Booklet created for Renew in Diocese

The booklet is a response to suggestions from Renew groups throughout the Diocese. After the first two seasons of Renew, said diocesan coordinator Kathy Menard, many participants said they wished the nationally published Renew 2000 booklets followed the weekly readings they heard at Mass.

"People didn't get to hear the readings on Sunday and then go into their Renew groups and reflect on the same readings," Dr. Menard said.

Renew members also suggested that the booklets include music for groups that liked to sing together and noted that some of the faith-sharing questions asked of participants were too personal for people who, in many cases, had just met.

Localized booklet

She wrote the booklet following the same format as the original Renew guides, but using suggestions from four teams of local clergy to develop Scripture reflections, as well as help from religious and laity on prayers and meditations.

The resulting booklet costs 25 percent less than the Paulist Press booklet most groups have been using.

Unique

* Each Renew season runs for six weeks. Since this booklet follows the weekly Scripture readings for the fall, Dr. Menard included two extra weeks' worth of Renew materials for groups that plan to start Renew early or end late. If they choose, the groups can even do all eight weeks.

* Dr. Menard broke down the official diocesan Renew 2000 prayer into eight parts, so each week of Renew begins with a prayer stemming from one part.

* The new booklet also incorporates "local ideas," such as the diocesan vision statement ("We are God's people sharing a responsibility to witness God's unconditional love and to bring Christ's healing presence to our world"). One week's schedule even notes Bishop Howard J. Hubbard's birthday and asks Renew groups to send him a card.

* Not only is sheet music included in the booklet, but it also comes with a cassette tape of several songs and meditations recorded at The College of Saint Rose by musicians from St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany.

* A list of opportunities for service in the Diocese is included, from Catholic Relief Services projects to Catholic Charities' volunteer needs. "Some people may be looking for suggestions" on how to live out their faith, Dr. Menard explained. "Someone may be saying, `I really want to connect with an impoverished country like Haiti. How do I find a way to do that?'" The booklet provides a suggestion.

Bishop delighted

Bishop Hubbard stated that he is "delighted that we are able to offer this alternative. I have reviewed the booklet and am impressed with its quality." He noted that he "looks forward to using the booklet with my own Renew 2000 group this fall."

"I think it's exciting," Dr. Menard added. "Many wonderful things are happening in our Diocese as a result of Renew: connections are being made; friendships are being developed; people's faith is being deepened."

(For information on the new Renew 2000 booklets, call the diocesan Renew 2000 office at 453-6646.)

(08-12-99) [[In-content Ad]]