MARSHALL — Neocatechumenal Way Ministry will begin a series of talks Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Parish in Marshall.
Neocatechumenal Way Ministry is a team of missionaries who give a series of talks on the Catholic faith. The program will include talks/catechesis every Monday and Thursday through May 5.
“Catechesis” is a proclamation of the Good News of Christ to the people, not just as lectures but also as an experience of the significance of what it means to be a Christian in today’s times.
According to Fr. Jorge Miramontes, pastor of Holy Family Parish, the program will be a chance to focus on our lives. He said, “Sometimes, maybe many times, when we wake up in the morning, we are face to face with the struggles and difficulties of our lives. Maybe it is the crisis of a confrontation at work or a lingering wound in the relationship with our spouse or our children.
“Life seems to continually present itself to us as a battle. In front of this life situation, we often don’t understand what God is doing in our lives and we look for answers to our deepest questions: What really is the purpose and meaning of my life? Why is God allowing these events to happen to me? Why is getting up each day so fearful for me? How does Jesus Christ fit into these events? In fact, who is this Jesus Christ for me anyway?”
It is Father Miramontes’ hope that all of this may point each of us to an awareness that perhaps a deeper encounter with our Catholic faith would provide a hope that our life could truly be lived in a new level of peace and joy without fear and trepidation.
He said, “If you see yourself in this battle, or if you know someone close to you who has left the Church or has a struggle with being a Catholic in today’s culture, we are happy to be able to offer our parish a most unique experience of faith.”
He recognizes that most of us have been baptized as infants; and while we may have followed some program of religious education, the challenges of our secularized times present us with a real need of an adult formation in the faith.
He noted, “The catechesis within this program follows an itinerary of faith that addresses the fundamental questions and issues of our desire to live as a Christian in today’s world.”
The program is designed for all adults and young people, 12 years and older — including those not currently part of the Catholic Church. People throughout the diocese are welcome to come. Staff indicate that people should try to catch as many of the sessions as they can during the eight weeks of the program.
Father Miramontes added, “Perhaps this is an occasion for you to take a faith risk and reach out to that person in your life who has left the faith and invite them and accompany them to the catechesis.”
For more information on the program, contact Holy Family Parish by email to [email protected] or phone 920-478-2032. More information can also be obtained from Father Miramontes at [email protected] or Eugene Hettich of Neocatechumenal Way Ministry at [email protected]