NEWS
6 November 2012
A Wellington symposium on Vatican II today
In the last issue of Wel-com, the archdiocese announced the ‘Joy and Hope’ Symposium to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
This event will not only celebrate the council but also explore what Vatican II can bring to the People of God today.
This particular occasion is a key moment in the Year of Faith offering an opportunity to hear, reflect, remember and learn more. Friday evening will draw on the memories of local people as they discuss what took place.
Saturday morning opens with a keynote address from Dr Helen Bergin OP who explores the signs of the Spirit’s presence at the Council.
Short presentations on each of the four central texts of Vatican II will follow. Fr Bernard Espiritu SVD will speak on Divine Revelation, Dr Anne Tuohy on The Church, Mrs Julianne Hickey on The Church in the Modern World and Fr Patrick Bridgman will speak on Liturgy.
As Chris Duthie-Jung of the event organising committee said, ‘Fewer Catholics today actually remember a pre-Vatican II Church. ‘Post-Council Catholics’ can find it hard to understand what all the fuss was and is about!’
The ‘Joy and Hope’ Symposium in February aims to re-collect what the experience meant, what it produced and, perhaps most importantly, how it can offer real direction for us in a completely new era.
Registrations open this month and the cost will be $75 (which includes dinner on Saturday evening). Visit www.yearoffaith.org.nz and click on the symposium door to find out information as it becomes available. Registration forms will be distributed to parishes, schools and other Catholic organisations this month.
Friday and Saturday February 22 – 23, 2013, St Patrick’s College, Kilbirnie, Wellington.