'Rekindling the Fire' refreshes awareness of God's love during parish mission at St. Thomas the Apostle
Guest presenter will be the Rev. Jack Conley, CP, a Passionist priest who will speak during weekend Masses at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 5, and at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 6. Father Conley is recognized as an enthusiastic presenter who mixes humor with insight, opening the Scriptures in a new way.
Weekday sessions of the mission will be held in the church at 9:30 a.m., and at 7:30 p.m. from Monday, March 7 - Wednesday, March 9. Each weekday session will be followed by a light reception.
Father Conley's discussions will address the challenge of cultivating spiritual growth to experience the fire of God-relationship, the comfort of a well-placed trust in God's forgiveness, and a sense of wonder and hope in expecting the unexpected from a loving God of surprises.
"We are pleased to offer such a timely and beneficial series of discussions to the public," said Chari Rosales, director of St. Thomas Adult Faith Formation & Spirituality (S.T.A.F.F.S.). "These are turbulent times and, through the mission, Father Conley will help us realize that God's unconditional love for us has never wavered. The mission also will leave us full of hope and openness to our God of surprises."
Rosales added that Father Conley's comments also will provide excellent preparation for the St. Thomas parish Lenten reconciliation service that will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 14, in the church.
During his career, Father Conley has served as vocations director for the Passionist community in Chicago, campus minister at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky., retreat director at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in Detroit, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Chicago, and pastor of St. Agnes Church, Louisville, Ky. Having preached both missions and retreats in the United States and Canada, Father Conley now resides in Chicago.
Freewill offerings will be appreciated, and people are invited to attend as many sessions of "Rekindling the Fire" as possible.
Free child care also will be available during all sessions of the mission and registration for child care is required. To register, contact Marge Coronado at (630) 355-8980, ext. 118, or at mcoronado@stapostle.org.
For more information about "Rekindling the Fire: A Parish Mission Experience," contact Chari Rosales, director of S.T.A.F.F. (St. Thomas Adult Faith Formation) at (630) 355-8980, ext. 138, or at crosales@stapostle.org.
St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God's unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,300 households of more than 11,000 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs can be viewed at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, call (630) 355-8980 or visit www.stapostle.org.