FAMILIES AND GOD

CONVOCATION THEME

            Some 400 representatives of Brooklyn and Queens parishes will take part in Diocesan Evangelization Convocation II, a tradition begun last year, on the theme: “Changing Families and a Changeless God,” at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10:45 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

            The convocation will explore aspects of the pastoral letter issued last October by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, entitled: “The Family: the Hope of the New Evangelization.”

            Sponsored by the Vicariate for Evangelization and Pastoral Life, the event will feature keynote talks by two Redemptorist priests on the topic, “Raising a New York Family---A Church Grows in Brooklyn and Queens.” The speakers will be Very Rev. Patrick Woods, provincial superior of the Baltimore Province, and Father John McGowan, director of San Alfonso Retreat House, Long Branch, N.J., and former pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica, Bay Ridge.

            The parish delegates will attend one of six 90-minute afternoon workshops. The topics and presenters will be:

            “La Familia Hispana en Transicion Cultural,” Mrs. Maria Johnson, director of Hispanic Ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore; “Ancient Scriptural Approaches to Contemporary Family Life,” Dr. John Craghan, Scripture scholar at St. Norbert’s College, Appleton, Wisc.; “Prayer and the Family: Making Saints of My Brothers and Sisters,” Redemptorist Father Dennis Billy, professor of the history of moral theology and Christian spirituality at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome.

Also, “Becoming American: Asian Immigrants Negotiating Cultural Differences between the Generations,” Franciscan Brother Linh Hoang, of the faculty of Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y.; “Issues of Central Concern for Families in the Haitian Community,” Mrs. Florence Bonhomme Comeau, a Brooklyn businesswoman, and “Issues of Concern to Catholics in the African-American Community,” Father Donald Sterling, pastor of New All Saints Church, Baltimore.

            Auxiliary Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will welcome the delegates to the convocation and Bishop DiMarzio will deliver remarks at the conclusion of the program.

            For further information, call (718) 229-8001, ext. 553.

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9/11/06