Westwood-Norwood Lenten Mission to Kick Off with Social Event

A four-night "Collaborative Lenten Mission" that begins Sunday night kicks off with a social event at the Norfolk Golf Club tonight.

The mission, sponsored by the Catholic Cluster Parishes of Westwood and Norwood, is meant to embolden faith and unite members of the four parishes, which include and in Westwood, and and churches in Norwood.

"It's intended for the members of the parish to get to know each other by participating in events collaboratively," said Westwood Town Planner Nora Loughnane, who is on a committee representing St. Denis.

The mission has been held for the last two years, and all are welcome to participate on one or all of the nights it is held. This year, the mission will feature presenter and author Reverend Michael Manning, a member of the Society of the Divine Word who has experience in religious television and radio.

Manning is the founder and president of Wordnet Productions, a television ministry, and many of his programs, such as the weekly program "The Word in the World," are broadcast on Catholic TV networks throughout the country. Manning has also been a guest on Larry King Live, as well as The Tonight Show, Hard Copy, and the Montel Williams Show, among others.

"He's been a very successful speaker at other missions, and provides an entertaining and informative reflectful mission," Loughnane said.

The first session of the mission will take place at St. Margaret Mary's on Sunday, St. Denis on Monday, St. Catherine's on Tuesday an St. Timothy's on Wednesday. Each session begins at 7 p.m. with a half-hour of quiet prayer before Manning's presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, a new event on Saturday night, dubbed "Theology on Tap" will take place at the Norfolk Golf Club. The event is geared to reach Catholics in the age bracket of 20 to 40

"We've found over the last two years that we haven't been reaching in the age ranges of the late 20s into the 40s," Loughnane said. "They just seem to not be able to make it to this four-night mission; we want to provide something else where we could reach out to that age group. It's not limited to people in those age groups, we're having it specifically to reach out, but anyone is welcome to come."

The event will essentially be a social gathering that includes pizza and beer, as well as a brief speech by Manning.

"The rest of the event will be very social in nature," Loughnane said, "(with) informal discussions."

Tickets are being distributed for "Theology on Tap" free of charge. Two sessions will be held, one from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and another from 8:30 to 10. Those interested are encouraged to contact one of the four parishes for information on tickets.