Mundelein, IL—March 10, 2017: The Liturgical Institute of The University of Saint Mary of the Lake is pleased to announce a partnership with the young and vibrant Saint Alphonsus parish in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago by sponsoring a day-long conference on the sacred liturgy specifically geared for young adults. It will be held in the historic Athenaeum Theatre (936 N. Southport, Chicago IL) on April 22, 2017, and Cardinal Blase Cupich will celebrate the closing Mass at the beautiful Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church.
“God wants us all to share in His own divine life, and so He sent His Son to bring humanity into the very life of the Trinity,” commented Liturgical Associate Director, Dr. Denis McNamara. “He gave a pledge of this great gift at the Transfiguration, where Christ and His garments became dazzlingly white, radiant with the light of heaven. The sacramental life of the Church, especially the Mass, is how this divine life is given to us.” He continued, “Going to Mass, then, is more than just a duty. It is the great eternal opportunity to be formed more and more into the very likeness of God.”
“The world has never seen a liturgy conference designed for young adult Catholics, so we created one,” explained The Liturgical Institute’s Jesse Weiler, organizer of the conference. “At this first annual Transfigured conference, attendees will dive deeply into the Mass and truly see what the Church calls ‘a foretaste of heaven on Earth.’ We are hoping to open the rich treasury of the Liturgy to young adult Catholics, linking the importance of the Liturgy to their everyday lives.”
Speakers and topics:
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago: Celebrant for Mass
Fr. John Kartje, Rector of Mundelein Seminary, Liturgical Institute Faculty Member: “A Better Way to Read the Bible: The Use of Scripture in the Mass”
Christopher Carstens, Liturgical Institute Faculty Member; Director, Office of Worship, diocese of Lacrosse: “The Liturgical Encounter with Christ: Be Transfigured”
Dr. Denis McNamara, Liturgical Institute Faculty Member, Author, Expert in Church Architecture: “Liturgy, Beauty and Heaven: How The Catholic Church Gets It Right
Alexis Kutarna, Music Director at St. Mary’s Seminary, Houston, Liturgical Institute Graduate: “Music in the Liturgy: The Song of Heaven”
Jon Leonetti, Catholic Speaker and Author: Conference Emcee
About the Liturgical Institute: The Liturgical Institute, which is part of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, was established in the year 2000 by Francis Cardinal George, as a center for the study of sacramental theology and liturgical studies. It offers graduate degrees in a context of prayer and scholarship with the Church’s future priests, deacons, pastors and ministers to bring solid theological knowledge, critical reasoning and practical skills to bear on the ongoing renewal which emerged from the 20th century liturgical movement. It continues now in the 21st century under Cardinal Cupich to support the new evangelization through the “way of beauty” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 167).
For more information see betransfigured.com.
