09/02/2015
Faith in New York (FINY) invites you to join with us as we prepare for the upcoming visit of our Holy Father in September.
The Presentation and Training Meeting on Wednesday, Sept 2, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi [at 6:30pm]: 127 West 31st Street, NY, NY 10001.
As part of this preparation, our supportive umbrella network, the PICO National Network, has developed a study guide than can help the parishes in the Archdiocese of New York begin a process of renewal and lay leadership formation around the Pope's call to "Encounter" and "Accompany" our neighbor. This study guide was developed by clergy from all over the country with the purpose of initiating conversations and engaging people of faith in order to bring about a deeper understanding of Pope Francis’ message and call to action.
The “Year of Encounter” is a six session curriculum that invites participants to learn about Catholic Social Teaching through relevant social crises that affect families in our communities, and we presently are adding a seventh session to include the latest Encyclical. This curriculum will help participants to engage in a dialogue about how the Pope embodies Christ's call to work for the Common Good. We believe this program will help form laity and invite people from the margins into the parish and into ministry, in anticipation for the Year of Mercy. The intent of this process is not necessarily to create another program or project, but to provide the beginning of a conversation that can live within and pull from existing ministries and communities within the parish.
The Presentation and Training Meeting on Wednesday, Sept 2, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi [at 6:30pm]: 127 West 31st Street, NY, NY 10001. Afterwards, they can call together a meeting of parishioners, and embark on the seven session formation program, implemented in the way that is most relevant to their parish.
You can view the study guide by going to: http://www.piconetwork.org/community-tools/year-of-encounter
I hope that after reviewing the guide we can meet to discuss ways to work together so that this important moment in our history and in our Faith Journey can be shared throughout the NY Archdiocese with the best faithful approach possible.
This guide is intended for use in community groups and parishes - in all of our diversity - across the United States. We hope that this tool will help us start a conversation that leads all of us into deeper relationship – with one another, and with all people in our parishes and communities who fee…
