Archdiocese of Portland to Celebrate the Year of Faith
By Portland Archdiocese
Archbishop John G. Vlazny will open the Year of Faith for the Archdiocese of Portland with a Vespers Service at St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (NW 18th and Couch Streets, Portland) on Thursday, October 11 at 7:30 pm. Pope Benedict XVI called for a Year of Faith to be celebrated beginning October 11, 2012 and continuing until Sunday, November 23, 2013, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The event was chosen to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. The Year also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church by Blessed Pope John Paul II.
As part of the archdiocesan opening of the Year of Faith, Archbishop Vlazny will convey Papal Honors to six members of the archdiocese. The Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice cross will be presented. The English translation for the cross is “For Church and Pope.” Those being honored are:
Father Jack Topper, OSM, is the Director of the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother – the Grotto.
Sister M. Krista von Borstell, SSMO, is a member of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and the Director of CYO/Camp Howard.
Sister Anne Marie Warren, OSF, is the Major Superior of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Sisters of her community operate the Our Lady of Peace Retreat House in Beaverton
Mr. Clint Bentz has served as the Chairman of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council for the past six years.
Mrs. Cathy Shannon is the Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Child Protection and Victim Assistance. She previously served as the Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Religious Education.
Mr. Russ Danielson served as Chief Executive of Providence Health Services in Portland. He also has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Mount Angel Seminary.
Other archdiocesan events scheduled as part of the celebration of the Year of
Faith include:
The Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly, which will be held November 16 – 17 at St. Pius X Parish. The Pastoral Assembly is a gathering of pastors, parish administrators and representatives from each parish council. The purpose of the Assembly is to strengthen parish councils, address archdiocesan pastoral priorities and to elect representatives to serve on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. The theme for this year’s Pastoral Assembly is “Setting Faith Afire.” The Keynote speaker will be Mrs. Kate Barrett, Campus Minister, University of Notre Dame.
A Year of Faith Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral on the Vigil of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 7.
During the Lenten season, the Year of Faith will focus on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and parishes will provide opportunities to celebrate that sacrament.
Parishes will also be using the Living the Eucharist program for faith enrichment.
The Archdiocesan Pastoral Ministry Conference will be held in the spring of 2013. This gathering is for priests and pastoral ministers of the archdiocese who come together for prayer, professional development and faith enrichment and formation.
Information on the Archdiocese of Portland’s events for the Year of Faith can be found on the archdiocesan website: www.archdpdx.org. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have set up a website of resources emphasizing the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church: www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/. The official Year of Faith website for the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization is www.annusfidei.va/content/novaevangelizatio/en.html.
All are invited to attend the opening of the Year of Faith at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, October 11, at 7:30 pm.
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