Annual convocation calls on deacons to reach out with love and Mercy
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
The theme of the 2016 Convocation of Deacons Oct. 28 and 29 was “The Joy of Love,” and throughout the two-day event, the call to extend this pastoral mercy to families, the vulnerable and those in need of charity, struck meaningful chords.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
Indeed, love, as Pope Francis writes of it in his recent apostolic exhortation, “The Joy of Love.” (Amoris Laetitia) was the central point of a keynote address to the deacons and their spouses Oct. 29 by Msgr. Thomas Green, professor of Canon Law at The Catholic University of America, Washington.
The address was one of the highlights of the dynamic convocation attended by 169 deacons and 86 of their spouses at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Plainsboro, where Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., formally accepted six men as candidates for the diocesan diaconate program.
In his presentation, entitled Amoris Laetitia – Some Initial Reflections – Msgr. Green, who served two terms as consultor on the Board of Governors of the Canon Law Society of America, offered 10 points geared toward helping the deacons reach out to faithful in ways that are sensitive and inclusive while adhering to Church teaching.
These included nurturing a warm and inclusive approach to marriage in keeping with the Church’s teaching on marriage and family, a recognition of the reality of marriage in different cultures and countries around the world, the importance of education and discernment in their own lives and the ability to deal sensitively with vulnerable people.
Msgr. Green’s observations of the character, nature and heritage of Pope Francis that went into producing this exhortation were sprinkled throughout the presentation and clearly interested the deacons 169 deacons and their wives.
By his very heritage, he said, Francis has a “South American profile” that affords him a “unique South American profile” and a somewhat different world view. This view, he said, is apt to be more responsive when it comes to marriage and families, with a focus on being a Church that emphasizes proclaiming God’s grace and mercy.
He noted that in “The Joy of Love,” Francis also emphasizes the importance of education and discernment and “the need to grow and become more rooted in tradition” so important, Msgr. Green said, in a “world of sound bites.”
Msgr. Green encouraged the deacons to realize the importance of “pastoral discernment, an ability to judge our relationship to the Lord,” in order to be ready at times when they may be called upon for spiritual and moral guidance.
In light of this year’s charged atmosphere, he exhorted the deacons to really tap into Francis’ welcoming appeal. So much of the general rhetoric of the year has “not been welcoming at all,” Msgr. Green noted. “As Catholics, we need to be welcoming to others.”
Other noteworthy events of Oct. 29 session were a riveting talk by Deacon Joseph Hannawacker on recent updates to the Church’s annulment practices and a lively Q&A session following the Mass where Bishop O’Connell fielded questions from the deacons on subjects of interest. When parishes could expect the outcome of the Faith in Our Future Study was of particular interest.
In his answer, the Bishop offered an overview of the process, stressed his desire to undertake the effort in as “consultative manner as possible,” from the core groups in the parishes, the cohorts and the Diocesan Planning Commission to further consultation with the Diocesan Curia and vicariates before making decisions during Advent.
Deacons Michael Taylor of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and James Casa of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, said they found the convocation well organized, meaningful and very topical.
“I was hugely impressed with Msgr. Green’s keynote,” said Deacon Taylor. “He gave fascinating insights into the Holy Father’s approach and illustrated the ways the mind set of Mercy can be translated into practical things. It went along the lines of understanding how we really live and throwing us a life preserver we can use to balance the rules and the application.”
“There are (several) ways to view the convocation,” said Deacon Casa. “It’s a great opportunity every year to meet with the other deacons. We are so often in our own parishes, that it is good to see the other guys and share our ministries with each other.”
“It’s an opportunity to hear what is working somewhere else and bring it back to Sacred Heart.
“It’s very good for deacons to get together with the bishop – for him to hear from us and us to hear from him. I wish we had more opportunities to gather with him. It’s good for the Church.”
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By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
The theme of the 2016 Convocation of Deacons Oct. 28 and 29 was “The Joy of Love,” and throughout the two-day event, the call to extend this pastoral mercy to families, the vulnerable and those in need of charity, struck meaningful chords.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
Indeed, love, as Pope Francis writes of it in his recent apostolic exhortation, “The Joy of Love.” (Amoris Laetitia) was the central point of a keynote address to the deacons and their spouses Oct. 29 by Msgr. Thomas Green, professor of Canon Law at The Catholic University of America, Washington.
The address was one of the highlights of the dynamic convocation attended by 169 deacons and 86 of their spouses at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Plainsboro, where Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., formally accepted six men as candidates for the diocesan diaconate program.
In his presentation, entitled Amoris Laetitia – Some Initial Reflections – Msgr. Green, who served two terms as consultor on the Board of Governors of the Canon Law Society of America, offered 10 points geared toward helping the deacons reach out to faithful in ways that are sensitive and inclusive while adhering to Church teaching.
These included nurturing a warm and inclusive approach to marriage in keeping with the Church’s teaching on marriage and family, a recognition of the reality of marriage in different cultures and countries around the world, the importance of education and discernment in their own lives and the ability to deal sensitively with vulnerable people.
Msgr. Green’s observations of the character, nature and heritage of Pope Francis that went into producing this exhortation were sprinkled throughout the presentation and clearly interested the deacons 169 deacons and their wives.
By his very heritage, he said, Francis has a “South American profile” that affords him a “unique South American profile” and a somewhat different world view. This view, he said, is apt to be more responsive when it comes to marriage and families, with a focus on being a Church that emphasizes proclaiming God’s grace and mercy.
He noted that in “The Joy of Love,” Francis also emphasizes the importance of education and discernment and “the need to grow and become more rooted in tradition” so important, Msgr. Green said, in a “world of sound bites.”
Msgr. Green encouraged the deacons to realize the importance of “pastoral discernment, an ability to judge our relationship to the Lord,” in order to be ready at times when they may be called upon for spiritual and moral guidance.
In light of this year’s charged atmosphere, he exhorted the deacons to really tap into Francis’ welcoming appeal. So much of the general rhetoric of the year has “not been welcoming at all,” Msgr. Green noted. “As Catholics, we need to be welcoming to others.”
Other noteworthy events of Oct. 29 session were a riveting talk by Deacon Joseph Hannawacker on recent updates to the Church’s annulment practices and a lively Q&A session following the Mass where Bishop O’Connell fielded questions from the deacons on subjects of interest. When parishes could expect the outcome of the Faith in Our Future Study was of particular interest.
In his answer, the Bishop offered an overview of the process, stressed his desire to undertake the effort in as “consultative manner as possible,” from the core groups in the parishes, the cohorts and the Diocesan Planning Commission to further consultation with the Diocesan Curia and vicariates before making decisions during Advent.
Deacons Michael Taylor of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and James Casa of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, said they found the convocation well organized, meaningful and very topical.
“I was hugely impressed with Msgr. Green’s keynote,” said Deacon Taylor. “He gave fascinating insights into the Holy Father’s approach and illustrated the ways the mind set of Mercy can be translated into practical things. It went along the lines of understanding how we really live and throwing us a life preserver we can use to balance the rules and the application.”
“There are (several) ways to view the convocation,” said Deacon Casa. “It’s a great opportunity every year to meet with the other deacons. We are so often in our own parishes, that it is good to see the other guys and share our ministries with each other.”
“It’s an opportunity to hear what is working somewhere else and bring it back to Sacred Heart.
“It’s very good for deacons to get together with the bishop – for him to hear from us and us to hear from him. I wish we had more opportunities to gather with him. It’s good for the Church.”
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