Church Ministry Convocation

The Diocese of Joliet presents....

XXVII Church Ministry Convocation

Charismatic Compulsion: Saint Paul and the Necessity of Evangelization

March 31, 2009, Tuesday

Fr. Ronald D. Witherup, SS, S.T.L., PhD

At St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center, 402 S. Independence Blvd., Romeoville, IL

Charismatic Compulsion: Saint Paul and the Necessity of Evangelization

Saint Paul was one of the most successful and ambitious evangelizers the Church has ever known. He tirelessly traveled throughout his Mediterranean world proclaiming the “good news” of Jesus Christ. What were the keys of his success? What were his challenges? How can he serve as a model for today’s Catholics called to preach, teach and catechize in a modern, secular world? This workshop will explore how Paul’s “charismatic compulsion” can be life transforming today.

The sessions will explore:
* Paul the Apostle, as a charismatic evangelizer
* The pastoral dimensions of Paul’s letters
* The spiritual and theological foundations of Paul’s preaching and teaching as models for today’s contemporary ministers

It is enriching to study Paul on the question of evangelization, because:
* The unique Year of Paul proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI gives a rare opportunity to focus on this premier Apostle
* Paul is the most well known and successful evangelizer from the first century
* Paul has been frequently misunderstood and has been neglected by Catholics
* Paul can provide direction and inspiration for today’s ministers

This Convocation will enable participants to:

* Correct misimpressions about Paul and his letters
* Gain new insights into Paul’s letters with regard to the topic of evangelization
* Set the stage for celebrating Holy Week and the Easter season in the context of the Pauline Year
* Strengthen the biblical foundations of their own ministry
* Return to their ministry with renewed enthusiasm for the formidable task of evangelization in the modern world

PRESENTER

FATHER RONALD D. WITHERUP, S.S.
Sulpician Father Ronald D. Witherup, S.S., is currently Provincial Superior of the U.S. Province of Sulpicians. A former dean and professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Patrick Seminary, he holds a doctorate in biblical studies from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He is a frequent retreat master for priests and deacons, and he often lectures on biblical and theological topics. Among his many publications are 101 Questions & Answers on Paul (Paulist, 2003), Scripture: Dei Verbum (Paulist, 2006) and St. Paul: Called to Conversion (St. Anthony Messenger, 2007). His latest book is Stations of the Cross According to Saint Paul (Paulist, 2008)

Information on past Church Ministry Convocations.

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