The inaugural session of “Faith Matters” took place on Monday of Holy Week, April 10, with an overflow gathering in the café section of ‘An Unlikely Story Bookstore’ in Plainville. The presenter for the first session was Monsignor Peter V. Conley, former pastor of Saint Jude Parish, Norfolk. Monsignor Conley addressed the essential connection between Judaism and Christianity as the sacred days of Passover were celebrated that week in conjunction with Holy Week and Easter.
“Faith Matters” will be an ongoing series of evening sessions that focus on issues of religion and spirituality for adults of all ages. The speaker series is co-sponsored by Saint Martha Parish, Plainville and Saint Mary Parish, Wrentham, but the sessions are not restricted to Roman Catholics. The café will be open for refreshments and beverages providing a relaxed, informal setting for the ‘Faith Matters’ presentation followed by an opportunity for comments and questions. Participants can enjoy a glass of wine, beer, coffee or tea with light refreshments as they deepen their understanding of a wide variety of faith issues.
The next session of “Faith Matters’ will welcome one of the former pastors of Saint Mary Parish and Saint Martha Parish, as well as popular movie commentator on Catholic TV, Father Chip Hines, on Monday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. for a presentation on “The Shack,” a popular book from a few years back that has recently been appearing in theaters as a major motion picture. “The Shack” is a provocative tale of the myriad ways in which God can work to reach out to His people to reveal love and mercy during times of unimaginable hurt and pain. “The Shack” invites readers and film-goers to recognize that God cannot be restricted to traditional images, but believers must allow God the freedom to surprise them with unexpected experiences of revelation of the presence, power and love of God.
The third session will welcome Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, F.S.P. on Monday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. as Sister Theresa reflects upon her own faith journey, first away from the Church and her later return to the Church and her embrace of a vocation as a Daughter of Saint Paul. Sister Theresa will offer practical advice from her book, “The Prodigal You Love: How To Invite Loved Ones Back to the Church” to those who are experiencing the pain that their own loved ones have taken that same journey away from the Church.
All are welcome!
(submitted)
