TIPTON — “Our Parish Renewed” is a Lenten program offered by Father David Hitch at St. Mary Parish. The renewal focuses on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
Fr. Hitch studied the Second Vatican Council for two weeks in Rome earlier this year and was inspired upon his return to educate his parish about the council that brought much change to the Church. The Lenten series runs each Tuesday from 7-8:15 p.m. in St. Mary’s parish hall.
The first program focused on what happened at Vatican II, such as planning, preparation, attendees, voting and more. The second program, held earlier this week, focused on the changes Vatican II brought about. The session explored the 16 council documents, the people of God called to be ministers, the call to holiness, and how people can grow toward greater holiness.
The March 29 session will look at rethinking the liturgy and the sacraments. Fr. Hitch will touch upon what people love most about the Mass. He also notes that following Vatican II each of the sacraments was restored with an eye toward its communal dimensions. All seven sacraments will be reviewed.
April 5 will address “the long 19th century.” Fr. Hitch will look at the events that led up to Vatican II, from the papal states and Vatican Council I to the new theology and various popes.
The final program, April 12, will examine the signs of the times. Fr. Hitch will look at four documents: The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, and finally, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.
Fr. Hitch also will explore what issues Vatican II did not discuss and issues the next council should address.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact St. Mary Parish office at (563) 886-2506.
