Young adults from Greater Cleveland are invited to join the first “Becoming Fire” outdoor music, ministry and Mass celebration on July 31 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
Becoming Fire is a new event born from the re-imagined 2017 and 2018 Claimed by Love events that took place during the season of Advent.
Advance registration is required and open through July 24. There is an event fee of $25 with financial assistance available for those who are in need. Event registration is complimentary for those in religious life.
“Becoming Fire is one of the largest summer events to gather young adults that we’ve had in over a year,” said Father Mike McCandless, director of vocations at the Center for Pastoral Leadership. The event begins at 4 p.m. with Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic and includes live music from Jeff and Kira Andrea, food trucks, adoration and confession, and a keynote address from inspirational Catholic speaker Ennie Hickman.
Hickman is from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and together with his wife, Cana, they run the Del Rey Collective ministry. Their mission is to empower and encourage young people and families to live their faith in their home, their neighborhood and throughout one’s everyday life. Through his message, Hickman will encourage ordinary missionary disciples to open their homes and host their own life giving dinners and gatherings.
“This is an opportunity to bring young adults from across the diocese together, providing them with an outdoor evening of praise and worship, Mass, moving testimony by Ennie Hickman, adoration and so much more,” said Father Daniel Bowen, vocation director for the Mercedarian Friars.
Father Bowen is excited about the revamped event transforming into an evening festival from a daylong conference format. “Becoming Fire will build community for young adults within the diocese to celebrate, and feel refreshed and energized to further share the love and mission of Jesus Christ” he said.
The event is organized by the diocesan Vocation Office, the Office of Young Adult Ministry and Newman Catholic Campus Ministry. Festival sponsors include the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the Congregation of St. Joseph, the ITE Project, and the Knights of Columbus.
Advance online prayer requests also may be made through July 24 by clicking on the CONTACT link on the event homepage.
“This past year, the pandemic has challenged all of us. It has also halted vocational efforts nationally and locally,” Father Bowen said. “It is our hope to offer an event that initiates connections between young adults, discerners, religious, seminarians and priests."
To learn more, visit becomingfirecle.com