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This year's keynote speaker at the Autumn Diocesan Gathering plans solely to inspire.

When Rev. Richard Fragomeni addresses attendees at the annual gathering, to be held Oct. 29 at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, his goal won't be a workshop or a how-to session.

"There's nothing practical about my presentation at all," said the priest of the Albany Diocese, who's an associate professor of liturgy and preaching at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and rector of a Marian shrine in the city.

As a keynoter, Father Fragomeni said, "My job is to sound the 'key note,' like [a] violin, and to tune everyone to the theme of the day."

That theme, "He Sent My Heart Singing," takes its cue from the second-year theme of the Albany Diocese's "Amazing God" evangelization initiative: "The Heart of Christ."

Father Fragomeni intends to weave elements of the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as images of Jesus and His heart, into his talk.

He said he will use traits like "human," "merciful" and "wounded" to describe Jesus' heart. His goal is to motivate the audience to consider how Jesus "sends their hearts singing," and how they can draw inspiration from that.

"There's the sense that in human woundedness, one can find the presence of God," the speaker explained. "In the mercy of God, one finds the promise of God's presence."

Participants at the Autumn Diocesan Gathering will find several new features at this year's event:

• Attendees are invited to bring non-perishable food items for food pantries as part of the Amazing God initiative;

• an interactive display from Catholic Charities will educate about the "client choice" food pantry model, which allows clients to shop for items to maintain their dignity;

• attendees will be assigned a "prayer partner" to pray for throughout the day (partners can meet at the end of the day);

• a life-sized replica of the Amazing God logo will be displayed;

• five workshops with evangelization themes will be offered to support Amazing God; and

• the first annual Jim Seely award will be given to an individual or group successful at parish evangelization. Mr. Seely, who passed away last spring, was the communications and technology committee chairperson for Amazing God.

David Amico, diocesan director of the Office of Ministry Formation and administrator for the diocesan Pastoral Council, said that Father Fragomeni's keynote ties into the goal for the whole Autumn Diocesan Gathering.

"We want to make it a day where people are refreshed, renewed and re-energized in their own faith commitment and their ability to share their faith with others," he said.

To register by Oct. 21, go to www.rcda.org and click on Autumn Diocesan Gathering. Cost for individuals is $25; groups of four or more cost $20/person. For information, call 453-6670.[[In-content Ad]]

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