In recent years the Church has increasingly spoken about formation and preparation in the lives of the Christian Faithful. Oftentimes such is talked about in the context of one?s preparing for a particular vocation such as being married or entering into a religious community of women or of men to be consecrated as a member in a particular congregation or order. Also, we speak about formation and preparation when we speak about being ordained as a deacon or a priest.
However, the Church also speaks about formation and preparation for all the Faithful so that they may continue to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ thereby helping them to be more faithful to Him in one?s everyday life. This is often realized by going on a retreat or a day of recollection or attending a parish mission.
Akin to the above, the Church also speaks about priests, deacons and religious availing themselves of such special opportunities to continue to benefit from ongoing formation on a regular basis which is not only spiritually and pastorally good for the individuals, but also for the people whom they serve.
When we truly take good care of ourselves it is meant to positively help us as we continue our own journey to God, and also to enrich the lives of those whom we are called to
One of the fundamental statements of the Dominican Order identifying who and what they are about is captured in the following statement--CONTEMPLARE ET CONTEMPLATA ALLIS TRADERE (to contemplate and to hand on to others what has been contemplated).
The above is stated as an introduction to what happened in our diocese last Saturday at the Center for Pastoral Leadership. Plans had been made to have ongoing formation and information, prayer and celebration of Mass for our Deacons and their wives. Just about one hundred Deacons were present. After registration was held all went to the chapel and Morning Prayer of the Church was prayed. Following open prayer, I offered a reflection on a document Pope Benedict XVI issued a couple of months before he announced his resignation as Pope. The document spoke about the service of charity.
The presentation outlined what our Holy Father was presenting for the Church to fully incorporate into its life. The presentation highlighted the three fundamental tasks that the Church has been charged to carry out. They are to spread the Gospel to all people, to celebrate the sacraments especially the Mass, and to reach out in charity to those in need.
The Deacons and their wives had a short break. Then afterwards the Deacons assembled with me for an Open Forum for an hour and a half and the wives assembled with Sister Mary Ann Flannery for a talk and conversation.
After lunch there were four workshops presented twice with the Deacons and their wives choosing which topics interested them the most. Again, at each workshop there was ample time for conversation and observations.
As the day began with prayer, the day ended with the celebration of Mass, a most fitting way to conclude our day of formation and preparation. From all reports that I have received the consensus was that it was a very good day for the attendees with many voicing a desire to do it again.
I am most pleased that so many took advantage of the special day of formation for their benefit which, in turn, will enrich many people.
(The above column by the Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland originally appeared in the Friday, May 9, 2014 issue of the Catholic Universe Bulletin, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Cleveland.)
