Dear People of St. Malachi,
As the St. Malachi Spiritual Development/Growth Committee, we want to take this opportunity to update you about our efforts and invite you to participate in an exciting new initiative we are offering, beginning this fall.
As you know, the Spiritual Development/Growth Committee was established through the St. Malachi Looks to the Future: Rejoice and Renew undertaken by both the Community and the Parish two years ago. More than a hundred Parish and Community members were interviewed and identified what they most found life-giving valued most about their involvement at St. Malachi's. They also identified areas in which they desired further growth and development. One of the five major areas identified was spiritual growth.
In implementing Malachi Looks to the Future: Rejoice and Renew, the Community Council and
Parish Council agreed that their respective Spiritual Development/Spiritual Growth
Commission/Committee would meet and work jointly. As usual, a Spiritual Development/
Spiritual Growth representative would report to their respective Councils.
The Spiritual Growth committee began meeting in September, 2001. During the past year, we undertook the following
initiatives:
· in support of and collaboration with the Community Book Club, discussion of
The Holy Longing, by Richard Rolheiser
· distribution and discussion of the article, Why Do We Pray? America
magazine
· an Advent study and discussion of the Infancy Narratives from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke led by Mary Jane Treichel
· researching and posting a calendar of Lenten lectures, meditations and services at parishes throughout the area and diocese.
Now the new opportunity for Spiritual Renewal. One of the significant areas of interest identified by Malachi Looks to the Future: Rejoice and Renew was a retreat/renewal program at St. Malachi. After much discussion and research, we have decided on We Are the Church written and developed by Rev. John
Weigand, pastor of St. James Church, Lakewood. This renewal program is based on the concepts of Cursillo and Search and several Committee members are familiar with it. We have met with Fr. John
Weigand. and he has a trained team ready to help us get started in this process. The first renewals, one for men and one for women will be held on October 19-20 and November 9-10, 2002. Additional renewals will be held in early and late spring of 2003. Watch for details throughout the summer months and early next autumn.
The Spirituality Committee consists of a group of dedicated and prayerful folk, both Parish and Community members. All are welcome to attend the meetings; our next meeting is Tuesday, June 11th at 7:00 pm in the rectory.
Should you have any questions feel free to contact any committee member listed below.
Sincerely, The St. Malachi Spirituality Committee
Karen Duffy, Dick Gibbons, Cathy LaBianca Johnson, Therese Kastelic, Maura
McLinden, Stephanie Pritts, Lois Samsel, Mary Jane Treichel, Miriam Robinson
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