Florida Catholic | ‘A Year of Faith Engaged’ heritage celebration begins

‘A Year of Faith Engaged’ heritage celebration begins

Centerpiece events for the year–long historical and faith–sharing celebration will include grand festivals in Pensacola and in Tallahassee in May and June 2009.

PEGGY DEKEYSER | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PENSACOLA-TALLAHASSEE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 08.15.08

PENSACOLA | The 1,500 settlers and soldiers under the leadership of Don Tristan de Luna y Arellano no doubt arrived in the Pensacola area from Mexico with high hopes 449 years ago. As they alit onto the white sandy shores, they did what Catholics have done here ever since: They thanked God for their safe journey and, with the five Dominican priests who traveled with the expedition, they celebrated the Eucharist.

While the de Luna expedition and efforts to create the first permanent European settlement in North America were doomed by hurricanes that sank their supply ships and influenza that ravaged their bodies, the roots they put down in the two short years they inhabited the area grew into a lasting heritage of Catholicism.

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, proclaimed a celebration of that heritage, ‘A Year of Faith Engaged: Sharing Christ’s Message since 1559’ during the 6 p.m. Mass Aug. 15 at Our Lady of the Assumption Mission on Pensacola Beach, near the Spanish landing site. In recognition of the 450th anniversary of de Luna’s landing, which will occur Aug. 15, 2009, the diocese will observe special celebrations throughout the year, focused on carrying out the legacy of faith left by those who have gone before. Aug. 15 has been celebrated as the feast of Our Lady of the Assumption from as early as the seventh century.

While the year’s celebrations will have the element of history, the bishop intends that it not only be a year of looking to the past. “To best honor and celebrate our heritage as a eucharistic community, we are called by the Gospel to reach out, to evangelize, to share Christ’s message with all. We are called to engage in our faith that we might better serve those in need, that we might better educate our children in the faith, that we might better give living witness to the Gospel,” he said.

Plans for the year call for a special Web site, www.faithengaged.org, which will contain listings of all events, special prayers and resources for all ages. Throughout the year, the theme of Faith Engaged will be incorporated into events for youths, into lesson plans for catechists and into celebrations of diocesan events and organizations.

A convocation of leaders is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2009. This event will include clergy and lay leaders from all areas of parish ministry and the leaders of Catholic organizations from throughout the diocese.

The centerpiece events, according to co-chairwoman Stephanie McNeill, associate director for the diocesan Department of Christian Formation, will be festivals of faith scheduled for May 29-30, 2009, in Pensacola and June 5-6, 2009, in Tallahassee.

“These festivals will provide an opportunity for all Catholics, and anyone interested in our faith, to come together to be refreshed and invigorated in the faith. Worship, speakers, information and resources will abound for all ages to encourage people to become more engaged in their faith, to celebrate their faith and to go forth to share Christ’s message of love with the world,” McNeill said.

A closing celebration is scheduled for Aug. 15, 2009. According to organizers, the term closing is a bit of a misnomer.

“We expect this celebration of our faith to continue on, newly invigorated by this special year,” said Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sister Margaret Kuntz, director of the diocesan Department of Christian Formation, and co-chairwoman. “Our hope is that people and parishes will keep on celebrating their faith through continuing to engage in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.”

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