Celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the

Opening of the Second Vatican Council

Join a unique, seven-day study tour in Rome

October 9—16, 2012

Sponsored by the National Association for Lay Ministry

in cooperation with the Lay Centre Foyer Unitas (Rome)

VATICAN II: Rediscovering Our Past, Renewing Our Future

The Second Vatican Council, which opened in Rome on October 11, 1962, was a major historical moment in the life of the church. But it’s more than an event of the past. It continues today, in the words of Blessed John Paul II, as a “sure compass by which we take our bearings...”

In this study tour we will experience and reflect on the Council – in the very place where it happened – as a continuing, living, unfolding work of the Holy Spirit. We will revisit some major themes contained in the teachings of Vatican II and explore how they have shaped the life of the church in the past half century – and what promise they hold for the future. We will devote special attention to the significance of Vatican II for the laity and lay ministries.

Dr. Edward P. Hahnenberg, Ph.D., will accompany the group to Rome as its principal resource person. He holds the Breen Chair for Catholic Systematic Theology at John Carroll University and is the author of A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II. Dr. Hahnenberg’s areas of expertise include ecclesiology and church ministry.

The study tour will draw on the expertise of many experts working in Rome: professors, journalists, leaders of religious communities and lay movements, staff from Vatican offices, and more. The program makes use of Rome as a living classroom. It will include guided visits to significant sites in Rome (including St. Peter’s) that are associated with the Council. The program weaves together site visits, a papal audience, lectures, panel presentations, theological reflection sessions, daily prayer and Masses (often at different churches), some common meals, and plenty of time to enjoy Roman culture and cuisine, along with leisure activities.

Dates:

The program begins at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 and ends in the evening of Monday, October 15. Plan to arrive in Rome no later than October 9 and depart beginning on October 16.

Location:

The main location for program activities is the Lay Centre which is centrally located in Rome near the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

For more information: www.laycentre.org

Travel:

Travel arrangements are the responsibility of the program participants.

Accommodations:

Cost:

The program fee is $1,290 USD. It includes all program events, materials, site visits, ground transportation, and a few meals.

A deposit of $250 is due by June 16^st to reserve your place in the study tour. Maximum group number will be 35.

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY!

Join this unique pilgrimage of lay women and men, priests, deacons, and vowed religious for a journey TO Rome, a journey IN Rome, and a journey FROM Rome – using the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council as a starting point for learning, praying, and celebrating what the renewal begun in Vatican II continues to mean for the church, and especially laity, today and tomorrow.

For More Information Contact: Rick McCord, Rome program coordinator, at rmccord2012@gmail.com or301-792-2750.