfilled: "I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts... they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest" (Jeremiah 31:33-34). The feast of Pentecost is associated with the giving of God's law in establishment of His people, once on tablets of stone, and the other on hearts. At the first Pentecost, the people were afraid and asked that God no longer speak to them, but that Moses mediate between them (Exodus 20:18-19); in the new Pentecost, God's people are given the opportunity to know Him with intimacy in His establishment of the Church which gives us the Sacraments.
Acts tells us the after this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the hearers of Peter's words were "cut to the heart" (Acts 2:36). Do we allow ourselves to be "cut to the heart" as well so that the law can be there written, or do we have hearts of stone?
Let us Praise the Lord.
-And give him thanks.
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Thank you for reading. We pray that you have a joyful end of the Easter season. 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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Pentecost Sunday on May 20, 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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