Jerry Pare’, Catechumenate Guy
Category Archives: Church
Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Holy Transfiguration Monastery is a community of 10 Ukrainian Orthodox monks. Not all are from the Ukraine but they all are drawn to that particular Christian discipline. The monastery buildings come into view after rounding a final curve of the … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Personal
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What to do with the 3 conversion stories: Jn: 4:5-42; Jn 9:1-41; Jn 11: 1-45 ?
When there are catechumens who are candidates for baptism at the Great Vigil of Easter, it is appropriate in any year with the consent of the Bishop to use the Sunday lectionary for Year A during Lent and the Great Fifty Days of Easter. (BoS 2018, p. 136) These three conversion stories — The Samaritan Woman at … Continue reading
Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Lectio Divina, Spirituality
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Homeless in San Francisco–Not Really
The bus left at 9:00 pm. We arrived at the bus stop at 9:15 pm. Alone in a cold dark city with only a bag (not a sleeping bag), 2 cell phones that were close to losing power and no … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Personal, Politics
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Blocking Progress
The Dean was concerned that we didn’t have any “basics” classes at Trinity. So, inspired by Canon Carey’s previous ministry in this area, I developed some. It was a good way to provide basics and to develop a year-round catechumenate. … Continue reading
Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Evangelizing, Personal, Spirituality
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A Tale of Two Parishes
I’ve had the opportunity to attend two congregations recently. They share the same name. One is in Pasadena. It is recognized nationally for its dynamism, wonderful liturgy, out reach, excellent preaching, wonderful speakers during it’s “Rector’s Forums,” and so much … Continue reading
Invite Welcome Connect
Mary Parmer began an evangelism ministry around 2007 that she came to call Invite Welcome Connect. The story of how she came to create and lead this dynamic ministry is contained in Chapter One of her book, Invite Welcome Connect. … Continue reading
“You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am” Mk 8:34 (Message)
This Lent is particularly difficult. I have envisaged this portion of this blog as reflection on the gospel passages with a focus towards leading catechumenate meetings. Today I find the focus on myself. Some would argue that that is the … Continue reading
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Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch….a Current Story
Trinity’s associate pastor Lynell related the following experience to me: A family called her to the bedside of one of their dying family members. In the course of the visit, the dying person’s son asked that his mother be baptized. … Continue reading
Posted in Catechumenate, Church
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Jim Schellman & The North American Forum
I had the opportunity to meet today with Jim Schellman, Executive Director of The North American Forum on the Catechumenate. I wasn’t sure how the conversation would go. I was a team member in Forum institutes back in “my other … Continue reading
Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Theology
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Roman Catholic to Episcopalian: Part of the Journey
I enjoy telling this story, if for no other reason than its irony. Warning: it is fairly lengthy. Preamble: My critical eye towards the Roman Catholic branch of the church started while in the seminary at Mt. Angel. We were … Continue reading
Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Personal
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