Many speakers at the Pastoral Congress will focus on mercy and the Church

Friday, Aug. 21, 2015

DRAPER — The Year of Mercy that Pope Francis has dedicated to the Church gives thought about how the Church can make clear its mission of being a witness of mercy; it will begin Dec. 9.

“It’s a journey that starts with a spiritual conversion – an Extraordinary Jubilee that has the mercy of God at its center – it will be a Holy Year of Mercy,” the pope said during the March 13 Lenten penitential service in St. Peter’s Basilica at which he announced the extraordinary Jubilee. 

The biblical passage for the Holy Year’s theme is from Luke Chapter 6:36, in which Jesus tells his disciples, “Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” Pope Francis entrusted the Holy Year to Mary, Mother of Mercy. The Jubilee will close Nov. 20, 2016 with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

Susan Northway, director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, said the people of the diocese need to prepare for the Year of Mercy before it begins. This year’s Pastoral Congress is centered on the theme ‘Merciful like the father,’ and will explore the ideas that Pope Francis put forth in ‘Misericordiae Vultus,’ his document for the Jubilee Year. 

“Misericordiae Vultus continuously repeats mercy – the idea of a merciful and loving God; not a hostile, remote and punishing God,” said Northway. “One point it brings out is not judging others; only God knows what is in the depths of their soul. These themes will be woven into the speakers at Congress – and how our own pilgrimages in life must include the idea of being merciful like the Father is merciful to us.”

During the Pastoral Congress Dr. Jennie Weiss Block, OP., D. Min., who will give the keynote presentation in English, will address three key spiritual attributes that tie into the Year of Mercy: accompaniment, hospitality and hope, which “lead to both experiencing and sharing God’s mercy,” said Northway. 

Block defines accompaniment as “walking beside people – not ahead of them or in back of them,” she said in an interview. 

People must also work for systemic change of the root causes of poverty, offer hospitality, and lend hope in a sense of “making the kingdom present in the here and now,” said Block.

Block will discuss the relationships among the three attributes; the audience will learn “how to take these three spiritual attributes and incorporate them into their work as well as their daily understanding of themselves as a member of the Christian church,” she said.

In addition to the keynote address, Block also will offer a workshop on practical ways that Catholics can welcome people with disabilities; she has written a book on the subject. 

“I think that full inclusion of people with disabilities in the Church is a very relevant topic, particularly if you’re talking about a year of mercy, so you’re not leaving people out or not allowing them to share their gifts with the community or giving them their rightful place,” she said.

Dominican Father Jorge L. Presmanes will give the keynote address in Spanish about the soul and life of the Christian in the Year of Mercy. Fr. Presmanes came to the United States as a young boy from Cuba; he has experienced living in two different cultures, and has worked extensively with the poor, said Northway. 

“Fr. Presmanes has an ability to reach young adults and inspire people,” said Northway. 

Two additional speakers will focus on youth ministry and mercy: Liz Dudas will give two workshops in English and Dr. Victor Carmona will give three presentations in Spanish.

Dudas’ will help participants better understand what “A Church of Mercy” looks like, as well as the challenges and the opportunities it holds for disciples of Jesus.

“The younger generation is more inclined to live out their faith through action, so they are going to embrace the Corporal Works of Mercy throughout the year,” said Samantha Almanza, Youth and Young Adult Ministry director for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. 

Catholic Relief Services will offer presentations in English and Spanish that will focus on mercy, said Anna Huth, CRS relationship manager. “We want people to be ready for mercy; in our sessions we want people to take a reflective moment to be in touch with their own awareness with what mercy means, what their own experiences are, and how they are being called, and also what is the difference mercy makes in the lives of individuals in the family, in the community and in the world. This will include resources people can use and implement.”