Precious Blood Renewal Center update
The global church is celebrating 2025 as a Year of Jubilee with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States, expounded on this theme Jan. 25 in an address to the annual gathering of diocesan Catholic charities and social ministry chapters meeting in Washington, D.C.
“The Holy Spirit illumines all believers with the light of hope,” Cardinal Pierre said, quoting Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year declaration. The Holy Spirit “keeps that light burning, like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives,” he continued. “In our broken world, we are called to be examples of that hope to our communities.”
To mark the Jubilee Year, Fr. Ron Will, C.PP.S., is talking with individuals who are “examples of hope to our communities” through their work with the poor, the marginalized, and the excluded.
In January, Fr. Ron spoke with Nyla Bitunjac about her work with prisoners in the Missouri penitentiary system. In February, he talked with Companion Nancy Clisbee about her work with immigrants and refugees in St. Joseph, Missouri. These are examples of what Cardinal Pierre called “Missionaries of Hope” and “Advocates for Justice.”
Fr. Ron is recording these conversations and posting them to the PBRC website and YouTube channel under a play list titled “Traveling with Pilgrims of Hope.” A new video is posted on the last Tuesday of the month throughout the Jubilee Year. Watch them here: pbrenewalcenter.org/blog/category/traveling-with-pilgrims-of-hope/.
Last month, the Renewal Center hosted two of its most popular offerings. On Feb. 16, 45 people and PBRC staff celebrated our annual Healing Mass and Anointing of the Sick. On Feb. 22, our Tables for Two marriage enrichment program sold out for the fifth consecutive time. Fifteen couples shared a five-course meal and discussion questions meant to help deepen their relationships.
Upcoming events include the Lent series “He Loved Us … Nothing Can Separate Us,” a study of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter reflecting on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This will be offered in person and by Zoom on Tuesday evenings through Lent. On March 12, the Renewal Center community joins with the Dialogue Institute of Kansas City for an Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daylong fast Muslims observe during their holy month of Ramadan. On March 17, we will begin our final eight-week course on contemplative living with Thomas Merton.
More information and registration for all PBRC events can be found on our website: www.pbrenewalcenter.org/events.