TOGETHER IN CHRIST – ENCOUNTER 2012
The Eastern Catholic Bishops of
the USA
are sponsoring three Encounters of our respective Churches this year which will
take place in three locations: Cleveland,
OH (September 20-23), Los Angeles, CA
(November 1-4) and for the Eastern United States
at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough, NJ (October 11-14).
These gatherings and the one in Hillsborough in particular, are geared for the
laity and clergy with the theme:
TOGETHER IN CHRIST – THE SPIRITUALITY OF
DISCIPLESHIP: A CALL TO HOLINESS
An Encounter is a time for all
Eastern Catholics to meet and to grow in the Lord, and to study themes that
would assist them in fostering more spiritual and educational growth in their
parishes. By having an Encounter in our region, it will be easier and
convenient for more participation of the laity and clergy. Also, follow up
meetings and programs within a certain region will provide more growth for our
Churches since parishes of Eastern Traditions have so much in common.
A special day for clergy who have
pastoral commitments in parishes will precede the weekend. The weekend
Encounter (Friday evening through Sunday brunch) is mainly geared for the laity
who are asked to arrive on Friday for a welcome and hospitality. The main focus
will be on Saturday and Sunday. Four plenary sessions will be held.
The first session, entitled Who
is the Church? will be led by Rt. Rev. Damon Geiger of the Eparchy of
Newton. The second session, Activity of the Royal Priesthood,
will be led by Dr. Maureen Dadonna of the Eparchy of Passaic. The third
session, Blueprint for Church Growth, will be led by Sr. Marla Marie
Lucas, MSCL, of the Eparchy of St. Maron. The main session entitled, The
‘How” and ‘What” of Lay Leadership: Action – Put on Christ! will be
presented by the Most Reverend Peter Libasci, Bishop
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire.
On
Sunday, Matins and the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated followed by the keynote
address entitled, Servant Leadership: Be All That You Can Be! presented by the
Most Reverend Nicholas Samra, Eparch of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton.
Registration is $75.00 per person
for the Encounter. A discount for early registration of five or more from one
parish is available at $50.00 per person. Hospitality and meals are included in
the registration fee. Vendors of Eastern Catholic books and icons are being
invited to complement the Encounter.
Previously, Encounters were held
in 1999 in Boston and 2006 in Chicago. They were held mainly for bishops
and invited clergy and laity. This year’s Encounter is open to all who want to
learn, pray and grow in Christ for the building up of the Body of Christ.
The Eastern Catholic Bishops have
formed a national body are a region in the US Catholic Conference of Bishops.
They represent the following traditions: Armenian, Byzantine – Melkite,
Romanian, Ruthenian and Ukrainian; Syriac – Chaldean, Maronite, Syro-Malabar,
and Syro-Malankara.
For more information and
registration, visit the website, www.Encounter2012EasternCatholicChurches.org
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