James Martin, S.J., to Provide Keynote Address at Diocese of Scranton Congress at University
James Martin, S.J., will provide the keynote address at The Scranton Diocesan Congress, “Revolution of Tenderness,” at The University of Scranton Saturday, Oct. 8. Visit www.dioceseofscranton.org or call the Diocesan Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213 for tickets or more information.
The Scranton Diocesan Congress, inspired by the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, will be held at The University of Scranton Saturday, Oct. 8.
The Congress theme, “Revolution of Tenderness,” is centered on Pope Francis’ invitation for the faithful to experience ongoing conversion while growing as ministers of mercy:
“The Gospel tells us constantly to run the risk of a face-to-face encounter with others, with their physical presence which challenges us, with their pain and their pleas, with their joy which infects us in our close and continuous interaction. True faith in the incarnate Son of God is inseparable from self-giving, from membership in the community, from service, from reconciliation with others. The Son of God, by becoming flesh, summoned us to the revolution of tenderness.” (Evangelii Gaudium, paragraph #88)
The Scranton Diocesan Congress will feature a keynote address given by James Martin, S.J., workshops on a variety of topics, and Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L, Bishop of Scranton.
Father Martin is the author of “My Life with the Saints” (Loyola Press, 2006) and “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life” (HarperOne, 2010). He currently serves as editor-at-large for America, a national Catholic magazine. He has commented on religion and spirituality in the national and international media, and has appeared on all the major radio and television networks. In 2014, he was invited by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to speak at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
Father Martin’s address will focus on “Encountering Jesus: In this Year of Mercy, where does our mercy originate? In the life and times of Jesus.” Father Martin will reflect on the fully human and fully divine Son of God, and meditate on how his human and divine life moves him to compassion, and how it can move us.
Joining Father Martin are acclaimed speakers such as: Alice Camille, author, religious educator, and parish retreat leader; Jack Jezreel, founder of JustFaith Ministries; Frank Mercadante, executive director of Cultivation Ministries, a youth ministry training program; and author Leisa Anslinger, co-director of Catholic Life and Faith and founding member of the Catholic Strengths and Engagement Community.
The Scranton Diocesan Congress begins at 9 a.m. with a Welcome, Opening Prayer, and Gathering Experience with the keynote address by Father Martin. The schedule for the rest of the day will be comprised of three hour-long periods where participants will be able to choose from approximately 30 workshops. Lunch will be provided to participants during the Congress; the cost of lunch is included in the $40 registration fee. The day will conclude with Mass at 4 p.m. Bishop Bambera will serve as principal celebrant.
Participants can begin the Congress festivities the previous evening by taking part in a “Year of Mercy” concert performed by renowned Catholic composer Dan Schutte on Friday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter. Tickets for the concert are $15.
The complete schedule and online registration for the Diocesan Congress, including tickets for the concert, is available at www.dioceseofscranton.org. Registration can also be arranged by calling the Diocesan Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213. Tickets for the Congress will also be available at the door, provided that space is still available.
