January 29
Thrive at Divine Mercy Parish, 592 South Main St., Central Square;
7-8 p.m. Thrive is an evening of music, inspiration, and fellowship. No cost, no commitment. Everyone is welcome, especially families with small children! For more information, contact Mary Hallman at (315) 470-1429 or mhallman@syrdio.org.
January 31
Friday Night Live! Comedy Night with Chris Padgett, presented by St. Rose of Lima and the Office of Family/Respect Life Ministry, at St. Rose of Lima School, 411 South Main St., North Syracuse; 7-8:30 p.m. A night of laughter with Catholic speaker, evangelist, author, and comedian Chris Padgett. To learn more about Chris, visit www.happyplacehomestead.com. The event is free and babysitting is available. For more info, contact the parish office at (315) 458-0283.
February 2
The Heart of the Catechist, presented by the Office of Faith Formation, at St. Michael/St. Peter’s Parish Center, 4782 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse; 1-4 p.m. A presentation inspired by Pope Francis’ address to the Congress on Catechesis. Will also include a new component on Sharing our Story as part of our Diocesan Catechist Formation program. For more information, contact Theresa May at (315) 472-6753.
February 5
“Run Alpha,” presented by the Office of Evangelization, at Christ the King Retreat House, 500 Brookford Rd., Syracuse; 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. This training is for everyone that has run, is currently running, or is thinking about running Alpha, a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Gather with others across the region for an interactive Alpha training that will help you revitalize the invitational culture of your church and transform people’s hearts through authentic community and encounter with Jesus Christ. Advance payment required. Office can bill your parish (register by January 31) or you may pay by check, payable to “Diocese of Syracuse” attn: Office of Evangelization. Individual registration $30; group registration (5+) $20. Optional overnight accommodations only $39. For more information, contact Regina Wright at (315) 459-7168 or rwright@syrdio.org.
February 6
“Alpha & The Art of Accompaniment,” presented by the Office of Evangelization, at Christ the King Retreat House, 500 Brookford Rd., Syracuse; 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. This day follows the “Run Alpha” training on Feb. 5 and is for those who want to gain a deeper, more personal sense of what it means to be a person of accompaniment. Sarah Kaczmarek, Associate Director of Alpha Catholic and National Director of Youth Alpha at Alpha USA, will help us discover how we can be Christ to others by meeting them where they are and responding to the deepest cries of their hearts, especially with young adults and parents of small children, and how we cultivate within ourselves the ability to be present to others and identify and respond to their greatest human longing, even when they cannot name it or recognize it in themselves. Advance payment required. Office can bill your parish (register by January 31) or you may pay by check, payable to “Diocese of Syracuse” attn: Office of Evangelization. Individual registration $30; group registration (5+) $20. Optional overnight accommodations (evening of Feb. 5) only $39. For more information, contact Regina Wright at (315) 459-7168 or rwright@syrdio.org.
