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This month marks the beginning of a “Year of Faith” as declared by Pope Benedict XVI and, in support, the Church in the 21st Century Center has organized public events for this fall that will focus on the theme of “Handing on the Faith.”
"Handing on the faith is a critical issue for a Church envisioning its future in a world challenged by distraction and cynicism,” said C21 Center Director Erik Goldschmidt. “Despite these challenges, people in the 21st century continue to search for a deeper connection with God and a meaningful experience of community.”
On Sept. 25, Catholic TV President Father Robert Reed will interview School of Theology and Ministry Professor Thomas Groome, an international authority on religious education and author of Will There Be Faith?, a guide for parents and educators on teaching Christian beliefs and values. Groome also served as guest editor of the fall 2012 issue of C21 Resources, which has a collection of essays on the many ways — from family traditions to Catholic education — that the Church passes on the faith. The interview will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Gasson 100 and will air at a later date on Catholic TV.
On Oct. 1, St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Emeritus Harry J. Flynn will present “An Archbishop’s Perspective on Handing on the Faith,” at 4 p.m. in Gasson 100. Archbishop Flynn was ordained a priest in 1960. Known for his deep devotion to the spiritual formation of clergy, religious and lay people, the archbishop is the namesake for an institute that serves as a formation resource for Catholic adults of the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese wishing to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and further their spiritual formation. He is credited with increasing seminary enrollment in his archdiocese, which resulted in a rise in ordinations to the priesthood during his tenure.
During his visit, Archbishop Flynn will meet with Vice President for University Mission and Ministry Jack Butler, SJ, and his staff, as well as with faculty from the School of Theology and Ministry and Theology Department. He will also meet with students and celebrate Mass at noon at St. Mary’s Chapel.
On Oct. 4, C21 will present “Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America,” a documentary narrated by journalist Cokie Roberts that shows how sisters played a vital role in shaping American life and exercised courage during many dramatic moments in US history. The screening will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Yawkey Center. A panel discussion, featuring women religious and moderated by Lynch School of Education Kearns Professor Mary Walsh, will follow.
Other events this semester include: an Oct. 12 workshop on “Tools of the Time: Tech-Savvy Teaching and Pastoral Ministry”; a Nov. 2 workshop on the “New Evangelization for Today’s Parish” co-presented by STM Associate Professor and Director of Continuing Education Jane Regan; a Nov. 6 panel discussion on “Encountering Christ Through Service” moderated by Volunteer and Service Learning Center Director Dan Ponsetto; and a Nov. 13 workshop on “Effective Retreats: Getting the Most out of a Transformative Experience” with Intersections Director Burt Howell and a panel of Catholic high school, university and parish retreat program leaders.
Co-sponsors of these events are STM, Roche Center for Catholic Education, C21 Online, Campus Ministry and the Volunteer and Service Learning Center. For details, see www.bc.edu/church21.