Program to emphasize the need for social justice
The themes of social justice, hunger, poverty and putting prayer into action will be the focus of a half-day retreat from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 15 at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Center, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville.
Participants will be invited to "live a mission of love," while gaining inspiration and life lessons from Deacon John Green of Chicago.
Green is the founder of Chicago's Emmaus Ministries, which supports the young adult homeless population and, in particular, males involved with prostitution.
"His theme for the retreat is living deep in a shallow world," said Christine Kancewick, director of adult faith formation at Ss. Peter and Paul. "Our adult faith formation board wanted to pick up on a social justice theme for this retreat.
"He plans to paint a picture of how the church engages the world. And the whole retreat is about living in … relationship with God and each other," Kancewick added. "The goal is to draw people into a deeper way of living than what the world introduces to us."
The agenda for the half-day event, which is free and open to the public, will include the musical duo Andi and Al Tauber and their "Stories from the Streets."
Green first became aware of the pervasive problem with homelessness while he worked as a full-time volunteer with Covenant House Faith Community in New York City in the 1980s.
He developed a passion for ministering to young people on the streets, particularly young adult men involved in prostitution.
He continued his involvement in the Chicago area while pursuing a degree from Wheaton College. He saw a need for long-term support of this population and incorporated Emmaus Ministries in 1990.
He lives with his wife and three children in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood near the ministry. He's been in dozens of magazines, honored with awards and featured on religious television stations.
Following the retreat, two other events will continue to build on the social justice theme, Kancewick said.
The first is at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 when the Rev. Robert Schoenstene will speak on "Justice in the Prophets." Schoenstene, a professor at Mundelein Seminary, will base his talk on the biblical book of Amos, with a spiritual context for social teachings in the Catholic faith.
The second is at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 when Steve Smith of Family Life-Respect Life of the Archdiocese of New York will talk about "Reckoning with God's Generous Wisdom." He will focus on the importance of self care and family life and the role of family in society.
All events will be in the Ss. Peter and Paul Ministry Center and do not require registration.
For details, call Kancewick at (630) 718-2154.
If you go
What:A half-day retreat, "Living Deep in a Shallow World," featuring Deacon John Green of Chicago, founder of Emmaus Ministries
When:8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 15
Where:Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Center, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville
Call:(630) 718-2154