Pastoral Congress to emphasize mercy, forgiveness

Friday, Aug. 26, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — In this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis, forgiveness will be the focus of the 2016 Diocese of Salt Lake City Pastoral Congress.

“Pope Francis emphasizes forgiveness as a part of mercy – it’s in the process of seeking forgiveness or giving forgiveness to another person we encounter God’s mercy, because in that process we learn more about what it is to forgive ourselves,” said Susan Northway, the diocesan director of religious education. 

Two of the events at the congress are new this year. One of these will be during lunch, when representatives from the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable will offer an interfaith dialog on mercy and forgiveness. 

“The Holy Father is talking about the importance of dialog, especially his ideas of encounter and listening,” Northway said. “Encountering ‘the other’ – meaning the non-Catholic or the non-Christian – is extremely important for us because as one of the auxiliary bishops from Baltimore said, in encountering and in listening we often hear God speak in the voice of the other.”

The other new event will be a two-part preaching workshop for deacons, which will be presented by Father Ray John Marek, OMI, the provincial treasurer of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who for 11 years was professor of homiletics at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

Both of the Pastoral Congress’ keynote speakers will address the theme of “Exploring Forgiveness” using Pope Francis’ documents on the Year of Mercy and also his apostolic exhortation The Joy of Love, “which talks about the importance of forgiveness in all of our relationships,” Northway said.

The keynote speaker in English will be Father Roger Keeler, executive director of the Canon Law Society of America, an assistant professor at the Oblate School of Theology and also judicial vicar for the Appellate Court for the Texas dioceses. 

“He has had extensive background working with laity and also forming deacons and laypersons,” Northway said. “He’s very approachable. He’s an excellent communicator. He will also bring in his reflections about canon law and the subject of forgiveness. He has an ability to take very complicated theological subjects and make them palatable and very easy to understand. He also uses humor, and he fills his talks with anecdotes and his personal ministry experience.”

The keynote speaker in Spanish is Father Domingo Rodríguez Zambrana, ST, who previous served as superior general of his order for eight years but “has been given permission by his order to be an itinerant preacher,” Northway said. “He’s been a speaker at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress for over 20 years. He has a tremendous ability to communicate in both English and in Spanish. He has lots of humor and humility, and he’s a solid scholar as well.”

As in years past, the Pastoral Congress will offer workshops geared for adults on a wide array of topics.

“There is some kind of a subject in this congress that would appeal to everybody, whether it’s Biblical studies or an interest in ministry, discipleship, stewardship, liturgy, teen ministry, young adults – there’s something for everybody,” Northway said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to hear internationally famous speakers address these issues of mercy and forgiveness.”

For a complete Pastoral Congress workshop schedule, visit http://www.dioslc.org/events/registration/step1?event=2319.

WHAT: Diocese of Salt Lake City2016 Pastoral Congress

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Skaggs Catholic Center, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

COST:  $45 per person

To register or for information, visit https://www.dioslc.org/events/registration/step1?event=2319.