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Living the Catholic Faith Conference to feature Archbishop of New York City
By Julie Filby
Do you ever feel like you’re on auto-pilot at Mass? Would you like to learn how to get the most out of this experience with Christ?
At the annual Living the Catholic Faith Conference March 11-12, liturgy expert Sister Kathleen Harmon, S.N.D.deN., will help Catholics breathe new life into Mass by explaining the importance of being fully present at the liturgy.
Her talk “’In Remembrance of Me’: Full, Conscious and Active Participation in the Mass” will be the first of four keynote addresses, presented by four different speakers, at the two-day conference.
“Participation is deeper than just ‘doing things’ at Mass,” explained Sister Harmon, music director for the Institute for Liturgical Ministry in Dayton, Ohio, and an author of “Living Liturgy: Spirituality, Celebration, Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities.” “At its deepest level; full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy means consciously uniting ourselves with Christ as he pours himself out to each of us.”
She will offer concrete, practical ways to deepen one’s participation in Mass.
“When people begin to understand, it’s so exciting,” she said enthusiastically.
She will also present a workshop along the same lines that will inform parents and teachers how to help children (from prekindergarten though eighth grade) participate more fully in Mass.
“I feel very sad when I see children (at Mass)… with a bag of Cheerios,” she said. “When we teach them what to look and listen for, Mass becomes really interesting.”
Other keynote speakers at the conference will be Father Robert Barron of Word On Fire Ministries, one of the world’s most innovative Catholic evangelists, presenting the drama of salvation history; Scott Hahn, professor of theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville, who will unveil the liturgy in the book of Revelation; and New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. bishops, will speak on “The Holy Eucharist: source of gratitude, font of virtue.”
Archbishop Dolan will relay how simple gratitude can improve today’s culture.
“The simple things in life are usually the most profound. Gratitude is one of them,” he wrote to describe his upcoming talk. “The holy Eucharist nourishes in us a spirit of gratitude, which in turn enriches the entire society.
“As we prepare to receive the new translation of the Roman Missal (this Advent),” he continued, “we are encouraged to contemplate anew the holy Eucharist, the source of our gratitude and the font of all Christian virtue.”
In addition to the keynote talks, the conference themed “Go and bear fruit” (Jn 15:16), will feature nearly 30 workshops, eucharistic adoration and confession, and exhibits from 80 Catholic organizations and vendors.
Workshop topics will relate to marriage, parenting, prayer life, single life and communication. Presenters include Mary Beth Bonacci, E. Christian Brugger, Jeanette DeMelo, Mercy Gutierrez, Father Chris Hellstrom, Father Andreas Hoeck, Alveda King, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, R.S.M., Bob Rice, Thomas Smith, Chris Stefanick and musician Sal Solo.
The conference kicks off Friday morning with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Saturday commences with Mass concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley and Archbishop Dolan.
Saturday’s schedule will also include sessions for youth ministers, presentations in Spanish. It will finish with a screening of Father Barron’s Word on Fire documentary series “Catholicism”
“Catholicism”—filmed in more than 50 locations including Rome, New York, Sao Paolo, Manila and Uganda—explores the relationship between Christ and the Church, and presents the reality of the Church as a truly global culture.
The Living the Catholic Faith Conference, to be held at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver, is expected to draw more than 3,000 attendees. It is open to all Catholic adults. For more information or to register, visit www.lcfcdenver.org, email lcfc@archden.org or call 303-715-3260.
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