Assembly organizers want to attract inactive Catholics

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Conference organizers say they have been challenging parishes and parishioners to invite their inactive brothers and sisters to Assembly 2000.

Inactive people should be invited "because that's our whole mission on earth, that's why we are here," said Rita Strauss, chair of the assembly's planning committee.

"We want everyone to have a good relationship with God. That comes from our Baptism, that's the mission we are given, to reach out to those who don't have a relationship with God to give them the Good News."

Organizers are challenging each parishioner to actively seek out those in their neighbourhood who may feel marginalized by the Church and personally invite and encourage them.

"If you know someone who is inactive, here is a chance for them to learn about how their faith is been celebrated today," she said. "The conference will feature some good speakers who will explain how faith is being lived today."

The assembly, to be held Sept. 14-17 at the Shaw Conference Centre, is a family-oriented event that will provide opportunities for faith renewal through education, prayer and worship, reflection and dialogue, and various forms of celebration.

It will feature several prominent speakers, including Jesuit Father Thomas Rausch who will speak about The Future of the Catholic Church.

Rausch will look at the challenges the contemporary Church faces - the shortage of priests, tensions between regional churches and Rome, a diminished institutional commitment on the part of many Catholics and the challenge of evangelization.

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