Oregon Catholics plan small-group sessions to focus on reconciliation

Published: 2007-12-27

PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- Catholics from western Oregon, who weathered the end of an archdiocesan bankruptcy and a $75 million reorganization in 2007, will be meeting in homes and parishes during Lent 2008 to focus on healing and reconciliation. Parishioners from the Archdiocese of Portland will read and study the Sunday Scripture readings, share faith and daily struggles and work toward making matters right in their personal lives, homes, neighborhoods, churches and the archdiocese. Catholics in the region have been occasionally gathering in recent years to pray for the healing and reconciliation of victims of clergy sexual abuse and everyone affected by the scandal. The Lenten small groups will broaden that spiritual effort, seeking healing in all parts of life. "We are not just talking about child abuse here, but reconciliation in families, in parishes -- anything that separates you from God," said Deacon Thomas Gornick, director of evangelization for the Portland Archdiocese.

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