Looking for a New Year’s resolution, no matter how informal? Does it involve exercise? Becoming a stronger Catholic?
Good news! You can do both at once!
If you’re looking to exercise a bit more, consider registering for the:
- Friends of the Poor: Walk a Mile in My Shoes 5k —It’s Feb. 21 at St. Rose Parish in Anthem (map). All net proceeds will help build a much needed St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
- Nun Run — It’s March 7 at Kiwanis Park in Tempe (map). The 10k run, 5k walk and 1-mile walk alongside the Poor Clare Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from Tonopah moves them one step closer to building a cloistered monastery where they will spend their life praying for you and other needs worldwide.
Or exercise on your own at whatever park, sidewalk or indoor facility suits your fancy. While you’re there, consider listening to some of these podcasts and learn more about the life of the Church:
- The Bishop’s Hour — Get weekly news and interviews about your faith and spiritual life plus hear a regular message from Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted.
- The Catholic Conversation — Join the weekly conversation between a Catholic couple who also happen to complement each other as a “cradle” Catholic and a convert to the faith. They discuss current church news, trends and spirituality in-depth with a single guest.
- Catholics Matter — Looking for shorter content? Try “Catholics Matter,” a regular series that fills the remaining air time following the weekly televised Mass. Meet local Catholics doing extraordinary work within local Catholic apostolates or on their own.
- Kino library — If you’re not a current student of the Kino Catechetical Institute, for $10 per year, you can check out a CD, book, DVD or other resource that will help you learn more about Church teaching. Obviously, some formats won’t lend themselves to using during exercise, but the Kino library is a resource to know about.
Just looking for a spiritual boost? Discern a retreat opportunity. Private retreats are offered at places such as the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale and Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in west Phoenix.
The diocesan women’s and men’s conferences, which are like day retreats, are accepting reservations soon, if not already.
There’s also a Women’s Spirituality Retreat Jan. 23-25 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale. The next six-week session of Daughters of Eve begins Feb. 5 at the same location. Endow groups will be forming in early 2015 and meeting at Our Lady of Joy Parish in Carefree.
If you’re a Catholic man and live or commute near one of 12 area parishes, check out their men’s groups.
