Article from the Catholic Herald
By Denise MacLachlan
Herald staff
In May 2008, D’Acquisto added a more interactive dimension to the non-gathered ministry by creating a Fuel’d Ministries Facebook page. People register at the social networking Web site — Facebook users register as a “friend” at an individual’s Facebook page and as a “fan” at a group’s page — and then are free to post their own thoughts, add links to other Web sites, post photos, and comment on everyone else’s posts.
These online communities offer opportunities for youth ministers and other church leaders to evangelize and spread the word about their ministries. Youth ministries are leading the digital way in the Diocese of Sacramento, and parishes are hot on their heels.
Many youth ministries in the diocese have their own Web sites, D’Acquisto said. It’s a way of creating community with teens and parents and even with other youth ministers, she noted, adding that youth ministers often explore one another’s ministry group sites to gather ideas for their own ministries.
Another Lenten journey of further conversion will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Lent prepares the faithful to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. It is a time for reflection and spiritual renewal, a time to examine one’s relationships with God and with others. The Church also calls Catholics to a spirit of penance, above all fasting, prayer and almsgiving, ‘which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos.1969 and 1434).
Click here to read more of Bishop Soto’s Lenten regulations and admonitions.
St. Catherine’s Faith Community will join parishes in the Diocese of Sacramento and Christian Churches around the world in observing a period of prayer and unity during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25. The 102nd annual observance of the ecumenical week takes the theme: “You are Witnesses of These Things”(Luke 24:28).
*While intentions for unity will be lifted up in all the Masses during the week, and also on the weekend of January 24th-25th, parishioners are invited to a special Holy Mass for Unity on Wednesday, January 20th at 7:00 pm. We encourage everyone to include in their daily private, individual prayers intentions of ecumenism: while it is rather difficult to have unity in doctrine, Churches could definitely have oneness in awareness, understanding, respect and love through interfaith dialogue.
Several pro-life events are scheduled this month in Northern California. Bishop Jaime Soto will be the main celebrant of the annual pro-life Mass on Friday, Jan. 22 at 12:10 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 1017 11th St. in Sacramento.
The Mass in reparation for the sin of abortion is held annually to mark the date of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton which legalized abortion.
The Mass will be preceded by a convening of student leadership from junior high and high school levels in the diocese as well as adult chaperones and Catholic school teachers attending workshops about the culture of life. Bishop Soto has invited Catholics in the diocese as well as all people of good will to join together for fasting, abstinence, prayer and works of charity on Jan. 22 as day of reparation for “the sinful national scourge of abortion.”
Please join us in this historic opportunity to contribute to the realization of our vision for St. Catherine of Siena Parish, ensuring a legacy of Catholic faith for those who one day will follow us. If you wish further information about Building Our Church of Tomorrow …Today Campaign, click here
