Latest USCCB News on Vocations Week, Synod, Fall Assembly, Vandalism and World Youth Day
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which includes Bishop Talley and Bishop Emeritus Steib, shared five articles from this month that we thought would be of interest–below are excerpts from the articles. The articles are on our CDOMWebsite and in their entirety at: USCCBNews.
National Vocation Awareness Week Soon
The Catholic Church in the U.S. will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 7-13. Dioceses across the U.S., including our Memphis Diocese, will hold events to foster an appreciation for all Vocations and pray for those discerning a vocation to ordained ministry and consecrated life. In his message for the 58th Annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis offered St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, as a model for vocational discernment. “Amid all the upheavals, [St. Joseph] found the courage to follow God’s will. Resources for Vocation Week are available online.
USCCB Welcomes the Synod on Synodality
In May 2021, Pope Francis invited the Catholic Church to gather and reflect on Communion, Participation and Mission within the Church. The two-year process of listening and dialogue is themed, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission being referred to as the Synod on Synodality, which the Holy Father officially opened with Mass on Oct. 10. Then on Oct. 16-17, Dioceses throughout the world, including our Memphis Diocese, began the next phase of the Synod which includes consultation and dialogue at the Diocesan level through April 2022. See Webpage at: USCCBSynod.
Bishops to Meet in Baltimore Nov. 15-18
The USCCB will gather for the 2021 Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 15-18. It will be the first in-person meeting of the Bishops since Nov. 2019. Due to COVID-19, June 2020 Spring meeting was canceled and Nov. 2020 Fall / June 2021 Spring meetings were held in a virtual format.
· The agenda will have a report from the National Advisory Council and discussions-votes on items including: Eucharistic revival initiative and approval of a National Eucharistic Congress in 2024; Proposal to add St. Teresa on the Calendar for the U.S. Dioceses5; USCCB’s 2022 budget and more.
· The Bishops will vote for a Treasurer-elect for the Conference, as well as Chairmen-elect of five Conference committees. There will be votes for the election of a new USCCB General Secretary, presentations and discussions on the Synod of Bishops and more.
· Public sessions of General Assembly discussions-votes will be livestreamed at: USCCBMtgs and updates, votes, presentations and other materials will be posted to this USCCB site. Use the hashtag #USCCB21 to follow on Twitter @USCCB or follow on FacebookUSCCB or InstagramUSCCB.
One Hundred Incidents of Vandalism
In May of 2020, the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty began tracking incidents of arson, vandalism and other destruction at Catholic sites across the U.S. On Oct. 10, 2021, marked the 100thincident: hateful graffiti scrawled on the walls before Sunday Mass at the Cathedral in Denver, Colo. In all cases, we must reach out to the perpetrators with prayer and forgiveness. The Committee launched in response to the destruction of Catholic statues, feature videos from various Dioceses discussing the significance of sacred art. USCCB committees are advocating for increased funding.
Bishops Invite Young People to World Youth Day
Lisbon, Portugal, will be the host of the next international World Youth Day from Aug. 1-6, 2023. The USCCB hopes many from the U.S. will participate–all youth and young adults from ages 16-35. Whether you plan to travel to Lisbon, participate through digital media or join your peers at one of many local celebrations taking place in Dioceses across the country, we want you to be part of this moment in the life of the Church. The USCCB is in the process of developing WYD material. More details can be found online at: USCCBWorldYouthDay.
