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Sal Lema, Contributors: Bob Jones and Father Herman Kinzler, O.Carm. The Carmelite Forum of New Jersey held their 2009 Lecture series from February through April of this year and presented three dynamic speakers. The first of three meetings for this year’s series occurred on the 19th of February at Saint Anastasia’s Parish in Teaneck. Sister Kathleen Deignan, CND, spoke to an audience of about fifty on “Thomas Merton’s Wisdom for Christians in an Ecological Age.” Sister Kathleen is a Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College. She has written extensively on Merton’s recognition of the coming ecological crisis and the special responsibility Christians bear for an ethical treatment of the physical world given to them by God. In her view, more than recycling and sustainable materials for manufacturing and construction has to come about. Recognition by Christians, shown by lifestyle changes and incorporation of concern for nature in parochial life and personal spirituality is also needed. Merton’s vision of Christians and “the gardeners and governors of Paradise” is essential to a full understanding of the question. The question period and subsequent informal conversation took somewhat longer than the lecture itself; a good sign of the audience’s appreciation of Sister’s message. On March 18th, Father Nelson Belizario, O. Carm, spoke to an audience who gathered at Saint Joseph Church in Bogota, New Jersey. His topic, “How a Parish Prays in the 21st Century” was leavened by his experience as the pastor of Saint Simon Stock parish, a largely Hispanic congregation in the Bronx. After a brief description of the different groups he sees in the contemporary American Catholic community, he applied his analysis to several areas which most Catholics believe significant: the Incarnation, Christ’s death and resurrection, Jesus’ real presence in the sacraments, the special status of Mary, and a concern for the poor. He sees a high number of vocations in the Catholic community today, vocations among the laity who wish to serve, but not in a clerical capacity. Most of these vocations are not being fulfilled in any real way. In conclusion, Father Nelson suggested that those present break up in small groups and discuss the points he raised with some of his Hispanic parish staff and members were present. While there was no formal report from each of the groups, active and vigorous conversations arose across the auditorium. The success of the evening’s discussions is a testimony to Father Nelson’s clear and vigorous presentation. On April 22nd Father David Blanchard, O. Carm., was the speaker at the last lecture of the series. His topic “A Missionary’s Experience: The Ups and Downs of the Option for the Poor” came from his vast experience as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Ciudad Delgado, El Salvador. Many came to hear Father David who spoke on the rationale of the
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