Today begins the Year of Faith, an exciting time in the life of the Church. It is a grace guided opportunity for the New Evangelization. A time in which Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has invited us to take seriously, to mark dramatically and to celebrate vigorously. At St Mary of the Visitation Parish we take that invitation to heart. Here is a list of some of the exciting things we are engaging in to help make this Year of Faith a deeply graced filled one:
• Friday, October 12, 2012 - Taste of St Mary’s - a parish potluck to bring together the diversity of our Family of Faith.
• Sunday, October 14, 2012 - Dedication of the Visitation Gardens with monument to the Sanctity of Life.
• Sunday, October 28, 2012 - Launch of Monthly Sunday Night Vespers/Lectio Divina - see parish website
• Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - Launch of Monthly Tuesday Night Together featuring the Catholicism Series - see parish website - sign ups are underway
• Weekend of December 8/9, 2012 - Special Advent Weekend featuring Basilian Father Thomas Roscia of Salt and Light Television with a special conference for those involved in our Adoration Chapel Ministry which celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
• March 2-5, 2013 - Lenten Mission featuring Father Adam Voisin, Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Hamilton.
• We will participate in three gatherings (retreats) for young adults, men and women and for married couples and focus on Small Group Ministry in the parish and ensuring no one gets lost in the crowd.
• Engage in a parish wide Pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Christ the King, Hamilton to be held in the Spring 2013 and an additional Summer Pilgrimage to a Shrine to be named.
• Special retreat and spiritual activities for the young people of our parish elementary schools from Grade 1-8 during the Year of Faith.
Certainly a pinnacle event is our Year of Faith Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Assisi and Rome from October 14-26, 2012. Some 35 people will be participating and taking with them the prayer intentions of the entire parish family as well.
Let us all pray that the Year of Faith, will be grace filled for St Mary of the Visitation Parish.