Convening impresses Catholics

During her keynote talk at Parish Convening 2005 on Oct. 29, Dr. Jane Regan urged the hundreds of parish volunteers and ministers who gathered at LaSalle Institute in Troy to keep a balance between their memory of how the Church used to be and openness to what it can become.

The Evangelist spoke with several people who attended to hear their reaction to her talk and the day's workshops:

* Beverly Valenti, a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa, thought Dr. Regan was "right on the mark" in describing some of the tension that exists in parishes today. "Some of our parishes are closing, we just elected a new pope and things are changing as we move into the future.

"It's important for all of us to try to keep a balance, as Dr. Regan said, between memory [of what used to be] and openness [to what lies ahead]. This message is important for all of us."

* Kim Vossler, a catechist, lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Bridget's parish in Copake Falls, attended a workshop on Catholic spirituality for ministry. She is a 2003 graduate of the diocesan Formation for Ministry Program.

"This workshop reinforced the foundation [FMP] gave me," she told The Evangelist. "I was looking for a renewed enthusiasm to take back to my parish. I got it today in the workshops I attended and also from Dr. Regan's keynote talk."

* Mary Kate Robinson of Our Lady of Victory parish in Troy attended a workshop on whole-community catechesis. She is a member of her parish's RCIA team and a catechist who has been involved in Generations of Faith.

The class "gave me some different insights into how to add to the program we are already involved in," she said. "This has been a great day; there's a lot to think about."

* Richard Schumacher, a member of St. Ambrose parish in Latham, volunteers in his parish's food pantry and is a member of the Eucharistic Adoration team. He attended a class on end-of-life issues and dying.

"I just wanted to understand a bit better the legal and moral implications of such documents as living wills and healthcare proxies," he noted. The presenter "was very informative. He gave us important information. Primarily, though, he kept the emphasis on the fact that human life is sacred and directed the information from the premise that we consider these important medical questions on a moral basis."

* David Lynch, a parish council member at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes, attended the Parish Convening for the first time. He signed up for a workshop on the gifts that Jesus has given the Church.

"It's been a very interesting day for me," he said. "There is a lot to absorb, but I was very impressed with our class leader. He had a way of explaining the Church and the Gospel message in plain language that everyone could understand. He did a nice job blending Church Tradition with what our future will be as Church.

"I'll be coming back next year. I learned a lot. It's been a great day for me!"

(11/3/05) [[In-content Ad]]