(Canandaigua, NY) The 62 participants meet at Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, NY are a sampling of society and represent the Denver, Baltimore, Yorkton and Edmonton-Toronto provinces, as well as the Ex-Patriam Vice Province and a few other Redemptorist Units. Participants hail from 15 states and 3 Canadian provinces and speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, French, Sango, Antillian Creole, Libon and apparently even Latin. The meeting is from July 30 to August 3.
“We hope to learn and better understand how the Redemptorist mission can be informed and inspired by the experience of young adults,” explained Fr. Aaron Meszaros, chair of the Dialogue 2018 Committee. “The time we spend discussing, listening and reflecting will improve our understanding of young adults in the Church today, and help guide our efforts to preach the Good News to, for and with them.”
Three guest speakers will guide the discussion:
Joan Weber, Centre for Ministry Development, will facilitate the conversation of young adults, bringing forward the needs, issues, and perspectives of faith through lived experience.
Fr. Santo Arrigo, North American representative on the General Commission for RYVM, will present the Redemptorist realities and vision of mission to young adults today; and
Br. Jeffrey Rolle, General Consultor, will help us to integrate and further the conversation into the future.
The group also will welcome the presence and contributions of Fr. Michael Brehl, Superior General, and Fr. Jack Kingsbury, North American Conference Coordinator.
A profession of perpetual vows ceremony will highlight the event on the Feast of St. Alphonsus. Students of the North American Conference will profess perpetual vows on August 1, as a witness and commitment to our mission for the young adults present.
“The Dialogue Committee – Redemptorists and lay people representing various provinces, Fr. Jack, Br. Jeffrey and Fr. John Fahey Guerra – will reflect on the week and important highlights of the dialogue that compel us to ‘Carry On,’” Fr. Aaron explained.
Kristine Stremel
