Inspiring Deacon Leads Upcoming Parish Mission
By Marcy Stenstrom
It’s the first of November but you can’t go to the stores without seeing the Christmas decorations for sale. Alas, advent begins on November 29th this year. That’s only five weeks away. Aside from decorations and party planning, it’s also wise to plan ahead and mark our calendars for events that prepare us for a renewed spirit; one of charity and service to others during the Christmas season. Our upcoming parish mission is just one way to begin the advent season working towards that renewal and deeper appreciation of the gift of Christ. It will be like a three-day spiritual boot camp for anyone interested in renewing and preparing themselves during advent.
This year, the parish advent mission themed “Communion, Conversion, and Mission” has been planned for Sunday November 29th through Tuesday December 1st. It will be conducted by Deacon Thomas Kinnick. A session each night will begin at 7pm and conclude at 9pm. There will be a break in between and a time for questions afterward. The opening night will have a special
session for teens in 7th though 12th grades beginning with a supper sponsored by our Little Flower Council at 5pm. The youth session will take place from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. After the session on Monday night, confession will be available from 9pm to 10pm.
Deacon Kinnick is currently assigned to St. Charles Boromeo parish in Chippewa Falls. He is the director of Youth Ministry for the Chippewa Falls Deanery and has more than 25 years of teaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels. He is a frequent guest speaker on Relevant Radio’s “Searching the Word” program and is a teacher for the Lay Formation and permanent deaconate programs for the Diocese of La Crosse.
Deacon Kinnick taught our very own Steve Martin for three years in the Lay Formation program. Martin said that Deacon Kinnick has a good sense of humor, is well trained, and is always very engaging, “He’s easy to understand because he takes deep material and simplifies it for us. He makes great use of body language and is very
powerful, dynamic.”
I asked Martin why someone should consider attending this mission; what makes him different and unique from other spiritual motivational speakers?
“God has given him a special gift; to call others in to action,” replied Martin. “No one in the room is left uninspired. Everyone feels personally called (to action) and encouraged. I put him in the same category as Fr. Corapi or Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. If you miss this, you may not have another chance to hear him speak and you’ll regret it. He’ll be the great speaker we remember of our generation, our lifetime.”
My husband and I are getting a babysitter and are not going to miss out on this opportunity for self-examination and growth. Join us and the many other people of all ages and denominations for three days of inspiration and motivation. It’s FREE…so what’s your excuse?