'Merciful Like the Father' is the theme for the 2015 diocesan Pastoral Congress

Friday, Jul. 24, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — The Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper will open its doors  on  Saturday, Sept. 19 to welcome all the Catholic faithful of Utah to the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s 2015 Pastoral Congress.

This year the Pastoral Congress will focus on the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy, which Pope Francis has designated to start Dec. 8 and continue through Nov. 20, 2016.

“I invite you to ponder the words of our Holy Father Pope Francis from ‘Misericordiae Vultus’ for the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy: ‘We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is always wellspring of joy, serenity and peace. Our salvation depends on mercy; the word reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity,’” said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator. “I am pleased to share the vision of God’s mercy that will come to us as we gathered as faithful disciples of Jesus through community prayer, study and inspiring presentations.”

“Misericordiae Vultus” is the Bull of Indictment for the Year of Mercy; “bull” is the term for a special papal document.

Susan Northway, director of the diocesan Office of Religious Education, said that oftentimes popular media spout a lot of rhetoric about the workings of justice, but the word “mercy” is very rarely heard.

“Pope Francis calls upon us to embrace our role as missionary disciples of the New Evangelization. … Fully human and fully divine, Jesus’ self-abandonment leads us to the Father’s love that is overflowing with mercy. When we encounter this divine mercy, we are moved to share it with our neighbors, friends and family,” Northway said.

This year the Pastoral Congress keynote speakers will be Dr. Jennie Weiss Block and Reverend Jorge L. Presmanes O.P., “whose insights on the topic of mercy will enlighten and inspire us,” said Msgr. Bircumshaw.

Weiss Block, a lay Dominican, is an author and the founding director of the Center for Dominican Studies at Barry University. She also helped found ZanmiBeni, a center for abandoned children in Haiti.

Fr. Presmanes is an associate professor of theology and director of the Institute for Hispanic/Latino Theology and Ministry at Barry University.

During the Pastoral Congress, more than 20 other presenters will facilitate a wide range of workshops that will be held in English and in Spanish. Topics will include social ministry, end-of-life issues, and the Pastoral Plan process, among many others.

“I would like people to know that Congress is for all adult Catholics; it is not just an event solely for catechists. There are so many inspiring, wonderful presenters,” said Northway.

At the Pastoral Congress, presenters will also discuss the interfaith dimensions of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’.”

“As good stewards of creation, may we discover many mutual concerns,” said Msgr. Bircumshaw.

“The People of God in Utah will have a day of prayer together in preparation for the Jubilee of Mercy, which begins in December. This is a time for Catholics to gather and celebrate our faith,” added Northway.

The 2015 Diocese of Salt Lake City Pastoral Congress, “Merciful Like The Father,” will take place Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Skaggs Catholic Center, 800 East 11800 South, Draper. For information,  contact Susan Northway, 801-328-8641 ext. 357.