Signing up again for Renew 2000

"It's sharing faith and stories," she said. "We don't get a lot of time to share Scripture and to discuss it."

Her experience with Renew in the 1980s is one of the things that made her interested in signing up for Renew 2000. She developed close relationships with people through the original Renew program and found it to be "an opportunity to hear other people's journey of their faith."

Carol Vacca, Renew 2000 coordinator for St. Mary's and for St. Vincent de Paul in Cobleskill, said developing relationships in the parish is a key part of the program and a reason she hopes people will sign up.

"We're a very close parish," she said. "This will bring us closer. It can also serve as an outreach to people who come periodically."

Margaret Hubert, a member of St. Mary's parish in Waterford, signed up for Renew 2000 prior to Sign Up Sunday. In fact, St. Mary's had three Renew 2000 groups assembled even before the program kicked off. She was inspired to join because of a positive experience with Renew in the 1980s.

"We've become great friends," she said of members of her group. "We're looking forward to more people to get acquainted with."

To those who aren't inclined to join Renew, Mrs. Hubert said, "They don't know what they're missing."

Peg Lilley, a parishioner at Holy Cross Church in Morris, has great expectations for Renew 2000.

"I believe in my heart that this is going to bring our Church together," she said. "I think Renew 2000 is just what we need."

Mrs. Lilley said some people tend to look at weekly Mass as only an obligation. "There is a joy lacking," she said. But she believes Renew 2000 has the potential to change that attitude and "open us up."

George Shartrand, a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Scotia, knows some people might not be sure if they want to sign up for Renew 2000.

"I've been there," he said. "You're tired when you come home from work, and the kids are bugging you, and then we're asking for an hour-and-a-half." Participating in Renew 2000 can change that. "They'll not be disappointed," he said of people who sign up.

Already signed up himself, Mr. Shartrand said, "I'm very interested in small group faith-sharing. I was involved in Renew and RCIA. When I heard about Renew 2000, I was very interested. I'm looking forward to the small group discussions. You can see God at work in others' lives, and you realize He must be trying to work in yours."

(09-17-98) [[In-content Ad]]