Newman notes, Summer

NEWMAN NOTES

PENTECOST

MAY 24, 2009

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted

and came to rest on each one of them (Acts 2:3).

1. SUNDAY AT MASS: Mass at 10:00AM ONLY.

Next Sunday there will be a special collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign

2. CONCERT AT BLESSED SACRAMENT: Friday, June 5^th at 8:00PM in the church with vocalists from Rochester, Buffalo and NYC to benefit the Supper Program -free will offering and reception to follow. The Supper Program provides meals to low-income and homeless people in the southeast part of Rochester. It has been founded in 1992 and serves approximately 500 meals each week.

3. “24 HOURS WITH THE LORD” RETREAT: The Diocese of Rochester Office of Vocation Awareness is hosting the 10th annual “24 Hours with the Lord” retreat on Friday, June 5th, 2009.

This mini retreat is for single Catholic men, 17-40, who are serious about their faith and would like to know more about the vocation to diocesan priesthood. It will begin Friday evening with dinner, prayer and conversation with Bishop Matthew Clark and some members of the Vocation Awareness Team, and will conclude Saturday morning following the priestly ordination of Brian Carpenter at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

If you, or someone you know, would appreciate an opportunity to hear more about this unique life of service in the Catholic Church, please call 585-461-2890 or e-mail vocations@dor.org

4. BEARING WITNESS TO THE LIGHT –MERTON’S CHALLENGE TO A FRAGMENTED WORLD: The Eleventh Conference and General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society, June 11-14, 2009, Nazareth College, Rochester, New York

Thomas Merton’s Christian faith and monastic commitment led him to explore the wisdom of other religious traditions and to develop mutually enriching relationships with people of other faiths throughout the world. As he wrote in a letter to his Pakistani Muslim friend Abdul Aziz in 1960, “I speak to you from my heart of our obligation to study the truth in deep prayer and meditation, and bear witness to the light that comes from the All-Holy God into this world of darkness where He is not known and not remembered. The world we live in has become an awful void, a desecrated sanctuary, reflecting outwardly the emptiness and blindness of the hearts of men who have gone crazy with their love for money and power and with pride in their technology.”

It is the common duty of all people of faith, Merton concludes, to open the eyes of others to the light of Truth (Hidden Ground of Love). The Eleventh General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society will focus particularly on the ways in which Merton serves as a model of creative interreligious dialogue and witnesses to its importance in building a world in which the dignity of every person is respected and nurtured.

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FR. RICHARD’S SUMMER QUARTER OFFICE SCHEDULE: ROOM 1412 in the Center for Religious Life. Tuesday –Friday, 11:00-12:00am to 8:00-9:00pm. Monday is Fr. Richard’s usual day-off. Sometimes Fr. Richard is in meetings, teaching, the gym or off-campus outreach. It’s best to phone or email for an appointment. Contact information is in the header of Newman Notes. Be sure to check the Summer Calendar below for times when Fr. Richard is away on vacation or retreat.

INDIVIDUAL SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Take your chances and Drop-in, or arrange to be there by phone or email to see Fr. Richard at his Center for Religious Life office (right across from the chapels), Room 1412. He’s usually there afternoons and evenings (see below).

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION: Contact Fr. Richard if you are interested in preparing to receive a sacrament (Confirmation, Matrimony, First Communion, First Reconciliation) or if you have questions or are interested in becoming a Catholic (including Baptism).

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