Invitation

The Circle of Life Journey
An Invitation

YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE
"THE CIRCLE OF LIFE JOURNEY"

“ . . . keep alive the desire to know how to welcome the numerous signs of the tenderness which God offers to the whole world and, above all, to those who suffer, who are alone and abandoned, without hope of being pardoned or feeling the Father’s love.”

- Pope Francis

How can we experience the “tenderness which God offers” when faced with challenging and often complex life issues? How do Church teachings, tradition, theology, and scripture help us to form our individual consciences so that we can make moral decisions and be both compassionate and consistent regarding the many issues surrounding life . . . and death? To find out, you are invited to embark on a unique journey of mercy and compassion. The Circle of Life Journey looks at our faith’s consistent teachings on respect for life from “womb to tomb” —and every stage in between— with prayer, scripture, video reflections, short films, faith sharing and discussion.

Testimonies from previous participants: “The program opened up my eyes and heart.” “It gave me a new awareness.” “the patient, thoughtful, instructive, respectful way of presenting difficult issues is extraordinary.“ “I really learned a lot of new things that I had never considered.”

This 11-week program was developed by Our Mother of Sorrows Parish's Christian Life Commission in 2007 and has been offered several times in OMOS parish through the years. The Diocese of Tucson's Pastoral Center is now encouraging offerings of the program more widely in the diocese, under the sponsorship of the Office of Human Life & Dignity and the Office of Catechesis & Family Life. The most recent offereing was at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Spring 2017.

The Circle of Life Journey program is based on a series of Catholic Update articles (offered by Ligouri Publications) that cover the full spectrum of life issues from “womb to tomb” using the perspective of a “A Consistent Ethic of Life.” The Catholic Update:  A Consistent Ethic of Life by Kenneth R. Overberg, S.J. starts out the series to initiate our journey of discovery, prayer, and reflection as together we seek to grow toward a deeper respect for life in all its seasons.

                           An outline of the topics addressed in each session can be found HERE

Copies of Catholic Update articles related to each of these topics are available on this website or will be made available to read in advance of each session. Participants will be invited to make a commitment to complete the entire journey covering all 11 topics. For those who may be absent due to travel or other reasons, a process has been established to make up for missed sessions by obtaining copies of specific Updates. Other materials for each session will be available by visiting the Circle of Life Journey's website: www.circleoflifejourney.org   Those who complete the entire Circle of Life Journey will be commissioned and “sent forth” in a special rite at the end of the program.

For more information or to inquiry about offering the program in your parish, contact the program facilitator, Katie Hirschboeck, who is the chair of Our Mother of Sorrows' Consistent Ethic of Life Committee.

You are most welcome to join us on this powerful journey!
Please spread the word !