Celebrated theologian, storyteller Jack Shea to discuss 'The Lord's Prayer' at St. Thomas April 23

Reservations will be accepted through Thursday, April 19, for “The Lord’s Prayer, Ever Ancient – Ever New,” a program that will be led by renowned theologian and storyteller John (Jack) Shea from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the Lighthouse room of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Cost of the program is $30 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

When St. Augustine addressed God as “Beauty, ever ancient – ever new,” he could well have been describing the “Lord’s Prayer” because the “Our Father” is at the origins of Christianity. So it is ever ancient. Yet how the prayer is understood and prayed changes from age to age so it also is ever new.

In his presentation, Shea will focus on the surplus of meanings the Lord’s Prayer can generate and how we might pray it to open the hidden depths of our lives.

Shea lectures nationally and internationally on storytelling in world religions, faith-based health care, contemporary spirituality, and the spirit at work movement. He also is the author of 13 books on theology and spirituality, and two books of poetry. His most recent work, “The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers,” is a four-volume series that provides literary/spiritual interpretations of the Sunday Gospels. These interpretations are a valuable resource for lectionary-based preaching and teaching.

Reservations as early as possible are encouraged because of the popularity of Shea’s presentations and the entertaining, educational mode in his approach. Reservations may be made with Chari Rosales, director of S.T.A.F.F.S. (St. Thomas Adult Faith Formation & Spirituality), at (630) 355-8980, ext. 138 or at crosales@stapostle.org. Additional information about “The Lord’s Prayer, Ever Ancient – Ever New” also is available from Rosales.

St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God’s unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,300 households of more than 11,000 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs can be viewed at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, call (630) 355-8980 or visit www.stapostle.org.

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