One’s faith journey will always be uneven, marked by moments of doubt. This week’s Act of Mercy, “Counsel the Doubtful,” embraces this reality and offers guidance for traveling this lifelong journey for all, as clergy and laity, for ourselves and for others.
Last week’s Act of Mercy, “Instruct the Ignorant,” focused on sharing knowledge of our faith. “Counsel the Doubtful” shifts to activating our faith, especially in the face of making life decisions as a Disciple of Christ and dwelling with God forever. The word “counsel” comes from the Latin word consilium (con=with and silium=decision).
Often thought of as an Act of Mercy primarily for our clergy, there is also a profound need for the laity to actively counsel as well. It calls for us to seek resources to guide us in providing counsel to others.
The above invitation, “A Higher Calling Deserves” is from Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Pastoral Studies (IPS). Founded in 1964 in the midst of Vatican II, IPS recognizes the critical role of lay staff and parish leaders. As part of an outstanding Catholic university, IPS taps into deep sources of ideas, parochial experience and creative approaches to parish regeneration, planning and growth.
Located around the corner from Holy Name Cathedral, IPS provides transformative education for ministry, spiritual leadership and faith-based social engagement through professional graduate degrees and certificates. IPS prepares people for collaborative leadership in an increasingly diverse world, blending faith and justice in service to the mission of Christ and the Church.
IPS Parish Leadership and Management Programs extend educational opportunities beyond Master’s degrees by offering specialized group retreats, adult Biblical education, intensive adult certification programs, parish leadership consulting and speaker bureau workshops and networking events customized for parishes.
Mark Bersano, MASJ, Coordinator of IPS Parish Leadership and Management Programs;
“I believe in the power and wisdom of local parish communities to transform the world. A major part of our mission at IPS is to provide the education, best practices and flexibility to help parishes achieve this more effectively in a complex and ever-changing world.”
The role of counsel is in front and center in Archbishop Cupich’s recently announced archdiocesan initiative to “Renew My Church”. This directly supports Pope Francis’ call for the Jubilee of Mercy to be a time for the universal church to rise, renew and reimagine herself.
Archbishop Cupich encourages clergy and laity to “dream big” about the future of our Church, to discern and to make the tough decisions facing our archdiocese. The Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago, in partnership with the Archdiocese, provides education and support to parishes as they create their individual “Renew My Church” plans.
Lori Doyle - Joined Holy Name Cathedral 6 1/2 years ago when I moved to Chicago. Currently the Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, I also served as Chair of the Human Concerns Commission. Actively involved in our parish, I also serve as an Extraordinary Minister and a Minister of Care at Prentice Hospital/Northwestern Hospital. Was honored in 2015 with the annual Archdiocese of Chicago Christifidelis award
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