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By Teresa Gernazian
Stressing that Catholics should look into the past with reverence,
to the present with respect and to the future with faith, Archbishop Thomas
Donnellan was among those addressing over 100 parishioners attending a Holy
Year Renewal Conference May 31-June 1 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
Archbishop Donnellan urged the reading of the Constitution on the
Church from the Vatican Documents and the Pastoral Letter Bishops written in
1968, “The Church in Our Day”
The committee which scheduled the Renewal Conference, the dates of
which were chosen to coincide with the Church’s celebration of Pentecost,
June 2, implemented ideas from the Catholic Renewal Conference held at St. Pius
X in January.
In keeping with Pope Paul’s dedication of 1974 as preparation
for the Holy Year, the conference promoted a sharing of ideas for personal
interior renewal as well as renewal for the entire parish.
Talks included “Journey to Renewal” by Rt. Rev. Eusebius
Beltran; “Baptism” by Father Vincent Mulvin; “The Role of the
Holy Spirit in the Parish” by Monsignor John McDonough; “Bridge
Building” by Father Robert Kinast; “The Church as the Instrument to
Reconciliation and Renewal” by Archbishop Donnellan; “The Blessed
Mother” by Father Richard Lopez; and “Penance” by Father Richard
Kiernan.
Archbishop Donnellan urged the reading of the Constitution on the
Church from the Vatican Documents and the Pastoral Letter of Bishops written in
1968 entitled ‘The Church in Our Day.” He stressed that Catholics
should look to the past with reverence, to the present with respect and to the
future with faith which is the substance of hope.
Father Lopez shared his deep personal devotion to Mary with many
new insights, particularly on the transcendental beauty of the rosary. He
strongly encouraged the reading of the Bishop’s recent pastoral on Mary,
“Behold Thy Mother.”
The Sacrament of Penance was stressed as one of the most important
aids in spiritual renewal and Father Kieran showed the importance of believing
that Jesus can remove the desire for sin from within us if we ask Him in
confidence. Individual confessions were available following an impressive
Penance Service.
The Mass of Pentecost at the Cathedral co-celebrated by Monsignor
McDonough and Father Kieran concluded the conference. |
