Parish mission centers on families

The St. James Basilica’s parish mission event this year will focus on families and family spirituality.

“I think it gives us a spiritual lift,” said Shirley Wallace, director of faith formation. “(It’s a) time to focus on our faith and deepen our faith in Christ, and become more knowledgeable about our church and its teachings.”

The public is welcome to the mission, which will include four presentations at the Basilica March 10-13. They will be led by Mitch and Kathy Finley, nationally-recognized, award-winning Catholic authors and speakers from Spokane, Wash.

The Finleys’ books and presentations focus on topics related to practical spirituality and authentic faith in the world and in the contemporary church.

They address topics related to marriage and family life.

Kathy also serves as a speaker and directs retreats on women’s spirituality, while Mitch does the same with a focus on men’s spirituality. Married since 1974, they are the parents of three grown sons.

Mitch is a regular contributor to “Living Faith: Daily Catholic Devotions” and Kathy contributes regularly to “Living Faith for Kids.”

The Finleys will give two presentations for all members of families in kindergarten and older.

These intergenerational presentations are “Family Spirituality & Faith Formation,” at 7 p.m. March 11 and “Spirituality of Sacraments & Rituals in the Home” at 7 p.m. March 12. Child care will be provided for children preschool age and younger.

Presentations for adults will be “Men’s & Women’s Spirituality” at 6 p.m. March 10, preceded by a simple meal after the 4:30 p.m. Eucharist, and “Sacrament of Marriage” at 7 p.m. March 13. Child care will be provided for all children.

Refreshments will follow the March 11-13 sessions.

Though the presentations are somewhat geared toward Catholics — perhaps especially the “Sacrament of Marriage” one —people of other denominations are welcome.

“Other people and other churches have marriages and some of the same values we do. Part of it is families learning together and praying together,” Wallace said. “We’re more the same than we are different, as Christians.”

The Finleys said they hope to lead participants through practical ways to become stronger, more lively households of faith, so they and the larger parish community can be the faith communities Christ calls them to become.

“Families, including married couples without children or whose children are grown and gone, constitute the smallest unit of the Church,” the Finleys’ press material says. “It’s vitally important, then, for the households of faith that make up a parish to be healthy faith communities in ways appropriate for them.”

For more information, contact St. James Office of Faith Formation at 252-0478.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at

klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: life, religion