Pastor&#039;s Pen: Adult Education: A Journey of Faith Formation

My Dear Parishioners:

I am excited to announce the start of our Adult Education program, beginning on Sunday, September 15th, from 10:15 to 11:15 AM. This year, we will focus on one of the most important events in the life of the modern Church: the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) From October 6 thru November 24.

Vatican II, held from 1962 to 1965, was a truly transformative moment in the Church’s history. The Council opened new paths for the Church to engage the modern world while deepening its fidelity to the Gospel. It gave us a renewed sense of our mission as Christians, emphasizing the importance of the universal call to holiness, the active participation of the laity, and a more profound engagement with Sacred Scripture. Through Vatican II, the Church sought to renew itself from within, while opening up to dialogue with other Christian denominations, religions, and the world at large.

This year, our particular focus will be on the four major constitutions of the Council, which continue to guide our faith and practice today:

Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) – This document brought about the renewal of the liturgy, emphasizing active participation of the faithful in the liturgical life of the Church.
Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) – It reflects on the mystery of the Church as the People of God, highlighting the universal call to holiness for both clergy and laity.
Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation) – This constitution teaches us about the importance of Sacred Scripture and Tradition as the sources of God’s revelation, encouraging all Catholics to engage with the Bible.
Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) – It addresses the Church’s mission in the contemporary world, calling the faithful to respond to modern challenges in light of Christ’s teachings.

I will be leading many of these sessions, and we are also honored to have Bishop John joining us September 22, for one of the initial presentations on Synodality, an important focus of the Church today.

I encourage you to join us as we explore the wisdom of Vatican II, reflecting on how its teachings continue to shape our lives as Catholics and our mission in today’s world.

I look forward to growing and learning together in faith.

In Christ,

Fr. Anthony