Exaltation of the Holy Cross
13 September 2003
Dear Friends in Christ,
St. Mary’s Church is a spiritual family of over 6,200 souls, but only six of us are ordained: two priest and four deacons. This means that the task of proclaiming the Gospel is accomplished 99.999% by lay men and women. Priests and deacons are given years of education and training to fulfill their duties, but the Church has for too long neglected the proper preparation of the lay faithful for the work of responding to their baptismal vocation to be witnesses to Christ and teachers of the Gospel. This must change.
"Called and Gifted" is a workshop designed to help us begin the task of identifying the remarkable gifts and human abilities present in this congregation and of equipping you to respond to the call of Christ you received in your Baptism. On 17 and 18 October, we will be joined by a Dominican priest. Father Michael Sweeney, and a lay woman, Mrs. Sherry Weddell, from the Catherine of Siena Institute in Colorado Springs. Over a few hours on Friday evening and Saturday, Father Sweeney and Sherry will present a workshop which has helped thousands of Catholics deepen their discipleship by understanding their unique, personal vocation to be instruments of grace for others.
Moreover, this process of self discovery can take place at any time and under any circumstances. "Called and Gifted" is for you whether you are young or old; single, married, or widowed; in school, working, or retired; a lifelong Catholic, a recent convert, or not yet Catholic. In sum, this workshop is for everyone at St. Mary’s, and I cordially invite everyone in the parish to participate.
This bulletin contains an explanation of "Called and Gifted", and on the back of that page is a registration form. Please read the information carefully and then let us know if you’ll be joining us in this adventure of spiritual growth.
Father Newman
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.