12:00 pm – 4:45 pm

VICTIMS OF GANG VIOLENCE

ENCOUNTER EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Brothers and Sisters of Love at a Local Parish

Participants will meet with former gang members and other residents (perhaps including current gang members) who have lived in gang controlled neighborhoods.

The Mission of Brothers and Sisters of Love is to be a visible sign of Jesus’ Love, Peace, and Presence to the poor in Gang Infested Neighborhoods in Chicago and to be a bridge between gangs & the poor with the Church. BS/L has a spirituality of Loving, Trusting in God, Forgiving Everyone & Everything, and Not Being Afraid. When we get into dangerous or fearful situations, we go back to Loving and Trusting in God. Love casts out fear.

www.brothersandsistersoflove.com

12:00 pm – 4:45 pm

THE VETERAN

ENCOUNTER EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Catholic Charities at Bishop Goedert Residence

This encounter will allow participants to serve a meal and spend time with our veterans.

Bishop Goedert Residence is a senior citizen housing-only residence located in Hines, Illinois. Bishop Goedert Residence is sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and is financed under the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities based on the value and dignity of human life. In order to remain faithful to our mission, Catholic Charities is guided by these core values: Respect, Compassion, Competence and Stewardship.

www.catholiccharities.net/GetHelp/OurServices/VeteransServices.aspx

12:00 pm – 4:45 pm

THOSE SUFFERING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

ENCOUNTER EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Faith and Fellowship within a small group faith-sharing session.

Jesus said, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.” Come and spend an afternoon encountering this presence with a community of faith that welcomes and embraces adults with severe and persistent mental illness. We use a well-developed catechetical model that helps us celebrate God’s presence in the ups and downs of our lives. Please accept our invitation to learn how our Church can be a place of acceptance and inclusion for adults whose illness, and the stigma associated with it, all too often keeps them misunderstood, ignored, or hidden. In an atmosphere of mutuality and warm hospitality, you will have time to pray with and share enjoyment within Faith and Fellowship’s small group faith-sharing.

Faith and Fellowship is called to follow the example of Jesus by bringing an awareness of God’s presence and care to people who experience mental illness, and to provide for them a welcoming sense of belonging through the formation of communities of faith.

www.miministry.org

12:00 pm – 4:45 pm

THE UNDERTOLD STORIES OF DIVERSITY IN COMMUNITY

The Undertold Stories of Diversity In Community

Participants will spend time at a local parish discovering its ministry in the neighborhood as well as visiting a few shops in Pilsen, including a panaderia (bakery) for a treat and El Milagro Tortilla Factory for a sample. Participants will discover ways to use the city as a classroom and consider ways to raise global awareness by using readily available resources. Participants will also have an opportunity to explore the excitement of Chicago’s cultural diversity with a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Pilsen neighborhood that surrounds it. The museum holds the largest collection of Latino art in the country with a permanent collection, changing exhibits, and outstanding gift shop. This encounter will include handouts and a copy of a Vacation Bible School curriculum, Festival of Faith: Celebrating the Church Year around the World.

12:00 pm – 4:45 pm

THE WEARY IN WEST HUMBOLDT PARK

ENCOUNTER EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Mission of Our Lady of the Angels at their Food Pantry

This encounter will take place at the headquarters of the organization. Participants will assist in gardening and weeding, packing food for the mobile food pantry, sorting goods for distribution, cleaning, picking up trash and other back-end support to this organization.

The Mission of Our Lady of the Angels establishes a Catholic presence in the West Humboldt Park area on Chicago’s west side. This area is presently one of the poorest neighborhoods in the City of Chicago. The purpose of the Mission is twofold: to assist the materially poor and to share the treasure of our Catholic Faith.

www.missionola.com

1:15 pm – 4:45 pm
DFW AB

JÓVENES CATÓLICOS DEDICADOS A LA EVANGELIZACIÓN Y FORMACIÓN

ENCOUNTER EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Iskali Ministry Onsite

Vicente Del Real, Fundador y Director de ISKALI, junto con varios jóvenes discípulos misioneros, presentarán el Ministerio de Iskali y todos los frutos que ha brindado tras los años en la ciudad de Chicago.

Vicente Del Real, Founder and Director of Iskali, along with various Hispanic young leaders, will present what ISKALI Ministry does and how it’s fruits have formed hundreds of young Hispanic missionary disciples in the city of Chicago. (Presentation entirely in Spanish.)

Iskali es una comunidad de jóvenes Católicos dedicados a la evangelización y formación que tiene como raíz la espiritualidad del Concilio Vaticano II. La misión de Iskali es crear la próxima generación de líderes de la iglesia mediante el establecimiento de comunidades de discipulado para adolescentes y jóvenes adultos en las cuales puedan profundizar en su fe y su vocación – desde, para y con los jóvenes. Iskali busca promover el liderazgo Latino/a en la iglesia, particularmente en la Arquidiócesis de Chicago, formándolos para que cumplan con su llamado bautismal y su misión en la iglesia y lleguen a el florecimiento humano de sus vidas.

www.iskali.org

1:15 pm – 4:45 pm
Grand ABCDE

THE REFUGEE

ENCOUNTER EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Catholic Relief Services Onsite

CRS will provide an onsite experience that will offer participants a chance to meet with refugee families and hear their journey stories. There will also be an interactive portion of this event, as well as a prayer service.

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to: Promote human devolpment by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and, serve Catholics in the United States as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world. As part of the universal mission of the Catholic Church, we work with local, national and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist people on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality.

www.crs.org

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
DFW AB

Jesús catequista sale a nuestro encuentro / Jesus Catechist Comes Out To Meet Us En el marco del V Encuentro y del primer movimiento del proceso de preparación, el taller ayudará a experimentar cómo Jesús catequista sale a nuestro encuentro de múltiples maneras y cómo nos reta como catequistas para encontrarlo en esta época de cambio.

Father Alejandro López-Cardinale

Father Alejandro López-Cardinale was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Caracas, Venezuela and currently serves the parish of St. Mary’s in Waltham, MA. He also works in the Archdiocese of Boston’s Hispanic Ministry Office. Fr. Alejandro is the President of La RED (National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana). Fr. Alejandro holds an MA in Catechesis from Catholic University, Paris. He is also a consultant for Familia, Vida y Juventud Department at the Latin American Bishops Council, CELAM.

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Grand ABCDE

Rev. Dr. Michael Louis Pfleger

The Rev. Dr. Michael Louis Pfleger, Senior Pastor, The Faith Community of Saint Sabina. In the course of his extensive and active ministry, Father Pfleger has been recognized for his commitment to equality and passionate stance against injustice. Father Pfleger is the founder of the Employment Resource Center, the Ark Youth Center, Saint Sabina Social Service Center, Thea Bowman Spiritual Advance Center, Samaritan House for the homeless, Saint Sabina 80-unit Elders Village and the Beloved Community, Inc.As a minister, Father Pfleger has sought to break down the walls of racism and denominationalism by building unity among all people founded on truth and based on Jesus’ command to love one another. This holy calling has led him to be parent, a preacher, a teacher, a lecturer and an activist. However, he believes his most important role is an errand boy for Jesus!