PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence Office of Faith Formation will sponsor the 51st annual Faith Formation Convocation at Bryant University on Saturday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year, the Convocation — an annual day of learning, worship and fellowship for Catholics from throughout Rhode Island and beyond — will share its date with one of the more famous Catholic saints on St. Patrick’s Day. While Office of Faith Formation Director Edward Trendowski said the event wouldn’t include corned beef and cabbage, green beer or any of the other secular observances that have come to signify the holiday, there will be a talk about St. Patrick presented by Legion of Mary Day of Evangelization co-chair and Ireland native Edward Gallagher.
“It just so happens the day is on March 17, the feast of St. Patrick, who was a great missionary disciple,” said Trendowski.
“Living as Missionary Disciples” is the theme of this year’s Convocation, borrowed from the theme chosen for the catechetical year by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The phrase incorporates the evangelization efforts of legendary figures like St. Patrick, but it also looks at the ways ordinary laypeople can evangelize in their everyday lives. Damon and Melanie Owens, two of the day’s highlighted speakers, will explore this theme in a mega workshop titled “The Family’s Role in Evangelization.” The husband and wife team previously spoke at the 2015 World Meeting of Families and last year’s USCCB Convocation of Catholic Leaders.
“More of what they’re going to focus on for this is marriage and family life and how does the family participate in the church’s mission of evangelization?” said Trendowski. “It’s all rooted in what the church teaches on these things and I think it’s helpful for all people to get a grasp of.”
Another speaker, Father Shawn Carey, serves as director of the Office of the Deaf Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Boston. Father Carey, who is deaf, will offer a workshop on evangelization and inclusion of members of the deaf community into the “one full Body of Christ.” The workshop will be presented in American Sign Language (ASL) with English interpretation.
“I had met Father at the USCCB conference and just was really inspired by his message,” said Trendowski, adding that several of the workshops presented in English will offer ASL interpretation.
As the church prepares to observe the 50th anniversary of the publication of “Humanae vitae,” the encyclical by Pope Paul VI that affirmed church teaching on human sexuality, several of the talks will deal with issues related to sexuality. Matt Fradd, a Catholic apologist whose book “The Porn Myth” focuses on the dangers of pornography, will offer a mega workshop entitled “God’s Plan for Love in a Digital Age.” Because this workshop has been sponsored by a donor, participants wishing to attend only this workshop may attend free of charge.
Raymond Concannon, department chair of religious studies at Sacred Heart School in Kingston, Mass., will tackle another difficult topic. In a talk geared for those working with teenage youth, he’ll discuss communicating authentic Catholic teaching about transgender issues to young people.
“He has a good sense of the church teaching on human sexuality but, at the same time, wants to be able to reach out and meet people where they’re at with compassion,” Trendowski said.
In addition to the workshops, participants will experience an opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, an exhibitors’ showcase and opportunities for confession and Eucharistic adoration. Trendowski emphasized the day is designed for all Catholics, not only those who work in ministry, and encouraged participants to bring along family members and teenage or adult children.
“This day is not just for catechists. We’ve tried to make it for all Catholics. People can be at various points on their faith journey,” he said.
For more information about the Faith Formation Convocation or to purchase tickets, visit www.discovercatholicfaith.org/convocation or call the Office of Faith Formation at 401-278-4646. The deadline to register is March 7.
