A Year of Encounter+1
Welcome!
During Diocesan Assembly 2020: Encounter in September, Bishop Walkowiak extended an invitation to every member of the diocesan family of faith to deeper encounter with God and others through the practice of Encounter+1. "Encounter+1" is a commitment to (at least) one minute every day in prayer, one hour every month reading sacred Scripture, and inviting and accompanying one person to Mass this year. Over the coming year, we'll be adding resources to help guide and aid you in this effort. Spend some time reading, watching, reflecting and praying using the resources found below:
Experience a Year of Encounter
In fall 2020, instead of a Parish Ministry & Catechetical Conference, the Office of Pastoral Services hosted "Diocesan Assembly: Encounter," a virtual event on Sept. 26. It was the first of three annual events created to inspire and invite Catholics throughout the diocese into joyful missionary discipleship.
The theme of Encounter for the 2020 event was inspired by John's Gospel story of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well (John 4:4-42). Participants heard stories of personal encounter with Christ in our Church and in service to the world, and were challenged to share the Good News with those we encounter in our daily life.
WATCH the Diocesan Assembly Keynote: Katherine Angulo, McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame (English | Español)
Your personal invitation:
During morning prayer, Bishop Walkowiak invited every member of the diocesan family of faith to a Year of Encounter through the practice of Encounter+1.
WATCH: Bishop Walkowiak's Homily
INVITATION FROM DJ FLORIAN, DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL SERVICES:
Watch - (English | Español)
Read - (English | Español) FAITH GR magazine column, November 2020
Personal relationship with Jesus
An experience of God's presence is normal, ordinary, ongoing and happening on many levels.
How does God reveal himself to you each day? He has created each of us as unique individuals and speaks to us all in different ways.
For some, God's presence is experienced most profoundly in moments of silence; for others, the experience is most intense during moments of magnificent musical crescendos. For someone who is like St. Joseph, God's splendor can be seen in the craftsmanship of creating beautiful art and useful objects. Or for someone who is like St. Francis, God's presence is felt powerfully in simple regard for God's creation. Or for someone who is like St. Teresa of Calcutta, God is experienced face to face in service to the poor.
For further reflection:
READ
Scripture: John 4 - The Woman at the Well
Personal relationship with Jesus- FAITH magazine, May 2021 | (Español)
WATCH
Personal Testimonies/Testimonio Personal:
Story of Encounter with God in Creation with Jose Astua
Story of Encounter with God in the Eucharist with Whitney Cunningham
Story of Encounter with God through Service with Pedro Gomes
Historia del Encuentro Testimonio personal sobre la Creación con el P. Eugene Batungbacal C.Ss.R.
Historia del Encuentro Testimonio personal sobre la Eucaristía con el P. Luis Cano
Historia del Encuentro Testimonio personal sobre el servicio con Verónica Quintino
Prayer
Why pray?
The heart of the mission of the Church is prayer, said Pope Francis in his December reflection on prayer.
The Christian tradition encompasses three expressions of prayer: vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplative prayer. The daily practice of prayer nourishes a personal relationship with Jesus. But where to begin?
Making space for prayer in our busy daily lives can seem daunting, so start simply with this prayer: "Jesus, I believe in you; Jesus, I hope in you; Jesus, I love you," then be silent, be still, and listen.
For further reflection:
For a life of prayer - Pope Francis' catechesis during 2020
Reading Scripture
The word of God is alive, here and now.
Through Scripture Jesus speaks to us, right now, in this time and place. In the midst of our lives, God's word is given to each of us to bring peace, comfort and guidance and to build communion among the members of the family of faith.
Practically speaking, to achieve the goal of spending one hour each month reading Scripture, it may be easier to begin with the New Testament of the Bible. Choose a Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John and read one chapter every day, or read the Scriptures from daily Mass.
For further reflection:
READ:
Scripture: John 4 - The Woman at the Well
An invitation to spend one hour every month reading Scripture FAITH magazine Jan/Feb 2021
How Sacred Scripture helps us recognize God (Unleash the Gospel)
What translation of the Bible should I choose? (Catholic.org)
Pope Francis institutes "The Sunday Word of God" (Vatican)
Daily Readings (USCCB)
Bible in a Year podcast with Father Mike Schmitz/Ascension Press
Year of the Bible with Bishop Boyea (Diocese of Lansing)
Catholic Bible apps (Appgrooves)
WATCH:
Theological Reflection with Father René Constanza, CSP
Theological Reflection with Teri Burns
Reflexión Teológica con el P. René Constanza, CSP
Reflexión Teológica con Luz Margarita Aguirre-Poot
An Introduction to Lectio Divina (YouTube - Conception Abbey: A Benedictine Monastery)
PRAY:
Assembly 2020 Prayer
Lectio Divina, or sacred reading, is reading the Scriptures in a reflective and prayerful manner.
Invite and Accompany
Let your invitation spring from your own encounter with Christ.
Inviting someone to Mass may seem daunting, but remember, Jesus promised us the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and it is Jesus who will touch people's hearts through you.
Spend a few minutes with the resources that follow, assembled to provide practical guidance and create opportunities for prayer as you discern who to invite and how to approach that conversation. The Novena to St. Joseph, in particular, which we encourage you to pray on nine consecutive days of your choosing, is the perfect way to bring peace to your heart and wrap your invitation to Mass in prayer under the protection of St. Joseph.
For further reflection:
READ
Scripture: John 4 - The Woman at the Well
Invite one person to Mass this year - FAITH magazine, March 2021
Start with your presence and let the Holy Spirit do the rest - FAITH magazine, April 2021
The Pope Speaks: Wisdom from papal teaching to guide and encourage
El Papa habla: Sabiduría de la enseñanza papal para guiar y animar
WATCH
What encounter with Christ means in our life, with Dr. Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D.
Sowing the seeds of the Gospel in daily interactions and conversations, with Anita Houghton
Asamblea Diocesana presentación con La Hermana Maryud Cortes Restrepo
Asamblea Diocesana presentación con el Dr. Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D.