By KEVIN HAYES

This is an invitation to Catholics— practicing, former, wavering, and progressive — who are dealing with the clergy abuse tragedy in the Catholic Church, the upheaval of merging parishes, little evidence of Catholic Social Teaching in the pulpit, and/or major disgust with the policies being put forth by the current church hierarchy. And this invitation is also for those who are seeking personal energy and commitment to live out their faith. If you are in any of these categories of people, THIS OPPORTUNITY IS FOR YOU.

Consider participating in the retreat following the midterm elections, beginning on Friday night, November 16 at 7 PM and continuing all day, Saturday, November 17 at the Epiphany Association, 820 Crane Avenue in the Beechview neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The theme of the retreat will be Reconciliation. Friday night we will hear from Maureen Crossen (Professor Emerita in Theology, Carlow University), who will delve into the theme of reconciliation, and have invited Pittsburgh Playback Theater to join us. (Playback Theater explores the human condition through improvisational storytelling, raising consciousness while encouraging creative wisdom and action.)

On Saturday, there will be times for prayer, learning new skills, reflection and small group sharing with special attention in the afternoon given to experiences and situations in our lives that are in need of reconciliation. Lunch is included on Saturday.

To register online, go to the following web site: bit.ly/reconciliation_retreat. Once you register, you will need to send a check to pay. The suggested costs are: both Friday night and Saturday ($25); Friday night only ($10); Saturday only, including lunch ($20). If you cannot afford the suggested cost, you may send what you can and still be welcomed. Checks can be made payable to the Thomas Merton Center, with “Retreat” written in the memo section of the check. Mail your check to The Thomas Merton Center, 5129 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224.

If you are not able to register online, you can send a note with your check and write your name and anyone else registering on the note, along with the check corresponding to the portion for which you registering. As an option, Friday night registrations can be made at the door. For participation on Saturday, rsvp’s are needed by Wednesday, Nov. 14 to assure you receive a lunch. For more information, call Joyce Rothermel at 412-780-5118.

While this retreat is especially designed for area Catholics who are concerned, struggling or in distress right now, others (including of other faiths) who are interested are also welcome to participate. Planners of the retreat include members of Social Justice Seekers, Pittsburgh Area Pax Christi, the Association of Pittsburgh Priests and the Thomas Merton Center.

Kevin Hayes is a coordinator for the retreat and a leader in the Social Justice Seekers group.

(TMC newspaper VOL. 48 No. 9 November 2018. All rights reserved)