Did you used to be Catholic?  There are many reasons why people who were raised Catholic have left or been pushed out.  Maybe your decision was painful or dramatic.  Maybe you just drifted away in search of something more engaging or relevant.  Maybe the abuse scandal was just too much.  Maybe you want a more inclusive Church that welcomes the gifts of all of its members.  Whatever your reason, we at Cranaleith respect your journey and trust that the Sacred has continued to engage with you in your day-to-day life, regardless of the status of your religious affiliation.

With this belief in our hearts, we ask if you would be willing to share your wisdom, experience, and vision with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia through an evening of conversation facilitated by Margie Winters and Bernadette Rudolph.  Archbishop Perez has kicked off a ten-year renewal process called the Fourth Way.  With a heart wide open to the Spirit; he asks, “Where should the Church be in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and how?”  Bernadette and Margie are part of a group of Catholics who want to ensure that the answers of as many people as possible, most especially those who have been marginalized by the Church, are heard.

We will use a form of communal discernment called Conversations in the Spirit.  Rooted in prayerful listening to the Spirit in my life, the lives of others and in the conversation among us, this method uses equal periods of speaking for all and respectful dialogue.  (We have yet to meet anyone who has not come away hopeful and joyful.) We’ll reflect on two questions:

• Tell a story from your experience that reveals for you, what God is up to in the greater Philadelphia area.
• Based on what we have experienced, where should the Church be in this Archdiocese and what could it be doing there? What gifts, if any, do you want to bring to this refocusing/renewal?

The fruits of this conversation will be shared with Archbishop Perez and the Planning Office along with the voices of others who, like you, care about bringing love and a prophetic voice to the poorest big city in America.  We know it is a stretch, but please join us!

Your voice matters.  We believe that any meaningful path forward for our Archdiocese must be shaped by your insights, your stories, and your hopes. Without your input, no plan could truly reflect the inclusive, Spirit-led Church we are called to become.