Second Lay Movements Conference of the Archdiocese of Toronto

The Archdiocese will be holding the Second Lay Movements Conference at St. Roch’s Parish on April 1. Bishop Grecco, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, is the main driving force. The aim of this conference is to enable the 200 or so lay movements within the Archdiocese to get to know each other and to exchange ideas. His Eminence Cardinal Ambrozic will preside over the eucharistic celebration that day. Bishop Grecco said, “Even though the lay movements within the archdiocese are the fruits of divine graces, some movements are originated from the international arena while others are locally developed. The purpose of this meeting is first and foremost to facilitate communications.”

On the eve of Pentecost in 1998, the late Pope John Paul II invited lay movement representatives from all over the world to gather at St. Peter’s Square for a prayer meeting. According to estimates, over 300,000 faithful attended the event that day. JPII quoted the theologist Hans Uns Von Baltasar on his theological idea about the Church being formed by Petrine Profile and Marian Profile, that is, the Church functions hand-in-hand by both the hierarchical Holy Orders and by the divine grace bestowed upon the lay faithful. Of course, the latter still needs to be acknowledged by the former.

Recent history of the Catholic Church bears witness to the fact that different lay ministries have been proven indispensable to the inward renewal of the Church.

Let us all thank the Holy Spirit for His work within the Church.