Focus put on core of the Faith: Annual program inspires 1,000 participants

By MAUREEN MCGUINNESS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Peg Fallon, coordinator of faith formation at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Northville, came to Spring Enrichment to be rejuvenated.

David Bromirski of Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls was drawn by the keynoter, Dr. Thomas Groome.

Both found their expectations fulfilled at this year's Spring Enrichment, titled "Pilgrims and Disciples All" and held May 10-13 at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. The annual program, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Religious Education, included 115 courses and six liturgical experiences. Approximately 1,000 people from across the Diocese participated.

Worthwhile

"I come for enrichment and get it every time," said Ms. Fallon, who has been coming to the event nearly since its beginning 26 years ago. "I come for the entire week. It's worth the effort."

She was impressed by Dr. Groome's keynote. "It made me feel that I'm on the right track," she said. "Sometimes, you can feel like you're spinning your wheels."

Mr. Bromirski said Dr. Groome's keynote lived up to his expectations. He also enjoyed the community atmosphere of Spring Enrichment. "Especially where our parish is located -- stuck on the Vermont border, it can get lonely," he said. "It's nice to be a part of something like this."

Lena Gorton, a catechist from Holy Cross Church in Morris, also enjoyed the community atmosphere and keynote. "It was wonderful," she said of Dr. Groome's talk. "He reinforced so many things and clarified so many areas."

Pilgrim people

Addressing the theme of Spring Enrichment, Dr. Groome, author of "Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent," spoke about what it means to be pilgrim disciples for the new millennium. As pilgrims journey, they must remember their past while looking ahead to the future, he said.

Similarly, as the Church moves into the next millennium, it must keep the treasures of the past while looking toward new horizons, he explained, noting that the milestone of the new millennium offers a chance to review what from the past should be brought into the future and what "from our past should we leave behind."

Among the latter items, he said, are the Church's support of slavery (which wasn't officially condemned by the Church until 1965) and sectarianism. "To be committed to our faith tradition doesn't mean to disparage others," he said. "There was a dreadful type of sectarianism that led to bitterness and hatred."

Core of faith

Dr. Groome, who teaches at Boston College, invited participants to reflect on core characteristics of Catholicism that will be important to bring into the next millennium. Suggestions from the audience included the sacraments, the Trinity and the Rosary.

Catholics, Dr. Groome explained, have a sense of affirmation and celebration of life, which is another important thing to carry into the future.

"We are created in God's own image," he said. "Life is to be embraced and celebrated, cherished and defended."

Sacraments

Sacramentality is another important element of Catholic tradition to cling to, he said, defining it as seeing God in all things.

"God comes to us and we go to God through the ordinary and everyday -- through experiences, relationships and creation," he said.

He explained that the seven sacraments are high-point encounters with God in Jesus by the Holy Spirit and that the Eucharist is the "sacrament of sacraments" in Catholic spirituality.

Everyone included

The emphasis on the faith community is another tradition that he sees as important to carry into the future.

"We are called to be the Body of Christ," he said, and that means that all baptized are to participate fully in the work and ministry of the Church.

As the Church moves into the future, the emphasis on being "Catholic" must continue. Catholic, he said, quoting James Joyce, means "here comes everybody." It also means being open to the truth wherever it can be found and embracing diversity in the midst of unity.

Dr. Groome also spoke of the role of catechists, saying, "Catechesis enables people to bring their lives to their faith and bring their faith to their life."

(During the opening celebration at Spring Enrichment, the Sister Eileen Flanagan Scholarship to St. Bernard's Institute was presented to Anthony Covert, a catechist at Sacred Heart Church in Castleton, and the Bishop Edwin B. Broderick Award was given to The Evangelist; see editorial, page 12. Thomas Groome's book, "Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent," is available through Thomas More Press at 800-527-5030.)

(05-13-99) [[In-content Ad]]