Renew 2 ending on positives: Parishes see blessings, expect growth

"Everybody involved in it is totally immersed in the Scriptures and the process," he told The Evangelist. "They really feel good about it; they don't want it to end. There's a tremendously positive feeling from it."

That feeling seems to have taken hold in Renew faith-sharing groups all over the Albany Diocese. According to diocesan Renew 2000 coordinator Kathy Menard, season two of Renew "went very well. People were in the mood [to participate], I think, because of Lent. Some parishes found they added people [to their Renew groups], and the groups that stayed together experienced deeper bonding."

Blessings

Having taken part in Renew's first incarnation in the mid-1980s, the deacon knew what to expect from Renew 2000 -- "real spiritual blessings." But he noted that he was surprised about one difference: During the '80s Renew, he remembered many people beginning faith-sharing groups by airing grievances with the Church before they opened up to one another.

This time around, said Deacon Powers, "I haven't even noticed that. It's working out great."

Talking about faith

A few priests of the Diocese have had that experience themselves. For example, Rev. Leo O'Brien, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany and diocesan Renew chairperson, is a member of a Renew group.

"It's been wonderful, because I get a chance to listen instead of having to talk," he declared. "It's marvelous to hear the ways people pray, their concern for family members. There's been a gradual deepening of my appreciation of people. It's good for me to hear the story of their lives, the many things they have to do to keep things going."

St. Vincent's has about 300 people taking part in 29 Renew groups. One of the best parts of its Renew program, the pastor said, is a special group designed for the senior citizens who live at St. Vincent's Apartments. That group currently has 19 members. Parents of religious education students are also being encouraged to take part in Renew 2000.

More to come

"It's not like we've settled into this dull, repetitious cycle," she explained. "We have people with ideas and inspirations. We're really blessed."

Those blessings will take the form of larger Renew events at many parishes during the program's third season in the fall. At Sacred Heart parish in Castleton, for instance, where about 70 people take part in six Renew groups, Rev. Thomas Krupa told The Evangelist that several groups want to begin service projects.

The parish's initial aim was to get as many people as possible involved in Renew small groups. After the spring rush of Easter, Confirmation, First Communion and graduation ceremonies, Father Krupa hopes to get feedback from the groups on whether they would like a parish-wide Renew event, such as a parish mission.

Getting bigger

Already, Father Cebula said, Sacred Heart is experiencing growth in the financial generosity of parishioners as a result of Renew. While the parish's usual weekly collection runs about $1,600 to $2,000, a special collection for victims of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras netted $3,600.

"I think a little bit of this has to reflect upon the fact of Renew being in place," said Father Cebula.

Growing in faith

Because of Renew, some parishes have already begun new ministries that will continue into the third season and beyond. One of these is St. Mary's in Glens Falls, where one of 16 "commentators" now introduces Mass by welcoming everyone, explaining the themes of the readings, and announcing the names of the priest and lay volunteers.

"One of the Renew suggestions was to introduce the Mass as a welcoming thing, to have everybody shake hands and greet their neighbor," explained Deacon Powers, who writes the introductions. "We did that the first [season], but developed it into this."

Parishioners at St. Mary's are also signing up for "the 72," a new ministry in which volunteers will go out in pairs to bring Communion to the homebound on Sundays.

New ideas

A new program called "Walk with the Word" will begin in June. At weekend liturgies, Mass-goers will have the opportunity to talk about the readings briefly in groups of about three. Since the program will run between seasons of Renew, Renew group members and non-members can all participate, said Dr. Menard.

Because many parishes have requested help with liturgies, Dr. Menard said the diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship will hold workshops on various liturgical themes. "A lot of parishes are using Renew as a catalyst to carry on a liturgical renewal," she noted.

Finally, Dr. Menard hopes to see growth in two areas next season: parishes' using meetings of any committee or ministry as opportunities for reflection, and for outreach to inactive Catholics and Christians of other faith traditions.

"We're looking to make the message clear that Renew is a comprehensive spiritual renewal, not just the development of small faith communities," she said.

(03-25-99) [[In-content Ad]]