Ecumenism and Adult Formation in the Parish

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010

2009/2010 Meetings and Gatherings

Pope Benedict Addresses the Ecumenical Community

2008 UNITAS Newsletter

Ecumenism and Adult Formation in the Parish

A $ 3,000 grant from the Bishop’s Appeal to the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs has produced the DVD, Handing on the Faith in an Ecumenical World.  Each parish will receive this gift to be a catechetical resource in the parish.  Christian Brother Jeffrey Gros, seasoned ecumenist and Professor of Church History at Memphis Theological Seminary, presents an up-to-date Catholic approach to Christian Unity with parishes in mind. 

The video has been produced by Deacon Darrell Wentworth, Commission member, who has lead presentations throughout the diocese.  In addition to viewing the video, facilitator materials and handouts for use at the parish level will be provided. 

Sessions in the Eastern and Central Vicariates were well received.   Sessions in the Western Vicariate are currently being scheduled.

Pastors, deacons, PERs, MRE/CREs, Pastoral Council Chairpersons, Adult Formation Directors and Christian Formation Committee Chairpersons will want to view and learn from this video.  This is an excellent adult formation tool for every parish.  Every committee in the parish would also benefit from this, as well as, all parishioners.  For further information, contact the Vicar for Ecumenism’s office, (757) 340-7231 or email, EcuVicarOffice@stnicholasvb.com. 

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY -
JANUARY 18-25, 2010

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was initiated in 1908 by the Rev. Paul Wattson, co-founder of the Society of the Atonement, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Its observance has changed over the years, in accordance with developments in the ecumenical movement: the universal week of prayer advocated by Abbe Paul Couturier in Lyon, France in the 1930's; the formation of the World Council of Churches in 1948; the Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism in 1964; and the formation of the Joint Working Group between the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches.

A world observance, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an important expression of ecumenical activity at the local level. The traditional date for the Week is January 18-25. Those dates were proposed by Paul Watson to cover the days between the feast of St. Peter and the feast of St. Paul, and therefore have a symbolic meaning.

The theme and text for each year's observance of the Week of Prayer are chosen and prepared by representatives of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and representatives of the World Council of Churches. The international texts are developed, adapted and published for use in the USA by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute.

A variety of resources is available on Graymoor’s website, http://www.geii.org/ and in print. These include an ecumenical celebration of the word of God, daily scripture & prayer guide and homily notes.

The theme and scripture for the Week of Prayer 2010:
You Are Witnesses of These Things.
(Luke 24:48)

All parishes and missions are receiving information concerning this and all are encouraged to celebrate locally with our brothers and sisters in Christ the degree of unity which we enjoy.

2009/2010 MEETINGS AND GATHERING

Pope Benedict’s address to the Ecumenical Community in Sydney, Australia,
July 18, 2008 – Click Here to read

Pope Benedict’s address to the Ecumenical Community in New York, New York, USA, April 18, 2008 – Click Here to read

Click Here to Read the Fall 2008 UNITAS Newsletter