Jefferson parish to discuss Vatican II

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
March 4, 2004

JEFFERSON - The women's council at St. Joseph Church will sponsor Recall and Renew Vatican II discussion sessions throughout the next year as an opportunity to understand the church and to grow in faith.

This year celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. The discussions will help people understand the work of the council and the church as it is today.

The material to be discussed will be taken from 12 issues of "Vatican 2 Today," a publication from the St. Anthony's Messenger. "Vatican 2 Today" reflects on the theology and spirituality of the council documents and offers a perspective on the church today and the road ahead as people journey as a faithful people. A new issue comes to the parish each month.

"We came about it through the Catholic Update," said Sheilah Pound, pastoral minister at St. Joseph Parish. "This is something that is being done just this year from now until February of 2005. It is basically recalling and renewing Vatican II as we celebrate the 40th anniversary."

The first discussion session will be held at 9:30 a.m. on March 8 in the St. Joseph Parish Center. The second session will be at 7 p.m. on March 9 in the parish center. The discussion for the March sessions will be "Road Map for the Future: Teachings of Vatican II."

Monthly dialogues will be scheduled to focus on the issues and themes of that month. Each month part of the Vatican II documents will presented and discussed.

"Through adult faith formation, we are trying to bring back some of the teachings of Vatican II," said Pound. "We have invited all ages - older, younger - who would like to have a little bit more information or dialogue about it."

The different themes for the rest of the year include "The Mass: Our Greatest and Best Prayer" in April, "Seven Sacraments, One Mystery" in May, "Sacred Scripture: Food for Our Souls" in June, "Vatican II: Catholicism Welcomes the World" in July, "Called to Holiness: Ordained Ministry" in August, "Called to Holiness: Lay Ministry" in September, "Marriage and Family: The Domestic Church" in October, "Today's Church: Sign A Look in the Mirror" in November, "Today's Church: Sign of Joy and Hope" in December, "Sharing Our Legacy of Faith" in January 2005 and "Catholic Discipleship" in February 2005.

"There is not a lot within our library about Vatican II," said Pound. "We have people who have asked about Vatican II. There is a whole generation that may not even know that they are living in Vatican II times now. They never really understood the documents because they have been so hard to read or understand."

The women's council has purchased the 12 "Vatican 2 Today" issues for people interested in participating in the discussions. The issues will be sent each month prior to the discussions. The sessions for the rest of the year will be posted in the St. Joseph's bulletin.

The event is open to the public at no cost. People from the surrounding area are invited to attend the discussions in Jefferson at the St. Joseph's Parish Center.