They that hope in the LORD will RENEW their
strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; They will run and not grow
weary, walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31
We are the wealthy heirs of the
great lessons of the past,
but we face a world which more
than ever
needs the grace of God in the
evangelical sense.
In our work it’s more important
that we look to the future than the past.
Pope John XXIII, November 25, 1962, on the occasion of
his 81st Birthday
Looking Back: Five Seasons of RENEW
. “The fruit of evangelization is changed lives and
a changed world – holiness and justice, spirituality and peace.” Thus challenged
the U.S. Bishops in two recent key documents Go and Make Disciples: A
National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States
and Our Hearts were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith
Formation in the United States.
In February, 2006, the
Administrative and Pastoral Councils of Pope John XXIII Parish Community
responded to this challenge by approving the “RENEW – Spirituality for the 21st
Century” program to begin in the parish that Fall. The RENEW process calls each
member of the parish to a resounding “yes” to God’s creative action in our lives
and in the world. Msgr. Anthony Frecker observed in Pope John Post, the parish
newsletter of February 2006: “The Renew Process is about discovering the
meaning of life together.” He invited the total parish family to “discover
renewed answers to life’s perennial questions.”
The First Season of Renew began in
the Fall of 2006 with a Parish Mission. During the six weeks which followed the
pattern for RENEW seasons was established: all Sunday liturgical celebrations,
including the music, decoration, and homily theme and bulletin inserts,
integrated the RENEW theme for that week. Devotional materials were mailed to
parishioners’ homes and the call to Small Christian Communities was answered
resoundingly in the formation of multiple groups who met to pray, share, learn,
and mutually support one another.
Season One:
In order to grow in our relationship with God, we examined our experience
with God as Trinity, who is revealed to us as a community of love. A Parish
Mission opened the Season with the powerful testimonies of several
parishioners. Weekly themes included
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The Trinity--- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a Relationship of
Love
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God, Eternal Father and Creator
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Jesus, Our Loving Friend and Healer
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Jesus, Our Savior and Liberator
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Power of the Holy Spirit
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God with Us
Season Two:
We celebrated the joy of our Baptismal conversion and recognized that our
journey with God entails ongoing conversion. Weekly themes included
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Willingness
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Decision
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A Glorious and Grace-Filled Life
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Choosing New Life
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“Lord, that I Might See”
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“Do you believe?
Season Three:
A Parish Mission introduced the season this season in which we were
called to a new evangelization, one in which we share with the whole world the
good news of God’s love in our everyday lives. Weekly themes focused on
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Living and Witnessing
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Sharing and Inviting
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Sharing Our Stories
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Preaching the Good News in Today’s World
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Christians Coming Together
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Unity in the Human Family
Season Four:
A Sunday afternoon Interfaith Sharing highlighted this season of
Reconciliation as we gathered as Christians of various communities, all
followers of Jesus, to focus on what we have in common and to reconcile our
differences. Weekly themes focused on
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What Christians Have in Common
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Repentance
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Respect for All Peoples
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Being Freed from That Which Divides Us
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God’s Presence in our Human Family
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Uniqueness of Jesus
Season Five:
As disciples, we share in Jesus’ mission of saving love. We are
challenged to put our love and service into action.
For themes and additional Scripture Study Materials please click
on links week 1 through week 6.
Week 1 Loving the Poor
Week 2 Loving the Earth
Week 3 Loving the Feminine and Masculine
Week 4 Interracial Harmony / Celebrating Diversity
Week 5 God’s Human Family
Week 6
The Trinity and the World
Pope John Paul II challenges us
“to inspire in all the faithful a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for
conversion and personal renewal in a context of ever more intense prayer and of
solidarity with one's neighbor, especially the most needy” (As the Third
Millennium Draws Near, #42).
FAQ's (Please click questions
below or the navigation buttons above for more information)
What are Small Christian Communities?
What is the theme and dates of the Fifth Season of
RENEW?
Why should I participate? What is in it for me?
How can I participate now?
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