April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.

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


By KATE BLAIN- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

As the second season of Renew 2000 drew to a close, Deacon David Powers of St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls boasted of his parish's participation.

"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

That was certainly true at St. Mary's. About 150 people take part in more than a dozen Renew groups there, said Deacon Powers, and 15 of them joined this season.

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

Dr. Menard called the "heart and soul" of Renew 2000 "feeling safe and supported enough that they can talk about their faith and listen to other people. There's enormous value and power in being part of a group."

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

Now that Renew's second season is over, Dr. Menard believes the fact that people are looking ahead is a mark of success.

"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

A parish retreat is planned for Lent of 2000 at Sacred Heart parish in Stamford, where 100 people take part in Renew. This October, the parish will also host Vince Ambrosetti for a mini-retreat or workshop, said the pastor, Rev. Joseph Cebula.

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

St. Vincent's Church will lead into Renew's third season with a parish mission. Father O'Brien said that since the coming season emphasizes evangelization, he hopes to see Renew groups grow.

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

On the diocesan level, the third season of Renew will bring new ideas, as well. Breaking the Diocese into 15 regions, Dr. Menard's office will support parishes in their Renew efforts through regional programs. Possible programs include "tools for specific aspects of Renew" and "special needs of small parishes."

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.

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