More than 50 attend evening of dialogue

From The Superior Catholic Herald...
 

The Diocese of Superior is currently in the second year of an ongoing process of going from maintenance to mission. Part of the call to evangelize is reaching out to the margins of the church and of society. It is in that spirit that Holy Family Parish, Woodruff, inaugurated the evening of listening and dialogue.

On March 14, all were welcome to come to the church and pose questions about Catholicism for the pastor, Fr. Jerry Hagen. Fifty-one people, including active and non-practicing Catholics and anyone with questions about the faith – attended.

Questions were presented orally or in writing, and touched upon attendees’ concerns about a variety of topics, including clergy sex abuse and coverup, the problem of divorce and reception of the sacraments, married priests, being more accepting of cultural norms, the status of homosexual people and why Catholics focus on Mary.

These questions and issues sparked animated dialogue and an effort to answer them in the light of Catholic teaching and practice. “It was good that people felt comfortable enough to open up a difficult conversation,” Fr. Hagen commented. “It is our hope that people felt respected, valued, and listened to.”

Read the rest of this news story on The Superior Catholic Herald (official publication of the Diocese of Superior) website here...