THE YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013
The Second Ecumenical Council at the Vatican - the 21st Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church - opened on the 11th of October 1962. To mark the 50th Anniversary of this great event in the life of the Church, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has called for a three year jubilee celebration. (Read the Apostolic Letter "The Door of Faith" here.) Each year emphasizes a great virtue: faith, hope and love. This first year - the year of faith - invites all Catholics to deepen their knowledge of what our faith teaches so as to make that faith more real in our lives. The three "sources" of information which this year especially invites us to discover anew (or maybe discover for the first time!) are 1. the Bible, 2. the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and 3. the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published 20 years ago exactly. Each Catholic is asked "to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ." (Door of Faith nr. 2) Each region, each diocese and each parish is also called upon to mark the Year of Faith with some special program or activity.
The Year of Faith in the Church Universal
The main ecclesial event at the beginning of the Year of Faith will be the XIII General Assembly of the Ordinary Synod of Bishops, dedicated to The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. The Year of Faith will offer a special opportunity for all believers to deepen their knowledge of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Prayer for the Year of Faith Documents of Vatican II Compendium of the Catechism Vatican FAQs on the Year of Faith Apostolic Letter "Porta Fidei" |
The Year of Faith in the United States
"Catholics wishing to deepen their faith during the Year of Faith can start by exploring the Evangelization and Catechesis section of the USCCB website. The bishops of the United States of America have prepared numerous resources. Catholics should also consider studying the documents of Vatican II and the catechism. Another resource is the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, which takes the teachings of the catechism and shares them within a uniquely American context and highlights American Catholic saints and role models."
U.S. Bishops on the Year of Faith Videos for the Year of Faith United States Catholic Catechism for Adults |
The Year of Faith in the Savannah Diocese
"I encourage you, the faithful of the Church of Savannah, to join discussion groups about the basic beliefs of our faith as families or to meet with other families and share the various topics in the Catholic Catechism, attend a weekday Mass, begin a devotion that is meaningful to you or to attend Adult Faith Formation sessions offered at our parishes. I also encourage you to seriously consider sending your children or grandchildren to a Catholic school or to make a sacrificial donation to support Catholic schools in our diocese."
-- Bishop Gregory Hartmeyer Welcoming a Year of Faith 10 Ways You Can Live the Year of Faith |
The Year of Faith in McIntosh County
Every parish community is asked to observe the Year of Faith in some noticeable way. Because of the transitions we have experienced here at Nativity this past spring and summer, we have not been able to make many plans in advance. However we WILL be planning things as we go along this year.
The Pastoral Council has worked on this since September. So far we have two projects: 1. Renewal of our web site (you're reading it) 2. Special emphasis on Advent and Lent as times of renewal. For example, we will hold an Advent Fair on December 1st. Other ideas we've discussed. |