WARWICK — Father Anthony Ciorra, an author and professor who offers workshops and retreats throughout the United States, the Middle East and Europe, will lead St. Gregory the Great’s Lenten Mission on Sunday, March 19 – Tuesday, March 21, at 360 Cowesett Rd. The mission’s theme is “A Retreat with Pope Francis.”
Father Ciorra will speak at the March 19 Sunday Masses and will preach that evening as well as the following two evenings. Monday’s session will include Reconciliation while the Tuesday session will include a Mass. This parish mission will look to the example of Pope Francis who calls faithful to new hope in today's changing world and a deeper peace in our personal lives. This mission will discuss how God lives in the midst of the complexities and messiness of everyday life.
Father Ciorra was ordained a priest in 1973. His experience has included parish life, teaching, administration, retreat work, preaching and formation ministries. He has graduate degrees in psychology, history, and pastoral theology, and a certificate in Spiritual Direction. He has a Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University.
His publications include “Everyday Mysticism,” a book about spirituality in the marketplace and he co-authored “Moral Formation in the Parish,” a work about living Christian and moral values on the world. In recognition of his ministry in the Church, he was given the pontifical honor Pro Eccelsia et Pontifice by Pope John Paul II in 1999. He was awarded the Caritas Centennial Award in 2000 for his work in lay ministry and the Spirit of Renew Award for his work in interreligious dialogue and ecumenism.
Father Ciorra is currently Professor of Theology and Interim Vice President for Mission and Catholic identity at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn. Previously, he was Dean of the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University, Director of the Center of Theological and Spiritual Development at the College of St. Elizabeth and the Director for the Center for Spiritual Development in the Archdiocese of New York.
Father Ciorra offers workshops and retreats throughout the United States, the Middle East and Europe and is actively involved in creating programs for inter-religious dialogue among Jews, Christians and Muslims.
