Bishop's TV retreat focuses on discipleship

The three half-hour programs are tied to major events in the Church: the current observance of Lent, the three-year diocesan participation in Renew 2000 (and Follow Me!), and the world-wide celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000.

More than a year in the planning, writing and taping, the retreat will be broadcast from April 10-12, 8 p.m., on WNYT, channel 13, in Albany; WKTV, channel 2 in Utica; and WBGH, channel 8 in Binghamton. After each program, toll-free telephone lines will be open for viewers seeking additional information.

In a column in this week's issue of The Evangelist, which contains four pages of coverage of the retreat (pages 13-16), Bishop Hubbard outlines the themes of the programs as reflecting on "what it means to be a follower of Jesus, ways to nourish our relationship and intimacy with Him, and how we are called to discipleship in a community of believers that nourishes our living out this relationship of discipleship in our contemporary society."

In addition to the Bishop's thoughts on those topics, the retreat includes "video parables," segments in which Catholics from throughout the Diocese share their experiences with prayer, faith and following Jesus.

To assist in getting the most out of the retreat, the Diocese has sent out a guide for groups watching the shows together. The guide, which contains discussion questions and action steps, appears on page 15.

In his column, the Bishop says to viewers: "I hope that you will join with me for this three-night spiritual experience. Hopefully, the presentations will serve to stimulate personal reflection, family discussion, and parish and school dialogue, all leading to a deeper, richer and fuller relationship with Jesus our brother, our friend, our savior, and with one another."

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