With the work of the new evangelization, we hear over and over the invitation to be a more welcoming Church. So we are updating our websites, putting up campus maps and signs, recruiting greeters… and yet our Holy Father and Archbishop Lori continue to challenge us to be even more welcoming. Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Responding to confusion on Zika virus; Divine Renovation Network; Year of Mercy Resources and Updates; Holy Week Resources; Transitions; plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more
Pope Francis and the bishops at the Synod on the Family called for marriage preparation to take on a catechumenal form. What an exciting proposition! When preparing couples for marriage, I invite them to model their immediate marriage preparation after Lent and Advent. Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Ecumenical Relations; Social Media Crash Course and More Lenten Resources plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more
One aspect of evangelization that takes on special meaning in this Jubilee Year of Mercy is compassionate outreach. The Church not only opens its doors as a sign of welcome, but also goes out to meet those who are apprehensive; those who are marginalized; those who feel rejected; those who are disabled; and those whom society does not value. Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Deep Gratitude; World Day of the Sick and Transitions (Carlos Castaneda) plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more
There are some amazing conferences happening in our Archdiocese this week. The Mid-Atlantic Congress (MAC) begins today! This is the fifth year that the Archdiocese has offered pastoral leaders the opportunity for skills development, networking, and prayer with other pastoral leaders. Also happening this week is Mount 2000, an intense retreat for high school students. It provides young people with an opportunity to pray in community and be formed more deeply in their faith. Both the MAC and Mount 2000 can be intensely moving. Some call these type of occurrences “mountain top experiences” because on the top of the mountain you feel spiritually and physically closer to God, and in hindsight these moments can be seen as climactic. Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Mid Atlantic Congress is finally here; Lent tips from Pope Francis; Family Day for Lent; Videos to inspire others, and Update on Family Life Materials, plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more