What are you doing for the Year of St. Paul?  June 2008

 By Lorene Hanley Duquin

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009 as the Year of St. Paul in recognition of the 2,000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth.

 How will you celebrate the Pauline Year in your parish?   How will you celebrate it personally?

 Here are some suggestions:

•  Read the account of St. Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-19).  Then think about the ways the Lord has called you.  How have you responded to the Lord’s call?
• Plan an adult education program in your parish on the life of St. Paul.
• Read St. Paul’s description of love (1 Cor. 13:4-7).  Then read it again, substituting the word “God” in place of the word “love”.  Read it a third time, substituting your own name in place of the word “love” as a challenge for how you can become a more loving person.
• Organize a parish fundraising session for the Catholic missions in recognition of St. Paul’s missionary zeal.
• Read the letters of St. Paul.
• Order a copy of St. Paul: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. to help you understand the cultural and spiritual meanings behind writings of St. Paul.
• Prepare to celebrate in a special way the important feast days associated with St. Paul throughout the year:  Sunday, June 29, 2008 The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul; Sunday January 25, 2009 the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle; Monday, June 29, 2009 The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.
• Plan a program in your parish to help parishioners recognize and acknowledge the fruits of the Holy Spirit as St. Paul listed them in Gal. 5:22. 
• Read about St. Paul’s struggle with his own weaknesses (2 Cor.12:1-10).  What are your weaknesses?  How has the Lord helped you through your weakness?
• Learn more about Catholic evangelization and how you can share your faith in Jesus with others.
• Read St. Paul’s account of the institution of the Eucharist (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
• Plan a program in your parish based on St. Paul’s description of the Mystical Body of Christ (Rom. 12:3-8).  Help each other discern what gifts they have been given.
• Reflect on St. Paul’s Paradox of the Cross (1 Cor. 1:18-25).  How has the message of the cross impacted your life?