Diocese begins plans for synod on synodality
journeying together. Ours is a pil- grimage through life. We make this pilgrimage, not as isolated in- dividuals, but together, discerning the pathways ahead, always with the promised gift of the Holy Spir- it that accompanies us and enlight- ens us along the way. Pope Francis has invited each member of the church to enter into a process over the next three years to deepen communion, participa- tion, and mission as members of the church. The preparatory docu- ment for the synod states, "Synod- ality represents the main road for the church, called to renew herself under the action of the Spirit and by listening to the Word. The abil- ity to imagine a different future for the church and her institutions, in keeping with the mission she has received, depends largely on the decision to initiate processes of listening, dialogue, and communi- ty discernment, in which each and every person can participate and contribute." The first phase, a diocesan Continued from page 1.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
land Region, and to make presen- tations to diocesan personnel, to diocesan priests, and at Newman University. We were very grateful to the bishop that he invited us to speak to his priests," she said, "because, certainly, the pastors have a par- ticular shepherding that they need to be aware of, especially with the little ones - how to serve best the little ones." She spoke to catechists, semi- narians, and others interested in the religious life of children at Newman University Friday eve- ning, Oct. 29. On Saturday she met with all of the CGS catechists of the region about how to best serve their children. Mirrione said the program's catechists are always first servants of the child's religious life with God. Catechists have at least 90 hours of formation before they work with three-year-olds. We're very committed to forming good, solid catechists and preparing a space that is just right for the young child's relationship with God," she said. What we have seen around the country, and honestly around the world, is that in doing so, the par- ents and the parish and the pastors can do what Jesus commanded us Continued from page 1. phase in which bishops are re- quested to gather the people of the diocese, will last until Aug. 15, 2022. In order to plan how the Dio- cese of Wichita will conduct this diocesan phase of the universal synod, I have asked Father John Jirak, Mr. Ryan Purcell, and Mrs. Audrey Ronnfeldt in the Depart- ment of Evangelization, Disci- pleship, and Stewardship to take leadership in the development of a plan that will engage as many of our people as possible. More in- formation will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead but we are calling this diocesan phase "Better To- gether for Mission: A Diocese in Discernment!" Therefore, I would ask that we all begin this phase by enter- ing into a personal reflection and discernment in our hearts and minds by asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten each of us. We can all begin by asking the questions, Where is the Holy Spirit leading me?" "Where is the Holy Spirit leading my family?" "Where is the Holy Spirit leading our parish or community?" These are very important questions that a church on the journey, walking together to our future must ask and discern. I look forward to sharing in this dia- logue and discernment with you in the months ahead. I would like to conclude with these engaging words once again from the preparatory document, The Bishop of Rome, as the principle and foundation of the church's unity, asks all the bishops and all the particular churches, in which and from which the one and only Catholic Church exists, to enter with confidence and cour- age into the path of synodality. In this "journeying together, "we ask the Holy Spirit to help us discov- er how communion, which brings together in unity the variety of gifts, charisms, and ministries, is for mission: a synodal church is a church "going forth," a missionary church "whose doors are open." May God bless us all as we "jour- ney together." +Bishop Carl A. Kemme to do: follow them (the children) into the kingdom of heaven be- cause they do show us a particular way." Catechesis of the Good Shep- herd can be the seed for the growth of the faith in the family and the parish, she added. Quoting from the cgsusa.org website, Mirrione said, "CGS is a common religious experience involving children and adults in which the religious values of childhood, primarily those values of contemplation and enjoyment of God, are predominant. This expe- rience is shared in a place particu- larly prepared for the religious life of children called the Atrium." In early church history, an atri- um was an open court or an en- trance area in front of the church, she said. It was the place in the early church where the catechumens would go and learn about the church so that they could enter into it," Mirrione said. "But, also, we enter into the liturgy to be dis- missed out into the world. So it's that place in between. That's why we call it the atrium because it's that place in between for children, where they can be prepared to en- ter and celebrate fully, actively, and consciously in the liturgy, but also be dismissed out into the world to bring his love and his joy."
By Jake Samour
Throughout this Year of St. Jo- seph, we have been invited to in- crease our devotion to him, to en- counter his heart, and to become more like him - to be "St. Joseph Strong!" It is my prayer that we have gained a deeper and more personal understanding of St. Joseph as the profound man he was and the saint he is. I also pray that at the end of this year of grace we can all appreci- ate why God the Father chose this particular man to reveal masculin- ity and fatherhood to his only be- gotten Son, Jesus. As I have meditated on the Litany to St. Joseph at different times during this year, the titles that stand out to me as highlight- ing his most important attributes are Joseph Most Chaste, Joseph Pillar of Families, Joseph Terror Of Demons, Joseph Patron of the Dying, and Joseph Protector of the Universal Church. To everyone who has partici- pated in a pilgrimage or a votive Mass dedicated to St. Joseph, who has done a Consecration to St. Joseph, who has made daily or monthly devotions to St. Jo- seph, or who has gained plenary indulgences for themselves or a deceased member of their family through St. Joseph's intercession, I encourage you to continue to find ways to increase your devotion to St. Joseph. I urge you to revisit the meditations and prayers that spoke to your heart most personally. Don't be afraid to review your prayer booklets, your consecration book, and your meditations. And don't forget to pray with them peri- odically in the months and years to come, particularly as we enter the Year of the Eucharist, which will be promulgated by Bishop Kemme within the next few weeks. Re- member that each time we pray to St. Joseph, there will always be something new and fresh awaiting us. Lastly, a special call to the men of the diocese. If God him- self handpicked Joseph, then who better than Joseph to serve as our model - for becoming the best man, brother, husband, and father each of us can be. I pray that all of us men will continue to strive to be more like St. Joseph. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, Bishop Kemme will close out the Year of St. Joseph. Thanks be to God for all the people who made this year such a special time of grace. And thanks be to God for all the resources that helped us learn about St. Joseph and allowed us to consecrate ourselves to Jesus through him. But just be- cause the Year of St. Joseph is com- ing to an end doesn't mean that we should forget about him. It is my hope that we will con- tinue to draw closer to St. Joseph's heart, which inevitably will draw us closer to the heart of Jesus. May we continue to encounter the Holy Family and may we remem- ber to meditate on what it might have been like to be Joseph as he and Mary raised the Second Per- son of the Trinity. As we embark upon the season of Advent, let us endeavor to learn from Joseph as Jesus learned from him. As the Year concludes, you should invite St. Joseph into your heart. Ask him to intercede for you every day and to be your interces- sor in the days to come: O Glorious St. Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for us a pure, humble, and chari- table mind and heart, and perfect resignation to the Divine will. Be our guide, father, and model through life that we may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Amen. Samour is the director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life.
The Year of St. Joseph ending; lets keep our devotion alive
Jake Samour
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November 19, 2021
Catholic Advance
www.CatholicAdvance.com After loading up at the Thanks- giving table and running ragged shopping on Black Friday, the church is inviting the faithful to also remember others in need on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30. Ad- vanced giving for the effort began on Nov. 15. Natalie Stuhlsatz, the Catholic Education Development coordina- tor in the diocesan Office of De- velopment, said over 20 parishes, schools, and ministries in the di- ocese are taking part in the global generosity movement. #iGiveCatholic is a social me- dia-based platform so people can give online," she said. "You can give online to your parish and you can give online to someone way across the globe." She said GivingTuesday's tim- ing isn't accidental. "It's the Tues- day after Thanksgiving when peo- ple are feeling good after being with their families," she said, add- ing that the event is a way to show gratitude to God for all the bless- ings the faithful have received. #iGiveCatholic and Giv- ingTuesday are ways Catholics can go beyond their regular giving and tithing, Stuhlsatz said. Almost $2.5 billion was do- nated to U.S. nonprofits on Giv- ingTuesday 2020 by 34.8 million people, she said. This year the faithful can help their parish or help someone down the street - going above and be- yond yourself," she said. Some of the recipients allow the donor to give for a specific purpose, Stuhlsatz said. For exam- ple, a school may allow the donor to give $50 for textbooks.
Want to donate?
To help your favorite ministry, school, or parish in the Diocese of Wichita on GivingTuesday, visit Wichita.iGiveCatholic.org. A countdown is currently fea- tured on its home page. The home page of #iGiveCatholic features three of the glorious mystery windows at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita.
Diocese participating in GivingTuesday, iGiveCatholic national events this year
Christmas concert Dec. 2 at Schulte
St. Peter the Apostle Church in Schulte will host a Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 2. The Senseney Community Band concert begins at 7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Lord's Diner. Those attending are asked to bring one can of food per per- son, as admission, for the Diner.
Advent Day of Reflection Dec. 2 at the Spiritual Life Center
An Advent Day of Reflection with Fr. Trevor Buster and Fr. P. J. Voegeli will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita. The day includes Mass, con- fession, and adoration. The cost is $15 per person which includes lunch. Participants are asked to bring adult-sized mittens, gloves, hats, and socks to donate to The
U.S. Night of Prayer for Life Dec. 8-9
A National Night of Prayer for Life - spanning all four time zones of the continental Unit- ed States - will be held from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. (CST) Dec. 8-9. The National Hour of Unity is from 1 to 2 a.m. (CST) on Dec. 9. For more information visit Na- Lord's Diner. To register visit sl- cwichita.org, call 316-744-0167, or email slc@slcwichita.org. The event is sponsored by the Office of Marriage and Family Life. tionalNightOfPrayerForLife.org. The event spans the feasts of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Juan Diego.
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