Day one of the Diocesan Jubilee of Hope Convocation kicked off at St. Michael Parish in Brattleboro on Thursday, July 17. The evening began with dinner and fellowship at St. Brigid’s Kitchen, where, in addition to enjoying the food and community, attendees were invited to be “Agents of Hope” by bringing in non-perishable food items to be donated to the pantry.

The evening continued with two reflections on hope from Christopher Johnson, a counselor with Vermont Catholic Charities, who noted: “Hope … doesn’t erase grief, it transforms it,” encouraging us to let ourselves and others experience that transformation in Christ. Father Lance Harlow, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in St. Johnsbury, then followed by sharing the inspiring story of Leonie Martin, the younger sister of Saint Therese of Lisieux, and the hope-filled transformation the Lord worked in and through her.

One of the reasons the Church celebrates a Year of Jubilee every 25 years is to make more widely available the treasury of graces. And so, the evening concluded with a Holy Hour lead by Bishop John McDermott, that included the opportunity for adoration, the Sacrament of Confession, Night Prayer, and Benediction.

Fittingly, the Lord even graced the attendees with a beautiful rainbow over the Church, an enduring sign of the Lord’s faithfulness for all time.

Day two of the Diocesan Jubilee of Hope Convocation took the pilgrimage to Central Vermont at St. Monica Parish in Barre on Friday, July 18. The evening began with a potluck dinner and fellowship in the parish hall. In addition to enjoying the food and community, attendees were invited to be “Agents of Hope” by bringing in school supplies to be donated to St. Monica-St. Michael School.

The evening continued with three very moving testimonies on hope by Rachel Lavallee, a local young adult and teacher, Miriam Callan, a recent Rice Memorial High School graduate who serves on the Diocesan Youth Council, and Sister Kathryn Maney, of the Marian Sisters.

Following these powerful reflections on hope, the attendees moved upstairs to the Church for a time of prayer, featuring adoration, scripture readings, the opportunity for Confession, and praise and worship music from area young adults. The evening concluded with formal Benediction by Bishop McDermott.

Day three of the Diocesan Jubilee of Hope Convocation took the pilgrimage to the Northeast Kingdom as the event concluded at Mary, Star of the Sea Church in Newport on Saturday, July 19. The evening began with Mass celebrated by Bishop McDermott and included the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick begin conferred on 22 individuals. Mass was followed by a cookout provided by the Knights of Columbus. Sister Megan Therese of the Marian Sisters then invited us to hope like Mary did, giving participants a chance to enter into a time of listening to the Lord’s voice. Monsignor Richard Lavalley followed with a further reflection on the hope that Mary had, and how “God trusted her to trust Him,” and does the same with us. The Convocation concluded with the recitation of the Rosary lead by Bishop McDermott.

Attendees were also invited to be “Agents of Hope” and offered the chance to write out greeting cards of prayer and encouragement that will then be passed on the various assisted living homes, pregnancy help centers, and VT Catholic Charities.

The late Pope Francis in calling for this Jubilee of Hope stated, “During the Holy Year, may the light of Christian hope illumine every man and woman, as a message of God’s love addressed to all! And may the Church bear faithful witness to this message in every part of the world!” The three days of the Diocesan Jubilee of Hope Convocation were a privileged opportunity to do just that across the state of Vermont.

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