CIC: Reconciliation

Reconciliation

esus, the Good Shepard, was always looking for those who felt excluded from the church and community of his time. The CIC, following in his footsteps, is also searching out those people who for whatever reason feel alienated or unwelcome in the Catholic family. Our clear and unwavering message is that all are welcome at the table of the Lord. Pope John Paul II has made us aware that the Church is a human institution, and as such we have often sinned against the members of our own body. We are prepared at every moment to meet people where they find themselves in their faith journey. We will listen to and talk about whatever doubts and reservations people have. We will do all within our power to heal whatever wounds people may have experienced at the hands of the Church.

esus befriended the poor and the outcasts of his society. The people of the CIC embrace the words of the gospel of Matthew, “That whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.” The CIC is engaged in multiple efforts to alleviate the suffering of the poor and is committed working to resolve the sources of injustice in our society.

Specific CIC Programs for Reconciliation

New Life Group

ew Life is a support group which ministers primarily to separated, divorced, widowed and never married Catholics. They have monthly meetings with a speaker or a educational video, special retreats, stations of the cross, annual outdoor mass and potluck, a special Mass with Bishop Rose, and several other activities published in a monthly newsletter.

he New Life Divorce Support Group hosts ten-week sessions. Men and women who are divorced or going through a divorce will help you learn ways to cope with the stress and strains.

For more information about New Life and/or to register for Support Groups, call the Center at 616-459-7267.

New Life Mission Statement
To support, enrich and give one another hope consistent with our Christian values; to provide social, spiritual and educational activities to meet our needs; to inform, educate, persuade and create empathy with the church for the problems we face. New Life encompasses all ages, genders and religious backgrounds.

Beginning Experience Weekend

he Beginning Experience weekend is designed to help the widowed, divorced, and separated. It offers a wonderful opportunity to work through the grief process associated with a loss and provides an excellent opportunity to begin and/or continue the healing process. A trained peer ministry team leads participants through the weekend. For more information or to receive a brochure, please call 616-459-7267.

Grief Liturgy

very sensitive and special liturgy to honor the varied losses that people have experienced and continue to grieve, which may include parent loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, abuse, the loss of a spouse, a child, a relationship, a job, the death of a loved one to AIDS, or by accident—whomever and whatever you have lost and grieve.

his ecumenical liturgy seeks awareness for the necessity to grieve, to acknowledge losses, to share grief in safety and with dignity. We gather in the communal ritual to offer and to find continued support.

mall group sessions will be available following the service for those who wish to share their grief with safety and dignity. For information, call the Center office, 616-459-7267.

Landings

andings is a ten week program for returning Catholics led by trained volunteers and conducted in small groups of faith. Landings groups meet for two hours once a week, during which time they share prayer, faith journeys, and discussion of Catholic faith issues. Landings groups provide a safe place for returning Catholics to share their faith and concerns with other practicing Catholics, as they integrate back into serious lives of faith within the Church. Volunteers are sought who are committed to their Catholic faith and desire to welcome back other Catholics.

Contact: Fr. Tom Tavella at 616-459-7267.

http://www.paulist.org/mission/reconciliation.html

Specific CIC Programs for Social Justice

1. Montana de Luz: The CIC supports Montana de Luz, a mission for children with AIDS in Honduras. http://www.projectheartstrong.org/.

2. Degage is a Heartside neighborhood ministry that the Center has been involved with for the last seven years. It is a place downtown that the residents of Heartside can call their own; a place for conversion, relaxation, fellowship, something to eat or drink, all in a comfortable and accepting atmosphere. Eighth rotating teams of Center volunteers staff Thursday evening throughout the year, doing things like taking food orders, preparing food, grilling burgers, serving coffee and doughnuts, playing cards or bingo, or just engaging in conversation with the patrons.

f you would like more information about this ministry, or would like to join one of the eight teams (commitment: once every eight Thursday, 7pm to approx. 9:30 pm), please call John Mitchell (458-7150) or Julie Mauer (887-8067). We especially need a few more volunteers on Teams 4 and 8.

3. Refugee Resettlement: The Sabatow family, Bantus from Somalia, arrived here last August and are in a new phase of their resettlement. They are now at the end of their government refugee assistance, so their needs are many...as are the opportunities to assist them. [View Images of the Resettlement]

rimary is the need for jobs. Isha, a 21-year old female, will have to be the chief support for the family. A factory or housekeeping job would probably be most suitable. Noorta, who is 17-year’s old could also work this Summer. If anyone has any leads or suggestions, please call Mary Jo Herendeen at 957-2745, or Betty Blodgett and 735-4685.

e are organizing for an on-going collection of non-food items, along with a location or receptacle to collect and store them. In the meantime, we are requesting some immediate donations of the following: bus passes, rolls of quarters for laundry, soap (body, shampoo, dish and laundry). You can bring these items to the Center Office.

4. Center Project Box

ach month a different service is chosen to be the recipient of project box donations. Many agencies are included in these monthly collections, for example: Holiday Ministries; Degage: AIDS Crisis Center; Heat Bank; Sparta Migrant Health Care.

our generosity is greatly appreciated! The slot for the Project Box is located in the wall next to the Information desk.

The work of healing and compassion calls us to reach out to our Catholic brothers and sisters who are alienated from the Church community; and calls us to respond to the wounds of society and the hunger for peace and justice. We recognize that action on behalf of justice is constitutive of the preaching of the Gospel.